Intermittent Fasting
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eagergirl
Posts: 8 Member
Hey! My names Tami. I could start with the fact that I'm morbidly obese, but why ruin the suspense! I'm almost 50 years old, but people peg me around 35-40. Good genes! I live in Central Illinois, and I'm single with a boyfriend of 8 years (who is a chef, no less!!).
I am a teacher, which this year has been the most stressful thing probably in my life. The year started out really rough with complete e-learning. I'm a reading specialist in a low-income school. I don't have the option of assigning online independent lessons, but instead have 8 groups of students throughout the day that I meet online and do live lessons with. It is such a joy to see the kids during the week, but my weekends are filled with the dread and stress of planning and creating 8 different plans for 2nd-4th graders. Last week, we started back during a COVID spike, in which our governor has reclosed everything non-essential, but left school districts to their own devices. It's small steps. I meet with two of my groups at school, and the rest are still online. In two weeks, more students will be returning.
So, back to the morbidly obese deal. Honestly, my weight does not bother me. I've been a big girl since my teen years, and I've gotten past the fat-shaming of others (and myself). What does bother me is my health. I'm Type 2 diabetic, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol (all controlled by meds), but those same genes that help me look young, are the ones that put me in this corner. Although, the over-eating hasn't helped.
Three weeks ago, I heard about intermittent fasting. I read some of the books, checked with my doctor, and on Nov 3, I began this new journey. Presently, I only eat between 2-7. I don't over-indulge, but have a light protein snack at 2, and then I eat whatever I want for dinner. I might eat a light snack before 7, but most evenings I don't. I'm also drinking about 100 oz of water every day. Yes, I'm trying to stay under 1200 calories a day, but I'm not worried if I go over.
To my surprise, this has been a very easy transition for me! I don't think I've felt hungry at all. (The water keeps me full!) I did have headaches the first few days, as I wasn't drinking any soda or other caffeinated beverages. I also was limiting my sugar intake that first week.
So, to get to the good news, I've lost 11 lbs in two weeks! I really don't have a weight goal, but I want my bloodwork to be better when I see my doctor on June 1. June 1. That's my goal. I know this isn't a diet; it's a lifestyle. June 1st, though, is my goal. I want to at least make it to then. My bloodwork is what matters most to me, and the pounds lost are an added bonus!
I'm hoping to make some new friends here. Right now, I feel like my self-accountability is good, but down the road, there may come a time when I need that help! Also, if anyone else is doing intermittent fasting, I'd like to hear how it's worked for you! 🙂
I am a teacher, which this year has been the most stressful thing probably in my life. The year started out really rough with complete e-learning. I'm a reading specialist in a low-income school. I don't have the option of assigning online independent lessons, but instead have 8 groups of students throughout the day that I meet online and do live lessons with. It is such a joy to see the kids during the week, but my weekends are filled with the dread and stress of planning and creating 8 different plans for 2nd-4th graders. Last week, we started back during a COVID spike, in which our governor has reclosed everything non-essential, but left school districts to their own devices. It's small steps. I meet with two of my groups at school, and the rest are still online. In two weeks, more students will be returning.
So, back to the morbidly obese deal. Honestly, my weight does not bother me. I've been a big girl since my teen years, and I've gotten past the fat-shaming of others (and myself). What does bother me is my health. I'm Type 2 diabetic, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol (all controlled by meds), but those same genes that help me look young, are the ones that put me in this corner. Although, the over-eating hasn't helped.
Three weeks ago, I heard about intermittent fasting. I read some of the books, checked with my doctor, and on Nov 3, I began this new journey. Presently, I only eat between 2-7. I don't over-indulge, but have a light protein snack at 2, and then I eat whatever I want for dinner. I might eat a light snack before 7, but most evenings I don't. I'm also drinking about 100 oz of water every day. Yes, I'm trying to stay under 1200 calories a day, but I'm not worried if I go over.
To my surprise, this has been a very easy transition for me! I don't think I've felt hungry at all. (The water keeps me full!) I did have headaches the first few days, as I wasn't drinking any soda or other caffeinated beverages. I also was limiting my sugar intake that first week.
So, to get to the good news, I've lost 11 lbs in two weeks! I really don't have a weight goal, but I want my bloodwork to be better when I see my doctor on June 1. June 1. That's my goal. I know this isn't a diet; it's a lifestyle. June 1st, though, is my goal. I want to at least make it to then. My bloodwork is what matters most to me, and the pounds lost are an added bonus!
I'm hoping to make some new friends here. Right now, I feel like my self-accountability is good, but down the road, there may come a time when I need that help! Also, if anyone else is doing intermittent fasting, I'd like to hear how it's worked for you! 🙂
10
Replies
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I’ve been IF since december.. combined with a low carb life and (honestly minimal exercise) I’ve lost a great deal. Started Dec 21st at 344lb and i’m currently 265 .. I’ve noticed that IF has helped control my eating habits.. stopped using food for comfort .. and it helps tremendously with hunger pangs while dieting .. I eat about 1500 cals a day under 80 carbs and high protein ... Good luck from Michigan 💕2
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IF here too but my eating window is a little different. I've added a lot more water to my diet to make this work. Still successfully losing weight with no formal exercise yet, but I do stay active. Feel free to add.1
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Yes IF is great I agree it is not really a diet more like a new lifestyle. I started six months ago with keto to lose weight, it worked but I wanted more. Four months ago I started to combine keto with IF and that's when my diet to lose weight really got going. Gradually in the past few weeks I actually extended the fasting periods from 16/8 to 24 hours and than 36 hours. At present I do a 6-1 schedule where I have a full day of fasting with the rest of the week on IF the whole thing combined with keto. The results for me are unbelievable, 60 pounds gone high blood pressure optimal never felt better. At this point I dont even have to worry about calories the whole process has become effortless with the exception of my fasting day which TBH is tough if I am being honest but worth it.2
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Are you really short or are you following doctors advice on eating 1200 calories or under a day?Hey! My names Tami. I could start with the fact that I'm morbidly obese, but why ruin the suspense! I'm almost 50 years old, but people peg me around 35-40. Good genes! I live in Central Illinois, and I'm single with a boyfriend of 8 years (who is a chef, no less!!).
I am a teacher, which this year has been the most stressful thing probably in my life. The year started out really rough with complete e-learning. I'm a reading specialist in a low-income school. I don't have the option of assigning online independent lessons, but instead have 8 groups of students throughout the day that I meet online and do live lessons with. It is such a joy to see the kids during the week, but my weekends are filled with the dread and stress of planning and creating 8 different plans for 2nd-4th graders. Last week, we started back during a COVID spike, in which our governor has reclosed everything non-essential, but left school districts to their own devices. It's small steps. I meet with two of my groups at school, and the rest are still online. In two weeks, more students will be returning.
So, back to the morbidly obese deal. Honestly, my weight does not bother me. I've been a big girl since my teen years, and I've gotten past the fat-shaming of others (and myself). What does bother me is my health. I'm Type 2 diabetic, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol (all controlled by meds), but those same genes that help me look young, are the ones that put me in this corner. Although, the over-eating hasn't helped.
Three weeks ago, I heard about intermittent fasting. I read some of the books, checked with my doctor, and on Nov 3, I began this new journey. Presently, I only eat between 2-7. I don't over-indulge, but have a light protein snack at 2, and then I eat whatever I want for dinner. I might eat a light snack before 7, but most evenings I don't. I'm also drinking about 100 oz of water every day. Yes, I'm trying to stay under 1200 calories a day, but I'm not worried if I go over.
To my surprise, this has been a very easy transition for me! I don't think I've felt hungry at all. (The water keeps me full!) I did have headaches the first few days, as I wasn't drinking any soda or other caffeinated beverages. I also was limiting my sugar intake that first week.
So, to get to the good news, I've lost 11 lbs in two weeks! I really don't have a weight goal, but I want my bloodwork to be better when I see my doctor on June 1. June 1. That's my goal. I know this isn't a diet; it's a lifestyle. June 1st, though, is my goal. I want to at least make it to then. My bloodwork is what matters most to me, and the pounds lost are an added bonus!
I'm hoping to make some new friends here. Right now, I feel like my self-accountability is good, but down the road, there may come a time when I need that help! Also, if anyone else is doing intermittent fasting, I'd like to hear how it's worked for you! 🙂
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cowsanddogsarecute wrote: »Are you really short or are you following doctors advice on eating 1200 calories or under a day?Hey! My names Tami. I could start with the fact that I'm morbidly obese, but why ruin the suspense! I'm almost 50 years old, but people peg me around 35-40. Good genes! I live in Central Illinois, and I'm single with a boyfriend of 8 years (who is a chef, no less!!).
I am a teacher, which this year has been the most stressful thing probably in my life. The year started out really rough with complete e-learning. I'm a reading specialist in a low-income school. I don't have the option of assigning online independent lessons, but instead have 8 groups of students throughout the day that I meet online and do live lessons with. It is such a joy to see the kids during the week, but my weekends are filled with the dread and stress of planning and creating 8 different plans for 2nd-4th graders. Last week, we started back during a COVID spike, in which our governor has reclosed everything non-essential, but left school districts to their own devices. It's small steps. I meet with two of my groups at school, and the rest are still online. In two weeks, more students will be returning.
So, back to the morbidly obese deal. Honestly, my weight does not bother me. I've been a big girl since my teen years, and I've gotten past the fat-shaming of others (and myself). What does bother me is my health. I'm Type 2 diabetic, have high blood pressure, have high cholesterol (all controlled by meds), but those same genes that help me look young, are the ones that put me in this corner. Although, the over-eating hasn't helped.
Three weeks ago, I heard about intermittent fasting. I read some of the books, checked with my doctor, and on Nov 3, I began this new journey. Presently, I only eat between 2-7. I don't over-indulge, but have a light protein snack at 2, and then I eat whatever I want for dinner. I might eat a light snack before 7, but most evenings I don't. I'm also drinking about 100 oz of water every day. Yes, I'm trying to stay under 1200 calories a day, but I'm not worried if I go over.
To my surprise, this has been a very easy transition for me! I don't think I've felt hungry at all. (The water keeps me full!) I did have headaches the first few days, as I wasn't drinking any soda or other caffeinated beverages. I also was limiting my sugar intake that first week.
So, to get to the good news, I've lost 11 lbs in two weeks! I really don't have a weight goal, but I want my bloodwork to be better when I see my doctor on June 1. June 1. That's my goal. I know this isn't a diet; it's a lifestyle. June 1st, though, is my goal. I want to at least make it to then. My bloodwork is what matters most to me, and the pounds lost are an added bonus!
I'm hoping to make some new friends here. Right now, I feel like my self-accountability is good, but down the road, there may come a time when I need that help! Also, if anyone else is doing intermittent fasting, I'd like to hear how it's worked for you! 🙂
Even if very short, at morbidly obese 1200 sounds unnecessarily low (although you do mention not worrying if you go over). Generally speaking, a very steep calorie deficit is not the best way to sustainable weight loss. I'm happy that you've found a system that works for you. But you are still in the honeymoon period
your hunger might kick in later, with a vengeance! How did you arrive at this number of 1200 calories?
11 lbs in two weeks is a lot. Much of that will have been water weight, but keep an eye out the next couple of weeks: generally speaking 2lbs per week is considered the maximum for healthy weight loss (for people who have a lot to lose).2 -
As mentioned you are in a honeymoon phase. If you have been at it for 16 days you may get another 30 days before it ends. It may end faster if 1200 is far too low for you. If it is your body will likely engage a self defense mechanism and kick your hunger up to unbearable levels. This often leads to eating all the foods.
You must not be too far over the line of morbidly obese if you say it doesn't bother you. I was VERY far over the line and while I didn't care about the fat shaming most of the time, I was in pain, disabled in many ways, and overall a prisoner in my own fat. I was amazed at how much my quality of life improved as my weight declined. My blood test results began improving around the 20 percent lost mark and kept improving until I was within about 10 pounds of leaving obesity and just being overweight. The number one question I get asked is not how much I have lost but how much better I feel. I guess I looked as miserable as I felt.
One of the very few benefits of being tremendously overweight was energy management and hunger control. I had very few hungry days in the beginning and my hunger control was nearly effortless. It doesn't last.
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Welcome and congrats! I'm 50 and in Chicago. I started here in 2014 and lost 90 lbs. I wasn't IFing then, although I found having an eating schedule (3 meals, no snacking) really helped me feel more satisfied on less food. Since Covid (I've been mostly working from home since March), I've fallen into a pattern of eating between 12 and 8, currently more like 2 and 8 (I'd like to move that to more like 12 and 6, but my work schedule makes eating earlier difficult). Just last week I decided to get back to logging and being more mindful of what I ate, as well as focusing on re-igniting my enjoyment of cooking (I was in a huge rut, and had been letting my weight creep up), and I'm really enjoying having 2 larger meals per day and do find I feel quite full on fewer cals.
It seems like what you are doing is working so far, but if you do start to struggle at all I hope you keep posting, as there are lots of ways to lose weight and adding some cals or the like is totally okay. (I'm only 5'3 and started at 1200 -- MFP gives any woman who isn't especially tall and says "sedentary" 1200 if she says 2 lb/week, IME, just based on the math. I was fine with that but when I got more active I realized it was supposed to be 1200 + exercise cals, and eventually also realized I wasn't sedentary (used to walk lots in daily life due to living in the city, less so since Covid), so ended up adding cals and losing 2/week for some time at 1500-1600. But for me when I was obese, 1200 was actually fine (+ exercise cals if I did cardio), as I wasn't all that hungry probably due to the extra weight, once I adjusted to my no snacking schedule. That said, I am glad I added cals before I started feeling hungry or deprived, as I think that made it more sustainable given that I knew it would be a year-long process, if not more.)
I've realized since starting up again that weight loss can actually be pretty fun (there's a clear goal and concrete things one can focus on to achieve it, there are interesting things to learn about nutrition and exercise and one's self, it's nice to have and achieve mini goals and just generally to feel like you are doing something good for your health) so long as you aren't adding on beating yourself up or insisting on a way of eating that makes you miserable or leaves you hungry or feeling like you have to get the weight off this minute and want only the goal and not the process. It seems like you have a really great attitude, so will be able to enjoy the process.2 -
I'm a casual IF participant. I found myself plateaued after losing about 30 pounds. I haven't had to drive my long commute to work, so I've had more time to exercise. After 6 months the scale wasn't going anywhere anymore...quite frustrating when I have about 10 more pounds to go. So...I looked up the basics. I'm doing 16/8. It's not as hard as I thought. I have a 1550 calorie limit...and most days I make that because of running. I never make it on Fridays though
The first week I did this I didn't lose much...but this week I'm down 3 lbs. I'm chugging water now figuring I'm dehydrated. It's possible because during the mornings I'm on more coffee than usual. But I weigh in first thing in the morning...and I don't short myself water throughout the day and evening. 0 -
Hello. Congrats on finding something that works for you! Health is wealth they say. Cheering you on!
I just started IF and trying to eat less carbs (not keto tho). It’s amazing what a difference it makes. At a point in my body’s life where I’ve gotta committedly pay attention to what goes in my mouth, after most of my life not really eating much and not needy to care and discern.
And COVID has become a little difficult and depressing at times. So.... decided to try IF - the 16/8 timing @ 1200-ish calories. So this first two weeks I saw a loss of 6 “lbs” that honestly I think was just water weight and bloatage from carbs
. I don’t have much to loose but in the past has been seriously difficult because at some point I just loose steam and commitment, other things become more important. Mission is to have something to maintain with without having to constantly be working on those “last few pounds”. 0
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