Hellobee Boards

I was doing it for maybe 3-ish months but stopped when I got pregnant! I was just doing 16:8 and I thought it was just a great entry into the diet and maybe eventually exercise world. I didn't see a huge difference during the time that I did it, but my plan was to first start IF and be consistent, then tweak my diet a bit, then introduce exercising. I plan to get back into this after I give birth next year...

I’ve been doing it about a month! I love how easy it is and my appetite during my eating hours is less. Not sure if it’s making a difference on the scale since I’m terrible at weigh ins, but I don’t feel like I’ve lost any weight. I have slipped a couple days (ie. went out to breakfast on my daughter’s birthday). I’m doing 15/9 right now which allows me to eat until 8pm. Might roll that back to 7:30 soon. 7 would be tough with our dinner schedule.

@wrkbrk: I have my window from 3-8 during the week usually so if I want a glass of wine I have it right after the kids go to bed... the weekends I am a lot more flexible !

@crazydoglady: I have been doing 16:8 intermittant fasting for about 5 weeks now and love it. My eating hours are 12-8 and I haven't been restrictive about what I eat during that period. I also got teeth aligners which have helped curb snacking. Overall I am down about 5 pounds in that time. What I like the most is that is doesn't feel restrictive to me as every time I try to write down everything I eat etc I just get annoyed and go back to eating tons of junk.

I agree with @bhbee and @charm55 that my hunger cues are way better now and I don't find myself wanting to eat just to have something to do.

@crazydoglady: You are smart to mindful. The book I read (and is my go-to) : Delay Don't Deny by Gin Stephens does mention that IF can possibly trigger disordered eating if you have history of an eating disorder.

It's worth a read for anyone interested in IF...it puts the science and lifestyle together in one easy to read book.

I started IF for three reasons:
1) Lose weight
2) Exercise in self-control
3) Appetite correction

All three were acheived and maintained. I also see benefits in streamlining my grocery shopping and eating, spending less, sleeping in, feel less bloated all the time, etc.

Due to pregnancy and nursing, for 4 years I ate 4 meals a day, usually 6am, 11-12 noon, 4-5pm, and 9pm. If I didn't eat at 9pm, often I'd wake up at 2am hungry.

So, I started with just 12:12, eating 6am-6pm.
Then I started skipping breakfast but kept my morning diet soda (not clean fasting), eating 12-8pm.
Then I dropped the diet soda, usually, kept the 12-8 window.
Sometimes, I went longer, and only ate between 4-8pm. Honestly it was cool to see what my body could handle. I generally don't do longer fasts like that anymore bc I'm at maitenance weight and I don't want to lose what little boobs I have left, haha.
On the weekends I only do 12-14 hours, I think changing it up helps with weight loss / metabolism but it makes it harder with hunger, bc your body can't adapt.

So basically, I sleep in, get ready quickly and get swept up in my teaching day, break for lunch at 12. Have a snack after school around 4, and then eat dinner 7-8pm. No more snacking after that.

Also, I am pretty serious about my Christian faith and believe the Bible has a lot to say in terms of fasting, self-denial, and the power of the Spirit over the body. I know some of you share the same perspective so just something additional to think about, take it or leave it.

@HappyBaker: yeah, pretty normal. Less food in, less use of digestive system, less poop out. I take Magkidz chewables which a magnesium supplement, or you could buy "Natural Calm" which is a drink addition, or just magnesium pills. Or, you could take one 100mg Colace pill daily, no drs ever bat an eye at that.

All vitamins and supplements should be taken during your eating window, though. I just keep a MagKidz bottle next to my work computer and try to take some in the afternoon.

@bhbee: I know what you mean! I love the F it diet, but there's a reason why Caroline Dooner runs a two month book club...people need more support. I am doing a consultation call with an intuitive eating coach/registered dietitian tomorrow. I want to stop the eating when I am not hungry.
@charm55: I think one thing that didn't work the last time I dipped my toes into IF is that I wasn't drinking enough water. I got myself a 24 oz water bottle and fill it 3x a day. That may not seem like a lot, but I was bad with water and still breastfeeding. I get the feeling the water matters a lot with IF.

I do 16:8, eat keto, and stay between 800 - 1000 calories.

I’ve hit a major stall over the past week. It’s coinciding with my period, so I guess it could be water retention? I don’t know. Despite being so careful with what I eat, I have actually gained a pound instead of losing like I should.

When I’m consistently seeing progress, it’s not so hard, but I am so frustrated right now.

This app makes me want to try intermediate fasting again. It was so hard for me but maybe if I start small it’ll help. I always try to go big right when I start something. I may start with 12:12 and see how I do

@Iced Tea: I am glad you posted. I have been following this thread and had decided to start doing this but your reply really resonated with me!

Today I started! I ate from 10a-6p (not the whole time ) I am super full still so I might have overate a little but I also started my period today and am bloated and uncomfortable anyways. I think making sure dinner is ready by 530 is going to be better for our routine anyways so I am excited! For now I am going to do coffee with a little half/half when I wake up around 7 and just see how it goes breaking that rule, technically. I am also going try to stick with carbs in the earlier in the day and do more veggies/protein for dinner. I hope this makes a difference and can inspire further changes! I am so unhappy with myself and the daily chore of getting dressed, plus we are going to Hawaii in December. Thanks everyone for this thread!

@Mamaof2: @mrsbubbletea: I do IF and have actually read that a splash of half & half or heavy cream is fine.

Sure it isn't *PERFECT* but I'm all "don't let perfection be the enemy of good*

Now, you couldn't use creamer or sugar...

This link goes a little into what different additions might do in terms of weakening a true state of fasting...

https://www.marksdailyapple.com/does-coffee-break-a-fast/

I’ll have to track down the source, but I believe consuming less than 50 calories triggers such a low insulin response that it’s negligible. Sugar in your coffee probably puts you over that, but you could substitute Splenda Zero or a Torani Sugar Free Syrup.

@Mamaof2: I will stop doing the hot chocolate scoops or large spoonful of honey though! Haha