Jentacular Juramentum July (IF Challenge) Check-In!
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My first full 24 hour + water/green tea fast. Feeling good right now, but I'm on my way to bed. We'll see how this shakes out in the morning.0
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Just checking in. Feel fine, no differerence. The scale is dead, so I don't know what's going on there, but that's OK...I hope everyone is great. Keto and IF on!0
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I feel like I've hit on a magic method that works for me. You know, I had IF incorporated into my routine pre-keto, but somehow didn't think it would be necessary when eating keto, so almost stopped the practice. Thanks for this challenge. I am loving it.
I have morphed from eating twice daily to once now, with extended fasts on the weekend. I ended a 66 hour fast yesterday, and I felt great. I have been drinking BPC in the am daily and had some homemade chicken bone broth Saturday, but since those calories were predominately fat, I don't feel that it hindered my fast. I feel that it gave me a bit of nutrition and a lot of energy. I was able to perform all regular tasks including exercise, and yard and housework, so don't feel that there were any negative consequences of fasting. I will always stop fasting and eat if I don't feel well. But I felt fine. A bit of hunger at about 24 hrs in, but then loads of energy after that. At 60 hours, I felt calm and less energetic, but still fine. I felt like I could have gone longer, but made the decision to eat supper last night.
This is totally doable ! I feel such control ! I am still aiming for a 72 hours fast, probably this upcoming weekend.0 -
Kitnthecat wrote: »I feel like I've hit on a magic method that works for me. You know, I had IF incorporated into my routine pre-keto, but somehow didn't think it would be necessary when eating keto, so almost stopped the practice. Thanks for this challenge. I am loving it.
I have morphed from eating twice daily to once now, with extended fasts on the weekend. I ended a 66 hour fast yesterday, and I felt great. I have been drinking BPC in the am daily and had some homemade chicken bone broth Saturday, but since those calories were predominately fat, I don't feel that it hindered my fast. I feel that it gave me a bit of nutrition and a lot of energy. I was able to perform all regular tasks including exercise, and yard and housework, so don't feel that there were any negative consequences of fasting. I will always stop fasting and eat if I don't feel well. But I felt fine. A bit of hunger at about 24 hrs in, but then loads of energy after that. At 60 hours, I felt calm and less energetic, but still fine. I felt like I could have gone longer, but made the decision to eat supper last night.
This is totally doable ! I feel such control ! I am still aiming for a 72 hours fast, probably this upcoming weekend.
You are inspiring me Kitnthecat! Others around me express concern and encourage me to keep my fasts short. But I'm going to try a longer one. Thanks for your report!0 -
Great job @Kitnthecat !
It's almost the end of week three, so depending on your time zone, feel free to start chiming in with your progress updates!0 -
I feel fine, no different actually. I have had no problems, but as far as weight, I am still waiting for my new scale to arrive today, so that I can weigh in...then of course it is probably not going to be exactly the same as my old one was, so I may weigh more and it might not actually be a weight gain. lol...my neighbor told me to do measurements so...yesterday I measured again...bust the same, hips 1/2 inch bigger and waist 1 inch bigger....hmmmm..0
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Sticktuitiveness: I've been sticking with 16:8 pretty well, having BPC each morning, breaking my fast at noon, and trying to have my last meal before 8pm. Some days, especially on weekends, I have eaten later than 8:00 at night, so a few days I've had a larger eating window.
The past week has been pretty much the same as the first two weeks in terms of sticking with it. I'm not obsessing over exactly 16 hours and exactly 8 hours. Some days I eat later than 8pm, especially on weekends. I've been better about having dinner at a normal time but have had a late night snack a couple times in the past week. But I never eat before noon and just have BPC, coffee, or water until I break the fast. I love that IF gives me a little more leeway to eat larger meals if I want for my other one or two meals.Progress: On July 1 I weighed in at 203 lbs, and today I weighed in at 199 lbs. I've been bouncing around between 197.8 and 200 for a few days now. I feel fantastic, and I'm back in my favorite size 16 slacks from Lane Bryant that I've been hanging on to for years! Happy dance!
I'm still bouncing around 198-199. My new pants are loose on me today, though, so I'm wondering if I could go down a size. Aside: women's pants are so variable in their sizing!Hiccups: Last night my hubby's impulsivity led our family to a Mexican restaurant in town (see how I blame hubby there?
), where I happily consumed a few chips with salsa and two flour tortillas with vegetarian queso. It was delicious, and I do not feel guilty for it. I'm back on track this morning with BPC, and since we went out to eat last night and I did not have any leftovers, I did not bring lunch today--which means I either need to buy something or fast until I get home. I'm seriously considering fasting until I get home, but it's only 8:30am, so we shall see how I feel at noon. 
No true cheats this week, although I have increased my carb level to a max of 36 (figuring I'd stay under 30 net) and allowed myself small portions of sweet potato, corn, and carrots here and there.Triumphs: My second youngest, Gabriela, turned 2 on Sunday. We had pizza and cupcakes (we will have her "real" party later this summer, after we move and when my oldest daughter is here), and I had neither. I wasn't even tempted to lick my fingers when I accidentally got frosting on them. I made myself a pepperoni pizza with almond flour crust, cracked open a Diet Coke, and enjoyed my secret triumph. Another secret triumph is that I shared my pizza with father-in-law and his wife, and FIL actually liked it! (He's NOT a low-carber.)
I survived two more birthday parties without a single bite of pizza, cake, or ice cream! And hubby tried a Caveman Keto Almond Bun, and he loved them! He asked me to make more! Maybe I'll convert him yet.
Hopefully I'll lose another pound or two by the end of the month, but no hurries. I'm enjoying this WOE so much, and IF is making it even easier.0 -
I'm down a bit from last week, but overall I'm about where I started. Been doing a lot of muscle building, though, and it's shark week, so I'm not stressing it. Look forward to see where I am next Friday!
As for the fasting, I tend not to be in any rush to eat when my fast is over, so I'd say on average I'm more like 17:7 than 16:8. I do still tend to eat close to 8 just to squeeze in that thing I planned to eat, even when I'm not hungry. I do wake hungry, but I do yoga then shower and then finally have my BPC when I'm almost ready to leave the house. It's almost like hunger is no longer a stress-causing sensation for me.0 -
^^ same here i shoot for 12-8 for eating(16/8) but usually end up eating at 230 or so so ends uplike a 18/6- may try and push myself longer today see how long i can go with out0
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I struggled a bit last week. I had no problem doing the longer fasts twice last week but I had difficulty getting all my calories in for the day after the fast ended. I was also very low on protein a couple of days which worries me. I think IF may be too advanced for me yet. If I don't plan specifically what I'm going to eat during my feeding window then I'm kinda lost and spend way too much time trying to figure out how to hit my macros for the day. It most concerned me because I started noticing hair loss and felt that not supplying my body with enough nutrients may be causing issues. For now I'm going to try to get my calories to a maintenance level, which is difficult for me to begin with, I have gotten used to keeping my cals and carbs low and am struggling to change that.0
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Started Day 1 of my weekly 2-day fast. Still very full and uncomfortable by my experiment yesterday of eating more calories. I think I will continue this pattern (weekly fasts, not overeating) even after the challenge ends. I also stopped veggies yesterday. I do not know if I am zero carb because I may eat nut butters. I will have to see if they count.0
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Checking in.
I fasted for 16.5 hours today before going to my hot yoga class....
I've never not eaten before yoga before because I've been too afraid of "bonking", but I'm happy to say it was actually a very positive experience!
I felt extremely focused and in tune with my body the whole time, and my energy level remained constant throughout the class.
The only thing I consumed before was my BPC at 7am, 2 stock cubes and some BCAAs & electrolytes during class.
I might do the same tomorrow and see how I feel. 0 -
I'm just checking in. My wifi at work has blocked me from accessing the mfp forum so i've had to bring my tablet to McDonald's for a lunchtime catchup.
I managed to stick to my 5 days planned 16:8 fast this week and extended one day to 24 hours. I'm still not feeling very different, my hunger might be starting to kick in later in the morning, I generally don't break my fast until 1pm, to give me some flexibility to eat later into the evening. My weight is still dropping steadily, I was 0.7kg down at my official Monday weigh in and 'unofficially' down another 0.5 today. I've done a couple of hard days of swim training this week so I'm really impressed that I'm not struggling for energy 0 -
Gave my insulin system a good long rest by completing my first 60 hour fast (with BPC, tea & broth). A month ago, I wouldn't have thought this was possible. Inspired by some folks in this group, and also Dr. Jason Fung. Got in over 3 hours of brisk walks while fasted for increased fat burning. Some hunger on the first day, some light headedness on the second afternoon & 3rd morning - salt definitely helps with that. Confirmed ketosis this morning for the first time. This has given me more than 3 weeks of weight loss without a plateau, which at this point wouldn't ordinarily happen. I'm pleased with this new tool in my bag of diet tricks.0
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Way to go @DrawnToScale ! Sorry I haven't checked back in here to see your post, or I would have cheered you on. I'm glad it worked out for you! Not so scary, is it?
Also thanks @Glossbones.
Well I've had a stressful work week and getting back to even aiming for BPC in the am, water all day then one meal at supper seems have given me the munchies, so I've been over in calories. As a result the scale is up after my extended fast, but still down by 5 lbs since July 1. I am convinced however, that IF is good for the body. I am hooked. I've started another extended fast of unknown duration, now at hour 16. Not sure how long I will go this time since an old friend will be in town this weekend. I expect to do at least 48 hours, but likely won't be able to achieved my coveted 72 hr goal.
Nice to read the posts by others, good luck everyone ! I know that I will definitely keep this strategy in my bag of tricks.0 -
If I have to go more than 16 hrs fasting, people flee.
Still...
Just sayin.
I think I'm in another 3 week stall cycle. We shall see. I haven't really even lost anything thus far. Just losing and regaining the same water weight all month in rapid-cycle mode. And I'm getting headaches. Still hungry in the AM every day. My body doesn't like being hungry. Ever. At all. TOM in effect, and it is rough around here right now, let me tell ya. I haven't killed anyone yet. Yet...
Not really seeing much benefit in IFing, other than turning me into a new supervillain named Broomrider. I'm sticking with it and not weighing any more until the end of the month. We'll see. Ask me how I feel when TOM is gone. I have zero energy and mood is in the toilet and I want to eat anything I can slurp or chew. Bleh.
If I have developed anything over the past 13 months, it's greater stick-to-it-ivness. But I'm unsure at this point whether IF is a habit I will continue once the challenge is over.0 -
I am eating mad extra calories this week. Not sure if it's the fasting or hormones. I'm definitely beyond satiated right now so I'm guessing it's emotional. On vacation for the next week and hope to be kept very busy, so hopefully my interest in food won't be so prominent. She says as, with full belly, she gets a hankering...0
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jennybird99 wrote: »I'm still working out the kinks. For instance, I'm wasting food at home and having to throw it out as I am at work for a fair chunk of my eating hours. So, I need to plan better.
I also have to go look up if a hard boiled egg breaks the fast...
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I'm doing 18:6 during my road trip holiday . . Eating between 4 pm and 10 pm. . If holiday scale is to be believed I've lost just over 5 lbs in July so far . . Can't wait to confirm loss on my WII scale when I get home next Wednesday . .0
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Nice work rosendale1. I have a trip coming up and will try to emulate.0
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My last fast ended up being another 66 hr fast, but this time I did not drink BPC, just coffee with HWC, way fewer calories. But then some of the weightloss was negated by indulging in dim sum with my good friend yesterday. Way more carbs than normal, I am sure. So I have started another fast today, and will likely go for approx 48 hours, then get back into my one meal per day strategy for the rest of the work week. Might be too soon to tell whether IF will help mitigate damage after eating off plan, but I feel good about the whole experience, which is great.
I have noted no negative effects this month really. Even energy, and ability to perform regular tasks. I eat if I feel unwell. I only had the one headache that one time, and my strategy was to eat. At times I break the fast not due to hunger but desire. I picked some veggies from the garden on Saturday and just had to taste fresh garden peas (about 6 pods worth) and 2 small pickling cucumbers. I feel such control eating this way. Yup, I know this is a keeper.0 -
Just a reminder that we will have our final check in on Friday, the last of the month. 0
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Still doing IF? Check
Still nothing on the scale? Check
Still crabby as hell? You know it.
So, life as usual. lol
I'm so happy that so many have found a good thing in IF. I'm not one of them though. It stresses me. I do better eating a Big *kitten* Breakfast, skipping lunch because I'm too dang full, and then eating a snack around 3pm. Then supper at 6. Rinse and repeat. That's what I'll be going back to on Saturday when this challenge is over.
But that's ok. Experimenting and finding our personal sweet spot is what this thing is all about. And I'm getting maintenance practice in. I'm always determined to find a silver lining, no matter how elusive. I'll make one if I have to.
Keep Calm and IF On.0 -
So far I have seen nothing different while doing IF. I feel the same, my weigh still fluctuates, losing inches at about the same rate. No harm, no foul.0
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Yeah, it looks like I'm losing at approximately the same rate as I have been. I just feel more in control, and my mornings are easier now that I just make my BPC and go. Next month I'm going to add breakfast back in most days and see if I continue to lose.0
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Confession. I have not been a poster child for IF during this challenge. It seems to me that I do better when I don't have to do something. Maybe it's my stubborn inner child, who knows. I do better when I put a very loose target of what I want to achieve or test and do what falls naturally into that. It's very unscientific, lol, but it works for me.
Tbh, I also think that since my body is very slowly chipping off fat, recomping, I don't feel the urgency to fast for fat loss. Last year, during weight loss, I felt compelled to fast because it really, really worked for me, where no other method had previously worked. I have been able to stretch fasting hours a bit and many days I don't start eat until 5pm.
So there were two weeks in the middle where TOM hunger reared it's ugly head. This last week I did 2 days B2B with low calorie cycling. Roughly NET 800 kcal/day. The scale weight is the same as start of the challenge, but undies, shorts, pants that were too tight 6 weeks ago, feels a tad looser. I also started experimenting with daily creatine and inulin, so water retention because of this is unknown. Measure tape says 1 cm lost in waist, but that could be a spurious event.
I also wanna say that by looking into the mirror, I'm very close to goal. I can see the outline of abs now when flexed. I mostly do cardio so those are my baseline midsection muscles. So naturally any fat loss at this point is a painstaking endeavour.
So even though, I didn't comply with goals stated at the beginning of challenge, I still feel like this is a win for me. It has raised my consciousness about how and why I wanna keep fasting. During this month, I've re-read and found new info about IF that firmly convinces me that doing IF for health: anti-aging benefits, increased HGH, mitochondrial biogenesis, more cell repairs, increased beta cell function, improved glucose metabolism, to name a few...is a good motivator to try do 2-3 days of fasting on a regular basis even after goal body composition is reached.
I only have to find a suitable protocol/time that works for me. I'm thinking 1x/month is a good start.
TL;DR Daily fasting window works for slowly chip off fat recomp mode. Semi-fasting is still a more effective for scale movement for me. Fasting is good for not just weight loss, but also have hormonal benefits I would like to explore more.
It has been interesting hearing about all of your different experiences. It reaffirms for me that we truly are all different 0 -
Starting weight? 157 lbs
Ending weight? 144 lbs
Loss = 13 lbs!!
I had no idea. I thought it was 5 lbs. I ate some starches and other "no-no" foods this month and the scale and edema kept going up and down throughout.
Fast Schedule 2 days per week; water fast.
Met for the entire month
Took the following supplements : Probiotic, Potassium, Selenium, Magnesium, Vitamin D,
Almost daily
Do you plan to exercise? No, I am not allowed to yet.
Very minimal walking. Doctor’s appt in 2 weeks!
What you hope to achieve by participating: Including how you'll measure it: Reduction in pain/swelling, weight loss. Measured by how I feel by the end of the month and scale.
This was achieved!
I am/was [sic] looking forward to a reduction in pain and swelling.
I have a definite reduction in swelling. I can’t tell about the pain because I am in extreme pain today. I think it is the weather and I had to lift household items that were flooded last night when my toilet tank broke as I was sleeping – UGH. This is a process that has been going on for 4 years and I am not expecting any quick fix. I do think regular IF is helping and I plan to continue. I might cut down from 2 days to 1. I don’t get hungry or weak, but I get bored not eating.
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Starting weight? 160.3 lbs
Ending weight? 153.3 lbs
Loss = 7 lbs!!
I was away from home and eating out every day . . .
Fast Schedule 16:8 - 5 days per week; 20:4 - 2 days a week
Met for the entire month
Took the following supplements Magnesium, Vitamin D,
Almost daily
Do you plan to exercise?
My exercise was walking . .
What you hope to achieve by participating: Including how you'll measure it: Reduction in pain/swelling, weight loss. Measured by how I feel by the end of the month and scale.
My goal to achieve was weight loss and appetite control . . . both of these were achieved. I will continue low carb eating, with IF as above.0 -
I'm doing my final check in a day early because I have the day off work tomorrow and I intend to be too busy to be messing around with apps . My weight started at 79.4kg and was 76 on Wednesday, so a nice 3.4kg (7-8lbs) loss for the month:). I have gone down a clothes size in everything, I have kept up my karate/swimming/cycling and taken the first steps back to running . I was second lady in my 5km swim race this weekend despite it being in the last 2 hours of an 18 hour fast
Once I got past the psychological barriers associated with having rigid times when I was able to eat (the first week was hard because I hate being told what to do even by myself) I found this woe incredibly easy to stick to. I think the weight loss is around the same rate as I was losing previously but it is so much easier to only need to plan 2 meals a day. I think I will be sticking with this for a while as I see no reason to go back to eating breakfast, it's never been something I've been too bothered about anyway. I think the next step is for me to begin adding in a few 24 hr fasts each month. The hardest part of this for me is the logistics of finding a day when I don't do much exercise 0 -
Your current weight (or clothing size, or whatever you use if you don't weigh): 176.2
*down to 170.6 almost 6 lb drop ; )
Your Fast/Feed Schedule: Include how many days per week you plan to do this 16/8-7
* did the 16/8 IF for 5 days-then break for 2
Do you take supplements?: just a multi
Do you plan to exercise? If so, how do you expect that to impact your fasting?: yes -nothing hardcore- just starting again- ?? not sure- increased hunger maybe
only exercise was yard work - house cleaning and my 4 girls LOL
How you'll fast: Water only? Water/BPC only? water/tea/occasional bpc or bone broth if needed
*stuck to this water with electrolytes
What you hope to achieve by participating: Including how you'll measure it be able to listen to hunger cues/ and to control evening eating problems
Any previous experience with fasting: not really
Your carb/protein/fat targets (in grams) for the feeding periods: (This should not be all that different from how you eat before starting. Remember: we aren't restricting calories here)
5%carb19 gm/20%protein75 gm/75% fat 127 gm
i found i really like this way of eating- i feel better and so nice not to have to think about food all the time- for me anyways-- will def continue this0
