Starting 16:8 diet tomorrow... anyone fancy joining?

[Leopardpj]

I'm starting the 16:8 diet properly from tomorrow after trying it out a couple of days last week and finding it seemed to suit me OK. Would love it if anyone doing the same would like to share experiences??

My 'kitchen closed' at 6.15pm this evening so technically I think I can eat from 10.15 tomorrow but I'm going to see if I can last until midday and eat 12-8 on weekdays. I don't think I'll realistically be able to do it on weekends but am going to try to stick to the general principles of not snacking in the evening/ eating more 'mindfully'...

I have a stubborn half a stone to lose which I've never managed to shift since having my second dd (who is now 3).

I've always dismissed this diet before as I love breakfast/ brunch so much! But I'm now changing my mentality on it and saying I'm basically delaying my breakfast not ditching it. I'll have a big brunch style meal around 12 and then a decent dinner before 8.

I'm hoping it'll suit me as I am not someone who eats loads of sugar/ junk but I do love my food and hate diets - just the idea of being restricted makes me miserable but if I feel I'm just 'delaying' food I feel loads better. My big weaknesses are milky hot drinks (I'm probably going to allow myself a small splash of milk in tea in the morning that'll make it a lot more bearable for me!) also buttered toast, cheese, and snacking on the kids' tea leftovers at 5pm....

Be so lovely to have some company but if not I can always chat away to myself I guess!!

Also planning to listen to some Jason Fung podcasts which are supposedly v helpful!

Anyone else doing similar??

What I'm struggling with is keeping my eating window the same every day. Like yesterday was 4 and a half hours eating today has been 5 and a half hours eating. Tomorrow will probably be 8 hours eating. So I feel this must mess things up?

Hey @Useruser222 I think it's the fasting periods you need to concentrate on if that makes sense, as long as these are 16 hours or more then you're sticking to it. Sometimes they will start/ end earlier or later depending on how long you spent in your 'eating window' but if you stick to at least 16 hours it should work!

I definitely do think longer fasts, doing about 18:6, does speed up the weight loss though if you can do that a few times a week!

And of course you're welcome @llynnnn ! I agree the weekends are tricky, I tend to relax a bit on the weekend but my deal with myself is that I try to eat early on the sunday, maybe a family roast etc, and then do a longer fast starting sunday afternoon and going into monday, to kick start things a bit again!

And wow, @snoken - I'm so glad to hear you stuck with it and are losing consistently each week now, that's amazing - congrats!! x

Hello all! Have read all your updates and pleased to see some of you have had amazing success. Thanks also to those sharing tips for when things have gone awry or life gets in the way!

I definitely need those tips this week as have just weight myself and gained a pound this week. I know exactly why - I went massively off the rails last weekend, have not been as strict with fasting windows during the week and haven’t been exercising as much. So really I’m lucky I’ve only gained 1lb!

Trying not to let it bother me too much. I’m working this weekend so will be much easier to stick to fasting windows/healthy choices/no alcohol! Also have written some exercise sessions into my diary for the coming weeks. I also tried on some old dresses last night to choose one for an upcoming event and do think they’re starting to fit better so although overall I’ve not lost that much weight, it probably has made a difference.

Thank you for explaining to me I was hoping that was the case but I was starting to confuse myself a bit! Will read the full thread tonight and hopefully pick up some tips and inspiration.

Hi everyone, hope you're all ok. I can't recommend gin Stephens intermittent fasting podcasts enough for when you're starting out - just pick a couple to listen to and she explains how this all works so clearly, especially why you need to fast clean to get the most benefits (so no milk in coffee etc!).

Varying your window on occasion isn't an issue - the best thing about all this is how non prescriptive it is. I have never done anything as straightforward- no calorie counting or measuring, just making sensible choices and today I saw 11st something on the scales for the first time in 3 years 🎉 that's down from 13 stone 8 at the start of March. I'm down to a size 12 or medium from a 14/large in clothes.

I have not felt deprived at all - if I want a glass of wine I just have it in my window. No diet foods, just tasty ordinary food.

Hi can I join you?

I'm peri, struggling not to pile on weight since starting HRT.
Within a week of starting HRT I felt better but the weight gain was so annoying.
I've tried everything and it just wouldn't budge.
Started 16:8 2 weeks ago and I've lost 2kg already!
I'm using an app and my fasting window is 8pm until 12 midday.
I feel so much better, fatigue has gone, so much energy and I don't feel hungry / faint/ dizzy at all.
I'm enjoying food so much more and that nagging voice of you shouldn't eat this / that etc has gone.
I have black tea, coffee, water and various herbal teas, don't drink alcohol.
Lunch is a nice big salad with fish, ham, eggs or an omelette.
Then an apple or berries.
I'm toying with OMAD as I'm struggling to be lhungry for the second meal before 8pm.
It really does show how hunger is driven by what we eat.

Hi everyone, I’m thinking of joining too. Approaching 50 and want to lose a stone but motivation has ground to a halt. It’s been encouraging reading how everyone is getting on.

Daft question, but when you break your fast, are you all having a proper meal as your first meal of the day? I’m thinking of having a cup of tea about 11-11.30am with a handful of nuts, then a more filling lunch around 1pm (obviously I’d stick to the 8 hour window). Not sure how I’d be able to do it otherwise around work - and actually I don’t particularly want to eat late into the evening so 1pm-9pm wouldn’t work either.

Also, is anyone eating bread?!!

An update from me, I hit my target! I can't actually believe I just saw the scales go lower than 10 stones for the first time since before I had children! I'm so thrilled. I'll definitely be continuing because I feel so good doing this. Not necessarily to lose weight but just for health and to maintain. I feel so much more in control of my weight now! If I have a bad week, lots of drinking/ going out/ eating etc, I just get back on it. I love it!

Hi @Denimdreams and @Bennyjoon ! Of course you can join! @Denimdreams it sounds like you're doing so well. I agree it's amazing how much your body adjusts. And eating the right things as you are really makes a difference too and helps with the energy levels!

@Bennyjoon re: having a big meal to beak your fast - it depends! I will have a relatively big meal if I'm really hungry when I break my fast - I try and make it healthy and satisfying too, though. I often have something like an omelette with spinach, feta, onions and sweet potato with a side salad, or If I'm out at work I have the leon halloumi breakfast with eggs, halloumi, avocado and beans. I order it just before 11 when they stop doing it so it arrives just after! If I'm breaking my fast later I might go for a big chicken salad or salad nicoise. Any of those work fine for me, and I usually don't then need to eat again until dinner although if I do get hungry mid afternoon I'll sometimes have a broth-based soup (like the pret chorizo and butterbean) which is very filling and nourishing, but the problem is I then don't feel all that hungry for dinner!

There are some schools of thought that you should break your fast with something gentle before you have the big meal and I know that works better for some. So Mindi Pelz recommends breaking your fast with an avocado with rock salt and mct oil. I have that sometimes. Yesterday when it was super hot I broke my fast at 12.30 with a big smoothie of oats, banana, frozen berries and Greek yoghurt and that filled me up until dinner! (Although actually some friends came round and we had wine and crisps in the garden which is the sort of thing I don't stress about now!)

On eating bread.. I do still eat bread, but I've been on a bit of a journey with carbs since doing this (!) as I realised eating carbs made the whole thing way harder to stick to because they make you hungrier. For me if I stick mainly to high protein, high vat, high vegetable meals, I have steadier energy levels and I am much less hungry, plus I'm losing the weight. So I eat loads of nuts, oils, cheese, dressings, plus lots of protein - eggs and meat and fish - but fewer carbs. And I try to go for carbs like sweet potato or oats or bananas or Keto granola (which I get from holland and Barrett and which is delicious!) before I reach for the bread.
For me bread is now an occasional treat, not an everyday food (sadly as I love bread!!) I was a big bread lover and it wasn't helping me. The food cravings and energy highs and lows when you eat a lot of white/ processed carbs are not really worth the carbs. There are so many other delicious and satisfying foods.
Basically I think the answer is that you can do this way of eating however you want. There's a spectrum between 'fast and then eat whatever', and people who fast and then stick to a strict Ketogenic diet with almost no carbs (which its too strict for me but I think does actually get the best results out of fasting if you can do it).
I have lost the weight I wanted- nearly a stone - by just fasting and then eating a low carb diet MOST but not all of the time. I've reduced my carb intake a lot but still have occasional treats. But mostly, I have stuck to the fasting. It probably would have been faster if I had been more strict (I only lost a pound a week) but I did get there and for me I prefer it this way as it feels sustainable and I'm not miserable!
You could just fast for 16 hours and then eat literally whatever you want in the 8 hours. You'd still be doing the healthy thing of fasting, but it's a bit like going to the gym and then having a massive ice cream. It's fine and you still have the health benefits of the gym but it's also just a bit counter productive sadly.
As far as my experience goes (I'm no expert) I think the best thing to do is to go as low carb as you can manage but up your intake of veggies, nuts, protein and see how you get on! Also make sure you drink tons of water. Good luck!

Thanks @Leopardpj

I agree with everything you have written.
I felt on a roller-coaster of constant hunger and craving, felt exhausted and miserable so was sceptical about fasting.
I feel like a new person, zero cravings, brain fog and bags more energy.
I prefer to have a meal which is usually salad with protein, nuts, eggs etc
Will probably be a curry with rice in the winter or veg casserole.
I am trying to lose so not going down the junk food route plus avoiding UPF.

@Leopardpj thank you for your welcoming reply! Well done on hitting your target.

So my first day went well. It helped that I had a long lie-in so I didn’t have to wait too long to eat! Also, the hot weather makes it easier too, all I want to drink is water. I had a 3 egg omelette at 12pm and was stuffed. Then chicken salad for dinner. I’ve already brushed my teeth so feel less inclined to eat/drink tea now.

I’m tempted to try to incorporate 5:2 as well but maybe I should ease into that…have to see how I get on tomorrow before work without my morning cuppa!

I've officially lost a stone now (well just over actually).

I'm averaging about a pound a week but I wouldn't say I'm eating any differently to normal.
Hoping I can bump up the weight loss a bit more before my holiday this summer.

Congratulations @Leopardpj for reaching your target - thanks for keeping us all motivated along the way! And well done @Porkscratching for reaching a stone!

I’ve been slacking (again) but hoping to get back to good habits this week and you are great inspiration!

Go on @Swansw - you can do it!
Funnily enough I had a 'day off' yesterday - because I made my kids a lovely smoothie with strawberries and blueberries and greek yoghurt and oats in the morning which they didn't drink (classic) and it was 8.30am and I was hungry and thought sod it I'm having that. It was delicious (!) but it really made me realise how many hours I actually eat for if I have an unstructured day like that. I was hungry again at 11, so I was having fruit snacks, nibbling my toddler's lunch here, picking at my school age daughter's uneaten sandwich there.... all before dinner which didn't happen until they were finally in bed at 8.30! its a disaster for me!! I really feel better today having waited until 12 and knowing that I'm actually planning what and when I'm eating. It's ridiculous but it really helps me!

@Porkscratching you've done absolutely amazingly! Huge congrats, I'm so pleased for you!

@Bennyjoon lie-ins really help don't they!! And this hot weather too! I'm keeping a big bottle of water with mint and lime and cucumber in the fridge and it's really inducing me to drink more! If you can't bear to miss the morning cuppa I wouldn't sweat it, I know some people say you can't but I've kept my morning cuppa and still managed to make progress. I listened to one podcase which said you actually spike insulin more with some herbal teas as they have a sweet taste which was interesting. Basically the less sweet tasting the thing the better, it's not all about calories! (That was the Gin Stevens podcast that @whirlyswirly recommended! Thanks @whirlyswirly and well done on your amazing progress so far! Amazing to hear xx)

Well done @Leopardpj on reaching target- that's amazing! I'm also glad you've found Gin Stevens - she is fab. I love her straight talking approach and hearing about the lives of the people she talks to. I must have listened to nearly 100 now.

I had a work meeting today and was given a fruity flapjack (I know I didn't need to eat it but it looked so good)- it's taken 6 hours for the sugar rush to wear off. Had such a weird headache and the shakes. I've noticed that alcohol can do the same but I'm currently pretending to ignore that observation.

165 lbs today. 24 gone, 15 to go.

Morning, first check in for a while but just to say, been on this for 2 months now and this morning have achieved the milestone of half a stone. Didn't have a lot to lose to start with but have spent the best part of 3 years trying to lose it without success so something with the 16:8 def works for me. Is slow and steady but am really happy and can see me continuing with it 100%.

Hey
Im just starting this..
Today - other than an ice lolly - (liquid?! - it is a heatwave !)
I ate between 8am & 4pm...

Gunna try and do 9am - 5pm tomo

I used to snack so much in eves

Hello everyone, I’m checking in after my first week. I’ve actually found skipping breakfast relatively easy. I was hungry Wednesday morning but just drank more water. I’ve been having a cup of tea and nuts about 11ish, lunch at 1pm. I have a snack when I’m home about 4.30pm and dinner around 6pm.

I’ve been keeping track of calories too, having 1400-1500. I am eating more protein and trying to reduce carbs but I’m realistic about it. I’ve lost 2lbs so far - I’ve been stuck at 12 stone 3lbs for ages so I’m pleased with that. I’d like to get under 12 next week - ultimately my aim is to lose 1.5 stone.

Im drinking lots of water - easier to do in this hot weather. Unfortunately I haven’t done any exercise - I love walking - it’s been too damn hot!

Hi can I join please and can I ask if what I'm eating sounds OK. Yesterday I had -

11am 3 scrambled eggs, smoked salmon and half an avocado.
2 coffees, 2l1 tea, 2 pints water.
3pm apple and banana with a tablespoon of natural peanut butter.
6.30pm tofu, cous cous and roast veg with chimichurri sauce.

Then fasting until 11am today.

I posted a while ago but struggled to start. A trip to the changing rooms made me look at myself. I’m pre diabetic. Anyway I started eating with my TDEE and upped my protein with every meal which really helped, then fasting for 14/16 hours and then a 20 hour fast so eating in a 4 hour window - not every day - I’ve mixed it up. First month i lost 8 pounds and second month 6 pounds. I’ve found it easy actually and this is the first time I’ve been able to lose weight in 14 years since my son was born. I have more energy and am moving more.
My only issue was/is constipation - probably too many eggs. Anyway I’m drinking more water and using prunes.

Hi everyone @Nowillpowerarall yes that sounds great. I've found that my appetite has naturally regulated doing this and I'm far more satisfied with healthy foods than before.

Today my boss double took at me and said "god have you lost loads of weight?" he is not particularly tactful and I think he just thought it and it came out.

As of today I'm 163 pounds down from 189 so it's taken a while to notice. Another 10-15 pounds now and I'll be absolutely fine. It's taken 4 months.

How is everyone else getting on?

Well done @Leopardpj @Hellesbelles2 @Porkscratching @Bennyjoon @KTSl1964 @whirlyswirly 🥳 Welcome recent joinees 👋 and sorry if I've missed anyone 🙈

I weighed 62.3kg today which is 1.7kg (3.7lbs) lost in the past 5 weeks, and 6.7kg since starting this 3 months ago 🥳

Just over 2kg until I'm back to my pre child weight.

I have had a wobbly week this week not sticking to my fast window, we're going through a particularly rough sleep patch with DS waking every 45 minutes overnight. Hopefully it all settles down soon and fasting begins to feel a bit easier again.

My waist circumference has also reduced from 84cm to 83cm this month. I've read in some places a healthy waist circumference for women is <80cm, but in other places that a height:waist ratio of 0.4-0.49 is healthy, and mine is 0.49 so I don't know. I need to go fins the evidence that backs these claims but right now I am too tired!

I hope everyone has been enjoying the good weather and all the opportunities it affords ☺️

Hi everyone, OK if I join?

I desperately need to lose weight for health reasons, and I've concluded that calorie counting or cutting out food groups will never be sustainable for me, so I'm going to give 16:8 a go.
I'm 83.3kg, I'm going to do 11-7 as my window since I tend to eat early with the kids.
I'm going to break it on Tuesdays, as I can't face my morning driving lesson on no breakfast, lol.
Things I will find hard:
1: I bloody love breakfast
2: I get hangry, lol

Inspired by the success stories on here though, and will try to update once a week at least for accountability.

I've not measured at any stage of this but I've just tried on some clothes long packed away and unbelievably, at 161 lbs I can zip up some gap size 8 chinos. And that's a uk 8, not the American 8.

So I've ordered a tape measure!

Everyone welcome. I thought I would not cope without breakfast but you can still have the same food if you want, you just need to push it back. Start gently - push back 30 mins a day from your usual time if it helps. Drinking black coffee helps me get through hunger pangs.

I feel I've eaten lots this week but still had a 3lb drop - I think the food I've eaten - lots of smashed avocado on sourdough, Middle Eastern salads, lentil dhal has been so nourishing I've not felt hungry 😋

for me, that's such an awakener. You can eat tonnes of shit food and be starving - a smaller amount of healthy food hits the spot.

Great stuff!!!! Size 8,wow. And YES to the food choices.