16/8 Intermittent Fasting, has anyone tried it?

[Yorkshire Coop]

Yes it has made a big difference as I’d let things slip food and weight wise. I’m finding the less I have the less I want. The only thing is I need to drink more fluid. My eating window is 10am to 6pm so after 6 I’m forcing myself to drink more. I am not feeling weak from less food but I have low blood pressure naturally so lack of fluid can make that worse. Cutting down on carbs has helped. I’ve not touched bread at all since I started and my pasta and potato intake has reduced dramatically. Portion control too lays a big part for me. The main thing that’s helped is stopping the snacking on sweeties, biscuits and stuff like that. I’ve given up sugar a good while back and quit smoking in 2019 so for now I’m on the right track. I’ve been spurred on to become a blood doner again too and gave my first in years on Christmas Eve and next one is in May. Now just to get out running again and maybe on the cross trainer.
Starting weight = 71.8kg 158lb
March 8th = 66.1kg 145lb
GOAL = 55kg 121lb

 

[TwoCrows]

Yes it has made a big difference as I’d let things slip food and weight wise. I’m finding the less I have the less I want. The only thing is I need to drink more fluid. My eating window is 10am to 6pm so after 6 I’m forcing myself to drink more. I am not feeling weak from less food but I have low blood pressure naturally so lack of fluid can make that worse. Cutting down on carbs has helped. I’ve not touched bread at all since I started and my pasta and potato intake has reduced dramatically. Portion control too lays a big part for me. The main thing that’s helped is stopping the snacking on sweeties, biscuits and stuff like that. I’ve given up sugar a good while back and quit smoking in 2019 so for now I’m on the right track. I’ve been spurred on to become a blood doner again too and gave my first in years on Christmas Eve and next one is in May. Now just to get out running again and maybe on the cross trainer.
Starting weight = 71.8kg 158lb
March 8th = 66.1kg 145lb
GOAL = 55kg 121lb

Fantastic Kim! This method definitely takes self control especially while dieting. At the rate you are going, you should hit your goal this Spring!!

And I am so glad you quit smoking, I just lost a very dear friend of mine to lung cancer, she smoked all her life, she just died this past January at 61 yrs old. Thank you for quitting!!

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

I’m very sorry to read that Leyla I felt so much better after I had got over the initial withdrawal. I wish a lot of people I know would stop too but you can‘t help people who won’t help themselves. Because I’m an ex smoker I’m just going on apparently

 

[Sally PB]

And I am so glad you quit smoking, I just lost a very dear friend of mine to lung cancer, she smoked all her life, she just died this past January at 61 yrs old. Thank you for quitting!!

Ditto here. My sister died of lung cancer, due to smoking.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

I’m very sorry to hear that @Sally PB

 

[Sally PB]

@Yorkshire Coop, thank you.

It was her fourth, yes, FOURTH cancer, all related to smoking. You'd have thought that the first one would have made her wake up. Or the second. Or third.

RIP, Sue. I wish your life could have been easier and better.

 

[Yorkshire Coop]

Wow that is a lot of pre warning for her. It is so so sad that she didn’t change anything. Very very hard that must have been for you, your family and her. Cancer is so cruel.

 

[TwoCrows]

Ditto here. My sister died of lung cancer, due to smoking.

I am so sorry to hear this. It's a horrible way to die. I am sure this was very difficult for you.

 

[Iluveggers]

Hi everyone just finding this thread. I have a few questions:

1. Do you have to give up carbs for this fast? I try to limit added sugars and we eat Whole Foods 90% of the time…but pasta & rice are huge staples in my house.

2. Would an 11:30-7:30 fast work? We usually eat dinner between 6:30-7, and since I’m not always the one preparing it will be difficult to persuade my husband to eat earlier, especially since sometimes he gets home around 6.

3. I cannot for the life of me drink black coffee, so I either add a splash of unsweetened coconut or almond milk. (No sugar). Do I have to give that up for this fast? I can skip breakfast l, but I would really like to still have one mug of coffee before work.

4. Anything else a newbie should know?

Thanks everyone!

 

[TwoCrows]

Hi everyone just finding this thread. I have a few questions:

1. Do you have to give up carbs for this fast? I try to limit added sugars and we eat Whole Foods 90% of the time…but pasta & rice are huge staples in my house.

2. Would an 11:30-7:30 fast work? We usually eat dinner between 6:30-7, and since I’m not always the one preparing it will be difficult to persuade my husband to eat earlier, especially since sometimes he gets home around 6.

3. I cannot for the life of me drink black coffee, so I either add a splash of unsweetened coconut or almond milk. (No sugar). Do I have to give that up for this fast? I can skip breakfast l, but I would really like to still have one mug of coffee before work.

4. Anything else a newbie should know?

Thanks everyone!

Great that you want to give this a try! You don't have to be on a calorie restricted diet to do this method of eating, it's good on its own. However coupling this method with a diet really kicks fats butt!

No you don't have to give up carbs, it sounds like you eat well already, but you might keep the carb intake to 140 to 150 grams or so a day for good health. Eat lots of protein, veggies and fruits. Nothing is really off limits, treat yourself occasionally, but eat sensibly and you will do fine. If you are restricting your calories, I'd try to keep them around 1200 calories a day.

Any 8 hour period eating window works, as long as you do a continuous 16 hour fast, any 8 hour window is good.

Restricting your liquids to nothing with calories is what makes this so hard. I struggle with it every day! They say anything with calories raises blood sugar, so it's really best to avoid adding things to your tea or coffee. BUT...they say if you really must, a tablespoon of "unsweetened" almond milk is ok as it won't raise your blood sugar much if at all. Always avoid all artificial sweetners. And if you really need to break your fast early, if you are a fan of bone broth, this won't raise blood sugar much either.

That's about it. Good luck and keep us posted!