Intermittent Fasting:Pros? Cons?
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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?1
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I love IF. I am up at 5, workout at 6. Coffee at 7:30 and my first meal of the day at 1. A pretty good sized dinner at 7. 35 lbs down since January
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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.4
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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??1
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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.0
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Anywhere from 9pm to Now.BodyzLanguage wrote: »
That's pretty much what I do. I eat from 11-7 or 12-8 then sleep from 12-8 so have the fast is at night and half in the morning.1 -
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.3 -
For me, IF is the greatest thing ever.
Pros:
Eat big satisfying meals
Able to eat in pretty much any restaurant without restriction
Able to be spontaneous
Less work prepping breakfasts and lunches for work days
Less cost buying or prepping breakfasts and lunches
Almost zero daytime hunger while at work
Cons:
Hard to maintain on the weekends when work isn't occupying my mind and my family is not on the same plan
The same pros apply to me and are why I do 5:2. I found that I do 16:8 naturally (was never a breakfast person), so I just added 5:2 to it. I find that yes, I lose weight faster, but not because IF is magical, but because IF helps me stay in the calorie deficit needed to lose weight for the above reasons that Zedeff mentioned. I still lose at the same rate I would have if I had a smaller deficit every day.1 -
baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
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sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
Exercise performance when fasted seems to be highly personal. I see no loss in strength training or short (sub 5 mile) run performance when fasted but others say they struggle. My advice is try it and see how you get on.
edited to add - just looked up C4 pre-work out and at 5 cals per scoop I don't think anyone is going to class that as breaking the fast but bear in mind that when fasted some foods (some report caffeine, which C4 contains) can upset the stomach. Again, the only way to find out is to give it a try.0 -
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!
What you fill your diet with also plays a role. I don't eat until 11am most days, except for the occasional weekend day, but I aim for at least 30% protein daily. It keeps me full. If I ate a ton of empty carbs (not saying you are) I'd also be starving until noon the next day.
It's really just a way to manipulate your daily calorie allotment. 1600 calories in 2 meals vs. 1600 calories in 6 meals is still 1600 calories. I prefer volume. I like to eat a lot at once, so having 2 large meals and a small snack helps me stick to my deficit.2 -
One thing you can do that helps is after your last meal, brush and floss your teeth.it helps you remember that eating is done for the day. Good luck!2
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sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
It does exactly that for me. I feel so much more in control. I don't feel a slave to "hunger" any more. Because sometimes it's not hunger and just boredom or thirst or whatever. I've ended up less hungry over all. Or, I'm just listening to my body better.
As for working out fasted, just test it out and see. I personally don't need to eat before a work out, and I prefer to time it so I can eat after since I do get hungrier. But I have that luxury right now. Your body has plenty of energy stores to get you through a typical workout. Some like to take BCAA's if strength training to help. Your C4 looks like it's fine to use during a fast.1 -
sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
I can work faster if I do it first thing in the morning. If I wait, it's a disaster.0 -
baciodolce18 wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
It does exactly that for me. I feel so much more in control. I don't feel a slave to "hunger" any more. Because sometimes it's not hunger and just boredom or thirst or whatever. I've ended up less hungry over all. Or, I'm just listening to my body better.
As for working out fasted, just test it out and see. I personally don't need to eat before a work out, and I prefer to time it so I can eat after since I do get hungrier. But I have that luxury right now. Your body has plenty of energy stores to get you through a typical workout. Some like to take BCAA's if strength training to help. Your C4 looks like it's fine to use during a fast.
Couldn't have said it any better. To add to this you'll be buring more fat during a fasted workout vs a workout with food in your stomach. That's science. A quick Google search will validate that if you've any doubts. Personally I train like an animal without the need of any pre workout meal or anything of the sort. As you're new to it you may not feel the greatest training fasted but I assure you, within a week or so you'll be pleased you made the change. Welcome to the high life 0 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
It does exactly that for me. I feel so much more in control. I don't feel a slave to "hunger" any more. Because sometimes it's not hunger and just boredom or thirst or whatever. I've ended up less hungry over all. Or, I'm just listening to my body better.
As for working out fasted, just test it out and see. I personally don't need to eat before a work out, and I prefer to time it so I can eat after since I do get hungrier. But I have that luxury right now. Your body has plenty of energy stores to get you through a typical workout. Some like to take BCAA's if strength training to help. Your C4 looks like it's fine to use during a fast.
Couldn't have said it any better. To add to this you'll be buring more fat during a fasted workout vs a workout with food in your stomach. That's science. A quick Google search will validate that if you've any doubts. Personally I train like an animal without the need of any pre workout meal or anything of the sort. As you're new to it you may not feel the greatest training fasted but I assure you, within a week or so you'll be pleased you made the change. Welcome to the high life
Stuff in bold. Technically true but misleading for anyone comparing the same fasted and fed exercise (with identical daily calorific input).0 -
I workout on any empty stomach (only because I work out at 4am) and have no trouble.0
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StealthHealth wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
It does exactly that for me. I feel so much more in control. I don't feel a slave to "hunger" any more. Because sometimes it's not hunger and just boredom or thirst or whatever. I've ended up less hungry over all. Or, I'm just listening to my body better.
As for working out fasted, just test it out and see. I personally don't need to eat before a work out, and I prefer to time it so I can eat after since I do get hungrier. But I have that luxury right now. Your body has plenty of energy stores to get you through a typical workout. Some like to take BCAA's if strength training to help. Your C4 looks like it's fine to use during a fast.
Couldn't have said it any better. To add to this you'll be buring more fat during a fasted workout vs a workout with food in your stomach. That's science. A quick Google search will validate that if you've any doubts. Personally I train like an animal without the need of any pre workout meal or anything of the sort. As you're new to it you may not feel the greatest training fasted but I assure you, within a week or so you'll be pleased you made the change. Welcome to the high life
Stuff in bold. Technically true but misleading for anyone comparing the same fasted and fed exercise (with identical daily calorific input).
Not really because the fact remains the same. You'll burn less fat if you workout with a meal in your stomach vs someone else doing the same work out while on an 16 hour fast with both people eating the same amount of calories for that day.0 -
sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
What are you eating for breakfast? Typical breakfast food like cereal doesn't satiate me at all. I need about 30% protein per meal to feel full afterwards.
Once I upped my protein and fiber I only became hungry right before meals and stopped getting the munchies and obsessing about food.
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BodyzLanguage wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
It does exactly that for me. I feel so much more in control. I don't feel a slave to "hunger" any more. Because sometimes it's not hunger and just boredom or thirst or whatever. I've ended up less hungry over all. Or, I'm just listening to my body better.
As for working out fasted, just test it out and see. I personally don't need to eat before a work out, and I prefer to time it so I can eat after since I do get hungrier. But I have that luxury right now. Your body has plenty of energy stores to get you through a typical workout. Some like to take BCAA's if strength training to help. Your C4 looks like it's fine to use during a fast.
Couldn't have said it any better. To add to this you'll be buring more fat during a fasted workout vs a workout with food in your stomach. That's science. A quick Google search will validate that if you've any doubts. Personally I train like an animal without the need of any pre workout meal or anything of the sort. As you're new to it you may not feel the greatest training fasted but I assure you, within a week or so you'll be pleased you made the change. Welcome to the high life
Stuff in bold. Technically true but misleading for anyone comparing the same fasted and fed exercise (with identical daily calorific input).
Not really because the fact remains the same. You'll burn less fat if you workout with a meal in your stomach vs someone else doing the same work out while on an 16 hour fast with both people eating the same amount of calories for that day.
That is not my understanding of physiology and I think is contrary to the first law of thermodynamics - could you provide some evidence?0 -
StealthHealth wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
It does exactly that for me. I feel so much more in control. I don't feel a slave to "hunger" any more. Because sometimes it's not hunger and just boredom or thirst or whatever. I've ended up less hungry over all. Or, I'm just listening to my body better.
As for working out fasted, just test it out and see. I personally don't need to eat before a work out, and I prefer to time it so I can eat after since I do get hungrier. But I have that luxury right now. Your body has plenty of energy stores to get you through a typical workout. Some like to take BCAA's if strength training to help. Your C4 looks like it's fine to use during a fast.
Couldn't have said it any better. To add to this you'll be buring more fat during a fasted workout vs a workout with food in your stomach. That's science. A quick Google search will validate that if you've any doubts. Personally I train like an animal without the need of any pre workout meal or anything of the sort. As you're new to it you may not feel the greatest training fasted but I assure you, within a week or so you'll be pleased you made the change. Welcome to the high life
Stuff in bold. Technically true but misleading for anyone comparing the same fasted and fed exercise (with identical daily calorific input).
Not really because the fact remains the same. You'll burn less fat if you workout with a meal in your stomach vs someone else doing the same work out while on an 16 hour fast with both people eating the same amount of calories for that day.
That is not my understanding of physiology and I think is contrary to the first law of thermodynamics - could you provide some evidence?
I could supply a bunch of links providing evidence to back my statement but that'll force my hand to a back and forth of my facts vs your facts tennis. I'm not into that. What I can say is this is what I do and i get shredded much quicker vs when I would eat a meal before a workout. Only a matter of weeks in difference but the latter approach worked better in my case.0 -
BodyzLanguage wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »StealthHealth wrote: »BodyzLanguage wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »sarahstarr0416 wrote: »baciodolce18 wrote: »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.
Thank you! After reading this thread last night I looked up some videos online and I'm starting today! I definitely think about food a lot and I seem almost instantly hungry after I eat breakfast...plus I'm a night binge eater. I read a lot from people who said that IF helped with their binge eating and helped control their appetite so I'm super amped. I think I may take this week off of working out to get used to it. Some people say they workout fasted...is that the going trend, to workout before your break your fast? 'm worried that I won't have the energy to give a good workout if I haven't eaten. What do you all do concerning exercise while doing IF? Also, can I take C4 pre workout while fasted or does that break the fast?
It does exactly that for me. I feel so much more in control. I don't feel a slave to "hunger" any more. Because sometimes it's not hunger and just boredom or thirst or whatever. I've ended up less hungry over all. Or, I'm just listening to my body better.
As for working out fasted, just test it out and see. I personally don't need to eat before a work out, and I prefer to time it so I can eat after since I do get hungrier. But I have that luxury right now. Your body has plenty of energy stores to get you through a typical workout. Some like to take BCAA's if strength training to help. Your C4 looks like it's fine to use during a fast.
Couldn't have said it any better. To add to this you'll be buring more fat during a fasted workout vs a workout with food in your stomach. That's science. A quick Google search will validate that if you've any doubts. Personally I train like an animal without the need of any pre workout meal or anything of the sort. As you're new to it you may not feel the greatest training fasted but I assure you, within a week or so you'll be pleased you made the change. Welcome to the high life
Stuff in bold. Technically true but misleading for anyone comparing the same fasted and fed exercise (with identical daily calorific input).
Not really because the fact remains the same. You'll burn less fat if you workout with a meal in your stomach vs someone else doing the same work out while on an 16 hour fast with both people eating the same amount of calories for that day.
That is not my understanding of physiology and I think is contrary to the first law of thermodynamics - could you provide some evidence?
I could supply a bunch of links providing evidence to back my statement but that'll force my hand to a back and forth of my facts vs your facts tennis. I'm not into that. What I can say is this is what I do and i get shredded much quicker vs when I would eat a meal before a workout. Only a matter of weeks in difference but the former approach worked better in my case.
I suspect it's the same as the 'fat burning zone' thing...yes, a higher percentage of what you burn fasted is fat but if you eat you can work harder and burn more in total.0 -
Great conversation. I've been trying to figure out how to lose weight with IF. I haven't had much success with many of my approaches because I have a big appetite. However, I have noticed it going down since doing IF. However, my weight hasn't changed. It has been two weeks.
One really cool thing I did see was a video interview of a Doctor who specialized in Breast Cancer. She said the when patients fasted at night (and only at night) for 14 hours, they saw a significant drop is cancer cell growth This could also apply to other cancers and health issues, but it hasn't been tested.0 -
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?
I love IF. I switched from half & half to heavy cream (no carbs in it) in my coffee. It doesn't switch any carb cravings on and I can wait until 10:30 or 11 am to eat. Then I have brunch and dinner spaced about 8 hours apart.
Like a few others have mentioned, I prefer to eat a "normal" sized dinner with family. This way I can keep daily calories in check while not feeling deprived. I felt hungry all day long when I was doing 200 calories 6 times a day with mini-meals/snacks.
IF makes me content that I don't have to even think about eating between meals. I don't really want snacks much anymore. If I do have one I eat it within 1 hour of the meal and budget in the calories.
It depends on your personality. If you love "grazing" all day or like lots of little meals you might not like it. I do the 8 hour window with 16 hours fasting.1 -
@BodyzLanguage I see. That is fair enough. But I think that when you said "science":BodyzLanguage wrote: »To add to this you'll be buring more fat during a fasted workout vs a workout with food in your stomach. That's science.
what you really meant was "in my experience"?
I'm not trying to get at you here, but it's important for the OP (and just as importantly anyone else who stumbles across this thread in the future) doesn't come away with the wrong impression. After all, this is how dietary myths get created and we've got enough of those already.
Of course, it's entirely possible that I'm wrong and that, in isocalorific conditions fasted exercise yields a greater fat loss, and if that is the case I'd be happy to be proven wrong but if so let's get all that out in the open and slay the "Calories in versus Calories" mantra.
For the record this is the latest (unfortunately it's a 2011 paper) piece of freely available research I could find on human studies where fasted/fed exercise was compared iso-calorifically:
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Antonio_Paoli/publication/50409403_Exercising_fasting_or_fed_to_enhance_fat_loss_Influence_of_food_intake_on_respiratory_ratio_and_excess_postexercise_oxygen_consumption_after_a_bout_of_endurance_training/links/0912f502eba1356566000000.pdf
"The authors conclude that when moderate endurance exercise is done to lose body fat,
fasting before exercise does not enhance lipid utilization; rather, physical activity after a light meal is advisable."
But, I did find a 2016 Meta-Analysis which covered 9 individual studies (981 subjects) interventions >6 months (but unfortunately without the exercise component taken into consideration).
http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/8/6/354/htm
"This review confirms that in the little long term evidence available, IER achieves weight loss but there was no evidence that it provided superior management in comparison to CER."
(IER = Intermittent Energy Restrication. CER = Continuous Energy Restriction).
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I have been doing the 16:8 approach for a month and it has been great. I've set two 'alerts' on my jawbone for 1pm and 9 pm and the rest of the day I can forget about food. It is really liberating.
I am tracking my calories and because I am having two reasonable size meals a day I am finding compliance much easier. In addition, it is helping me when I am travelling with work, as it is easy to find a healthy meal at a higher calorie level (1000ish) as opposed to the 500-600 that would be an evening meal on a 3 meals a day protocol.
My concerntration is better in the morning, I am getting more done at work and as I can eat a reasonable amount of carbs in my last meal of the day, I am sleeping better. I know people will quote lots of studies documenting health benefits, but the real benefit for me is that it is easy to do and easy to stick with the lower calorie levels.
The biggest surprise to me is lack of hunger.3 -
Sustainability is the most important component. If you hate it you won't keep it up. I find it liberating whereas someone else might find it too restrictive. I can slide the IF eating window around to accomodate social things fairly easily. If I'm going out for lunch with friends I will flip my heavy meal to lunch and have a light dinner.0
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If cream is important then have it. I can't stand coffee black either, so I sympathize.
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