Intermittent Fasting Support???

Hi everyone,

I have been doing some research on intermittent fasting, and I've tried it for the first time today. I feel great, and I would love to success stories of MFP members. Feel free to add me as a friend too!

I have struggled with weight management and self control (regarding food) since high school. I'm not overweight, but I would like to get back down to 120-125 lbs (that's when I have felt and looked my best). I am currently 132 lbs and 5'4. My clothes are tight-fitting and I feel uncomfortable in my own skin. I hope intermittent fasting will help me understand my body's signals (difference between hunger and cravings) and give me better self control.

Success stories, advice, and friend requests would be much appreciated! Cheers!

Replies

  • Hey!! I'm a fellow IF'er and have been since February of this year. My IF routine varies based on my workout routine, but typically I do a 16/8 Lean Gains style routine. I have 2 days per week I do 20-22 hours. I mainly started trying it because it freed up a huge amount of my day having to worry about food prep/clean up and "revving up my metabolism" constantly. -.- But what I found out is that, not only did I start learning how to eat intuitively (like you not over weight for my size but needed something to help me stop mindless eating and the bloat/stomach problems that come with it) I'm proud to say that I started at 141 lbs (19% bf) and I now weight 143 (15% bf) yep, I actually put on more lean mass doing this and my size got smaller, not only that but my IBS-C got better, by leaps and bounds and my skin started clearing up. I now know what "True Hunger" is as well and that is an amazing feeling indeed. :) (Oh yes I'm 5'7, avid weight lifter, powerlifter and endurance athlete, I have done fasted 20km runs!!) Never thought I would ever say that being a long distance runner, just get the right cals/macros for repair and I'm golden.
  • I've read Eat Stop Eat, love Brad Pilon, he's a stand up guy. I have done his style as well as Fast 5 on my rest days, on my workout days I do Lean Gain style and more relaxed days I'll do a warrior diet style sometimes where I'll just have a few veggies up until my bigger meals.
  • Awesome! I hope to be where you are someday (physically, but mentally more so) I sent you a friend request. :) Thanks so much for your feedback.
  • egbrooks
    egbrooks Posts: 8 Member
    The only advice that I can give here in addition to what Ebbsies said is that you should ease into intermittent fasting. Start by just skipping breakfast and then work up from there. Best of luck to you!

    @Ebbsies - well done! You sound like a disciplined athlete!
  • Thanks and yes do ease into it! Some people act like they have to do it strictly everyday and really I only started out doing 2-4 days per week at first and sometimes for only 12-14 hours to get used to that feeling of not doing any morning eating. I'm what most people here would consider a fitness guru and I think they think I'm insane LOL. But I'm not underweight just love the challenge and way my body feels being strong and sometimes I think to myself while training if my car broke down on the side of the road would I be able to run through snow with a kid on each hip in a snow storm?? Crazy but my drive comes from mantras and thoughts that discomfort is always temporary if you train and eat smart... when you break a fast your body will use that fuel more efficiently if you make good choices but you don't have to be strict about it always and that's another reason I love it. I eat what I want in my window with the 80/20 rule. 80% good healthy food and 20% treats its a good balance so you don't feel like your deprived.
  • You're such an inspiration! I hope to be a fit, rock-solid mom like you someday!
  • Acg67
    Acg67 Posts: 12,142 Member
    i follow the leangains approach as well, not because i think it's a magic bullet or anything but i prefer larger meals and the whole convenience of not having to eat every 3 hrs
  • You can do et. :) My quote "Impossible is nothing" is something I stand by, you can do anything you set your mind to, except you know the few things that take luck like winning the lottery n stuff. hehe. :D
  • Haven't done it, but know quite a few people who enjoy it and have seen great success. Plus it's founder, Martin Berkhan, is very well versed in this stuff. Visit his site.
  • Grokette
    Grokette Posts: 3,330 Member
    The only advice that I can give here in addition to what Ebbsies said is that you should ease into intermittent fasting. Start by just skipping breakfast and then work up from there. Best of luck to you!

    @Ebbsies - well done! You sound like a disciplined athlete!

    Agreed.
  • cutmd
    cutmd Posts: 1,168 Member
    Hey, there are a decent number of us that are on our second thread now here:
    http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/348521-intermittent-fasting-support-group?page=1#posts-4760648

    Some are doing eat stop eat, some leangains. Come hang out!
  • cutmd
    cutmd Posts: 1,168 Member
    Whoops doubt post. I will replace it by saying I have been going back and forth and also combining the two methods, figuring out my calories is still a challenge though
  • Awesome, thank you!!!!!
  • Yes thanks very much, I've been looking for a forum to talk with fellow IF'ers, very cool. :D
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