It's Time For An IF (Intermittent Fasting) Support Group!

[ohmai]

Originally Posted by WeightForMe

Hmm so i was all gun-ho this morning reading this thread but then when i was telling my bf about it tonight he reminded me of when i used to work long hours and basically only ate dinner all day and it was almost always low-fat something because his mom who we were living with at the time is all about healthy balanced meals. ...and i didnt lose anything. if anything i probably gained weight. This kinda put the brakes on IF because i remember saying at that time "How can i NOT be losing weight, i'm only eating 1 meal a day"...and he kept insisting it was because i was making my metabolism slow down. So i guess my question is, is IF for everyone?

IF isn't for everyone. I like it because there's no anxiety or stress about what to eat and when to eat it. I eat what I want, within reason, during my window.

As for not losing when eating a single low fat meal per day- maybe it just wasn't enough. I gained weight when I went on low fat/no fat. Over the last year, my family has made a switch to better foods and for us, that includes whole foods and whole fat foods. Real butter, real cheese, whole milk and good oils. My kids are more satisfied with meals made this way and they eat less, overall.

You can't really know if this way of eating is for you, with out at least trying it!

[KTucke7]

@WeightforMe Low-fat does not necessarily mean low calorie. As the others have said, you need to determine your intake to know if you are below maintenance.

I was wondering if anyone else has noticed though, that they are losing more belly fat on IF? I have been, and a friend who is doing it has really noticed that too.

[jyoyo78]

@KTucke - Not sure if it's belly fat I'm losing....or just belly bloat at this point But I've noticed my pants buttoning a little easier the past couple of days. I assume it's because I'm not eating as many carbs. The same thing happens to me when I eat a low glycemic style diet like South Beach. Whatever the reason is....I'm all for it...and hopefully it really is belly FAT instead of bloat!

[Monique]

Thanks, jyoyo. You're doing good as well.

Weight, it seems like that one meal isn't enough perhaps? If I were you and really wanted to try IF, I would try the "eating window" thing. Decide how many hours a day you wanna fast and eat during your window. Do this for about a week and see how you like it and if you think it will help you lose weight.

Monique

[JohnP]

I put my beliefs to the test this week. I studied all week for taking the state insurance exam which is needed for a job I'm about to take. Most of my studying was done in a fasted state and I took the exam after 17 hours of fasting. I considered breaking my fast early and having a meal but if anything I think more clearly while fasting so I put my beliefs to the test.

Result? Passed the test, no problem!

[jyoyo78]

That's awesome John!! I've been feeling the same way after fasting, definitely feel more clear headed and less sluggish. Especially in the afternoon...which is normally when I feel like it's nap time!

[KTucke7]

@jyoyo I'm thinking it may be belly fat. I was eating mostly low carb before IF, now I'm eating oatmeal every day. I'm at my goal weight and my waist is down 1/2 inch. Keeping my fingers crossed!

[Monique]

Congrats, John.

Great job, everyone. Keep up the good work because it will definitely pay off.

It's my day off and things are going well so far. I think I'm going to make myself some chai tea in a minute. Haven't eaten yet but whenever I decide to, that's fine because I'm not strict on my days off work.

Monique

[jyoyo78]

I'm a little nervous for weigh in day tomorrow morning! I peeked at the scale again today and I'm at the same weight as when I started. I'll keep going for a few weeks and re-evalute things...but it does get discouraging when the pounds aren't coming off. I know I'm eating few calories than normal, but I also know I need to exercise!!! I've just been super busy running all over heck and back the last couple of weeks...but that should be slowing down soon.

Also, I think I'm going to adjust my window to eat from 2-7 or 3-8. Right now I've been doing the 5-10 or 4-9 and I just don't like eating that late...but if I don't eat sooner, then I don't get the calories in that I need cause I don't like to just stuff my face all at one sitting...makes me feel icky.

Anywho...I plan on doing the IF style throughout the weekends too....not sure if I'll make it cause when my husband's around it's really difficult to not cave in!! lol Wish me luck!

[Blondie160]

Got my weigh in tomorrow too jyoyo after doing it for a week with no exercise! My windows are currently 2-8pm and I'm finding it OK I am just looking forward to morning cardio from today to speed things up, will keep you posted!!

[jyoyo78]

I've been meaning to ask this...but keep for getting. Does anyone know the significance of how long the eating window is? I know on the Fast-5 it's 5 hours....but I've read that some people have a window as long as 8 hours long.

[JEN3]

Hi Everyone,

I just read all your posts Wow, you guys are little chatter bugs. LOL. I have fallen off the 5 hour eating window a few times usually on the weekends when my bf cooks something spectacular. And I'm happy to report not once did the Fasting Police come to my house and harass me!

I hope all of you become successes and remember Rome wasn’t built in day. Good Luck to Everyone!

Kit

[geoblewis]

I did my first 24-hour fast yesterday...actually, I went 22 hours, which included weight training and Pilates. Couldn't muscle through past that. But I felt pretty good! Thought I might be able to do it again today. Didn't really feel resolved to do it, just wondered if I could repeat yesterday's success. Made it until 2:30, when I started making coq au vin for dinner.

Lesson learned - don't cook big when attempting a fast. My house smells so good right now, and I'm really hungry. I had an avocado, but it only ended up acting like an appetizer! I already measured out what I'm having for dinner, so I have about 300 calories to spare. Wondering what to have. Probably protein. Then I'll muscle through till dinner.

I'm happy with this method. I feel clear-headed, vibrant and positive! However, weekend coming up, and I tend to indulge myself more with fattier/saltier foods, and then suffer for it Sunday afternoons. As long as I don't have to hang out with my mother and sister, I think I'll be fine!

[jyoyo78]

Wow...way to go Georgia! Not really sure if I'll be able to a 24 hour fast....although...I suppose if I could keep myself busy enough I might be able to

[JohnP]

Originally Posted by jyoyo78

I've been meaning to ask this...but keep for getting. Does anyone know the significance of how long the eating window is? I know on the Fast-5 it's 5 hours....but I've read that some people have a window as long as 8 hours long.

I am following the advice of Martin Berkhan. He reccomends an 8 hour window. His advice is based on his own experience and his many clients with the objective being growing big muscles and keeping them while leaning out to a low body fat percentage. He also reccomends counting calories. Due to the results he has gotten for himself and his clients I'm sticking with what he says.

I haven't read Fast 5 or Eat Stop Eat but I'm sure they have good logic for their fast lengths and methods.

In the end there hasn't been enough scientific study done on humans for us to know what kind of health benefits can be achieved through intermittent fasting. We also don't know what length of fast would be needed to receive these benfits nor what kind of regularity would be needed.

Thus, find a window that works for you. Calories are what dictate fat loss or gain so there is no reason to kill yourself if a five hour window doesn't work. Martin says a 10 hour window works almost as well as an 8 hour window and has clients who have done well with a 10 hour window.