Hellobee Boards

Login/Register

Are you intermittent fasting? Tell me about it.

  1. mrsbubbletea

    nectarine / 2821 posts

    @crazydoglady: I feel good that the limits I set are achievable, because I know the success of never eating after dinner is a big change for me and has to be worth something! And I feel a little better physically I guess. I might do a short term limit on carbs, at least refined carbs, and see how it goes! I know it sounds shallow but we are going to Maui first week of December and I was really hoping to have lost noticeable amount of weight!

  2. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @DesertDreams88: That would be great! Thanks! I'm only on my 2nd full day and I feel soooo much less bloated!

  3. gotkimchi

    nectarine / 2400 posts

    @DesertDreams88: so I did a 16h fast yesterday into today and I’m surprised how less hungry I am. The pictures you posted I feel like your body’s changed way more then I would expect compared to the weight loss. Did you feel like that as well? Like your body was changing sort of regardless of the weight? I’m also wondering if you restricted or changed your diet at all or if you eat anything during your window. And last question, today I wasn’t hungry but ate something as my window was closing because I hadn’t really eaten much all day and I was worried about being hungry. Is that bad/normal/weird?

  4. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @DesertDreams88: your pictures are super inspiring! I have more to lose overall than you but I saw my upper abs come out the other day and I was so happy! They had been way hidden since baby #3 and I’m hoping for more progress like yours on my stomach. I’m only two months in but love seeing real examples.

    @gotkimchi: I’m sure YMMV but I try to eat protein near the end of my window (within an hour or so). Doesn’t have to be huge but if I don’t I sometimes have a hard time later so it just sets me up for success. I definitely do some longer fasts though because some days I’m not hungry or get too busy.

  5. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @DesertDreams88: Crap, woman!!! That's amazing!!! Was that this Jan? And just from IF (and on your feet teaching all day of course. )

  6. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @gotkimchi: I'm noticing the same thing! So, yesterday (my first feed window after fasting, ) I ate a ton. Today, I ate my lunch at 11, a brownie at 3, and am now waiting for dinner to be served. That's nothing compared to the amount I normally eat. I think another thing if that I am realizing how good food tastes when you are actually hungry and that hunger doesnt need to be "fixed"right away. It's ok to be hungry. I know I am only a couple of days in, but I am kind of amazed at some of the things I am already experiencing. Plus, I am SO thirsty!

  7. DesertDreams88

    grapefruit / 4361 posts

    @gotkimchi: in the IF Facebook groups, there is a lot of talk about body composition/shape changing, moreso than weight. Supposedly it is due to mainly burning fat, which takes up more space but less density than muscle. I also think it's connected to cutting down long term bloat.

    I did calorie count the first 1-2 months just becuase I had a hard time with portion size after nursing/being pregnant for 4 years. I also had 2 dietbets going on so I had $300 riding in the outcome. True IF doesn't need calorie counting.

    I only eat carbs and dairy and tomato-based products. I'm not joking.

    I usually eat *something* at the end of my window regardless of hunger bc I'm too nervous about surprise hunger popping up and making it hard to fall asleep. But it's flexible, like, my window is 12-8, but I might finish dinner around 7, so then I wouldnt make myself eat again at 8.

  8. charm55

    apricot / 286 posts

    @DesertDreams88: those are amazing progress photos !

    I’ve been doing IF since January and the first 15 came off pretty easy. Since then (past 6 months) I’ve lost and gained the same 3-5 lbs. I was getting discouraged so I stopped weighing myself in September. I didn’t want to stop IF though because I truly love the lifestyle and health benefits so I just kept on with my normal IF routine every day.

    After a month, I stepped on the scale for curiosity (because I hadn’t been making the healthiest of choices so was wondering what the damage was) and I was down to my lowest weight thus far ! I was really perplexed. The next week was Halloween and I definitely indulged... all within my window, but I had my fair share of kit kats . I stepped on the scale Nov 1... down another pound?! It is really bizarre and almost like my body is finally breaking through the plateau and the IF is doing its thing.

    So I’m off the scale again until December... anxious to see what it brings!

  9. Mommy Finger

    pomegranate / 3272 posts

    I've been following this post and loving it. @DesertDreams88: your photos are so crazy inspiring especially the pics of your stomach as that's my biggest issue right now. I hope to see the same success!

    I was introduced to IF when my friend convinced me to do the "Faster way to fat loss" program. Paying for that sort of thing is definitely not my usual thing but she was having great results and I needed to do something. For those not familiar, the program combines IF with carb cycling. I did start to see results but fell off the wagon after a few months as I had to have minor surgery. However, I was surprised by how much I liked IF and had a hard time eating all of the food that I was supposed to eat on the program given my work schedule and just don't have great success with planning out every single thing that I need to eat in advance. I usually have to be flexible.

    Cut to my annual physical where I talked with my doctor about my weight loss struggles. She sent me to a doctor in the practice. I'm going to say this wrong but I think this doctor just finished up a program where she will ultimately transfer to a practice to work with obese patients but hasn't done that yet so she is covered under a general doctor's visit and easy to get into. The biggest thing she recommended was IF. She also said that the smaller the window the better (obviously within reason).

    I'm back on the IF train. My schedule tends to be 12-6:30/7 during the week. I try to work out 3-4 times a week and go at 5/6 am. I'm amazed how I got used to being able to work out in the fasted state and being able to make it to noon before eating. I'm still trying to navigate the weekends and have a harder time sticking to the set times. My hunger levels change by the day. Some days I eat a big lunch and I'm still super full by dinner so I only have something small. Other days I need to eat more. I figure it all balances out. I haven't lost a ton of weight but feel like my body is changing so I'm excited to keep going.

    tl;dr: Yay IF!

    Love hearing everyone's experiences!

  10. agold

    grapefruit / 4045 posts

    @DesertDreams88: you look amazing! I have never heard about this intermittent fasting. Can you please sum it up for me? Is it a program you buy into?

  11. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @agold: you didn’t ask me but the quick answer is you eat only during a window during the day, often 8 hours (so fast 16). You can put that window whenever you want. That’s it. No $, no counting calories or special foods - just a lot of health benefits from giving your body that fasting time to normalize hormones and hunger and such.

  12. Shybee23

    coffee bean / 45 posts

    Ok, you all have me interested! My concern is that my M-F schedule is drastically different from my weekend schedule. During the week, fasting 2pm-6am would/should be relatively easy for me (I am up very early, and often skip dinner as it is). But on the weekends, we like to take the time to cook a decent dinner, and I generally start eating later in the day. Anyone have the same issue / any suggestions for how I should approach it?

  13. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @Shybee23: It's totally flexible! So, you can do 6am-2pm on the weekdays and like 1pm-9pm (or whatever) on the weekends. You can definitely move the window to whatever works for you.

  14. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @Shybee23: agree with above - this is basically what I do. I do like 6:30-2:30 many weekdays, then I try to start later on the weekend but still be strict about ending right after dinner (I don’t worry as much about strict 8 hours). I think switching it around is probably actually better for weight loss (keep your body on its toes) but sometimes you get more hungry also.

  15. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    I just wanted to share that I am on day 3 and am LOVING it so far. I get hungry for the last hour of my fast, but, overall, it's tolerable since I am busy teaching. So far, I am noticing a decrease in bloat, feel more energetic in the evenings, and am eating so much less without feeling deprived. I tried this a couple months ago but it didn't stick because I was still having a sugary coffee drink in the morning. Now, I have a coffee with 1 tablespoon of half and half and 1 of having whipping cream. I cant even believe how much this has cut down on the constant, mindless eating already.

  16. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @crazydoglady: so happy it’s going well!

  17. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    So...I dont own a scale, but was visiting my sister's and weighed myself... I havent weighed myself since I was off of ww and the weight was piling back on. I was hoping to be pleasantly surprised but, yeah, no... I'm up 15 lbs from that weight which was already 20 lbs above my "goal weight." I guess my instincts to do IF were right. Anyway, I am trying to digest this information and move forward. I gained 15ish pounds with the f it diet...that stings. I know weight doesn't determine my worth and maybe I shouldn't have weighed myself, but I wanted to know what I was "working" with. So, I cant blame the dryer for shrinking my jeans anymore.😅 Anyway, I am going to move forward and just keep going with IF. Maybe my goal weight is out of reach and that's fine, but I know that trending upward on the scale isnt what I should be doing either. Anyway, just wanted to get this off my chest.

  18. gotkimchi

    nectarine / 2400 posts

    @crazydoglady: this is so hard and I feel you

  19. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @gotkimchi: Thanks. I'm just trying to take it in stride It's difficult because I have history with an eating disorder, but I also want to be physically healthy, so I have to walk a fine line.

  20. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @crazydoglady: also with you. It is hard to find the balance. For me, I’ve adjusted my goal weight for the time being. And I know numbers aren’t the end all be all, but I also know a general range where I liked myself better in pictures and felt better, so that’s my goal now vs trying to be 25 pre kids again. I also didn’t like where no diet structure was taking me but I think IF could work for you! I am really sold that it is a great balance of structure/control without obsession (either an unhealthy amount or the kind that leads to burnout and quitting). Also, in one of the blog posts of the delay don’t deny author, she mentions losing more weight upfront but then slowly continuing down over time. So I’m hoping for that also, but being realistic that I might rather eat the stuff I want than be a certain size.

    Hugs to you!

  21. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @bhbee: Thank you for understanding and the for the information! As always, I appreciate it.

    Eta: I think the hardest thing is that I was at the goal weight after having my son without even trying (and gaining 50 lbs with pregnancy!), but I am trying to accept that that was then and this is now.

  22. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @crazydoglady: yeah, unfortunately I think it is a LOT easier after the first baby than subsequent ones. Your body just changes, and if you want to get back there you have to make it a serious job. For me, not worth it. I think though we get lulled into thinking it should work like that because of the easier bounce back post #1.

  23. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @bhbee: I never thought of it that way! I thought it was just me. I also don't want to make it this huge thing in my life (though it has been!) I'm excited that I am getting less and less obsessed/fixated with food.

  24. Mrs. Sketchbook

    GOLD / nectarine / 2884 posts

    This is not IF, but let me recommend Noom. I lost 25 lbs with it this past spring. it is basically cico but with some science and motivational stuff worked in. they are open to IF (and keto) and talk about it on the app, but it's not an official part of the program.

  25. KNS

    cherry / 136 posts

    @crazydoglady: Just wanted to check and see if you have been sticking with IF this week and how you were finding things? I know that the scale going the wrong was sucks but hopefully you can feel some progress with your jeans soon!

  26. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @KNS: You are so sweet to check in! I hadn't weighed myself in over 7-6 months, so I wasn't expecting for IF to change all that in a week. I just literally had no idea how much I had gained with the F it diet. The shock has worn off . As far as IF, I am loving it! My nighttime eating is gone and I am not even tempted. I am loving the appetite correction so much. I am hoping to see some change soon but am willing to be patient.

  27. Hypatia

    kiwi / 500 posts

    IF update... Things are going pretty well! I haven’t weighed myself (intentionally) but I can tell my clothes are fitting looser. Even my Apple Watch had to be tightened, so I’m sure some of that is less bloating.

    I’m averaging 14g of net carbs per day, which is great. A typical day is something like:

    3 eggs, 2 strawberries
    Salad
    Beef Jerky
    Keto Chow Shake

    I’m making the shakes with unsalted butter, which I think is far superior to MCT or HWC in terms of taste. I’m going through the sample packs right now, so I can’t do a full review yet, but thus far my favorites are:

    Chocolate, blended with ice cubes to make it like a Wendy’s Frosty shake
    Snickerdoodle
    Mocha

    I wasn’t sure I’d be into the shake thing. I LOVE food, so why give up one of my precious meals? But they taste so good and are so filling—and I can’t overeat—that I think this is going to be a regular part of my diet for a while. I don’t think I’d replace all my meals with them, just because I like eating real food, but I can see why some people do it.

    In fact, I’m going to bring it with me to Disney World. That way, I can drink it when we don’t have a designated snack or dinner planned (we aren’t on the free meal plan so aren’t eating out a ton). So convenient!

  28. mrswin

    nectarine / 2433 posts

    Hi ladies, I have been reading along and you all inspired me to give this a try. I have been on and off the diet wagon too many times and I like that there aren’t too many “rules” and I don’t have to keep track of everything I eat.

    I started on Tuesday this week and it seems to be going well so far except that I am ending up with a massive headache/migraine as the end of my fasting window. I’m not sure if it is the caffeine withdrawal (I can’t do black coffee) or low blood sugar or the fact that a big part of my fast is done during awake hours. I am trying to do a 12pm to 8pm window but I am up between 4:30 and 5am every morning to get to work...

    Any suggestions, pro tips?

  29. KNS

    cherry / 136 posts

    @mrswin: I also fast 12-8. I have never been a coffee drinker but am a tea drinker - I just drink black or white tea and that works well for me. I would also make sure you are drinking a lot of water during the fasting time.

  30. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @mrswin: I am very new to IF. but I do half and half or heavy whipping cream! I cant do black coffee either! This is really helpful as to what you can add to coffee to not break a fast.
    https://www.drbeckyfitness.com/coffee-and-intermittent-fasting/

  31. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @mrswin: I don’t know if it was this thread or another but someone said they had good success even without a technically perfect fast - just doing coffee with cream no sugar. I think 12-8 is a pretty hard window when you get up so early but I assume you don’t want to move it earlier?

    I do think caffeine withdrawal could be a part of it so that may take time. But I also had a really hard time when I tried a later start time (I do an early window) so that may take some adjustment also. Don’t be afraid to experiment with the window if it helps you, even that 8 hours is not set in stone, anything over 12 fasting has benefits, so you could lengthen the window while you adjust and then try to stretch it back.

  32. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @bhbee: Yes! I agree on moving the window. I Love that if I stop at 7pm (vs 7:30) I "can" eat at 11:00 am vs 11:30 the next day.

  33. mrswin

    nectarine / 2433 posts

    @KNS: I am going to get some tea and try and switch it out for my coffee in the morning. I have been getting my coffee right at the beginning of my eating window so I can get my fix with cream and sugar.... even a little Bailey's on the weekend I have tried to drink even more water today and seem to be ok so far.

    @crazydoglady: It's the sweetness that I miss as opposed to the creaminess. I have tried the heavy whipping cream and well it helps I miss the sugar lol. I did try a favoured Nespresso pod this morning and it seems to be more tolerable as an option.

    @bhbee: @crazydoglady: I know I should probably move it earlier but I don't want to not have dinner because I worry about my daughter (4) seeing me skip it and imitating or not understanding/learning some terrible behaviour . It is easy not to do breakfast since I am at work during the week. Dinner is a big meal in our house because my MIL cooks a meal every night and it would be hard to skip it.

    I might break my fast at 11am today (14.5 hours) and see if that helps with the headaches.

  34. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @mrswin: ooh that’s tough if someone else controls dinner. I’d definitely do a shorter fast for a while. I did 13-14 to start and still saw results and then lengthened over the first couple weeks.

  35. lindseykaye

    pear / 1992 posts

    Alright y'all I have been reading along and am thinking this might be a good way for me to get a start on making some changes. I've struggled the most with nighttime snacking, and have a schedule that would work well for a 12-8 window like a lot of folks here seem to have.
    There never feels like a good time to start these types of changes but I'm going to give it a go a bit over the weekend (maybe a shorter fasting window) and ease into a Monday start.

    @crazydoglady: I identify so much with your posts on here and am happy for you that this seems to be fitting your needs. I also lost the baby weight the first time around seemily without effort. I gained about 30 lbs after weaning a year later but was able to lose that with a few months of Beachbody workouts and the container program. This time around I'm carrying grad school and baby and early weaning weight gain and have been so discouraged. I just can't seem to follow through on my plans every time I make them and think, "I'm gonna do it!"... and then don't. This seems like a really straightforward way to ease into getting back some control over my habits and cravings.
    Also, thank you for that link on coffee with cream since that is literally the thing that has been keeping me back from trying this since I really, REALLY love my morning coffee and can't drink it black (but can do without sugar easily as long as I have cream).

  36. Mommy Finger

    pomegranate / 3272 posts

    @mrswin: I think your body just has to get used to this. I actually had a check up with my doctor yesterday who is the one encouraging me to do IF. I also wake up at 4:30 a lot of time to work out and there are days when waiting until 12 to eat is torture. As is I need to eat something around 10:30 or I might start to get dizzy. She said my body is still getting used to using fat for fuel vs actual food so it'll take some time. I don't have the same issues with caffeine as I'm not a coffee drinker but others gave you some good advice. And I agree with not skipping dinner so that you show a positive example for your daughter. My doctor also talked about that when I mentioned that the weekends are harder for me. So it was helpful to have her tell me that I don't have to be 100% perfect for this to work!

  37. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @mrswin: I wake up around 5, have my coffee to tide me over, eat lunch at 11:15, and then stop eating for the day at 7:15. It's been working wonderfully!

  38. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @lindseykaye: Absolutely! I am so glad that my posts were helpful . So, after I had my daughter, I went right on WW and lost all but 10 pounds to get to my "goal weight" and then I literally could not do it anymore. I tried one more half-hearted attempt and then stopped. At that point, I had gained nearly 10 pounds from what I lost on WW. I started the F it diet in April and (after weighing myself this weekend,) I realized I had gained 15 more pounds on top of that. (Sorry if some of this is repeat!) I learned some valuable things from the F it diet and intuitive eating, but I felt SO out of tune with my eating. It had literally been feast or famine in the last year. I feel like this is a wonderful middle. I feel so much more in tune with my actual hunger and fullness that I never got from intuitive eating and I am obsessing so much less about food which is AMAZING. I have past history with an eating disorder, so I know that I have to tread carefully, but I also know that gaining more and more weight isn't the answer either.

  39. crazydoglady

    nectarine / 2431 posts

    @bhbee: So, I have no idea what my "start weight" was since I JUST bought a scale, but I have already lost nearly 3 pounds since I weighed myself at my sister's this weekend! I am trying to not become too fixated on the scale, but it's great to know that things are moving in the right direction.

  40. bhbee

    cantaloupe / 6085 posts

    @crazydoglady: yay! There are definitely some good results to start. It may slow down some especially by 10lb down but I’ve seen slow but steady progress (and since I’m not doing anything else special, that’s pretty good!)

Reply »

You must login / Register to post

© copyright 2011-2014 Hellobee