Few questions about IF

rajikaurbajna
rajikaurbajna Posts: 21 Member
in Health and Weight Loss

Can some one please tell me if during your eating window can you eat 1200 calories recommended by MFP? I am planning to start 16:8 . What time should I exercise?

Replies

  • Hollis100
    Hollis100 Posts: 1,408 Member
    I've just started IF, so I'm no expert and am still adjusting.

    I'm trying the 16:8 schedue. During my window, I'm eating my regular 1200 calories (or more if I eat some exercise calories back), but it's a struggle. I feel absolutely stuffed with food. I also have a job and can't just stop working and eat a bunch of smaller meals. My body is telling me to not eat that much -- but I also know about the recommended minimum, so it's an issue for me.

    For exercise, again, I'm no expert, but I would exercise whenever you want.
  • TeaBea
    TeaBea Posts: 14,517 Member
    Hollis100 wrote: »
    I've just started IF, so I'm no expert and am still adjusting.

    I'm trying the 16:8 schedue. During my window, I'm eating my regular 1200 calories (or more if I eat some exercise calories back), but it's a struggle. I feel absolutely stuffed with food. I also have a job and can't just stop working and eat a bunch of smaller meals. My body is telling me to not eat that much -- but I also know about the recommended minimum, so it's an issue for me.

    For exercise, again, I'm no expert, but I would exercise whenever you want.

    Calorie dense food - https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/discussion/10142490/a-list-of-calorie-dense-foods/p1
  • lgfrie
    lgfrie Posts: 1,449 Member
    Whatever calories you have decided to eat, you can eat in an 8 hour window.

    Most people on 16:8 eat 2 big meals (e.g. lunch and dinner) and a snack in between, with no snacking before lunch or after dinner. You can shoehorn however many calories you like into that schedule. I've been eating 1600 - 1850 calories in an 11 am - 7 pm window for 6 months. No problem.

    Exercise can be done anytime. I work out before the window. Don't see why it would matter.
  • rajikaurbajna
    rajikaurbajna Posts: 21 Member
    lgfrie wrote: »
    Whatever calories you have decided to eat, you can eat in an 8 hour window.

    Most people on 16:8 eat 2 big meals (e.g. lunch and dinner) and a snack in between, with no snacking before lunch or after dinner. You can shoehorn however many calories you like into that schedule. I've been eating 1600 - 1850 calories in an 11 am - 7 pm window for 6 months. No problem.

    Exercise can be done anytime. I work out before the window. Don't see why it would matter.

    Not sure if on empty stomach, I will have energy to do exercise that’s why I am confused
  • Lietchi
    Lietchi Posts: 6,841 Member
    rajikaurbajna wrote: »

    Not sure if on empty stomach, I will have energy to do exercise that’s why I am confused

    Try it and find out what your body responds to.
    I've learned that my body doesn't mind cardio on an empty stomach, but weight training is a different matter.

  • cmriverside
    cmriverside Posts: 34,419 Member
    rajikaurbajna wrote: »
    lgfrie wrote: »
    Whatever calories you have decided to eat, you can eat in an 8 hour window.

    Most people on 16:8 eat 2 big meals (e.g. lunch and dinner) and a snack in between, with no snacking before lunch or after dinner. You can shoehorn however many calories you like into that schedule. I've been eating 1600 - 1850 calories in an 11 am - 7 pm window for 6 months. No problem.

    Exercise can be done anytime. I work out before the window. Don't see why it would matter.

    Not sure if on empty stomach, I will have energy to do exercise that’s why I am confused

    So instead of pre-worrying, why not try it and see how you feel? If you don't have enough energy, then maybe this feeding schedule isn't for you.

    There's no magic to IF. If it works for you and helps you stay in calories, great. If it doesn't, don't do it.

    Also, if you exercise, eat more than 1200. Enter your exercise into the Exercise tab and eat more calories. 1200 is meant to be a rock bottom calorie goal for only certain outlier groups.

    https://www.aworkoutroutine.com/1200-calorie-diet/
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    rajikaurbajna wrote: »
    lgfrie wrote: »
    Whatever calories you have decided to eat, you can eat in an 8 hour window.

    Most people on 16:8 eat 2 big meals (e.g. lunch and dinner) and a snack in between, with no snacking before lunch or after dinner. You can shoehorn however many calories you like into that schedule. I've been eating 1600 - 1850 calories in an 11 am - 7 pm window for 6 months. No problem.

    Exercise can be done anytime. I work out before the window. Don't see why it would matter.

    Not sure if on empty stomach, I will have energy to do exercise that’s why I am confused

    That is up to you and how you feel. I prefer to exercise on an empty stomach, others need food in their system ahead of time. If you find you are one who needs food, you may have to adjust either your feeding window, your exercise time, or not bother with IF
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    rajikaurbajna wrote: »
    lgfrie wrote: »
    Whatever calories you have decided to eat, you can eat in an 8 hour window.

    Most people on 16:8 eat 2 big meals (e.g. lunch and dinner) and a snack in between, with no snacking before lunch or after dinner. You can shoehorn however many calories you like into that schedule. I've been eating 1600 - 1850 calories in an 11 am - 7 pm window for 6 months. No problem.

    Exercise can be done anytime. I work out before the window. Don't see why it would matter.

    Not sure if on empty stomach, I will have energy to do exercise that’s why I am confused

    So try it and see if your effort suffers. If it does, and your schedule doesn't allow you to reschedule your workout, then eat something. IF is just one of many strategies, and it simply doesn't work or isn't realistic for some people.
  • lgfrie
    lgfrie Posts: 1,449 Member
    rajikaurbajna wrote: »
    lgfrie wrote: »
    Whatever calories you have decided to eat, you can eat in an 8 hour window.

    Most people on 16:8 eat 2 big meals (e.g. lunch and dinner) and a snack in between, with no snacking before lunch or after dinner. You can shoehorn however many calories you like into that schedule. I've been eating 1600 - 1850 calories in an 11 am - 7 pm window for 6 months. No problem.

    Exercise can be done anytime. I work out before the window. Don't see why it would matter.

    Not sure if on empty stomach, I will have energy to do exercise that’s why I am confused

    As others have said, try it and see how it works for you. I also was skeptical about working out on an empty stomach when I first started IF, but actually discovered I much prefer it, to the point where I now really hate working out with food in my belly. That's just an individual preference thing. You won't know until you try. Eating before a workout is something you may want, but you do not need. Of course, if we're talking marathons and such, that's different; I'm referring to the typical daily workout routine most people do, for me 45 minutes of cardio and some dumbells.

Categories