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.

Thank you for sharing your story and being so honest . Reading it has helped me.
I have done IF before and just restarted. I love this woe and am excited that the time is right for me to restart my weight loss journey .

I am looking for buddies and all the motivation I can get.

@TarasChoc massive "hear hear" to your last post! I've also had to accept that it's pretty pointless setting myself timed weight loss goals - we cannot control our bodies to that extent, and it usually ends up discouraging and demoralising us.

To be making good decisions and sustainable changes, and just finding a new way of eating that we enjoy and can stick with is a HUGE deal - and the weight loss will follow, however slow it feels. 😊

@mumlikeaboss exactly, we will get our results, maybe not as quickly as we'd hoped but as you say finding something we can actually stick to is huge!
@PamelaBanisha best of luck, looking forward to chatting. It's important I think to share the actual struggles so that not only can I look back and say to myself that I've gotten through it before but so anyone else reading realises that on the way to successful weigh loss there's a lot of picking yourself up and moving on and sheer grit somedays just to stay in line.

So this week's 6 results are down below and I've hit the stone off on this Woe without realising it.

Week 1 -5.5
Week2 -2.3
Week3 -1.4
Week4 -2.4
Week 5 -1.4
Week 6 -1.2
Total loss -14.2

@TarasChoc think you have hit the nail on the head. Weight loss is about long term changes and not giving up despite the ups anD downs of life. My weight loss has been going on for several years and I am getting there despite some deviations along the way.
I lost 8 stones a few years ago and have regained 2. I need to lose about 3 to get to my goal. Illness and life have got in the way , but now is the right time to start the next part of my weight loss journey.
I love IF and it makes me feel in control and physically very well.
I have been doing between 16/8 and 18/6. Have an evening out tomorrow so I am adjusting timing so dinner and drinks fall in the eating window ( does vodka count as food 😂)
will report back …..

@TarasChoc A stone in 6 weeks is fab! 🥳🥳

I would love to lose a stone by December, but if I'm brutally honest I don't have the motivation right now!! Too much going on, mental health issues, blah blah blah...

So I'm just plodding on and MAINTAINING 🤩 - with very little effort, so that's exciting in its own right!

Well done on that weigh loss @PamelaBanisha and maintaining the large majority of it, that's some achievement!

@mumlikeaboss focus on just getting used of fasting times and the rest will follow.

I'm not sure if I've ever just maintained, I seem to be either losing or gaining. I think when I've do get to goal, or even if I have to to put losing weight on the back burner, that intermittent fasting will help me succeed at maintaining.

I've found in the last couple of weeks I've not been eating as well/tasty. I'm not sure really why, maybe I've just became complacent with planning.
I've had my second covid booster and an unexpected period so maybe that's why my motivation isn't there to make really tasty food. I've realised I do need that element of having the majority of my meals been very tasty and something to look forward to. Tomorrow I'll plan ahead loosely for next week and do a shop to make sure I've a nice tasty variety.

I'm getting a buzz of excitement in my tummy as I've some beautiful winter clothes in my wardrobe that I haven't been able to wear in the last two years. It's looking likely that I'll be able to enjoy them this year.
I bought a coat last March which didn't look right on me even though in theory it fitted. I put it on the other day and it looked really nice, so obviously it suits my shape better now.
Clothes are such a boost for me😁

Aw that's lovely 🤗

I've come a long way, but I still have some beautiful clothes that I'm nowhere near fitting into!! I hope one day I'll be able to 🤞🏻

I have done IF successfully before. But lockdown floored me and despite trying since I can’t shift the weight. Great to find this thread. Would like to join please, I have just finished eating. So that gives me a 12.30 lunchtime if I start with 16.8. My downfall is craving a cup of tea to get me going in the morning which then makes me hungry ….

For anyone interested in this WOE the Zoe Science and Nutrition podcast this week is about Intermittent Fasting and their guest is Gin Stephens.

They also give details of their new study into Intermittent Fasting for which they are recruiting in the UK now (10 hour eating window) joinzoe.com/fasting .

Podcast - open.spotify.com/show/1xDawqT8Cgm6HAnbpFX5T5

Welcome on-board @minervamcgonagall2

Thanks for those links @OddBoots
much appreciated.
I'm fairly new to intermittent fasting and just trying to find my own way yet so I'm not fully up on where to go or what to recommend for anyone who's looking for more information. As of now I'm just very impressed with what I've read on the topic and how relatively easy it's been for me to adapt to this WOE and eager to learn more.

Well it's Friday again, another week almost done. I'm trying to loosely plan today's eating window and meals.
Yesterday was quiet a low day calorie wise at just over 1000. The day before was higher at almost 1900. Weekly my average calories are working out at 1500/1600 daily.
I find if I plan ahead to have a lower calorie day or very short eating window it usually doesn't work out. I focus more on food those days and end up with false hunger. It's better if the day evolves and it just happens.
Most days work out at 20/4 or 21/3.

So yesterday's food was, some spicy chicken with cauliflower rice and stir-fry vegetables. A tuna sandwich on seeded bread with light mayonnaise. 30g tortilla crisps as a snack.
Today I think I'll make some home made chips in the air fryer, some baked beans and a chicken fillet burger. I'm really busy today so that'll most likely be my only meal, it'll be a larger portion of everything and most likely I'll be too full to eat another meal before my window closes.
Snack wise I'll probably have breakfast biscuits or a nature valley bar. If I need another meal it'll be a club sandwich.

I miss having a glass of wine on Friday evenings, really miss it some Fridays. It seems like having a glass in front of the fire is starting the weekend off nicely. Problem is it wouldn't be just one glass it would lead to more and snacks.
But it just means I enjoy Saturday night all the more and can have some extra calories to use rather than spreading them out over two nights. It means I can have drinks and or a meal/takeaway and still have a calorie deficit. I expend my window on Saturday to 16/8 or 18/6. Its a good feeling not thinking that I'm messing up my plan and feeling guilty like I previously would've after overdoing it on a weekend!

Week 7 update and I've lost another 1.8 lbs.

Week 1 -5.5
Week 2 -2.3
Week 3 -1.4
Week 4 -2.4
Week 5 -1.4
Week 6 -1.2
Week 7 -1.8
Total loss -16

@TarasChoc 16 lb loss is fantastic. You are an inspiration.

I lost 5lb in the first week . The weekend has been very social so back on the IF today. I hope to see a loss and still have a social weekend now and again.
I feel generally much better. More energy and a positive mindset that I am in control of what I eat. Very liberating.

Thanks @PamelaBanisha and well done on your first weeks loss. It's nice to get a good start. Keep updating how you're getting on, its lovely to have buddies to chat with.

I've had a fair few social weekends the last month. I stretch my eating window to 6/8 hours. I still watch what I'm eating in that I don't mindlessly snack. I don't start the weekend on a Friday. Saturday is usually the day I would go out or have a takeaway and some alcohol drinks I typically eat 16/8. Sundays are pretty good but I would usually have some extra calories, maybe 500 or so my window then is usually 18/6.
During the week by default I tend to have at least two days where I really only eat one large meal and a snack and have a window of 22/2 the rest of the week its 20/4.
I am not rigid with my windows and the only two goals I have for myself is that I maintain a decent weekly calorie deficit and at least a 16/8 window every day. The rest just follows as a result of not been hungry. I drink a lot of water too.
I do think that drinking alcohol slows my losses. Right now I'm okay with that but I plan on taking a break for a few weeks before Christmas so I'll see if that makes any difference.

Hello!

I'm starting this today. I like your approach op, of doing a minimum of 16/8, but more where possible.

I don't know how much I weigh tbh, but I'm hoping to shed some unwanted lbs. Bought some dresses the other day and they don't look nice even though they're my usual size, so need to do something. The plus side of that is that I'm sending the dresses back. Can't afford them anyway 😄

Welcome on-board @SandraOMG
The biggest tips I can give you is to drink plenty of water and eat plenty of protein. I think making my last meal of the day the most filling has been what's helped me the most with stopping evening snacking.

I'm rarely hungry in the mornings but if I get hungry before my window opens I find that usually after a half hour or so it passes. I don't think I've ever really reached the stage on this of been properly hungry. I think the water makes a big difference.

Thank you. Those are good tips.

I went to the gym this morning and found it OK, despite lack of food. Anyway, it distracted me so I didn't get hungry.

So far, so good. Will have to battle the munchies later and maybe get an earlier night.

I'm nearing the end of my 8th week. When I started this WOE 8 weeks seemed a long way off. It's flown by, it feels like only a few weeks have passed since I've been on plan.
I've had an excellent week. Sticking to both my window and calories has been easy. I've eaten out for lunch twice, every meal I've had has been delicious. I've had no cravings for chocolate or any sweet food and no hungry days.
It would seem like I've got this thing nailed, right? Wrong! I've fell for that myself too many times before. I'm enjoying this week for what it is, an easy week on my way to losing excess weight. I've plenty of energy, getting enough sleep and have time to organise myself. Ahead of me there'll be plenty of tough weeks. Weeks where I'm not well, tired or hungry all the time. Weeks when lots of things including hormones are out of my control. Hopefully though every extra week I've completed will keep my resolve going through the bad days and there'll be many more easy weeks like this dotted in between.

For anyone considering trying fasting or just started and struggling please trust it is worth preserving. Not having to contend with hormonal hunger and cravings has made my life so much easier. Having no guilt around what I eat or criticism of myself for my lack of control over food is the best feeling ever. The burden of self loathing around been obese is an awful one to bear, I feel a lot lighter with that alone gone.

I have lost another 2lb and am back in the groove.
I am away on a girls spa trip tomorrow so there will be alcohol and more food than usual but will be straight back into the groove after.
I am feeling so much better and my resting heart rate has reduced . It’s amazing how this makes me feel and I feel “free” from food if that makes sense.

@TarasChoc thank you for your updates. Your tips really help.

Thank you for your thoughtful.and informative posts ..getting back to IF next week and I know it works well for me but months of stress led to basically all day munching..blah ..looking forward to it !

I started 16:8 last Wednesday. It's been a very tough year for me and fallen in habit of emotional eating. I couldn't muster the mental strength to start any of the diets that I have lost weight with in the past. So for now all I am adjusting is my eating window and trying to drink more water. If I can stick with it then I may look at calories, taking out sugar and carbs. So far it's easier than I thought it would be and cutting out quite a few snacks!

I see you are still going strong OP which is encouraging. It's good you are realistic about having bad weeks too. Having a bad day would set me off on a spiral of making bad food choices and then giving up on whatever diet I was following. I hope by at least sticking to the eating window, it will be easier to get back on track. Fingers crossed!

Well done @PamelaBanisha
Good luck restarting @ginandbearit
How are you getting on since @ItIsLife ?

I think working first on getting the windows and fasting right is a sensible approach.
I fell into fasting by attempting the fast 800. I was hit and miss with it but realised I had fallen into 16/8 fasting and was finding that suited me better.
I've found if I set too many stricter targets for myself, like a very short window and open very low calorie or one meal a day then I'm more likely to be mentally overwhelmed by it all and struggle that day to do 16/8.
I'm always banging on about drinking water and I'm doing it again as much to remind myself as anyone else. I'm really good during the week but weekends are a bit difficult if we're out and about and toilets not always nearby. If I don't start my day by drinking water I get complacent and don't bother later on when I actually can. Then hunger hits and that's dangerous! The only hunger I've really experienced is when I haven't had enough water, the hunger is thirst and will go every time I drink. Sipping lots of water throughout the day is the biggest tip I can give. During my eating window I flavour it with an apple and pear sugar free cordial.

Have a good week everyone. Any questions feel free to ask. I don't pretend I'm an expert but I will try and support. To be fair this is a very uncomplicated weight loss plan and once you get your windows right it's easy for everything else to fall into place.

WEEK 8 UPDATE -2.6

Week 1 -5.5
Week 2 -2.3
Week 3 -1.4
Week 4 -2.4
Week 5 -1.4
Week 6 -1.2
Week 7 -1.8
Week 8 -2.6
Total - 18.6

For whatever reason I feel the need to explain why I post a weekly update here and include previous weeks two.
Firstly seeing the previous weeks numbers added up like that confirms for me that I'm making steady progress. In time I know I'll have weeks when I gain or don't lose and I want to look at those weeks recorded in the shadow of many other positive weeks so as I can look at the bigger picture happening and not a snapshot week.

Secondly I'm the type of person who is motivated by real time weigh loss journeys. Of course its inspiring to read someone's story on how they succeeded after they've lost the weight but I really get a lot from reading week to week journeys.

I will try and post here more and give at least a weekly update on just what sort of week I'm having. Losing weight always takes will power and determination along with planning and time and it's not always easy to have all four of those consistently and it's as important to highlight this too.

Well done OP, I have been lurking on here and always look forward to your Monday update! Brilliant progress. Despite my user name I haven't tried to lose weight for a couple of years, I've stayed the same weight. About two stones heavier than I'd like so I'll be following your example when back from holiday later this week.