Intermittent Fasting

AuroraD82

I have been trying to do intermittent fasting for weight loss. From what I have been able to find about it ONLINE its harmless and can work for someone like me who is considered obese(says the wii). I will be talking to my dr at a follow up appt next week about it as well. Just wondering if there are any other fasters out there?
Generally I try to make the meals I do have be as complete as possible.
I know the first week I had a good loss of 1.8 lbs but the restrictive nature of fasting can be difficult and a slip can set me back. I do like it though because I feel like I am finally in control of my eating.
I just started MyFitnessPal, and am glad to have the calorie counter to make sure I stay up to and within the guidelines. Yesterday I had a slip and ate a pop-tart but now knowing it was within my caloric allowance, I don't need to guilt myself and continue further down that slope.

VeryKatie

I do it too...

but some studies done on rats show that it is not harmless, that it made female rats more masculine. As in their hormones got all messed up, they started having more energy, losing their periods, sleeping less - believed to be adaptive mechanisms to help the female rats find food. Meanwhile male rats were not affected (other than to lose weight due to calorie restriction, but females lost much more). So there may be risks to women of child bearing age, but the science is not yet conclusive. I do believe the study showed the more overweight the female rat was though, the less extreme her side effects. It probably also depends what kind of intermittent fasting you do (like 500 cals for 3 days alternating with eating normally for 4 vs. daily IF of 16:8). I'm not sure really what to think.

AuroraD82

Yes, I saw something about it being not bad, but not good for women that were already healthy. The guy at NERDFITNESS blogs about it as a way for him to achieve more results at the gym. For me, for right now though I am just triyng to lose weight. Fit women may not find it beneficial for fitness goals. I try a more relaxed approach and aim for 18/6, but if the family gets together I just keep the fast in the morning, and break my fast after noon everday -which I think is the most beneficial time. As far as accomplishing something, I am happy to just be able to have said no for a time. If I dont get dinner on the table until later, than I just eat later. I can't wait to see how having the calorie counter on MFP will assist me! Thanks for your reply @VeryKatie!

Veil5577

I do intermittent fasting, eating one meal a day and fasting in between meals. My meals are usually dinner.

I've also researched it. Since I am not a rat, I'll worry when I see studies in HUMAN females that it was not good. Everything I have found so far suggests it is not harmful to human women and it does work.

You can add me if you like. I don't log food but I do keep a blog on my progress. I can help you if you are weakening.

Deadlay

I do it too...I follow the 16:8 schedule (loosely) and find it fits my lifestyle.

VeryKatie

yes, the same article I was reading about the rat study said there has only been human studies on a very limited number of post and perimenopausal women. Which doesn't really help us child bearing age ladies.