We are pleased to announce that on March 4, 2025, an updated Rich Text Editor will be introduced in the MyFitnessPal Community. To learn more about the upcoming changes, please click here. We look forward to sharing this new feature with you!

16:8 intermittent fasting

MrsHiggins29
MrsHiggins29 Posts: 1 Member
edited December 2024 in Health and Weight Loss
Has anyone tried or considered this?
I have decided to give it a try along side controlling my calories.

I'm going for an 8 hour eating period followed by a 16 hour fast.

I find controlling calories quite difficult, due to meals out etc... Hopefully the 16:8 approach will help!

Replies

  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • MelaniaTrump
    MelaniaTrump Posts: 2,694 Member
    One easier thing that I'm trying to do:
    A 12 hour fast.
    I eat dinner and then fast for 12 hours and eat when I wake up.
    For me, this really and truly works.
    Mostly because anything I ate after dinner was garbage.
  • mealtracker
    mealtracker Posts: 1 Member
    I tried the 16:8 approach. For me, it wasn't effective because I couldn't maintain it. The "window" I set was from 2pm to 10pm. It left me hungry, only hang on for a week. Than binged... Back on track now.
    Personally when cutting calories, its best for me to not starve myself. I stick to veggies and leans meats (low in calories and good in nutritional values). Many restaurants have a small "healthy option" section in their menus.
  • DVall30
    DVall30 Posts: 28 Member
    I've been doing it for 3 months on and off. The first couple of days is the hardest. I work overnight so its easier for me since i can hardly eat at night. My window is 3-11 when i eat and during the fasting hours i drink plenty of water. In total i lost about 25 lbs and my goal is to lose about 20 more.

    Its not for everybody and if u can manage to ignore the hunger go for it but its not a magic routine just another calorie deficit
  • williammuney
    williammuney Posts: 2,895 Member
    I love it but I'm a gluten for punishment
  • mathiseasy
    mathiseasy Posts: 165 Member
    I am doing it right now, my window is 11am-7pm. I started with 12-8 but my natural eating pattern started a bit earlier. I am finding that even though I am creating a calorie deficit, mentally I feel like I am less calorie-restricting and more eating-time-restricting. Losing weight has always been a mind game for me, so IF is a way for me to beat the mind game.
  • williammuney
    williammuney Posts: 2,895 Member
    mathiseasy wrote: »
    I am doing it right now, my window is 11am-7pm. I started with 12-8 but my natural eating pattern started a bit earlier. I am finding that even though I am creating a calorie deficit, mentally I feel like I am less calorie-restricting and more eating-time-restricting. Losing weight has always been a mind game for me, so IF is a way for me to beat the mind game.

    I agree it's all mental
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • 85Cardinals
    85Cardinals Posts: 733 Member
    Yeah, you really get a sense of freedom once you hit your window. Awesome feeling.
  • catsdogsh
    catsdogsh Posts: 130 Member
    I need to get this straight. So you could restrict eating for 16 hours you don't eat. Then 8 hours you can eat. Do you stick to the calories allotted for those 8 hours? I'm thinking that might work for me. Sometimes I skip eating for 24 hours because my metabolic issues are so bad I have to do ridiculous things to lose.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    catsdogsh wrote: »
    I need to get this straight. So you could restrict eating for 16 hours you don't eat. Then 8 hours you can eat. Do you stick to the calories allotted for those 8 hours? I'm thinking that might work for me. Sometimes I skip eating for 24 hours because my metabolic issues are so bad I have to do ridiculous things to lose.
    Yes. :) Daily calories within a certain time period.
    Here is a group for Intermittent Fasting: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/49-intermittent-fasting
  • ogtmama
    ogtmama Posts: 1,403 Member
    It's just a late breakfast and no snacks after dinner...nothing crazy.
  • meryoum
    meryoum Posts: 1 Member
    I started around a week ago and so far WOW. I obviously stay within my appropriate caloric allowance which is 1500 and I have been doing a 10am-5pm eating window because I hate the feeling of a full stomach before bed. It works REALLY well for people that may have a snacking problem like I do. Try it and stick to it!
  • trishvb11
    trishvb11 Posts: 5 Member
    I just started today. I know the day is not over yet but so far so good. I did get a little snappy with my kids right before the allowed time to eat but I wasn't too bad. I have drank so much water, and am glad I am doing it because I was NOT getting enough. So I did have a question. Do I need to worry about the amount of calories I am taking in, just as long as it is healthy calories. I have been eating a lot of salad and hard boiled eggs. Then I will have a small amount of cheese and lean meat to got with it. Thank you in advance!
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
    trishvb11 wrote: »
    I just started today. I know the day is not over yet but so far so good. I did get a little snappy with my kids right before the allowed time to eat but I wasn't too bad. I have drank so much water, and am glad I am doing it because I was NOT getting enough. So I did have a question. Do I need to worry about the amount of calories I am taking in, just as long as it is healthy calories. I have been eating a lot of salad and hard boiled eggs. Then I will have a small amount of cheese and lean meat to got with it. Thank you in advance!

    Calories are all that matter for weight loss. "Healthy" foods are a nicety but won't create fat loss.
This discussion has been closed.

Categories