November IF/eating window accountability thread

[Altoo]

I've well & truly embraced the IF way of life, I fast every day with an eating window of between 4-6 hours on average.

Lost two stone this year, ideally like to lose a bit more as I'm hovering right at the top of ideal BMI, and have been plateauing here for a few months now.

I suspect the reason is that I have days where o have a longer eating window, and days where my diet isn't the best (occasional carb binges still!). On a positive though I'm also a lot fitter and leaner than I was at the same weight a couple of months ago.

I want to try to keep a tight eating window for a month, and take greater care over what I'm eating. If that doesn't work I may consider a period of ADF to shift a few pounds for good!

Would anyone like to join me in an accountability thread for a month?

I'm just starting IF so in a different boat but some accountability might help. Starting plan is 16:8, perhaps 18:6 if going ok in a few weeks. Aiming to lose a stone in 4-5 months, cut down carbs (will give up if I cut out), protein and veg as base for meals, start fast after dinner.

I don't like being the weight I am now and I need to get it shifting.

I’d like to join please. Have never thought much of IF before because I know I will just eat far too much in my eating window but going to give myself the benefit of the doubt and try it.

Is 16:8 a good starting point? Or would 18:6 be better?

Welcome @floridaplanner. Good question. Wish I knew answer. Hope starting with 16:8 will help me adjust and stick at it but expect I'll need 18:6 (or knowing my metabolism 20:4). Time will tell.

Also joining. 👋🏻

New mum of second baby, need to lose at least 3 stone. I was following 16-8 before getting pregnant this time last year.

Have started back on it today, easing myself in with 15-9 but plan to regularly do 16-8 and possibly up to 18-6.

I've never done IF but I was asked to join the new Zoe study so I'm doing 14:10 starting today. I think the study lasts for 14 days but I'd like to do at least a month and see how I feel.

Morning, and welcome and good luck to anyone just starting IF. My advice would be to 'clean' fast and just see how you go the first weeks. I started with 12 hours fasting then gradually moved it up.

Had hallowe'en mini chocolate binge last night! But going to aim for a 4/5 hour eating window today.

From gin Stephens - clean fasting guide

Thanks @Altoo - interestingly the Zoe info allows herbal tea outside of the fasting window. I'm not sure what herbal tea with a bitter flavour profile means? No fruit teas obviously!

I’m currently listened to a Gin Stephens podcast while waiting for my eating window to open.

I’m going to have to set my first window as 12 noon to 8pm as due to my husband finishing work quite late we sometimes don’t eat until after 7. I’ll need to make sure my evening meal is the last thing I eat though and I don’t sneak in any naughties before 8 too!

I really struggle with plain water but judging by that pic and this podcast squash is a no no. Will it really affect my results if I drink it?

I’m really intrigued by IF but see it heavily criticised on social media. As in there are no benefits to it other than a smaller window period for eating = less calories = weight loss. Is that correct?

I tried it briefly before and Am interested in trying again but I was so hungry by the time my window period came I was a greedy 🐷 and just binged. Any tips on overcoming that?

Yes, I believe it will. It'll spike insulin which in turn will both make you feel hungry, and insulin inhibits fat burning. (As I understand it).

Try listening to some intermittent fasting podcasts as pp suggested.

I now drink my coffee and tea black, never thought I'd manage!

If it's very restrictive in the eating window, it just makes for a more miserable eating plan that's hard to sustain. IMV.

I do 16/8 most days, but that is just habit and I abandon ship when on holidays and going out etc. But it is most days. I don't watch what I eat in the window apart from trying to take in reasonably ok stuff. No sweets, cakes or biscuits, but do have them at the weekend. I use flavoured waters, and tea/coffee with a splash of milk in the fasting window. I don't worry about portions either.

Basically it maintains my weight and keeps blood sugars ok as I am pre diabetic.

I couldn't do it if I was to follow the rules mentioned above. Jason Chung has you tube videos and he is far more realistic and forgiving!

I think there are some small studies that indicate it's more than just a reduced eating window and therefore reduced calories. But not enough has been done into research yet.

Regardless of the science, it works for me, I've maintained a two stone weight loss without feeling I'm missing out, no calorie counting or cost either!

Take it slow, it will be hard then get easier. Unlike traditional 'diets' which start of easy but can't be sustained.

True! It's a flexible enough approach that you just need to find what works for you.

I would recommend trying clean fasting for a couple of weeks, see how you get on - nothing to lose!

What does everyone eat in their windows?

I'm struggling to change the habit of breaking my fast with something other than lunch e.g. most days I break fast with a chopped banana and crunchy peanut butter - supposedly a good mix of protein and nutrients but not sure if really I should just wait until lunch. (My eating window is usually 10am (if knackered/poor sleep/hungry! or 11am until 7pm.)

I break my fast (my eating window is usually 1230-8:30pm as sometimes we eat late due to toddler bedtime etc.) with lunch - so normal foods. I don't open the eating window with anything specific . Although when I was in an IF facebook group I saw that some people like to open their window with a handful of nuts and/or milky coffee.

I'm quite intentionally trying different things to break my fast to see what works for me. Coffee with banana and peanut butter is my idea of heaven so might try that tomorrow. Today I had eggs with ragout and toast.

I like raw veg and hummus to break my fast.

chrvking in - that's two days of consistency done, wish I could do something about 3am wakings (given up trying to get back to sleep!) I don't feel hungry, in the past I would've had a glass of milk and a snack to help sleep?

Can I join in? I've done various forms of fasting in the past and it works well for me when I stick to it. If I eat breakfast I'm starving all day!
Started 16/8 Monday but didn't do Wednesday as was celebrating with DH, so only on day 4.
I usually fast 1-9 or 12-8.

Can I join in too? I'm nearly four weeks in! It's amazing. I've gone from 16/8 to 18/6 and my energy levels are through the roof!

@RagzRebooted @izzy2076 welcome! Glad it's going well for you both so far

Slightly longer window for me yesterday as I was out for dinner, but stayed off the wine and made relatively good food choices.

im going to aim for a 20 hour fast today, I often struggle on a Saturday to keep a tight eating window when we're all around the house at the weekend!

Hi,
I started Fast 800 this week but have found I can’t function on just 800 calories in my eating window so have upped it and added some carbs (such as potato) but still clean eating.
I’ve done 17:7 and 18.5: 5.5 this week due to my lunch breaks at work and not being able to eat while on shift so having to wait until late afternoon for my lunch break. However I’ve found going through until 2:30pm fine.. where as normally even though I’ve had breakfast by 12 my stomach would be grumbling waiting for lunch.

im going to try to stick to this up to Christmas (maybe beyond if it suits me)

Ugh I'm due my period in a few days and the scales are not my friend this am.

Staying in the zone and sipping my black coffee. ☕️ Have a good weekend all - I'd be interested to see what others eat in their windows, really think I need to work on portion control. 🤔

Welcome @Poppiesway1 @RagzRebooted & @izzy2076 too 👋🏻