Am I wasting my time fasting?
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pastelpecan
Posts: 1 Member
Hello all! This past week, I've been doing intermediate fasting. Other than one or two 100 cal snacks to keep me from feeling ill, I've only been eating dinner. Do you think this is a waste of time? I'e noticed about a 6 pound loss over the week, so I know it's doing something. I'm just not sure if it'll provide me with long-term results.
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If it helps you meet your calorie goals and you enjoy eating this way, it isn't a waste of time.
If you're doing it out of the impression that it will accomplish something that you couldn't do eating throughout the day and still being in a deficit, then it is a waste of time.32 -
It's doing something because it's creating a calorie deficit. The only thing intermittent fasting does is create a calorie deficit. It doesn't matter if you eat all the calories at once, split up between 6 meals, or any way in between.
You need to decide for yourself if it's a sustainable method of eating. I fast most days from 8PM - Noon. For me, it helps keep cravings for junk in check. However, if I am super hungry outside the eating window, I eat, log it, and move on.8 -
pastelpecan wrote: »Hello all! This past week, I've been doing intermediate fasting. Other than one or two 100 cal snacks to keep me from feeling ill, I've only been eating dinner. Do you think this is a waste of time? I'e noticed about a 6 pound loss over the week, so I know it's doing something. I'm just not sure if it'll provide me with long-term results.
If it's making you feel ill it doesn't sound very sustainable?
You'll lose weight if you're in a calorie deficit where you follow IF or not.9 -
I would say that you're wasting your time. Fasting is a great tool to use for whatever your goal(s) are, but it's just that.. a tool. There are many benefits to fasting that i recommend you research on your own, because you don't want to get the "bro-science" and it end of up being a bad experience. I, myself, use fasting or time restricted eating so I don't fill my face with food all day because once I start eating...I eat, so the time restriction helps me. Also, the time varies for me, when I want to cut or lose some weight I eat in a smaller window and when I want to gain I eat in a larger window so I can get in all my calories for the day, simple for me.... Then there are the other benefits to fasting, that you should research
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Depends why your doing it
The earlier I eat the hungrier I get.....
So I skip breakfast and don't eat until 2pmish
Helps me stick to my calorie goal and that's it4 -
pastelpecan wrote: »Hello all! This past week, I've been doing intermediate fasting. Other than one or two 100 cal snacks to keep me from feeling ill, I've only been eating dinner. Do you think this is a waste of time? I'e noticed about a 6 pound loss over the week, so I know it's doing something. I'm just not sure if it'll provide me with long-term results.
There's nothing magical about IF. I'm currently doing it because skipping breakfast is an easy way to help me create a calorie deficit to drop this winter weight and I don't log so I have to take other measures and rules to lose weight. It's not more magical than that though...just creating a calorie deficit.
I also don't eat just dinner. I start eating at lunch time...'cuz yeah, not eating until dinner would make me feel pretty *kitten*.6 -
runnermom419 wrote: »It's doing something because it's creating a calorie deficit. The only thing intermittent fasting does is create a calorie deficit. It doesn't matter if you eat all the calories at once, split up between 6 meals, or any way in between.
You need to decide for yourself if it's a sustainable method of eating. I fast most days from 8PM - Noon. For me, it helps keep cravings for junk in check. However, if I am super hungry outside the eating window, I eat, log it, and move on.
Just wanted to clarify that intermittent fasting - in and of itself - does *not* create a calorie deficit. IF can only help some people reduce calories by restricting eating to within a certain time period. It is, however, entirely possible to *way* over-eat in whatever window you've created.
Ask me how I know.
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pastelpecan wrote: »Hello all! This past week, I've been doing intermediate fasting. Other than one or two 100 cal snacks to keep me from feeling ill, I've only been eating dinner. Do you think this is a waste of time? I'e noticed about a 6 pound loss over the week, so I know it's doing something. I'm just not sure if it'll provide me with long-term results.
You lost 6 pounds in a WEEK? If this isn't "first week water weight loss" or you don't have hundreds of pounds to lose, start eating more immediately.
Like others have said, there's nothing magical about IF. If you like eating this way, carry on.
I would personally feel gross eating a day's worth of calories in one meal, but that's me.7 -
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Intermittent fasting does not mean starving yourself. It is just a way of hoarding your calories for a particular time of day. Provided you are eating all the calories that MFP has given you, when you eat them is irrelevant.
But if you are only eating low calorie snacks then a low calorie dinner that brings you in well under your calorie goal you are doing it wrong.
I am not a fan of breakfast so I save those calories to eat later in the day. I suppose technically it is IF but I just think of it as my way of eating.4 -
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I dropped 10 lbs over a month and half at start of year. Cutting down on portions and getting rid of junk food. Stalled a bit for a week so Three weeks ago I stopped eating after dinner and then turned it into IF. Sort of backed my way into it. Have lost 7 lbs since. Still maintaining the earlier habits of getting rid of junk. Not sure IF can get full credit. But I do think it has helped. My body has reacted very well to it.3
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pastelpecan wrote: »Hello all! This past week, I've been doing intermediate fasting. Other than one or two 100 cal snacks to keep me from feeling ill, I've only been eating dinner. Do you think this is a waste of time? I'e noticed about a 6 pound loss over the week, so I know it's doing something. I'm just not sure if it'll provide me with long-term results.
How much are you eating in this one meal? If you are doing OMAD, you are supposed to be eating your entire day of calories in one meal. So if you are only eating the same dinner you would normally eat in a 3 meal day, then that would be why you are feeling ill, because you are under eating.
IF is useful if you like it and find it helpful, not useful if you don't. IF didn't cause whatever weight loss you had, a calorie deficit did. You could make a deficit out of however many meals you choose. So if you find that IF helps you stay within your calorie goal (but still eating enough) and feel satisfied vs. eating normally during the day, then go for it. But it doesn't really sound like it's doing that for you, and if that's the case, you are wasting your time.3 -
@pastelpecan, come over to our small yet growing Intermittent Fasting group here at. MFP and ask your question to IF practitioners who currently practice. You may find their answers and comments helpful. Hope you stop by and say hello.
I lost 35 lbs. using IF as one of my tools. Currently practicing OMAD for Lent 2019 and eating at maintenance during a 2-hour feeding window beginning at sunset, fasting for 22 hours. Last night’s feeding was 2,450 calories. I keep an active journal there providing details that you might find helpful. If you ask questions, I’ll answer.7 -
I find the 'special interest' groups can sometimes be the last place to find science-driven information, simply because the already-converted are convinced (rightly or wrongly) that their method works, and sometimes attach all sorts of magic 'benefits' that simply don't exist.
At least on the main forums, people looking for information will get a healthy balance of imput and perspective. 16
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