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Are short fasts really helpful for burning fat?
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I'm finding skipping dinner sometimes to be working well. Pushing three meals into two isn't much of a sacrifice. Short term though I've lost too much weight too fast. Now I need to just try and hold the weight loss.
When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...3 -
BreezeDoveal wrote: »I'm finding skipping dinner sometimes to be working well. Pushing three meals into two isn't much of a sacrifice. Short term though I've lost too much weight too fast. Now I need to just try and hold the weight loss.
When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
I read someone on here mention how every human being is different (I think it was about how much of calories come from fat at rest) so you can't say things will work for everyone. Maybe IF'ing is one of those things can't be beneficial for everyone one, and you're one of those people?
Could be. Though when I did it, it worked, and was easy (breakfast that is) when I "needed" it.0 -
I probably can't add much value to this thread. I've never been tempted to fast. I love food and get cranky if not fed regularly. Not eating for 24 hours on purpose seems like a punishment to me.1
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When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
A similar thing happen to me. Once I got to my ideal body size I had to extend my eating window.
When I had more body fat I could naturally IF and do light/moderate fasted workouts easier.
I still IF naturally since I'm not hungry in the early morning or after dinner, but instead of eating all of my calories in 4 - 6 hours, it's more like 8 or 9 hours most days.
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I've heard of Intermittent Fasting (IF) and have tried it myself, mainly because I would eat my regular dinner at night, then get up in the morning, work out all morning and by the time I got home from the gym, took my shower and then cooked something healthy, it was already 1:00pm. So my first meal of the day wouldn't be until 1:30 or so (so figure about a 17 hour fast). What I've found speaking just for myself is that I was so hungry after the fast and exercising so vigorously, that even after I ate a regular "lunch", I had a tendency to just want to keep on eating. A lot of the time I would end up snacking on things like Skinny pop, peanuts, etc throughout the rest of the day, which led to a calorie surplus. So I feel that I undid the benefits of fasting by gorging the rest of the day due to the feeling of hunger. Having said that, IF works very well for some people and can help support their weight loss goals. However, it doesn't work for my body and my exercise schedule.0
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rainbow198 wrote: »When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
A similar thing happen to me. Once I got to my ideal body size I had to extend my eating window.
When I had more body fat I could naturally IF and do light/moderate fasted workouts easier.
I still IF naturally since I'm not hungry in the early morning or after dinner, but instead of eating all of my calories in 4 - 6 hours, it's more like 8 or 9 hours most days.
I am similar. If I am not hungry, I'll push a meal back if I want to with no fear anymore...1 -
you don't need to fast to burn fat, no eating will leave you low on energy and make you feel low and grumpy to, maybe eat smaller healthier meals, your body does need fat, switch to brown foods as in wholegrain bread and rice etc, when you train, do core training, burpees and situps, do 60 second bursts with 30 second rest in between regardless of how many, do at least 3 sets in one go each day, it will take about 4 weeks for you to start noticing your body tighten up, hope this helps, look after your body doesnt mean starving it...0
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The body will only be affected by a fast after 2-3 days. So other then messing with your weekly calorie goal, it doesn't do anything useful. In fact it probably does more harm then good because you don't get the nutrients you need for the day.
I would say that the research on fasting, and by that I mean real fasting where not calories are consumed during the fasting period, does have benefits. A good read on it is Brad Pilon Eat, Stop, Eat. In terms of weight loss, it can be a very easy way to establish a calorie deficit simply by not eating for one or two 24 hours periods a week and starting back eating as you normally would. I have done it, and for me it was not too difficult. In the end I found I prefer calorie counting, but if I got tired of logging and needed a break, something like Eat, Stop, Eat approach would be what I use to maintain a calorie deficit. In terms of nutrients, unless a person is eating food completely void of nutrition, it is highly unlikely they will have nutritional deficiencies arise from 24 hours of fasting spread throughout the week one or two days.0 -
LexZeAgent2016 wrote: »you don't need to fast to burn fat, no eating will leave you low on energy and make you feel low and grumpy to, maybe eat smaller healthier meals, your body does need fat, switch to brown foods as in wholegrain bread and rice etc, when you train, do core training, burpees and situps, do 60 second bursts with 30 second rest in between regardless of how many, do at least 3 sets in one go each day, it will take about 4 weeks for you to start noticing your body tighten up, hope this helps, look after your body doesnt mean starving it...
I don't think you understand how intermittent fasting works. It isn't starving oneself at all it is just moving your calories. Also my experience with working out has been completely different than what you describe. When I skip dinner I feel great in the morning and energy isn't an issue. I lost ground for a while on doing HIIT, but that is no longer true and it was really only a desire not to push. I probably have a bit less in the bursts but my endurance seems better. In fact in longer runs I don't even get side aches and don't feel the desire to stop running. It did take a couple of weeks to be completely comfortable working out fasted, but I never experienced a lack of energy problem.
I'm not against core training although I prefer bodyweight calisthenics, such as pullups, pushup, planks and dips. Situps aren't a good exercise but windshield wipers are brutal hard. I'm not knocking your method as it has advantages too. I have a damaged elbow that wouldn't have happened if I was doing what you suggest.
When I started this thread I wasn't sure fasting was worth the effort, however my body fat seems to be melting away. Even my wife stated I seem to be shirking too fast. There is really something with the short fasts that is helping me. That doesn't mean it is for everyone though. A year ago I couldn't have done it as I just had too much hunger all the time.0 -
rainbow198 wrote: »When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
A similar thing happen to me. Once I got to my ideal body size I had to extend my eating window.
When I had more body fat I could naturally IF and do light/moderate fasted workouts easier.
I still IF naturally since I'm not hungry in the early morning or after dinner, but instead of eating all of my calories in 4 - 6 hours, it's more like 8 or 9 hours most days.
Interesting ... Since my body fat is around 24% (less now) I guess I have a ways to go. At what level body fat are people calling it an ideal weight? My target is 15%.0 -
LexZeAgent2016 wrote: »you don't need to fast to burn fat, no eating will leave you low on energy and make you feel low and grumpy to, maybe eat smaller healthier meals, your body does need fat, switch to brown foods as in wholegrain bread and rice etc, when you train, do core training, burpees and situps, do 60 second bursts with 30 second rest in between regardless of how many, do at least 3 sets in one go each day, it will take about 4 weeks for you to start noticing your body tighten up, hope this helps, look after your body doesnt mean starving it...
I don't think you understand how intermittent fasting works. It isn't starving oneself at all it is just moving your calories. Also my experience with working out has been completely different than what you describe. When I skip dinner I feel great in the morning and energy isn't an issue. I lost ground for a while on doing HIIT, but that is no longer true and it was really only a desire not to push. I probably have a bit less in the bursts but my endurance seems better. In fact in longer runs I don't even get side aches and don't feel the desire to stop running. It did take a couple of weeks to be completely comfortable working out fasted, but I never experienced a lack of energy problem.
I'm not against core training although I prefer bodyweight calisthenics, such as pullups, pushup, planks and dips. Situps aren't a good exercise but windshield wipers are brutal hard. I'm not knocking your method as it has advantages too. I have a damaged elbow that wouldn't have happened if I was doing what you suggest.
When I started this thread I wasn't sure fasting was worth the effort, however my body fat seems to be melting away. Even my wife stated I seem to be shirking too fast. There is really something with the short fasts that is helping me. That doesn't mean it is for everyone though. A year ago I couldn't have done it as I just had too much hunger all the time.
Yea, IF is a great way to maintain a deficit.1 -
LexZeAgent2016 wrote: »you don't need to fast to burn fat, no eating will leave you low on energy and make you feel low and grumpy to, maybe eat smaller healthier meals, your body does need fat, switch to brown foods as in wholegrain bread and rice etc, when you train, do core training, burpees and situps, do 60 second bursts with 30 second rest in between regardless of how many, do at least 3 sets in one go each day, it will take about 4 weeks for you to start noticing your body tighten up, hope this helps, look after your body doesnt mean starving it...
I don't think you understand how intermittent fasting works. It isn't starving oneself at all it is just moving your calories. Also my experience with working out has been completely different than what you describe. When I skip dinner I feel great in the morning and energy isn't an issue. I lost ground for a while on doing HIIT, but that is no longer true and it was really only a desire not to push. I probably have a bit less in the bursts but my endurance seems better. In fact in longer runs I don't even get side aches and don't feel the desire to stop running. It did take a couple of weeks to be completely comfortable working out fasted, but I never experienced a lack of energy problem.
I'm not against core training although I prefer bodyweight calisthenics, such as pullups, pushup, planks and dips. Situps aren't a good exercise but windshield wipers are brutal hard. I'm not knocking your method as it has advantages too. I have a damaged elbow that wouldn't have happened if I was doing what you suggest.
When I started this thread I wasn't sure fasting was worth the effort, however my body fat seems to be melting away. Even my wife stated I seem to be shirking too fast. There is really something with the short fasts that is helping me. That doesn't mean it is for everyone though. A year ago I couldn't have done it as I just had too much hunger all the time.
Yea, IF is a great way to maintain a deficit.
Well it probably would be if I didn't add an extra 400kc of nuts to my breakfast and a few hundred more calories at lunch! However I'm well aware that a lot of people use IF to create a caloric deficit. My workouts are getting harder though so that might be having more impact than I realize too. Especially the runs tends to rack up the calories. My point though is that I'm not starving myself and I don't feel like I'm starving myself. However I'm also only doing IF a few times a week right now. Fasted workouts are most days I workout though.0 -
LexZeAgent2016 wrote: »you don't need to fast to burn fat, no eating will leave you low on energy and make you feel low and grumpy to, maybe eat smaller healthier meals, your body does need fat, switch to brown foods as in wholegrain bread and rice etc, when you train, do core training, burpees and situps, do 60 second bursts with 30 second rest in between regardless of how many, do at least 3 sets in one go each day, it will take about 4 weeks for you to start noticing your body tighten up, hope this helps, look after your body doesnt mean starving it...
I don't think you understand how intermittent fasting works. It isn't starving oneself at all it is just moving your calories. Also my experience with working out has been completely different than what you describe. When I skip dinner I feel great in the morning and energy isn't an issue. I lost ground for a while on doing HIIT, but that is no longer true and it was really only a desire not to push. I probably have a bit less in the bursts but my endurance seems better. In fact in longer runs I don't even get side aches and don't feel the desire to stop running. It did take a couple of weeks to be completely comfortable working out fasted, but I never experienced a lack of energy problem.
I'm not against core training although I prefer bodyweight calisthenics, such as pullups, pushup, planks and dips. Situps aren't a good exercise but windshield wipers are brutal hard. I'm not knocking your method as it has advantages too. I have a damaged elbow that wouldn't have happened if I was doing what you suggest.
When I started this thread I wasn't sure fasting was worth the effort, however my body fat seems to be melting away. Even my wife stated I seem to be shirking too fast. There is really something with the short fasts that is helping me. That doesn't mean it is for everyone though. A year ago I couldn't have done it as I just had too much hunger all the time.
Yea, IF is a great way to maintain a deficit.
Well it probably would be if I didn't add an extra 400kc of nuts to my breakfast and a few hundred more calories at lunch! However I'm well aware that a lot of people use IF to create a caloric deficit. My workouts are getting harder though so that might be having more impact than I realize too. Especially the runs tends to rack up the calories. My point though is that I'm not starving myself and I don't feel like I'm starving myself. However I'm also only doing IF a few times a week right now. Fasted workouts are most days I workout though.
Yea, I workout fasted. Doesn't bother me at all.
Glad you found a way to keep a calorie deficit.2 -
I'm finding skipping dinner sometimes to be working well. Pushing three meals into two isn't much of a sacrifice. Short term though I've lost too much weight too fast. Now I need to just try and hold the weight loss.
When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
When i tried 16:8 IF, i struggled a lot. I never got past the hunger pains and had really bad breath. I am a huge breakfast person, so it just didnt fit my lifestyle. 3 large meals is much better for me.
But i agree it can be very beneficial to create a deficit.0 -
rainbow198 wrote: »When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
A similar thing happen to me. Once I got to my ideal body size I had to extend my eating window.
When I had more body fat I could naturally IF and do light/moderate fasted workouts easier.
I still IF naturally since I'm not hungry in the early morning or after dinner, but instead of eating all of my calories in 4 - 6 hours, it's more like 8 or 9 hours most days.
I am similar. If I am not hungry, I'll push a meal back if I want to with no fear anymore...
Exactly! Just today I went out for Mexican for lunch and had a good time (lol).
Come dinner time I wasn't hungry so I didn't eat and I'm still not hungry.
I used to think I had to eat breakfast, a snack, lunch, a snack and dinner. I don't! Now I eat when I am hungry and I'm the smallest I've never been in my entire adult life.
Feels really good to be in control of my eating.
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I'm finding skipping dinner sometimes to be working well. Pushing three meals into two isn't much of a sacrifice. Short term though I've lost too much weight too fast. Now I need to just try and hold the weight loss.
When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
When i tried 16:8 IF, i struggled a lot. I never got past the hunger pains and had really bad breath. I am a huge breakfast person, so it just didnt fit my lifestyle. 3 large meals is much better for me.
But i agree it can be very beneficial to create a deficit.
Why would you have bad breath? I do a16:8 which is perfect for me! Gosh, I hope my breath doesn't stink! Lol0 -
queenliz99 wrote: »I'm finding skipping dinner sometimes to be working well. Pushing three meals into two isn't much of a sacrifice. Short term though I've lost too much weight too fast. Now I need to just try and hold the weight loss.
When I was IF'ing, I was a breakfast skipper. I tried skipping lunch, I also tried skipping dinner. Neither worked well for me as all I did was think about food. Breakfast was easy. I have tried IF'ing again and could not do any of the meals. Possibly because I am at my ideal weight and my body knows it does not need to, or could I just be out of practice? Who knows...
When i tried 16:8 IF, i struggled a lot. I never got past the hunger pains and had really bad breath. I am a huge breakfast person, so it just didnt fit my lifestyle. 3 large meals is much better for me.
But i agree it can be very beneficial to create a deficit.
Why would you have bad breath? I do a16:8 which is perfect for me! Gosh, I hope my breath doesn't stink! Lol
Well when your body is burning fat what happens to it? Some of it goes out your breath, especially things like acetone. There is a cure, just get to the point where you don't have to burn so much fat. Anyway my wife does complain about that at times, it is pretty hard to control. 0 -
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