Would like advice on fasting as a diet option

seanjones1987
seanjones1987 Posts: 14 Member
edited November 24 in Food and Nutrition
I met this guy and his success story had me wanting to try it. Basically I would have coffee as a breakfast and throughout the day as desired. If needed to get through a small sandwich or some bar. And then for dinner eat whatever I want and how much I want as long as I don’t go over my calories.

Is this a healthy and doable lifestyle? Any advice or information?

My calorie count to loose a few pounds a week without working out is 2700. Also I am starting to go to the gym to increase my activity and diet wise I’m giving up soda.

Replies

  • janejellyroll
    janejellyroll Posts: 25,763 Member
    Lots of people have success with basically restricting their "eating window" to a smaller portion of the day. It's just another way to create a calorie deficit, one that some people enjoy or find easier than eating smaller portions throughout the day.

    There's nothing unhealthy about it (assuming you don't have any medical conditions you haven't shared) and some people find it very sustainable. Others don't.

    I tried it for a few months. Ultimately, I decided that I preferred eating throughout the day and went back to that. But I'm glad I tried it just so I could better understand what might work for me.
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,383 Member
    It sounds like you're describing OMAD (One Meal a Day) or the Warrior Diet.

    Yes, this is a type of intermittent fasting. I do it once and a while, especially if I want to fully enjoy a special meal out at a restaurant without worrying too much about calories. I prefer a 16:8 IF method for most days. OMAD can be tough.
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,383 Member
    dressagerider1020 wrote: »
    seanjones1987 wrote: »
    I met this guy and his success story had me wanting to try it. Basically I would have coffee as a breakfast and throughout the day as desired. If needed to get through a small sandwich or some bar. And then for dinner eat whatever I want and how much I want as long as I don’t go over my calories.

    Is this a healthy and doable lifestyle? Any advice or information?

    My calorie count to loose a few pounds a week without working out is 2700. Also I am starting to go to the gym to increase my activity and diet wise I’m giving up soda.

    wouldn't you rather spread out your calories through the day so you can eat 3 meals? Working out + no food = disaster. You gotta feed your body!

    Not true. Many people prefer working out in a fasted state. And meal frequency is pretty irrelevant for weight loss.

    https://examine.com/nutrition/is-it-better-to-do-aerobic-exercise-fasted/
  • seanjones1987
    seanjones1987 Posts: 14 Member
    janejellyroll wrote: »
    Lots of people have success with basically restricting their "eating window" to a smaller portion of the day. It's just another way to create a calorie deficit, one that some people enjoy or find easier than eating smaller portions throughout the day.

    There's nothing unhealthy about it (assuming you don't have any medical conditions you haven't shared) and some people find it very sustainable. Others don't.

    I tried it for a few months. Ultimately, I decided that I preferred eating throughout the day and went back to that. But I'm glad I tried it just so I could better understand what might work for me.

    No diagnosed health issues besides being morbidly obese
  • jenathp
    jenathp Posts: 92 Member
    I started keto about 11 days ago and am naturally doing the intermittent fasting which is basically what you describe. After I got the glucose out of my system I am not hungry after my last meal for 12-18 hours. So I will eat dinner at say 6pm and then not eat again until noon the next day. It's not because I am starving myself but because I'm naturally not hungry. So, it's pretty normal. Also you don't have to do coffee, you can just do water if you aren't a caffeinator like me. :)
  • tulips_and_tea
    tulips_and_tea Posts: 5,744 Member
    dressagerider1020 wrote: »
    seanjones1987 wrote: »
    I met this guy and his success story had me wanting to try it. Basically I would have coffee as a breakfast and throughout the day as desired. If needed to get through a small sandwich or some bar. And then for dinner eat whatever I want and how much I want as long as I don’t go over my calories.

    Is this a healthy and doable lifestyle? Any advice or information?

    My calorie count to loose a few pounds a week without working out is 2700. Also I am starting to go to the gym to increase my activity and diet wise I’m giving up soda.

    wouldn't you rather spread out your calories through the day so you can eat 3 meals? Working out + no food = disaster. You gotta feed your body!

    One size does NOT fit all. Some people prefer to eat most of their calories in one or two sittings and others spread them out over the day.

    Working out on an empty stomach does not = disaster. I do fasted cardio weekend mornings (as do plenty of other people) and can get through just fine. It varies person to person.
  • amgreenwell
    amgreenwell Posts: 1,267 Member
    Doesn't matter when you consume your calories, as long as you come in under then you'll lose weight. I'm not a fan of fasting b/c I work out in the morning and I like to get at least a smoothie afterwards for some energy. I eat small meals throughout the day to help with hunger. I know plenty of people that do fasting and in some form of what you are talking about. Depends on if you can handle it. I have to eat during the day to make my brain work, but some people can go all day and only eat one meal at night.
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    Here's the one meal a day group to get some ideas: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/20634-omad-revolution
    Here's the intermittent fasting group: http://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/49-intermittent-fasting

    You've got the right idea -> eat at times that help you lose weight.
    After a week or so, you can make modifications if necessary. Good luck. :)
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    Sure, lots of people eat this way. As long as you are within your calorie goal you will still lose fat.
  • DJ_Skywalker
    DJ_Skywalker Posts: 420 Member
    Coffee is my first breakfast, second breakfast isn't until the afternoon and my supper, which is most of my calories, isn't until evening. Totally doable :)
  • fitoverfortymom
    fitoverfortymom Posts: 3,452 Member
    Me nor anyone around me wants me to go too long without food.
  • onward1
    onward1 Posts: 386 Member
    You'll have to try it and see how it goes. As others have said, it doesn't matter when you eat your calories to lose, just that you don't go over. I couldn't do it, I'd have to kill someone, I'd get so hangry! But that's me, good luck to you OP.
  • Francl27
    Francl27 Posts: 26,371 Member
    onward1 wrote: »
    You'll have to try it and see how it goes. As others have said, it doesn't matter when you eat your calories to lose, just that you don't go over. I couldn't do it, I'd have to kill someone, I'd get so hangry! But that's me, good luck to you OP.

    Same here.

    There's no way to know if it works for you until you try it. Some people feel better eating more food earlier in the day and less at dinner (I'm one of those). Some people like a big dinner. What matters is finding what works for you.
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