Intermittent fasting - 30 pounds lost

getitamb

I love intermittent fasting.

JC1459

Hey there! Congrats on your weight loss and better health.
I began IF on May 28th 2016
One thing that helped me to understand IF was a book called The Obesity Code - I read it, was desperate to lose weight and thought to give it a try. It has changed my life!!

I eat 2 meals per day within 8 hr window - NO SNACKS BETWEEN MEALS - NO processed foods at all - NO SUGAR rice flour breads cookies cakes etc
I do a 24 hr fast 2 days per week and also 16 hour daily fasts.

I also restrict my calories, eat healthy and log my food daily. I have lost 37 pounds in 12 weeks without feeling hungry, tired, cravings or bored with my food choices. Once I reach my weight loss goal of 75 pounds I will continue with IF not to lose weight but to stay healthy.

Intermittent Fasting was the answer for me in so many ways.

FYI - I am a 56 year old post menopausal woman who is fighting to take back her life!!

ryanndavignon

OP , awesome job, hopefully someday in the near-ish future I can say I've lost 30+ pounds!

I just started IF 16:8, eating between 12noon and 8pm, on Monday. Today is day 4 and it's been pretty easy, and fits in with my schedule very well. My question, because I'm so new to all of this is; can you eat a low carb, high fat diet while having an IF lifestyle, plus mild/moderate exercise? Is it too much/not enough?

I can only Google so much before it all gets confusing, and im looking to start LCHF (going to be difficult, i love my carbs) but any input from anyone here would be greatly appreciated!

fit_elliex

ryanndavignon wrote: »

OP , awesome job, hopefully someday in the near-ish future I can say I've lost 30+ pounds!

I just started IF 16:8, eating between 12noon and 8pm, on Monday. Today is day 4 and it's been pretty easy, and fits in with my schedule very well. My question, because I'm so new to all of this is; can you eat a low carb, high fat diet while having an IF lifestyle, plus mild/moderate exercise? Is it too much/not enough?

I can only Google so much before it all gets confusing, and I'm looking to start LCHF (going to be difficult, i love my carbs) but any input from anyone here would be greatly appreciated!

I'd like to know the answer to this question, too Ryan!
I'm on LCHF and starting on IF tomorrow.
I love LCHF lifestyle. It took a few tries to cut carbs but I finally got it.
I was at plateau for 2 years! Losing and gaining the same 10lbs and since I started low carb my weight started going down again each week.
My problem is milk in a coffee, too. If I can give it up I'll be very happy

ryanndavignon

fit_elliex wrote: »

I'd like to know the answer to this question, too Ryan!
I'm on LCHF and starting on IF tomorrow.
I love LCHF lifestyle. It took a few tries to cut carbs but I finally got it.
I was at plateau for 2 years! Losing and gaining the same 10lbs and since I started low carb my weight started going down again each week.
My problem is milk in a coffee, too. If I can give it up I'll be very happy

Im going'lo try LCHF for 2 weeks to see if its something I can do. I've read that it takes about that long to kind of rid yourself of your cravings, so if I can make it through that, I think I'll be okay. I don't drink coffee everyday, but when I do, I like flavored stuff in it. Today I drank it with a splenda and some non-dairy creamer, it wasn't as horrendous as I thought it'd be, but it's something I can do every couple of days. Eventually l'll cut the splenda and creamer though.

rosiecotton24

I am very interested in doing this. I have struggled with getting weight off the past few years. I'll do well for awhile, eating healthier and exercising and lose around 20 pounds. Then I'll get lazy again and gain it back. I just recently started again and have lost a few pounds. I am very determined this time! One of my motivators is that we are going to Florida next June for our nephews wedding and I want to be able to wear a cute sundress!!
Anyway, I have read a little bit on IF. But have a couple questions.
1. When any of you decided to start doing this, did you just start right away doing it every single day or did you start out just doing it a few days a week and build up to doing it all the time?
2. Do you do it every single day? Do you ever take a break from it? What if you have a special event coming up on the weekend or something?
One of my problems is decided exactly how to do it. I work from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. When I go to the gym, it is normally around 7:30 in the evening (I go at least 3 days a week). Maybe 10:30 - 6:30?
I also see many of you eat only 2 meals. Do any of you eat three. On Tuesdays we go out for a staff lunch and that is usually around 12:30 or so. How strictly do you stick to your hours? Are there days your first meal is later than normal, so your last meal is later also?
Sorry for so many questions, but I'm very interested in this!!

Shellanfit

excellent informations thanks

YinxFed

This thread has been a revelation to me! I have hit a plateau and I've been there for a few MONTHS! I eat right and I workout 4 or 5 times a week and I'm desperate to get some consistent movement on the scales.

I'm going to try this out for the next couple of weeks and will report back.

Wish me luck!

rainbow198

Congrats OP!

IF has been a big game changer for me. When I started eating this way I didn't know this was actually a thing. I started near the end of my weight loss (I'm maintaining now) to try and stop my mindless after dinner snacking.

Not only did it help with that, but it helped to remove cravings, stubborn body fat and it helped me to develop a healthier relationship with food. I was so used to eating whatever I wanted whenever. Now I eat all of my calories in 3 meals. I feel so powerful being in control of my eating.

@rosiecotton: My answers to your questions are in bold below...

rosiecotton24 wrote: »

I am very interested in doing this. I have struggled with getting weight off the past few years. I'll do well for awhile, eating healthier and exercising and lose around 20 pounds. Then I'll get lazy again and gain it back. I just recently started again and have lost a few pounds. I am very determined this time! One of my motivators is that we are going to Florida next June for our nephews wedding and I want to be able to wear a cute sundress!!
Anyway, I have read a little bit on IF. But have a couple questions.

1. When any of you decided to start doing this, did you just start right away doing it every single day or did you start out just doing it a few days a week and build up to doing it all the time?

I'm an all or nothing person so when I started I did IF daily. However, from the many people I have chatted with about this over the years building up to it seems to work very well.

2. Do you do it every single day? Do you ever take a break from it? What if you have a special event coming up on the weekend or something?

I say don't overthink the hours just yet. Perhaps try focusing on just delaying breakfast first. However, if you go to the gym at 7:30pm, it would make sense to me to stop eating an hour beforehand. Also the hours does not have to be a strict 8 hour eating window. Some days I get all of my calories in in 4 hours other days is more like 10, although that's rare. I let how I feel and my schedule dictate when I eat not the other way around.

One of my problems is decided exactly how to do it. I work from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. When I go to the gym, it is normally around 7:30 in the evening (I go at least 3 days a week). Maybe 10:30 - 6:30?
I also see many of you eat only 2 meals. Do any of you eat three. On Tuesdays we go out for a staff lunch and that is usually around 12:30 or so. How strictly do you stick to your hours? Are there days your first meal is later than normal, so your last meal is later also?

I usually eat 3 meals with no snacks or mini-meals. I listen to my hunger cues. Sometimes I'm hungry at 10am other days at 1pm. I do stop eating at a certain time though so I can fit in an evening workout, but I haven't had any trouble fitting in my meals. Although some days I don't hit my high maintenance calorie number, but I make up for it the next day or over the weekend.

I hope this helps and good luck!!

misslissa1969

I was doing EOD way of eating....500 calories every other day....around 2000-2500 on UP days. I think I like this better....I can plan my day around dinner out or with my husband, just push breakfast back if need be. Congrats on the 30 lbs! I am down 25 but have been up and down for about a year...hoping to get back on track and going to give this a try to get there.

rosiecotton24

rainbow198 wrote: »

Congrats OP!

IF has been a big game changer for me. When I started eating this way I didn't know this was actually a thing. I started near the end of my weight loss (I'm maintaining now) to try and stop my mindless after dinner snacking.

Not only did it help with that, but it helped to remove cravings, stubborn body fat and it helped me to develop a healthier relationship with food. I was so used to eating whatever I wanted whenever. Now I eat all of my calories in 3 meals. I feel so powerful being in control of my eating.

@rosiecotton: My answers to your questions are in bold below...

rosiecotton24 wrote: »

I am very interested in doing this. I have struggled with getting weight off the past few years. I'll do well for awhile, eating healthier and exercising and lose around 20 pounds. Then I'll get lazy again and gain it back. I just recently started again and have lost a few pounds. I am very determined this time! One of my motivators is that we are going to Florida next June for our nephews wedding and I want to be able to wear a cute sundress!!
Anyway, I have read a little bit on IF. But have a couple questions.

1. When any of you decided to start doing this, did you just start right away doing it every single day or did you start out just doing it a few days a week and build up to doing it all the time?

I'm an all or nothing person so when I started I did IF daily. However, from the many people I have chatted with about this over the years building up to it seems to work very well.

2. Do you do it every single day? Do you ever take a break from it? What if you have a special event coming up on the weekend or something?

I say don't overthink the hours just yet. Perhaps try focusing on just delaying breakfast first. However, if you go to the gym at 7:30pm, it would make sense to me to stop eating an hour beforehand. Also the hours does not have to be a strict 8 hour eating window. Some days I get all of my calories in in 4 hours other days is more like 10, although that's rare. I let how I feel and my schedule dictate when I eat not the other way around.

One of my problems is decided exactly how to do it. I work from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm Monday through Friday. When I go to the gym, it is normally around 7:30 in the evening (I go at least 3 days a week). Maybe 10:30 - 6:30?
I also see many of you eat only 2 meals. Do any of you eat three. On Tuesdays we go out for a staff lunch and that is usually around 12:30 or so. How strictly do you stick to your hours? Are there days your first meal is later than normal, so your last meal is later also?

I usually eat 3 meals with no snacks or mini-meals. I listen to my hunger cues. Sometimes I'm hungry at 10am other days at 1pm. I do stop eating at a certain time though so I can fit in an evening workout, but I haven't had any trouble fitting in my meals. Although some days I don't hit my high maintenance calorie number, but I make up for it the next day or over the weekend.

I hope this helps and good luck!!

Thanks for your answers!! I'm on my 3rd day of IF. I normally don't eat until 12/12:30 and stop around 8:8:30. But I haven't gone to the gym these past 3 days, I've worked out at home. On days I go to the gym, I may have to do different hours (like 10 - 6 or something). The other thing I haven't done is keep track of my calories. I need to make sure I'm eating enough calories, too. I have lost 2 pounds since starting it, which makes me happy.

beenjammin69

I have another 70+ pounds to lose and I had been struggling to lose what weight I did lose. I know it doesn't come off overnight - I know I didn't put it on overnight...but IF has really seemed to change things for me. I started doing 18:6 on 8/6/16. On 8/13/16, I weighed and had lost 6 pounds! I started doing 18:6 because I thought that was what you were supposed to do. It's still in trial stages but I can definitely tell you that if you have been struggling to lose the weight, especially if you have had a full hysterectomy and have those battles to contend with as well - IF just may be the ticket. I'll keep you posted!

YinxFed

beenjammin69 wrote: »

I have another 70+ pounds to lose and I had been struggling to lose what weight I did lose. I know it doesn't come off overnight - I know I didn't put it on overnight...but IF has really seemed to change things for me. I started doing 18:6 on 8/6/16. On 8/13/16, I weighed and had lost 6 pounds! I started doing 18:6 because I thought that was what you were supposed to do. It's still in trial stages but I can definitely tell you that if you have been struggling to lose the weight, especially if you have had a full hysterectomy and have those battles to contend with as well - IF just may be the ticket. I'll keep you posted!

Wow - that's impressive! Hubby and I have just started IF this week. We're doing 16:8. Keeping our fingers crossed!

ryanndavignon

beenjammin69 wrote: »

I have another 70+ pounds to lose and I had been struggling to lose what weight I did lose. I know it doesn't come off overnight - I know I didn't put it on overnight...but IF has really seemed to change things for me. I started doing 18:6 on 8/6/16. On 8/13/16, I weighed and had lost 6 pounds! I started doing 18:6 because I thought that was what you were supposed to do. It's still in trial stages but I can definitely tell you that if you have been struggling to lose the weight, especially if you have had a full hysterectomy and have those battles to contend with as well - IF just may be the ticket. I'll keep you posted!

6lbs is awesome!

I lost 4lbs my first week of IF. It's been great and really easy so far. Here's to week 2!

rhawfax1986

doing 16:8 here also...1 week in 5 pounds lost....good stuff!

slimcharm20

I want to give this a try. I think a 11-7 window will work out great for me. I beleive my biggest hurdle will be my morning coffee with milk and sugar.

Any thoughts on unsweetened coconut milk in my morning coffee? Thanks for any advice!

CorneliusPhoton

slimcharm20 wrote: »

I want to give try this. I think a 11-7 window will work out great for me. I beleive my biggest hurdle will be my morning coffee with milk and sugar.

Any thoughts on unsweetened coconut milk in my morning coffee?

50 calories or so in the morning is negligible when it comes to fasting for weight loss. If you also want the benefits associated with keeping insulin low for as long as possible, try moving towards black coffee.

sohifirefly

Quick question about when to workout during IF. I read that your first meal should be after your workout which really does not work for me. I already wake up at 5:15am to get ready for work so getting up even earlier to workout isn't going to happen. I usually go to the gym after work around 5:30pm but can't start my eating window after that because I'll be going to bed by 10pm usually. So, my question is - when do you all workout? If I only eat one meal or have a protein shake after my workout and then start the fasting period will that work too?

Oh I also read that cardio is probably not the best exercise while doing IF but rather focus on strength or resistance training. Do you all find that to be true?

Thanks!

Return2Fit

WELL DONE!
I use a 16/8 IF routine and it seemed to have generated some great results.
I realize this is far from pure science, but when I find something that works, that's all the science I require.
Results are what I seek.

Again, great job, and thanks for sharing!

rainbow198

rosiecotton24 wrote: »

Thanks for your answers!! I'm on my 3rd day of IF. I normally don't eat until 12/12:30 and stop around 8:8:30. But I haven't gone to the gym these past 3 days, I've worked out at home. On days I go to the gym, I may have to do different hours (like 10 - 6 or something). The other thing I haven't done is keep track of my calories. I need to make sure I'm eating enough calories, too. I have lost 2 pounds since starting it, which makes me happy.

No problem at all! Congrats on losing 2 pounds! You may have to move your window around some days, but track those calories though! Bad girl! hehe

sohifirefly wrote: »

Quick question about when to workout during IF. I read that your first meal should be after your workout which really does not work for me. I already wake up at 5:15am to get ready for work so getting up even earlier to workout isn't going to happen. I usually go to the gym after work around 5:30pm but can't start my eating window after that because I'll be going to bed by 10pm usually. So, my question is - when do you all workout? If I only eat one meal or have a protein shake after my workout and then start the fasting period will that work too?

Oh I also read that cardio is probably not the best exercise while doing IF but rather focus on strength or resistance training. Do you all find that to be true?

Thanks!

@sohifirefly: Most days of the week I workout first thing in the morning and get in a brisk walk after dinner. In the mornings I just have a glass of water or two and I usually don't start eating until late morning. I feel great working out fasted!

I mix up my workouts and do either or both cardio and strength-training. I haven't found any one better or worse. For me it has been more about the intensity and how long my workouts are. I don't workout for long (25 - 45 mins. max) and it's not intense.

However, I know some people that are able to lift heavy and workout a long-time fasted. I could when I had more body fat. I can not handle that kind of workout anymore fasted.

It's all about finding what works for you and making adjustments.