Intermittent Fasting

JMcD1982
JMcD1982 Posts: 11 Member
in Food and Nutrition
Hey Y'all, what is everyone take on intermittent fasting? I've been doing it for about a week now and at first it was tough, but I've noticed towards the end of the first week I felt that during my fasting times I was more focused and energized! I am doing the 16-8 right now

Replies

  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    JMcD1982 wrote: »
    Hey Y'all, what is everyone take on intermittent fasting? I've been doing it for about a week now and at first it was tough, but I've noticed towards the end of the first week I felt that during my fasting times I was more focused and energized! I am doing the 16-8 right now

    just an eating style for me. helps control my hunger and control calories.
  • kommodevaran
    kommodevaran Posts: 17,890 Member
    I ate according to 16:8 for a year and I didn't feel any different. And why should I, it's just a normal meal schedule.
  • malibu927
    malibu927 Posts: 17,562 Member
    It’s just a tool that some people use to control their calorie intake. I did 14:10 for a year or so because of my work schedule, but now I’m back to more traditional meal spacing and there’s no difference.
  • AnvilHead
    AnvilHead Posts: 18,343 Member
    It's a helpful strategy for some (not all) people to control their calorie intake. Other than that, there's no magic to it.

    It's a big fad right now and there are all kinds of magical, mystical claims made about it, but there is no solid research to back any of them up. Your body doesn't know (or care) what time it is when you eat.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    edited July 2018
    I think it can be healthful and helpful for some. It appears to help improve IR without weight loss. Some find it easier to eat at a caloric deficit if they eat less frequently.

    I tend to fall into it more when I eating ketogenic because of my reduced appetite. In my situation, I doubt it would hurt anything and may be of some benefit.
  • Jackie9003
    Jackie9003 Posts: 1,115 Member
    I don't get it, it doesn't really seem to be fasting per se, it's just not eating within a set time, most of which you're likely to be asleep anyway.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    I didn't enjoy 16:8 - just felt like an artificial restriction despite being someone who can (and does) easily skip breakfast. Turned me into a clock watcher.

    IF (whether this version or one of the many other IF styles) suits you and helps you to adhere to your particular eating goals then it's good for you, for others it will be a disadvantage.
  • sijomial
    sijomial Posts: 19,809 Member
    BrittanyGreen13 wrote: »
    I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for about 2 months now. I stop eating around 7/8 at night and don’t eat until noon/2 the next day. I drink a gallon or more of water a day and always walk 3 miles in the morning during my fast. It is said that your body dips in to the stored fat cells when you exercise during the fasting period “fight or flight mode”. I’ve lost 23 pounds since June 4. Today is July 29.

    Nope - your body will be primarily using fat for fuel for walking (or any other low intensity exercise) whether you skipped breakfast or just ate breakfast or ate breakfast while you are walking.
  • psychod787
    psychod787 Posts: 4,099 Member
    sijomial wrote: »
    BrittanyGreen13 wrote: »
    I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for about 2 months now. I stop eating around 7/8 at night and don’t eat until noon/2 the next day. I drink a gallon or more of water a day and always walk 3 miles in the morning during my fast. It is said that your body dips in to the stored fat cells when you exercise during the fasting period “fight or flight mode”. I’ve lost 23 pounds since June 4. Today is July 29.

    Nope - your body will be primarily using fat for fuel for walking (or any other low intensity exercise) whether you skipped breakfast or just ate breakfast or ate breakfast while you are walking.

    Body just switched preference to carbs later in the day anyways, unless you are Keto if I remember correctly. Ok to answer your question about alertness, yes and no for me, could just be mental. But my sense of smell and sight, subjectively that is, seems to be slightly heightened. If it really is not just in my head, I attribute it to food seeking behavior. Kind of primal like instincts. Just my thought. There are studies that show people trying to restrict calories do less well on some cognitive test. I would have to do a few Google searches on that, but my memory is pretty good these days.
  • dcdrogers
    dcdrogers Posts: 3 Member
    Not too sure what to make of it yet. I started yesterday so I'm only on day 2. I can't do a true low carb plan as I enjoy carbs, but I am trying to keep my carbs to no more than 100 per day. Hoping to lose about 6lbs per month.
  • nvmomketo
    nvmomketo Posts: 12,019 Member
    dcdrogers wrote: »
    Not too sure what to make of it yet. I started yesterday so I'm only on day 2. I can't do a true low carb plan as I enjoy carbs, but I am trying to keep my carbs to no more than 100 per day. Hoping to lose about 6lbs per month.

    Low carb is usually considered to be under 100-150 g of carbs a day. You're already low carb when you eat that way. ;)
  • Farrell73
    Farrell73 Posts: 94 Member
    BrittanyGreen13 wrote: »
    I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for about 2 months now. I stop eating around 7/8 at night and don’t eat until noon/2 the next day. I drink a gallon or more of water a day and always walk 3 miles in the morning during my fast. It is said that your body dips in to the stored fat cells when you exercise during the fasting period “fight or flight mode”. I’ve lost 23 pounds since June 4. Today is July 29.

    Did you change your eating habits?
  • HoneyBadger302
    HoneyBadger302 Posts: 2,068 Member
    For lack of a better term I'm giving a variation of the "warrior IF" a try.

    It boils down to being about calories in vs calories out. After reviewing my life, habits, and what does or does not work for me from race weekends to work weeks, to days and weeks on the road, I settled on this as the most sustainable option that is more likely to result in weight loss than other options. It also works best with my natural eating tendencies.

    Yes, counting calories and such works - when I'm at home, and have an accurate assessment of my output (which is impossible to calculate on race weekends). So, doesn't work for me a majority of the year.

    Mine isn't a true "fast" persay. I get to work and have my morning coffee+creamer, and then a plant/nut/protein based snack at a late lunch time, then have my big meal at dinner. Hard for me to overeat a full day's calories in one sitting!
  • Polywoggs
    Polywoggs Posts: 33 Member
    JMcD1982 wrote: »
    Hey Y'all, what is everyone take on intermittent fasting? I've been doing it for about a week now and at first it was tough, but I've noticed towards the end of the first week I felt that during my fasting times I was more focused and energized! I am doing the 16-8 right now

    I appreciate IF (I'm on 18:6). I'm a busy, sole-parent, who works 45-90min away from work.
    IMO, Consuming 1350 cals over 6 hours vs. Spreading 1350 cals over 16 hours, works much better (for me). I'm super-busy and don't have the time to eat 6/7 small meals a day. The meal prep, alone, is a PITA.

    I dropped 7lbs of water-weight in the first week ("inflammation") and I couldn't applaud it, more!
    For someone who was on a rotational, prescription-meds, wheel-of-wonder & suffers from joint pain, cervical & thoracic stenosis & DDD- dropping that extra (unnecessary) weight was worth it's weight in gold.

    I'd definitely be cautious of jumping on the bandwagon without doing your research. I've heard it's the latest fad & there's no evidence backing it, but hell- I've never felt better. That's MY evidence, to me.

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