Is my eating schedule considered intermittent fasting?

alexastoutxo

So this is my typical days of eating
Wake up at 12pm
"Breakfast"-4pm
Lunch-7:30pm
Snack-11:30pm
Dinner-2am
Last snack-4am
Then I go to sleep at 5-5:30
And again wake up at 12pm and start the day over again. Would this be considered intermittent fasting? I've just read alot of research on it and since I don't eat for long periods of time i feel like I'm doing some sort of fasting? I'm not trying to lose or gain I'm just trying to maintain which I'm successfully doing although I've been wanting to try out intermittent fasting for a while because it sounds interesting to me but I'm not sure whether my eating schedule now is considered intermittent fasting?
Some additional questions though
1. How long can the intermittent fast be? Is 16:8 the only way you can do it?
2. What happens if you get extremely hungry during the times you fast?

Adc7225

I'm lost . . . you wake up at noon, break your fast at 4:00 pm?? . . . last snack is at 4:00 pm??? That means you are eating for 12 hours from I believe 4:00 pm to 4:00 am with a 12 hour fast. I would not call that fasting. My eating schedule is 11:00 am - 8:00 pm.

lorrpb

Breakfast and last snack are both at 4pm? Confused.

alexastoutxo

Adc7225 wrote: »

I'm lost . . . you wake up at noon, break your fast at 4:00 pm?? . . . last snack is at 4:00 pm??? That means you are eating for 12 hours from I believe 4:00 pm to 4:00 am with a 12 hour fast. I would not call that fasting. My eating schedule is 11:00 am - 8:00 pm.

Sorry that was a typo! My last meal/snack is at 4am

alexastoutxo

lorrpb wrote: »

Breakfast and last snack are both at 4pm? Confused.

Last snack is at 4am! Haha sorry that was a typo

fuzzylop72

I think a 12-12 split is too short to really be considered if, but it's the same sort of approach.

kimny72

IF is usually 16:8 (16 hours fasting) and I've seen some suggestions of 14:10 for women (14 hours fasting). Honestly 12 hours fasting is I'd say pretty normal for a lot of people, including anyone who stops eating after dinner.

Having said that, there's really no benefit to having a name for the way you eat . If it works, it works.

RodaRose

alexastoutxo wrote: »

So this is my typical days of eating
Wake up at 12pm
"Breakfast"-4pm
Lunch-7:30pm
Snack-11:30pm
Dinner-2am
Last snack-4am
Then I go to sleep at 5-5:30
And again wake up at 12pm and start the day over again. Would this be considered intermittent fasting? I've just read alot of research on it and since I don't eat for long periods of time i feel like I'm doing some sort of fasting? I'm not trying to lose or gain I'm just trying to maintain which I'm successfully doing although I've been wanting to try out intermittent fasting for a while because it sounds interesting to me but I'm not sure whether my eating schedule now is considered intermittent fasting?
Some additional questions though
1. How long can the intermittent fast be? Is 16:8 the only way you can do it?
2. What happens if you get extremely hungry during the times you fast?

That's an 11 hour fast.

lemurcat12

I think calling it "fasting" is getting ridiculous if it's just a normal breakfast-lunch-dinner eating schedule, which can commonly be 6 am to 6 pm or 7 to 7 or 8 to 8, but whatever.

Granted, my own normal eating schedule is more like 6 am, noon, and 9 pm, but it's not like it's all of a sudden fasting if I skip breakfast one day or (as is common) have dinner at 6 pm before a symphony or play on the weekend. In fact, on weekends I often split calories between a bigger breakfast at 10 am and then dinner at 6.

kommodevaran

Intermittent means "on and off". There is a blurry line between that and regular fasting. Muslims "fast" for a month every year, but that doesn't prevent many from gaining weight. No wonder, they must fast during the day, but they can eat more after dark instead.

The "official" "protocols" are 16:8, 18:6, 20:4, in addition to a weekly 24 or 36 hour fast, and then there's 5:2 and 4:3 (weekdays).

So yes, you are "fasting", which is what people do when they aren't eating, like between meals, and while sleeping. But 12 hours of not eating is barely not falling asleep while you eat.

What happens when you get extemely hungry? I don't know, I guess you eat, or don't eat? What have you done before when you have become hungry?

DaintyWhisper

I unintentionally follow an intermittent fasting routine because that's just how it works out in my schedule. I wake up at 7:30am and generally do not eat until after work around 3pm. I'm usually done eating by 9pm. I eat this way because I enjoy eating a lot of food at dinner..So, it helps me feel like I'm eating a lot while still maintaining my weight. I still track my calories. It's not like you get unlimited food during those hours. (Some people think that) Your schedule seems kind of normal, despite the odd timing. :P

I think that 16:8 is the most common length. Sometimes 18:6 or 14:10 to the lesser extent. Some people do 5:2 which I'm not too sure on the exact details. But, if you get very hungry, just eat. It's not going to throw anything off. I usually allow myself 200 or so calories during "fasting time" when I need it. A quick apple, string cheese, or even a few pieces of candy throughout the day. If I don't, my mouth gets really dry and I feel a bit weak. You can try it out if you're interested! If it doesn't work out, you can always revert back to your current schedule. : )

Muscleflex79

alexastoutxo wrote: »

So this is my typical days of eating
Wake up at 12pm
"Breakfast"-4pm
Lunch-7:30pm
Snack-11:30pm
Dinner-2am
Last snack-4am
Then I go to sleep at 5-5:30
And again wake up at 12pm and start the day over again. Would this be considered intermittent fasting? I've just read alot of research on it and since I don't eat for long periods of time i feel like I'm doing some sort of fasting? I'm not trying to lose or gain I'm just trying to maintain which I'm successfully doing although I've been wanting to try out intermittent fasting for a while because it sounds interesting to me but I'm not sure whether my eating schedule now is considered intermittent fasting?
Some additional questions though
1. How long can the intermittent fast be? Is 16:8 the only way you can do it?
2. What happens if you get extremely hungry during the times you fast?

no, 12 hours of eating and 12 hours of "fasting" is not really IF, but what does it matter? what are you hoping to accomplish by this schedule?

RuNaRoUnDaFiEld

lemurcat12 wrote: »

I think calling it "fasting" is getting ridiculous if it's just a normal breakfast-lunch-dinner eating schedule, which can commonly be 6 am to 6 pm or 7 to 7 or 8 to 8, but whatever.

Granted, my own normal eating schedule is more like 6 am, noon, and 9 pm, but it's not like it's all of a sudden fasting if I skip breakfast one day or (as is common) have dinner at 6 pm before a symphony or play on the weekend. In fact, on weekends I often split calories between a bigger breakfast at 10 am and then dinner at 6.

I think it is just the latest diet tag line.

I've always skipped breakfast, I naturally eat what people call 16:8 fasting.

To me I just don't eat breakfast.

TavistockToad

Is there a reason that the label matters?

I don't think 12 hours counts... I usually go 12 hours without eating, I don't count it as 'fasting' as in IF, its just my normal eating pattern