Hey everyone... the scale budged another 2 lbs 161! I can't ever remember weighing this little. I honestly don't feel like I'm doing anything difficult at all. I'll just keep eating like this and see what my body does.

SWEET!

Calories matter. So definately don't eat additional food to "make up" for the fast. Of course, you're going to be quite hungry so eating a larger than normal meal is to be expected I suppose.

I'm not an ESE expert but I believe the idea behind ESE is slow and steady weight loss. I can't really understand what you mean by "normal" but if that means eating maintinece calories than the math would work out something like this. (Making up numbers for simplicity)

If you maintain at 2,000 calories a day and fast 2 times a week eating one meal of 700 calories you would have a weekly deficit of 2,600 calories or roughly 2/3 a lb weight loss a week.

Goodluck!

I survived! And like a lot of you guys, I was surprised by how few times during the 24 hours I actually felt really hungry. The hardest times were while I was falling asleep and right after waking up, but it wasn't so terrible that I don't think I can do it again. Aiming for 2 times/week!

Thanks for your answer, JohnP. By "normal" I did mean maintenance.

So similar to something someone posted earlier, here's my plan for now:
S 1400
M 500
T 1400
W 1400
Th 500
F 1400
S 1400

14,000 cal/week maintenance - 8,000 eating calories = 6,000 cal under maintenance + 2,000 exercise cal = 8,000 cal under maintenance / 3,500 cal/lb = 2.25 lb/week. This seems like a lot? Can I avoid the dreaded "starvation mode" on this, you think? (the last thing I want is for my body to hold on to the fat!)

Also, so happy for you ValRock!

Im finding , if i eat fairley low carb after my fast, my appetite isnt huge & i get full uber quick! Winners allround!

Congrats! I know that it's scary at first for some, but after a while it gets better. Have you read Brad Pilon's materials? He says that Starvation Mode doesn't exist and explains why. I cannot post links on here yet, but it's linked on a blog called "Fasting for Weight Loss and Health."

Feels great doesn't it? Congratulations!

Without knowing your stats I can't really say. 2.25lbs a week is a lot if you're only 120lbs. It's not a lot if you weigh 250lbs.

Starvation mode is a myth. Your metabolism is going to slow down when you're dieting no matter what the only question is by how much. .05%? 10%? It depends.

The main concern you will have from losing weight too fast is either hormonal or loss of muscle. Fat can only provide so many calories per day which is why the amount of weight you "safely" lose varies based upon how much you have to lose.

How do you handle intense cravings during that TOM while IF'ing?? I need help...

FassGal...I hear ya on that one. It's all about being as strong as possible I guess.

I hope you're all enjoying the weekend. I haven't been IF'ing but will jump back into it either tomarrow or the following day.

Monique

Fassgal, I agree with Monique. You've gotta be strong and just mentally say that you are going to be good and it won't be worth it to cheat.

Fruit helps a lot to satisfy my sweet tooth. You could try that. Good luck

Morning everyone! During this weekend, I wasn't really trying to IF but I sort of did by accident since it was so busy at work, I wasn't able to eat much the passed few days. I would much on things here and there, have dinner later.

So today, I'm at 213...which is a pound lower than I was before that baby shower. LOL. Yay!

How's everyone doing?

Monique

Thanks Kasey and Monique! It was soooo much easier this time around. I kept reminding myself to be strong and I ate more fruit than normal (which is saying a lot, because I love fruit and eat a lot at meals anyway). I am two pounds down... woo hoo!

Woo congrats Fassgal! That's great.

My schedule has changed a lot and I haven't been consistently IF'ing. What I have learned is that I don't need to freak out about not eating so often and IF is really great for damage control.

I have been maintaining, which is awesome. Hope everyone's doing well.

20 minutes to go on my second 24-hour fast! It really was much easier this time than the last time. And it was SO nice to be able to up my calories a bit on regular days! Whenever I "diet" I try for 1200-1300, and I usually keep it up for a few days and then fail miserably because I'm just, well, hungry. I've been able to enjoy some great (still relatively healthy!) meals guilt-free and am already "sticking to it" longer than I usually last! It's also been great to read about the successes you guys have been having. I'm rooting for you!

Just wondering, how long did it take you guys to start seeing the pounds drop? (or did you incorporate IF after you had already started losing weight?)