16:8 2 weeks in

[PinkVine]

I've been religious about it and I've managed the hunger fine. I haven't really changed what I eat, but that was mostly freshly cooked food with lots of fruit and veg anyway. I have drunk a lot of water and black tea. I always drank a lot of tea.

I haven't lost any weight, but I only have a few pounds to lose so wasn't expecting anything quickly anyway, I was hoping for some health benefits.

However, I have had the most awful headache for the full 2 weeks. I thought this might be a result of the overnight "detox" but it's not improving.

Is this normal?

IF is a way to reduce calories without monitoring them. Unless you are in a calorie deficit, you won't lose. For what concerns the health benefits, they are more linked to the weight loss deriving from the fasting that the fasting itself.
Fasting without calorie restriction doesn't seem to bring any improvement in health.

Is your headache caffeine related? Have you suddenly dropped a tonne of tea/ coffee?

You do also get a headache initially but usually only 1-2 days.

The health benefits are mainly metabolic eg. better glucose/ insulin profiles - hard to pick up without bloods.

Interesting. Is it blood sugar related? I can get a migraine if I skip breakfast. However if I am in ketosis I can go without breakfast until about 10.30am with no migraine.

I'm also doing 16:8 since the beginning of March and the first 2 days had a horrific headache, migraine like- but I don't seem to get it anymore. Perhaps your body is just taking a bit longer to get used to it? I also read to up your water intake with intermittent fasting if you're getting headaches.
I've lost about 6 pounds - but have about 2 stone to lose so the first bit always come off easiest I find. I've also been monitoring my calories intake to aim for between 1200 and 1500 a day and just generally cut out the snacks and sugar as much as possible.
Not sure I would have been able to put up with those headaches for 2 weeks though, so well done for holding out this long!

I did it a few years ago and someone suggested a spoonful of marmite, which helped. Ultimately, I ended up doing 700 calories and not 500 and found that worked better for me.

Upping your water intake whilst reducing food can upset your salt balance.

I had very similar when starting a VLCD and upping liquids. I had 2 weeks of a horrific headache that would not shift until I drank 2 mugs of bullion broth - worked like magic within an hour