INTERMITTENT FASTING MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD
BarbMessimer
Posts: 362 Member
FASTING MAKES YOU FEEL GOOD 11/06/22
What happens when you haven’t eaten for a good long while and are delaying eating until your set time? During this period of time of “fasting” do you get sick and weak? Absolutely not. Instead, you get energized!
Your eyes open wider, brain activity is enhanced, and you become more aware, alert and mentally sharp. You’re more creative and get great ideas. You’re happier. You’re on a “natural high” with a bounce in your step!
Feeling this way is what I like most about IF and is far from how I felt prior to practicing it. I ate like most people, having several meals a day with snacks, especially one before bedtime. I was tired and sluggish all the time. I was extremely heavy and could hardly walk. I had knee and back pain so bad that the pain kept me almost bedbound. I was depressed. I rarely went out of the house unless it was to go to the doctor’s or a restaurant to eat. The doctor even gave me a disability parking permit because of my mobility impairment.
But all that is behind me now. I've lost 60 pounds and I love how I feel. I’ve become a “feel good” junkie. I love the almost euphoric feeling I get from IF and you can experience it too. By the way, it's free. No shakes, pills, injections or special meals to buy.
To start out, read everything you can online about IF and watch videos by Dr. Jason Fung and Dr. Pradip Jamnadas on YouTube. Start out slowly with just two meals a day and no snacking in-between. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water, unsweetened tea or black coffee. You’ve got this!
What happens when you haven’t eaten for a good long while and are delaying eating until your set time? During this period of time of “fasting” do you get sick and weak? Absolutely not. Instead, you get energized!
Your eyes open wider, brain activity is enhanced, and you become more aware, alert and mentally sharp. You’re more creative and get great ideas. You’re happier. You’re on a “natural high” with a bounce in your step!
Feeling this way is what I like most about IF and is far from how I felt prior to practicing it. I ate like most people, having several meals a day with snacks, especially one before bedtime. I was tired and sluggish all the time. I was extremely heavy and could hardly walk. I had knee and back pain so bad that the pain kept me almost bedbound. I was depressed. I rarely went out of the house unless it was to go to the doctor’s or a restaurant to eat. The doctor even gave me a disability parking permit because of my mobility impairment.
But all that is behind me now. I've lost 60 pounds and I love how I feel. I’ve become a “feel good” junkie. I love the almost euphoric feeling I get from IF and you can experience it too. By the way, it's free. No shakes, pills, injections or special meals to buy.
To start out, read everything you can online about IF and watch videos by Dr. Jason Fung and Dr. Pradip Jamnadas on YouTube. Start out slowly with just two meals a day and no snacking in-between. Eat healthy foods and drink plenty of water, unsweetened tea or black coffee. You’ve got this!
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Replies
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I have toyed with IF for the last few months, not really to lose weight at first but more to get appetite under control as I could eat and eat and eat without any fullness.
Well I agree, IF is amazing. I can now easily go till noon without anything but water and that's from 4PM day before sometimes. I can easily so 16-20 hours no food. And my work has been the best it's ever been! I have been much more focused!
I intend to IF and calorie count from 11th November till I reach my goal weight!16 -
FinallyLosingIt93 wrote: »I have toyed with IF for the last few months, not really to lose weight at first but more to get appetite under control as I could eat and eat and eat without any fullness.
Well I agree, IF is amazing. I can now easily go till noon without anything but water and that's from 4PM day before sometimes. I can easily so 16-20 hours no food. And my work has been the best it's ever been! I have been much more focused!
I intend to IF and calorie count from 11th November till I reach my goal weight!
Excellent! IF is really a game changer. It's improved my life by 100%. I have so much energy and enthusiasm that my younger friends and family members have a hard time keeping up with me... lol10 -
I may get back into IF/Time Restricted Eating - I did it for a few months. I never got the euphoric feeling but I also felt a little less sluggish. That was nice.7
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Barb, how long did it take you to release 60 pounds and what IF protocol did you use? Thank you.4
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IF is fascinating but I am a runner that tries to get out there at least 3-5 times a week. With the calories burned while running and on my rest days I normally do either recovery runs or strength training so still have active calories being burned on those rest days. In a two week period, where I am tapering down to a race my calories per day average 2200, on a normal two week period of training I am burning upwards of 2500-3000 calories a day.
Now I eat a whole foods, plant based diet, and trying to shovel 2500+ calories of healthy food down your throat in an eight hour period is uncomfortable to say the least. Plus, since I run most of my runs in the morning, after an 8 hour sleep period, this would mean I was having to run fasted. Which more and more science is coming out that it is better to not be fasting when you run. So I had to give it up because to those two main reasons. Even so, I have managed to lose over 100 pounds, drop my cholesterol down to normal and better levels, and kept from having to take meds for pre-diabetes, which would have been full blown by now had I now taken control of my body. My reason for using MyFitnessPal is to insure I eat enough calories daily, a 360 degree shift from when I started and was looking for those deficit calories.
So if you can make IF work for you, go for it, but if you get into working out regularly, it may become a challenge to keep it up, depending on your eating habits.22 -
Barb, how long did it take you to release 60 pounds and what IF protocol did you use? Thank you.
It took me 18 months. That sounds slow but the weight has stayed off, and I've been eating a regular diet of good whole foods with occasional splurges during my eating window. I'm not very hungry throughout the day. I eat once around 5 PM but sometimes have a bedtime snack (some protein or cottage cheese) if I get the "late night snacking crazies".8 -
aCountryVegan wrote: »IF is fascinating but I am a runner that tries to get out there at least 3-5 times a week. With the calories burned while running and on my rest days I normally do either recovery runs or strength training so still have active calories being burned on those rest days. In a two week period, where I am tapering down to a race my calories per day average 2200, on a normal two week period of training I am burning upwards of 2500-3000 calories a day.
Now I eat a whole foods, plant based diet, and trying to shovel 2500+ calories of healthy food down your throat in an eight hour period is uncomfortable to say the least. Plus, since I run most of my runs in the morning, after an 8 hour sleep period, this would mean I was having to run fasted. Which more and more science is coming out that it is better to not be fasting when you run. So I had to give it up because to those two main reasons. Even so, I have managed to lose over 100 pounds, drop my cholesterol down to normal and better levels, and kept from having to take meds for pre-diabetes, which would have been full blown by now had I now taken control of my body. My reason for using MyFitnessPal is to insure I eat enough calories daily, a 360 degree shift from when I started and was looking for those deficit calories.
So if you can make IF work for you, go for it, but if you get into working out regularly, it may become a challenge to keep it up, depending on your eating habits.
You're doing great!!! I'm 76 years old and do well to walk. 2 years ago I was bedbound and could hardly make it to the bathroom. Had severe back pain, a torn meniscus and was depressed. All that has changed now due to IF.21 -
I've been doing 5:2 IM for over 9 years. It has dramatically changed my life. I lost 30 pounds over the course of 6 months and I've kept it off. MFP is a big help too. It allows me to keep track of my calorie and sugar intake. 5:2 involves 2 days a week where I eat only one meal consisting of 500 to 600 calories. The rest of the week I use MFP to count my calories, keeping it to about 1600 a day. Weekends are for doing whatever I want, but my first fast of the week is usually Sunday, so it's not a huge window of relaxed eating, but it's enough. IM has helped me to develop a healthy relationship with food. I've lowered my cholesterol, my blood sugar and my blood pressure. All are in a healthy range now.14
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IF has helped me to lose weight, stop the cravings and be able to go for long periods without food. But I have to admit I do use the bone broth by Dr. Kellyann that has 17 g of protein and is fabulous for intermittent fasting. I also do longer fast which my body seems to need since I have a thyroid issue. Just when Covid started I broke my right foot couldn’t drive or move and put on a Covid layer along with so many others totaling 28 pounds. I have now lost 28 pounds down to my normal adult fat left and I am planning to lose these 20 pounds.7
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I've been doing 5:2 IM for over 9 years. It has dramatically changed my life. I lost 30 pounds over the course of 6 months and I've kept it off. MFP is a big help too. It allows me to keep track of my calorie and sugar intake. 5:2 involves 2 days a week where I eat only one meal consisting of 500 to 600 calories. The rest of the week I use MFP to count my calories, keeping it to about 1600 a day. Weekends are for doing whatever I want, but my first fast of the week is usually Sunday, so it's not a huge window of relaxed eating, but it's enough. IM has helped me to develop a healthy relationship with food. I've lowered my cholesterol, my blood sugar and my blood pressure. All are in a healthy range now.
That's what I'm talking about. I had given up on EVER dieting again and had resigned myself to being "morbidly obese" for the rest of my life even though I saw my health declining rapidly. Somehow, I discovered IF and it's worked miracles for me. Like you said, I've been able to keep the weight off and that's something I could never do when I followed calorie restricting diets.
Congratulations on your weight loss and improved health!7 -
IF has helped me to lose weight, stop the cravings and be able to go for long periods without food. But I have to admit I do use the bone broth by Dr. Kellyann that has 17 g of protein and is fabulous for intermittent fasting. I also do longer fast which my body seems to need since I have a thyroid issue. Just when Covid started I broke my right foot couldn’t drive or move and put on a Covid layer along with so many others totaling 28 pounds. I have now lost 28 pounds down to my normal adult fat left and I am planning to lose these 20 pounds.
Excellent! You must be so proud of yourself! I find it amazing how long I can go without food. Sometimes I think about food but it's more in the context of a passing thought... like maybe I'm bored and looking for something to do. Not real hunger. My night time cravings are getting under control too but still something I'm working on.3 -
IF has helped me to lose weight, stop the cravings and be able to go for long periods without food. But I have to admit I do use the bone broth by Dr. Kellyann that has 17 g of protein and is fabulous for intermittent fasting. I also do longer fast which my body seems to need since I have a thyroid issue. Just when Covid started I broke my right foot couldn’t drive or move and put on a Covid layer along with so many others totaling 28 pounds. I have now lost 28 pounds down to my normal adult fat left and I am planning to lose these 20 pounds.
Question: can you drink the bone broth during your fasting window?1 -
i just naturally go a long time before eating, I eat dinner at 5pm and dont eat at night and eat next morning around 8 a.m.3
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I’ve just started IF this week. Also doing 1600 cal. I’ve found that I have no problem doing 14-16 hours.
I usually eat dinner/snacks till 9pm then will eat my first meal at 2-3pm the next day. Previously I would eat a 5-600 cal for breakfast then skip lunch and then go hypoglycemic (sometimes getting diaphoretic) at around 2:00 and then eat everything in sight.
So far I’ve really liked how steady by blood sugar has maintained during the IF.5 -
I have an autoimmune disorder and follow the AIP Protokoll * which does wonders for me. My inflammation markers are down, and my pain and the night sweat disappeared.
I started IF because I was curious, I expected that I would feel better. Nothing prepared me for the hunger feeling, which is not bad, but it took some getting used to.
I stop eating at 2 pm and have my next meal at 8 am the following day.
I have breakfast at 8 am
Small lunch at 11 am
Last meal at 2 pm
I eat between 1200 - 1600 calories a day.
I have lost 58 pounds in a year. I am aiming for the 100-pound loss this year.
I am 59 years old and feel great.
*AIP AutoImmuneProtokoll (no gluten-no sugar-no legumes-no eggs-no caffeine-no alcohol-no dairy-no nightshades-no nuts/seeds)10 -
I’ve just started IF this week. Also doing 1600 cal. I’ve found that I have no problem doing 14-16 hours.
I usually eat dinner/snacks till 9pm then will eat my first meal at 2-3pm the next day. Previously I would eat a 5-600 cal for breakfast then skip lunch and then go hypoglycemic (sometimes getting diaphoretic) at around 2:00 and then eat everything in sight.
So far I’ve really liked how steady by blood sugar has maintained during the IF.
GOOD FOR YOU! I find it very easy to follow the principles of IF. I usually give my digestive system a 16 hour rest before eating again and eat protein and low carb whole foods when I do. I'm a completely different person than before I started. The biggest thing is the energy I have now. At 76 I can work circles around my much younger sister (14 years younger), and she can't imagine how I can do it. BTW, 2 years ago I was bedridden with back pain and have absolutely none now.4 -
The_Fat_Optimist wrote: »I have an autoimmune disorder and follow the AIP Protokoll * which does wonders for me. My inflammation markers are down, and my pain and the night sweat disappeared.
I started IF because I was curious, I expected that I would feel better. Nothing prepared me for the hunger feeling, which is not bad, but it took some getting used to.
I stop eating at 2 pm and have my next meal at 8 am the following day.
I have breakfast at 8 am
Small lunch at 11 am
Last meal at 2 pm
I eat between 1200 - 1600 calories a day.
I have lost 58 pounds in a year. I am aiming for the 100-pound loss this year.
I am 59 years old and feel great.
*AIP AutoImmuneProtokoll (no gluten-no sugar-no legumes-no eggs-no caffeine-no alcohol-no dairy-no nightshades-no nuts/seeds)
I'm impressed! You're doing great! As far as hunger, I feel hunger too but it passes after 10-15 minutes and isn't really that bad. I just tell myself then that it's my body signaling me that it's burning up fat and that helps me tolerate it better. I'm going slower than you... 60 pounds in 22 months but I'm content with that. I'm only aiming for another 30 this year and know that's a reasonable goal. Not going to set myself up for failure! My ultimate goal is to lose 100... so we're talking 40.... I won't be too thin then either... I'll be 170 but at my age (76) and 5'7", I think that's a good weight. Old people look sickly if they're too skinny... lol6 -
I just started a few days ago, 16:8 anyways. So far so good.6
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@BarbMessimer,
’Old people look sickly if they're too skinny... lol’
I hope you just misspoke here as this is not an absolute, more your opinion.
Achieving a 100 lbs final weight loss and a BMI of ~27 is great for you, it really is.
However, it would mean I would have to gain 40 lbs to have that same BMI. Something I am not planning on doing over the next 6 years (our age difference).
I maintain a BMI of 19 and have for the past 13 years, I feel I am well proportioned and reasonably muscled for my age, not too skinny or sickly looking, to me. Others are allowed their opinion.Me at 65 left and last birthday right, next birthday will be my 70th. (The dress is know as my birthday dress, hence the repeat of it)
A person’s weight is predicated on their comfort level in conjunction with dr consultation, calorie needs
(some find that weight has to be adjusted up so calorie compliance is easier to manage), and preferred image.
Just wanted to clarify this as not all older people need to aim for the ‘overweight’ (you) category, or the bottom of the ‘normal’ (me) category. It is a personal (caveats above) choice.
Cheers, h.11 -
We have gradually moved to a 16:8 IF naturally over the last 90 days. It fits our life, our long sleep schedules, etc. We did a LOT of reading, watching, research and we’re compelled to do a beginners 49 hour fast last week. Not for weight loss but other health related benefits. WOW! Felt fabulous in and now after the fast. We were doing butter coffee and coconut oil tea with soy sauce and the water with lemon or apple cider vinegar. So I guess that is called a dirty fast? I’m anxious to try the 72 hour fast for the immune system reset, stem cell therapy, full autophagy effects. I have also done a 48 hour protein sparing modified fast (~800 calories/day of lean protein and veg only with water). Actually felt better on a full fast. We are discussing doing a 24 hour once per week.
I recommend everyone consult their medical team, do the research IN DEPTH, be smart. There is some incredible scientific findings (particularly with cancer and cancer treatments) that are very exciting but fasting can be dangerous and can lead to damage and death. That said, there is very little risk of death for a healthy adult from a 16 hour period each day that is not for feeding.
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I started about 3 weeks ago and I’m doing the 18:6. I have even stopped having 5 to 6 diet sodas a day. Just all that water and fasting. Now I may have 2-3 a week. In two weeks I’ve lost 5.6 pounds. Don’t give up. I get hungry about 30-40 minutes before break. After I eatits_go_time wrote: »I just started a few days ago, 16:8 anyways. So far so good.
I’m full and finding it hard to even get my calories in! I’m not even tempted to overeat or break my fast at night. I try to stop eating by 7 pm.
5 -
I echo what everyone else has been saying. IF is so powerful -- and so easy once you have it established. Over the last year or so we've naturally moved from 14-hr fasting windows to 16 and, in the last few weeks, 18. Earlier this month I did my first 72-hr fast. When the time was up, I was not hungry, so I extended to the next day -- about 90 hours. I was expecting it to be challenging, and it really wasn't. I have done a lot of research into IF and recommend others do the same. That knowledge helped to motivate me at the beginning, when time restricted earing did not come naturally.6
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its_go_time wrote: »I just started a few days ago, 16:8 anyways. So far so good.
FANTASTIC!!!!1 -
middlehaitch wrote: »@BarbMessimer,
’Old people look sickly if they're too skinny... lol’
I hope you just misspoke here as this is not an absolute, more your opinion.
Achieving a 100 lbs final weight loss and a BMI of ~27 is great for you, it really is.
However, it would mean I would have to gain 40 lbs to have that same BMI. Something I am not planning on doing over the next 6 years (our age difference).
I maintain a BMI of 19 and have for the past 13 years, I feel I am well proportioned and reasonably muscled for my age, not too skinny or sickly looking, to me. Others are allowed their opinion.Me at 65 left and last birthday right, next birthday will be my 70th. (The dress is know as my birthday dress, hence the repeat of it)
A person’s weight is predicated on their comfort level in conjunction with dr consultation, calorie needs
(some find that weight has to be adjusted up so calorie compliance is easier to manage), and preferred image.
Just wanted to clarify this as not all older people need to aim for the ‘overweight’ (you) category, or the bottom of the ‘normal’ (me) category. It is a personal (caveats above) choice.
Cheers, h.
Oh my.... Yes. It was just my opinion based on over 50 years practicing as a Registered Nurse, the last 15 spent as a Case Manager in Disease Management. The ones who were ultra-thin were usually that way because they were sick and had reached a point where they weren't eating. Family members brought them in with their walkers and wheelchairs, and when I say elderly, I'm talking more like 80's and 90's which is far from your age. I'm sorry if I offended you.5 -
DebbsSeattle wrote: »We have gradually moved to a 16:8 IF naturally over the last 90 days. It fits our life, our long sleep schedules, etc. We did a LOT of reading, watching, research and we’re compelled to do a beginners 49 hour fast last week. Not for weight loss but other health related benefits. WOW! Felt fabulous in and now after the fast. We were doing butter coffee and coconut oil tea with soy sauce and the water with lemon or apple cider vinegar. So I guess that is called a dirty fast? I’m anxious to try the 72 hour fast for the immune system reset, stem cell therapy, full autophagy effects. I have also done a 48 hour protein sparing modified fast (~800 calories/day of lean protein and veg only with water). Actually felt better on a full fast. We are discussing doing a 24 hour once per week.
I recommend everyone consult their medical team, do the research IN DEPTH, be smart. There is some incredible scientific findings (particularly with cancer and cancer treatments) that are very exciting but fasting can be dangerous and can lead to damage and death. That said, there is very little risk of death for a healthy adult from a 16 hour period each day that is not for feeding.
You're doing great! I tried a 72 hour fast once and got so sick so I don't even attempt anything over 24 hours now, but you're right. The health benefits are amazing. Keep up the good work!0 -
BarbMessimer wrote: »middlehaitch wrote: »@BarbMessimer,
’Old people look sickly if they're too skinny... lol’
I hope you just misspoke here as this is not an absolute, more your opinion.
Achieving a 100 lbs final weight loss and a BMI of ~27 is great for you, it really is.
However, it would mean I would have to gain 40 lbs to have that same BMI. Something I am not planning on doing over the next 6 years (our age difference).
I maintain a BMI of 19 and have for the past 13 years, I feel I am well proportioned and reasonably muscled for my age, not too skinny or sickly looking, to me. Others are allowed their opinion.Me at 65 left and last birthday right, next birthday will be my 70th. (The dress is know as my birthday dress, hence the repeat of it)
A person’s weight is predicated on their comfort level in conjunction with dr consultation, calorie needs
(some find that weight has to be adjusted up so calorie compliance is easier to manage), and preferred image.
Just wanted to clarify this as not all older people need to aim for the ‘overweight’ (you) category, or the bottom of the ‘normal’ (me) category. It is a personal (caveats above) choice.
Cheers, h.
Oh my.... Yes. It was just my opinion based on over 50 years practicing as a Registered Nurse, the last 15 spent as a Case Manager in Disease Management. The ones who were ultra-thin were usually that way because they were sick and had reached a point where they weren't eating. Family members brought them in with their walkers and wheelchairs, and when I say elderly, I'm talking more like 80's and 90's which is far from your age. I'm sorry if I offended you.
I can see why you might feel that way, based on that experience! Yikes. It can be quite shocking, that stage.
I suspect the seniors who are athletically active spend less time visiting doctor's offices, let alone needing case managers, so I appreciate that you identified the relevant background. That's helpful - one more pointer in a positive direction.
The 70 and 80-something rowers, runners, and gym-goers I know are pretty thin, generally, but they seem to spend less time with doctors/hospitals/meds than my obese/overweight inactive friends my age (67) or even quite a bit younger. (I admit, I've only known a couple very active people who were over 90, but that age is pretty rare in general.)
Honestly, noticing that difference was part of what triggered me to reach a healthy weight at 60. I was starting to have a gut feel (pun intended) for where being obese was leading me, even though I was already athletically active. Active and at a healthy weight seems like the best bet for long-term good health, to me.
As I've said elsewhere, kudos to you (and others who've posted here) for finding a route in that healthier direction, even though your eating choices are very different from mine.1 -
its_go_time wrote: »I just started a few days ago, 16:8 anyways. So far so good.
FANTASTIC!!!!0 -
Great stuff! Do you notice any changes to you so far with the 16:8 and your other fasting?0
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I'm 70 and have dealt with my weight since birth it seems at least to me. I have tried every diet that shows promise. Some I had really good results then I'd gain it back plus. Even when I was working and active, dieting was hard. I was a business owner the past 30 years prior to retirement. The last 5-6 years were extremely stressful, and I turned to alcohol to help me forget or at least enable me to sleep at least for 4-5 hours. Now retired and have lost that stress I still have a few cocktails each day. I know that first of all the weight I've put on in the last couple of years probably points to that fact as alcohol also increases your appetite as you all know.
I have been drawn to IF as it's something that doesn't require pills, major restrictions on food and I can go without eating for an extended period. I am now walking 30 minutes each morning after my first coffee. Also, started a workout routine using resistance bans etc. Then eat at 9 or so. Evening meal ends around 6 pm. So, at this point I'm doing 15-9 with at least a 14-10.
I hope to expand this to 16-8 soon. I've lost about 10 lbs. since the first of the year and I am reducing my alcohol intake yet probably won't completely not have a cocktail with my wife or friends once and a while. I also use MFP to monitor my intake and try to reduce my carbs not necessarily keto but watch foods that contain a lot of carbs. I still have to work on more protein but all comes with time.
I encourage by all you that have had success with IF. Please continue to share your journey3 -
I never thought fasting was healthy and refused to try it until this past fall when I'd finally admitted nothing I was trying was working for me. I finally gave IF a try and I'm hooked. I'm the kind of person who can eat from the time I get up until I go to bed and being able to fast for 14 hours has helped my health journey so much. I still can't fall asleep with an empty stomach though so fasting for longer than that hasn't worked for me. My lunch break is at noon and that's when I stop my fast. I'd like to start my fast before 10 pm but so far I have not made it due to that empty feeling in my stomach and not being able to fall asleep.2
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