My 16/8 / 18/6 fasting 80 pounds to lose journey

[TarasChoc]

I've just started this Woe last Monday and I'm very happy with how much more naturally this comes to me than anything else I've tried. I fell into it accidentally after starting The fast 800 a few weeks ago. I had a few things on and found the low carb and calories aspect hard to stick to but realised I was still in a decent deficit, eating less sugar and doing a 16/8 without finding it all too hard. I've now fallen into 18/6.
I am tracking calories, I'm only eating two meals and the occasional snack so I don't find calorie tracking hard.

I'm looking at losing 70 pounds so I'll be in this for the long haul. I'm currently doing a lot of research listening to Gin Stephen's podcast and reading Delay, don't Deny , The Obesity Code and Fast, Feast Repeat.
I've been weighing everyday to track the trends but my official weighin day will be Monday.

@Neeko I literally just read that a few days ago about 30 different plant-based foods a week! Tim Spector definitely says something along those lines, but I think I read it somewhere else too.

Have been making an effort to add more variety this week and have managed about 35 so far 😁😁 so it isn't impossible! Just need to keep it up.

@mumlikeaboss I can find the 30
different plant-based foods advice but not the amounts. I have a book by him. Will need to re-read.

That is fab that you have been fasting since then @mumlikeaboss - and I'm impressed that you have been able to extend your fast time in that way! So far my longest is 19 hours, so a bit of a lightweight really. I always find it easier when I'm working to make my fast a bit longer.

That makes complete sense @TarasChoc but I also promise that no one would feel like you are letting them down. I always find it quite reassuring to understand that others have ups and downs too. You have done amazingly since starting and it's very inspiring. Also you were right about the water weight as I was back down to 12.5 after weighing on Thurs, that gave me the boost I needed to get back on the 16/8 (diet isn't great but I like your thinking to just focus on the window first).

I think I am going to try to jump on the bandwagon with regards to the 30 plant foods next week. Will see how it goes! I am rubbish at eating my 5 a day but I've made some soup and I've been planning what it might look like. Who else is giving this a go next week?

Thanks @Neeko I'll look up what Tim Spector says about it later.
@AnxieTeapot I've been trying to add in some for the last few days but I'm not sure if it's a specific list of plant based foods, I'll need to do some proper research but in the meantime I'm sure a wider variety of veg, fruit, nuts and seeds can only be a good thing although while I love fruit I don't eat lots of it as if I find a lot of snacking on fruit in my window makes me hungrier.

I can't find a definitive answer on volume as opposed to variety but I must have read it somewhere as I wouldn't make it up. I've read and listened to so much by Tim Spector so I'm assuming I've got it from him. I'm going to listen to this podcast from him next: drchatterjee.com/tim-spector-the-latest-science-on-gut-health-and-how-to-find-the-right-diet-for-you/
You might like this one @TarasChoc

All our talk last week made me realise I had been eating smaller variety recently (I usually eat 6-10 varieties of plant-based food a day but there was a lot of repetition) so I did some cooking at the weekend. I've had minestrone soup, veg chilli with spicy avocado, fruit salad, and a small portion of Greek yoghurt with berries and seeds today. There has to be a bit of gut health in that lot!

That sounds delish @Neeko 😍

I've earmarked that podcast too - I like Dr Chatterjee and need something new to listen to whilst doing the housework 😉

@mumlikeaboss that's a good way to make a rotten task better. I listen on my drive to work but the intro was so long that the interview had only just started when I got there! I see that podcast has a newer episode with the woman who wrote the book about females fasting. I know a few people on here were interested in that. I haven't read the book (yet). Might do if/when what I'm doing stops working for me.
Hope you are having g a good week.

I still haven't finished that podcast but there is a part around the 30 minute mark that says about variety - including spices and nuts - over quantity. He talks about having nuts and seeds with his yoghurt and that counting as 8 different plant based foods. Can't see him having 4 full potions of nuts with one yoghurt.

Portions!

Thanks @Neeko I'll listen to that later. I think I'll probably buy a supplement to to help the process.
Last day of March, I'll do my first monthly weight in tomorrow.

How's everyone else getting along?
I ended up undoing a good day on Tuesday by sharing a bottle of wine with dh and of course having snacks. I did stretch my next fast until yesterday evening though so all wasn't lost.

Food wise I'm feeling very contented and while I loosely fill a food diary it's mainly to count protein. Eating over a time restricted periods means I'm not opting for lower calories in my meals which means meals are very delicious indeed.

Monthly update

Months 1 to 6 -33.2
Month 7 - 3.4
TOTAL LOST 36.6 POUNDS

Great results @TarasChoc well done X

Brilliant @TarasChoc 🌟

Thanks guys I'm hoping this month will get me to the 40 pounds off mark.
I think by marking my losses monthly I'm making this more a way of life than a diet where I expect regular decent results. Hopefully when I do reach maintainance weight it'll make things easier.

We've gone a little quiet here this week. How are you all doing?

I've had a good week, I'm working on eating less snacks especially processed ones. Not going to lie the first few days weren't easy but I'm getting there. I'm hoping I stay strong over the weekend. Bank Holidays are lovely but they throw up a lot of temptation. I'm not worried about chocolate as I'm not that pushed, crisps and biscuits would be my downfall.
I'm hoping that we'll get some pleasant weather and dh and I will head off on some scenic walks.

40 pound off will be such a milestone @TarasChoc - you've got this! The weather definitely helps with keeping active - do you find it easier to eat healthier when the whether gets better? I think I do but we shall see.

I am in a real tough spot at the moment. Fallen back into the all or nothing mindset. I feel like there are too many temptations in the next few weeks with Easter and birthdays, my mind is telling me that there is no point getting back on the wagon right now. I know it's stupid but I am just really struggling again - I know I want to start it again properly but it's just not happening. Feeling ashamed of what I'm seeing in the mirror.

Hi everyone. Hope you are all well and had a lovely Easter.
We were away for a few days. Stuck to a clean fast but indulged more in sweet and rich foods (and enjoyed it all). It all felt so-able and flexible.
The scales are up a little from being out of routine but I'm fine about that. Back to cleanish eating from today and have been for a swim.

@AnxieTeapot Sorry to hear that you are struggling. Maybe just focus on the fasting hours for just now and try not to worry about anything that you are eating in your window that you feel you shouldn't be? Does it help you to plan your food ahead? Maybe just planning the fruit and veg for the next day? This is a rest-of-life way of eating. There will always be ups and downs.

Really gone quiet on here!

I haven't been checking in so much because school holidays always turn my brain inside out 🥴😆 and we've been v busy. Still fasting though 👍🏻

Amazing results for March, @TarasChoc 🤗 really well done.

@AnxieTeapot I feel your pain...! Wish I had some advice.

I decided at the end of last month to stop weighing every day, because it's too depressing seeing that number creep up. I know weighing helps some people stay accountable and not put on weight but that didn't seem to be working for me 😅Going to see if I can focus more on how I feel and how my clothes fit (tightly, at the moment!).

And I've also decided to stop using my fasting app - which I've used every day for nearly 2 1/2 years!!! I don't mean I've stopped fasting, just stopped actually pressing the button on the app to track the numbers. I still keep an eye on the clock, out of habit, but I think tracking my fasts so religiously was stressing me out a bit.

Also have been keeping up my 30+ plant foods a week, and trying to incorporate some fermented foods and kefir (alongside the cake and crisps 🙈🙈). Baby steps... 🙄😂

Hi @mumlikeaboss sounds like you are making all the right tweaks to make this work for you. Have you read the book 'why we eat too much'? You might find it interesting in terms of whole foods and tweaking processed foods. I read it a few years ago. It's pretty hard-going to read but I found the principles useful.

@neeko the name rings a bell 🤔 the one by Dr Andrew Jenkinson?

I started reading it a while back but don't remember finishing it. I have a feeling I disagreed strongly with one of his theories and lost motivation to read the rest 😂

@mumlikeaboss that's the one. He advises against eating nuts and pasta. I just ignore those bits! 🤣

😂

I'll have to give it another shot, and cherry pick the good bits! 😁😁

I recommend that tactic 🤣

We have gone quiet @mumlikeaboss as you say it's a busy time of year.

I had a reply typed out the other day to you @AnxieTeapot and it disappeared, so sorry I hadn't a chance to come on since. How are you now? My best advice is to follow what @Neeko advises and just focus on the fasts knowing you'll reape health benefits if nothing else. Try and take the pressure off to be perfect as you know that's our diet brain mentality. I consider just maintaining a huge win and there's times I'll be happy with that!

That resonates with me @mumlikeaboss if I try to be perfect it's stressful eventually. I accept now I'll have some perfect weeks where I smash it all but they're not achievable long term.

I must look through that book again @Neeko anything that influences me to reduce processed foods even a little is a bonus.