Intermittent Fasting Support Group?

MyNameIsNotBob

I guess there have been times in my life when I fasted without really making it a conscious decision.

Like when I was in college, for example, on the weekends. I'd wake up late, around 11 or 12 and go to work (at a restaurant). I'd eat a little dinner at work, and then either go out with friends or go home, drink a few drinks, maybe have a snack, and then sleep again until 11 or 12. I'd say that was probably 15-16 hours of fasting a day without even realizing it. I was certainly slim at that point. Looking back, though, I certainly don't think eating that way was healthy for me.

Now I guess it happens on the days when I have an early dinner without midnight snacks and then sleep late the next morning and don't eat right away. I would say I can go for 18 hours or so if that happens.

A daily fasting period is natural (that's why breakfast is called breakfast), but I am usually eating every couple hours that I'm awake now.

marigolds1

Oh and if someone actually does confront me about fasting being unhealthy, I hit them with the barrage of data I have collected from scientific studies (well referenced in ESE and lean gains by the way) until they don't wanna talk about it anymore :laugh:

I love doing fat burning cardio while fasting, I try to avoid fasted weight training since Berkhan discourages it and Pilon is neutral, havent gotten the bcaas yet but probably will

In terms of Paleo (intimately linked with IF), some posters have probably noticed me sniffing around Paleo threads. I am gluten intolerant, have bad reactions to sugar and am really really into organic clean food. I buy nearly everything from whole foods and farmer's markets, am a huge Michael Pollan fan, and think the Paleo lifestyle is healthy. However, I cannot quite give up beans, potatoes, rice and rice products, and occasionally fall victim to sugar. So I cannot call myself Paleo, though I'm maybe 80-90% when eating well.

Ok I'll stop posting now. Just got so excited about the support group idea :laugh:

I'd be interested in a support group thing too--I'm doing IF leangains style right now. I've been happy with it, and fasted training hasn't (so far) been a problem for me. Knock on wood.

(I'm also on Martin's wait list for online personal training. I can't wait till I bump up to the top!)

murfto

So glad I found this post. I started doing IF around March 28th. It was very tough at first but now I feel so much better. I am a Nurse and talked to many who said I was wrong. But.. did the research and data proves that it is the way to go.

Here is what I have been doing:

No breakfast and I do Shakeology for Lunch. I make it with 2% milk and it does help my hunger and has the vitamins I need.
I do the shake about 12noon Mon-Sat.

The my window that I usually eat my calories is about 4pm unitl 7pm. I try to be balanced and stick with the calories I can have.

I am doing Power 90 for exersie and do it about 5am.. that works for me which a few months ago I would of said " Are you nuts!!"

The shake again at 12noon.

Only water and crystal lite during the fasting time. No coffee with cream but you can have back if you want.
Down 17 pounds, 3 inches off waste 2 incerhs off hips

Working so far.. We shall see Thanks for the great support!




.

cutelashawn

bump

aranchmom

I have done this before...health reasons, mainly. I would get awful gallbladder attacks, and when I did IF for 1-2 times per week, I felt tons betetr. The attacks have never been as bad since doing this. However, its been awhile since my last time!

hpsnickers1

Hey All -

Seems like most MFP members don't support intermittent fasting of any style (24 hour fasts, skipping breakfast, etc.). Just wondering if there are any lurkers out there who do!

I've been taking on a lot of discouragement from my peers and family during my fasts, (I fast for a day about once a week) and it would just be nice to have some support from people who understand what I'm talking about. (Like how I'm NOT putting myself into "starvation mode") You know, Eat Stop Eaters, lean gains followers, any of those non-mainstream ideas that all too often are frowned upon...

Show me where you're at! What do you say to people while you're fasting when they tell you that you are stupid and risking "starvation mode"?

Starvation Mode comes from starving your body of calories and nutrients continuously for a long period of time - combined with too much intense exercise (I used to believe in Starvation Mode but have a different view on it these days). Our metabolism will naturally slow down and speed up with our energy expenditure. And when you cut out flours, sugars and starches our metabolism will even speed up or slow down based on how much fat we eat. I still believe in calories in/calories out to a point but it is so much more complex than that - like our bodies.

Ask them if they have ever skipped a meal or even two. That's intermittent fasting. Most of them have done it without knowing.

chantel111184

Bump. Just started IF i am on day 2 not has hard as a thought. I am doing 16 hrs fast.

hpsnickers1

I also am interested in IF. I was wondering if anyone had any data showing the benefit of it vs the norm?

http://www.theiflife.com/benefits-intermittent-fasting/

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/health-benefits-of-intermittent-fasting/

http://www.alanaragon.com/an-objective-look-at-intermittent-fasting.html

I could keep putting them in. There is so much information regarding the health benefits. It amazes me that more people don't do it.

mocha76

I am interested!! I will start reading up on it this weekend!!

wheelieblade

have done the skipping breakfast thing since i was a teen, only in the past week or two have I purposly eaten something for breakfast. Am reading leangains as want more info but IF does interest me

Teemo

I've been taking on a lot of discouragement from my peers and family during my fasts, (I fast for a day about once a week) and it would just be nice to have some support from people who understand what I'm talking about. (Like how I'm NOT putting myself into "starvation mode") You know, Eat Stop Eaters, lean gains followers, any of those non-mainstream ideas that all too often are frowned upon...

Show me where you're at! What do you say to people while you're fasting when they tell you that you are stupid and risking "starvation mode"?

Why would they think you're risking so-called starvation mode? Your daily/weekly calories should be the same as if you were eating 3-6 meals per day.

If you want to avoid confrontation just tell them you aren't hungry!

lisarota

*

hamton

Nobody can really tell I'm doing IF. I just skip breakfast and eat a low carb lunch at work. For dinner, I stuff myself after a workout. So my eating window is 12 noon - 8pm.

I know it has been mentioned before but Mark of leangains has rediculous amount of info on his site. He won me over. Here is a link to his guide:
http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html

wheelieblade

stupid question I know but is there anything I can't drink while fasting? Is it water only or can I drink tea? I'd keep my protein shakes to the window naturally

4theking

I do IF and have gotten great results. I have gotten stronger in the gym and lost lots of fat.

Teemo

stupid question I know but is there anything I can't drink while fasting? Is it water only or can I drink tea? I'd keep my protein shakes to the window naturally

Tea and coffee are both fine.

4theking

stupid question I know but is there anything I can't drink while fasting? Is it water only or can I drink tea? I'd keep my protein shakes to the window naturally

If it doesn't have any calories in it then it should be fine. Some people may argue about artificial sweetners in diet soda, and the insulin respone it may produce, but it doesn't seem to affect me negatively.

wheelieblade

thanks I don't drink a lot of tea but usually can't function till I've had one but could live with water till my window opens, will have to take it slowly tho

NeonNikki

As a grazer/ constant snacker IF is the only way I can loose weight and start healthier habits. I find after a tiny fast I am much more conscious of what I put in my mouth. Haven't eaten since three today, have work from 6-11, hopefully will drink tea and sleep then see how hungry I am when I wake up. I don't IF often but I'm trying to make it a habit.

cutmd

Bump. How is everyone doing? I have been doing ESE once a week and sporadic with my eating window but I feel good. When I do have days with several meals I miss the feeling of an empty stomach, lol

BR1986FB

Was at a bodyfat plateau for awhile. Switched up my workouts to StrongLifts5x5 (Madcow version), cut virtually all cardio, along with a Paleo diet and LeanGains IF'ing and I've dropped 2.5% bodyfat. I switched my workout 2 weeks ago.

YvetteBabich

At almost 24 hours of fasting right now after a pretty bad dietary memorial day break, and I am feeling great! This is so the way to go.

wheelieblade

coming up to 15 hours will be breaking it in a few minutes with nice hot cup of tea mmm

mapexdrummer69

I take the IF approach to things and love it. Nothing like eating two HUGE meals a day and losing weight. Also helps with hunger, IMO. Eating a bunch of small meals a day just keeps me hungry, and I love training fasted in the mornings.

Teemo

I take the IF approach to things and love it. Nothing like eating two HUGE meals a day and losing weight. Also helps with hunger, IMO. Eating a bunch of small meals a day just keeps me hungry, and I love training fasted in the mornings.

Training with BCAAs though, I hope? As Berkhan recommends; since training completely fasted is muscle-wasting.

mapexdrummer69

I take the IF approach to things and love it. Nothing like eating two HUGE meals a day and losing weight. Also helps with hunger, IMO. Eating a bunch of small meals a day just keeps me hungry, and I love training fasted in the mornings.

Training with BCAAs though, I hope? As Berkhan recommends; since training completely fasted is muscle-wasting.

I take a BCAA sup, yes. Xtend. Some argue the research surrounded fasted training and BCAAs is anecdotal and inconclusive, however.

Teemo

I take a BCAA sup, yes. Xtend. Some argue the research surrounded fasted training and BCAAs is anecdotal and inconclusive, however.

I would tend to agree except (1) it's hard as hell for me to gain muscle and I'm terrified of losing it, anecdotal science or not, (2) Xtend isn't that expensive, and (3) watermelon Xtend is delicious.

mapexdrummer69

I would tend to agree except (1) it's hard as hell for me to gain muscle and I'm terrified of losing it, anecdotal science or not, (2) Xtend isn't that expensive, and (3) watermelon Xtend is delicious.

Lol. Xtend watermelon is amazing....also cures the monotony of plain water.

BR1986FB

I would tend to agree except (1) it's hard as hell for me to gain muscle and I'm terrified of losing it, anecdotal science or not, (2) Xtend isn't that expensive, and (3) watermelon Xtend is delicious.

Lol. Xtend watermelon is amazing....also cures the monotony of plain water.

Watermelon is outstanding. I also like Purple Wraath but it's much more expensive than Xtend.

DebRives

Bump for later.