Intermittent Fasting:Pros? Cons?

StealthHealth wrote: »

Bruja924 wrote: »

Can it really help you lose weight faster??

No, not really. whether you spread your food out throughout the day or eat it all in one big meal, it is the calories in versus calorie out that matter and drive loss or gain.

This^

IF gives you another possible method for sticking to a diet. It's a great fit for many people.

Losing weight faster is going to come at a price. Your body needs enough protein, enough overall calories & strength training to help you maintain existing lean muscle mass.

Healthy weight loss should help you reduce your body fat %.

AJF230 wrote: »

Fellow I know at work does this. Whole days not eating. Says he's 275+ pounds. And it aint muscle. Fill in any height you want, still overweight. (he's prob 5'10). Something else going on, I think...

Well, he may not be eating at work, but he could be bingeing at home...

I prefer IF, however, I would never tell anyone it's to "lose weight faster".

If it fits your lifestyle and goals, then it could work. If you're looking for a quickfix, probably not.

After doing IF for so long I just hate how I feel if I start the morning on a full stomach. I seriously feel it slows me down and retards my workouts. As others have mentioned, they have the opposite experience and feel 100% with some food in their belly before they pump out a workout.

You can try it. If you feel like crap or so moody everyone hates being around you because you're always hangry, then maybe you need those hearty bkfsts.

rybo wrote: »

Bruja924 wrote: »

I dont I think it is for me. My last meal of the day is usually around 5:00 or 6:00pm. I am in bed usually by 9:30ish. So for me not to eat till the next day at 11 or 12 I'm starving!

For most people after a few days you get used to that. If you don't try it, you will never know. Everyone (at least on this website) focuses on the weight loss aspect, but there are other benefits to intermittent fasting. In my opinion, for weight loss, the 5:2 is a good plan, for a general eating plan 16:8 is nice because it makes things simpler. There are lots of variations, research more and give it a try.

@ Bruja924 When do you eat after you wake up?

http://www.dietdoctor.com/lose-weight-using-intermittent-fasting

I'm really considering doing this 16:8 eating plan. However, I really like my morning coffee with a tablespoon of creamer...is this ok or should the coffee be black?

I like it. Been an IF'er for 5 years or so. It just works so seamlessly with my lifestyle. To be honest I wasn't a typical "breakfast" eater before hand so this practice if-you-will fits like a glove. I will say I adapt my "eating window" to match my hunger signals. For the most part I do not get hungry until midday, say 3ish. Then I'll steadily eat right before I hit the sack which is usually around 10/11. That being said I'm not a slave to the clock. Meaning i won't stare at my meal at 2.55 pm if I'm hungry, that's counter productive and no common sense is being used there. The times are for guidance. The basic premises is to push your first meal back somewhat and eat within a window from that point. That's it. To touch on some pro's, while I'm fasting I find my energy is up, my all round performance in the gym is incredible, I've laser like focus for the majority of time I'm in the office, the fact that I don't have to think/prepare food for many hours after rising gives me freedom.. I could keep going. But like someone stated earlier this isn't for everyone. Try it out, get a feel for it by starting with a generous window if you don't like then stop doing it. Above all that, a calorie deficit needs to be met.

Bruja924 wrote: »

I will try it! I stop eating around 6pm, I wake up around 6am the latest. If I eat my first meal at 10am that would mean I fasted for 16 hrs right??

That's right,16 hours. What time do you usually get to bed?

Right, maybe 7pm would be ideal. 6pm seems a tad bit too early. Unless you'll prefer to abstain from food at night vs the morning.

sarahstarr0416 wrote: »

I'm really considering doing this 16:8 eating plan. However, I really like my morning coffee with a tablespoon of creamer...is this ok or should the coffee be black?

The main principle of the fasting is to keep your insulin levels low (as I understand it). So *technically* most will suggest to have it black. But, that being said, I personally use 40 cals of half and half and artificial sweetener in my coffee. Sometimes 50 cals is a number that is floated to stay under (no idea from what source). But I also think being sugar free is also important (for the insulin reasons). If you're going for the FULL benefits of IF. If you're just using it to help control your deficit, than yeah that's totally fine.