Will I really get no effects of fasting if I stop eating at 10pm?

[LaurieFairyCake]

From looking at the research online it's very 'don't eat late at night'...

It's impossible for me as I often don't finish work til 9pm

So last couple of days I've fasted 10pm-2pm (16 hours) which is really easy for me

Is it pointless? Don't I still get the autophage whatsit?

The only way to lose weight is to eat less calories than your body needs to maintain the weight you are now.
Your body doesn't know what time it is.

Eat between whatever times you want and you'll lose weight if you're in a calorie deficit.

Ah that's why I'm asking about fasting on the fasting topic

My calorie deficit is too nuanced so I have to try to gain an advantage in some other area

I only eat 1000 calories a day and I burn off (I don't believe this) about 1500 a day according to my Fitbit - however I don't lose weight unfortunately, basically it takes me a month to burn off half a pound.

I can't increase my exercise more, just have time for one hours walk a day (yes, that's counted in the Fitbit 1500 calories)

So I'm looking for ANY ADVANTAGE - hence why I'm asking about intermittent fasting

Have you been medically advised or monitored whilst you're doing this restriction? 1,000 calories is very low and it's possible you're not losing weight as your body is in starvation mode, holding onto every calorie and bit of fat it can to sustain it.

This isn't a recommended or sustainable approach to weight loss. You'd likely be better off upping your calories by at least 200 per day and the intensity of your workouts (run don't walk etc)

Does starvation mode really exist? I am sure people who are starving get thin…… just sayin

Not only does your body know what time it is, your individual cells do.

Not in any type of starvation mode - just very resistant to losing weight

I had surgery and have lost 5 stone - I'm on a consultant prescribed diet - with the right balance of nutrients - not 'allowed' to eat less calories as I wouldn't get the nutrients I need

I was wondering if intermittent fasting might give me an edge? As I can't do anything about the calories

If you've had gastric surgery (sleeve, balloon, bypass etc) long periods of fasting aren't normally advised, but your consultant would be better placed to advise on that. The fact that you have a consultant advising on this approach is more reassuring.

Without knowing the detail, I'm wondering if you're focusing on the wrong measures. You can maintain (or increase) weight whilst losing fat and inches, by gaining muscle. Loose skin may also be a factor for you, although with consistent exercise you may have avoided that with a 5st lose. BMI is bull.

I also lost 5 stone and have hit a point where I'm 'overweight' according to the NHS, height to waist is OK-ish, but my body seems to maintain at this weight even with a couple of extra treats. I will need to significantly increase the intensity of my exercise choices to budge some of the fat and build muscle (thus increasing my metabolism too), but I'm also post surgery and building back up to full and higher intensity exercise.

Thank you

The only exercise I can do is walking - I've got arthritis in all joints and I'm not physically able to do anything else - I can't bend my knees for example. And I can't get off the floor without help

I also work about 60 hours a week so the 1 hour walk a day is it for me

No loose skin though

Do you think intermittent fasting would be helpful at all?

I am an intermittent fasting fan. I would expect some benefits even if eating late. When do you go to bed? Ideally you don't want to eat a few hours before sleep, but surely even if you do, you still get the benefits of the fasting period, as your body hasn't had food for 12+ hours. I'll try to link to another thread that has lots of people on.

https://www.mumsnet.com/talk/fasting_diet/4771788-starting-168-diet-tomorrow-anyone-fancy-joining?page=2&reply=125067096

Your body does know what time it is, but research suggesting eating times is pretty sketchy, it's just that people who eat late tend to eat worse and keep snacking.

The calories in calories out thing is also very outdated. Yes you'll get thin if you starve yourself.

I fast, usually 20 hrs fasting 4 hrs eating which fits my lifestyle. I eat at least 2000 if not 3000 calories in that time and my weight stabilises with me at a neat size 10. I assume I'd need to reduce calories to lose any more.

Your body goes fully into autophagy after about 24 hours but starts burning fat for fuel in as little as 10. So eatibg late and skipping breakfast will bring benefits.

However every body is different. What works for sone doesn't work for others. The health benefits of fasting (even just not snacking between meals) are huge besides hoping for weightless so well worth giving it a go.

Thank you both, that's really helpful - I will read that thread

I go to bed at 11 and get up 4.30-5 (menopause, about 5 hrs sleep )

I'm just hoping to do a bit of tinkering as I can't cut calories or do more exercise. I've also considered saxenda injections but really don't want to.

It didn't work for me. I've found 3 meals (plus snacks) is best for me, but every body is different

That's the hours I fast and it works well for me. I've lost 3 stone over the last year. Unfortunately had a few holidays which is made me fall off the wagon as I'm confident if I didn't, id have lost more than 3 by now.

People certainly manage to stay alive on exceedingly small amounts. It's not like we just keel over at some point, the day we eat 500 Cals too few.

Make sure you eat lots of protein that makes fasting way easier in my experience. Basically wean yourself off the high calorie short lasting carbs.

What medical monitoring do you think occurs when a person goes on a weight loss diet?

One of the most well known is 800 a day, the fast 800. Do you think everyone using that diet is under the doctor?

The NHS advises that very low calorie diets - 800 calories a day - should be clinically supervised and for no longer than 12 weeks. They are used in rare circumstances and GPs will tend to refer into other programmes (Slimming World etc or classes with a personal trainer) before recommending such a deficit.

The Fast 800 diet website actually advises you speak with your doctor prior to starting and does not accept any liability for harm done to your health and body whilst following the plan.

800 calories a day is a significant decrease that really should be managed by a professional with insight into your personal circumstances and health, not a money spinning book, website, meal replacement etc.

Slimming world of course being the epitome of good advice, and in no way leading to disordered eating. Mashed bananas are BAD for you, are “sins” (sic) likewise pasta can be eaten in unlimited amounts and is a free food.

Oh, I am in no way an advocate for Slimming World, but it's what the NHS refers people into in my area. I need portion control, especially with carbs.

I can't change the NHS' choices but the point remains that the health service will direct the vast, vast majority of people to programmes that encourage movement and help slowly adjust calories. Only for specific medical reasons would they direct and prescribe a very low calorie (800) diet.

I know whats advised (by every single diet plan) but have never gone to the doctor to seek advice on whether I should follow a particular plan. Can you imagine the reaction if you phoned for an appointment to discuss this?

And I say that as someone who is under medical supervision now but wasnt for many decades and decades of stop starting various diets. What GP is going to be interested in this.

So I've now done 3 days - I've lost 3lbs! (Yes, it will be water)

The fasts are long and easy for me as I'm not hungry in the morning- clearly it was just a habit for me to start eating about 10 (and it just made me hungrier during day)

Last 2 nights I've not worked in evening so stopped eating by 8 - both days started eating at 1.30/2pm depending on when I get back from my walk

Giving me a FAST of 17.5/18 Hours

https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/zoe-science-nutrition/id1611216298?i=1000582522302

@LaurieFairyCake I recommend this podcast- good discussion of the evidence of benefits from fasting including the relationship between eating window and circadian rhythms (which I think was your question) ie does it matter when you fast or just how long for.

If I were you I would eat 3 square meals a day. Eat your last meal before 8pm. Then your body will be fasting anyway till the next morning breakfast time.

Thanks for the podcast recommendation Zero - I've never listened to a podcast so this will be my first time!

Tesco - I can't eat '3 square meals' a day as my maximum calorie capacity at any one time due to the size of my stomach is approximately 250 calories