Trying to lose weight

Losing weight is a matter of burning more than you eat.
If you're fasting for religious reasons, or a medical test, then it's necessary.
But as a weight loss method, it's counterproductive.
It does not teach you healthy eating behaviours, things that you can continue the rest of your life.

Actually, extreme eating patterns (fasting, binging) cause more problems.
Just eat normally - normal foods, normal times - but a bit less than you have been, & move more than you have been.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23244741
Double trouble: restrained eaters do not eat less and feel worse
"high levels of dietary restraint do not appear to reflect actual caloric restraint, it has been found to be a risk factor for a wide array of maladaptive eating patterns. ... restrained eaters do not eat less than they intend to do"

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/18325547
"We examine the comfort food preferences and consumption patterns of women with highly versus less developed schemas for cognitive restraint, emotional and situational eating ... complex eating schemas weaken biological signals and produce maladaptive patterns... High schematics reported a lesser post-consumption increase in fullness than low schematics. Low schematics favoured low and high calorie foods equally, their choice motivated by pleasure and positive emotions."

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Here are some useful posts / links. Especially read sexypants.

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/1080242/a-guide-to-get-you-started-on-your-path-to-sexypants

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10012907/logging-accuracy-consistency-and-youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/819925/the-basics-dont-complicate-it/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/872212/youre-probably-eating-more-than-you-think/p1

http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/833026/important-posts-to-read/p1


"Most weight loss occurs because of decreased caloric intake.
However, evidence shows the only way to maintain weight loss is to be engaged in regular physical activity."
http://www.cdc.gov/healthyweight/physical_activity/index.html


Goal setting, including weight, calories, and macros
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-06-08-setting-goals-667045

Exercise basics
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/blog/MKEgal/view/2014-06-08-exercise-667080

Solid advise. It is easier to make smaller changes (calories) than to make a big step and break leg, figuratively speaking.