topic Re: Intermittent Fasting in Wellness

Intermittent Fasting

katie1859 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:09:25 GMT

I started fasting about a year now. Roughly 14 hours. I don't eat after 6 pm and I eat breakfast around 9 am. I've never been one to want food early but I do drink water upon waking up. I began fasting not to lose weight but I like the thoughts of giving your body time to flush and eliminate.
Wondering if anyone else has experienced or practiced fasting.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

J Town Girl — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:25:36 GMT

My husband and I started intermittent fasting over a year ago. We do not eat after 6:00 PM and usually eat breakfast around 8:30 or so.

I didn't really have to lose weight but my husband wanted to lose some pounds. The weight loss has worked for both of us. I've lost about 5 pounds which I was happy about but my husband lost almost 15 pounds. He really wanted to get his weight down since he's retired now and isn't as active as he was when he was working.

We started out fasting with the same idea as you had. We wanted to allow our bodies to rest during the night and not have to work to eliminate the additional calories that people often take in by snacking in the evenings.

Both of us feel so much better now and wake up with more energy in the mornings. To be honest I wasn't really excited about this when my husband suggested it but I thought I'd give it a try. It has worked so well and neither of us miss eating in the evenings.

I believe intermittent fasting will be the way we will continue from now on.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

Janey2 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 02:25:10 GMT

I stop eating by 8pm and do not usually eat until noon the next day. Just the way I function. To tell you the truth I feel better not eating earlier.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 03:12:01 GMT

I've been practicing IF for about 2-3 yrs. It's really good for you. I began on a 12:12 and increased it to a16:8 schedule and did that for a long time but now I'm at a 20:4 or a 22:2 most days. Once in awhile I'll break it early but not much. We prefer to eat our big meal at noon rather than going to bed still feeling full. I'll have coffee in the mornjng but don't use anything in it that would break my fast, such as creamer, sugar, collagen powder, etc.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

ID2 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 10:39:22 GMT

Now there is a name for not eating from dinner to breakfast??

Re: Intermittent Fasting

CalminHeart — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 11:48:36 GMT

@Janey2 wrote:
I stop eating by 8pm and do not usually eat until noon the next day. Just the way I function. To tell you the truth I feel better not eating earlier.

I've been doing the same for many years too.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

Karie2022 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 11:59:01 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I've been practicing IF for about 2-3 yrs. It's really good for you. I began on a 12:12 and increased it to a16:8 schedule and did that for a long time but now I'm at a 20:4 or a 22:2 most days. Once in awhile I'll break it early but not much. We prefer to eat our big meal at noon rather than going to bed still feeling full. I'll have coffee in the mornjng but don't use anything in it that would break my fast, such as creamer, sugar, collagen powder, etc.

Wow....so you only eat 2 hours most days? How do you keep yourself from feeling hungry?

Re: Intermittent Fasting

beckyb1012 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:00:59 GMT

@Karie2022 wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I've been practicing IF for about 2-3 yrs. It's really good for you. I began on a 12:12 and increased it to a16:8 schedule and did that for a long time but now I'm at a 20:4 or a 22:2 most days. Once in awhile I'll break it early but not much. We prefer to eat our big meal at noon rather than going to bed still feeling full. I'll have coffee in the mornjng but don't use anything in it that would break my fast, such as creamer, sugar, collagen powder, etc.
Wow....so you only eat 2 hours most days? How do you keep yourself from feeling hungry?

Your body adjusts to it. I have been doing dinner only since my teens and I am 61. If it is a holiday for lunch like Thanksgiving I make adjustments and skip dinner. OMAD is pretty simple and I love ice cold water.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

bikerbabe — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:10:14 GMT

There’s no way that I could eat enough calories in a two hour window: at least not enough calories at a healthy level.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 19:42:48 GMT

@Karie2022 wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I've been practicing IF for about 2-3 yrs. It's really good for you. I began on a 12:12 and increased it to a16:8 schedule and did that for a long time but now I'm at a 20:4 or a 22:2 most days. Once in awhile I'll break it early but not much. We prefer to eat our big meal at noon rather than going to bed still feeling full. I'll have coffee in the mornjng but don't use anything in it that would break my fast, such as creamer, sugar, collagen powder, etc.
Wow....so you only eat 2 hours most days? How do you keep yourself from feeling hungry?

@Karie2022 When a person eats carbs, it sets the body up to crave carbs. There are also certain food additives that trigger the body to crave more food. Repeatedly eating throughout the day triggers an insulin response each time and eventually insulin resistance occurs. I follow a ketogenic way of eating. That's mean very low carbs, moderate protein, and higher healthy fats - no sugar (in any form), no grains or starchy vegetables, limited amounts of only approved fruits. In the morning, I'll have 2-3 mugs of coffee, to start the day. I add a Tablespoon of MCT oil to one of those mugs. It's a flavorless healthy oil which has a lot of benefits. It also bypasses the usual digestive process so it doesn't break a fast. I break my fast at lunchtime. We are seniors and DH still works from home so I cook a dinner type meal at lunch time that I cook, using approved quality ingredients. I use a food tracking app. If my meal on a particular day meets my macro requirements for that day, I'll only eat the one meal. If there's room to play, I'll have an approved snack toward the end if my eating window. In the afternoon and evening I usually have something to drink. - decaf coffee, tea, water. By easing into my IF schedule and eating the way I do, my hunger is satiated and my body has been conditioned to never feel famished. Of course, a person can follow IF without following keto, but this has worked for me.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:25:48 GMT

@bikerbabe wrote:
There’s no way that I could eat enough calories in a two hour window: at least not enough calories at a healthy level.

You might be surprised. When eating within a smaller window or doing OMAD (One Meal A Day) I believe one is more focused on meeting nutritional needs. For me, I plan in advance and eat accordingly.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

bikerbabe — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 14:40:37 GMT

No, for me that would not work. I know my body and its history.

I’m not convinced it’s a good plan for everyone. I also don’t believe in keto so that also makes a difference in my eating patterns.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

JeanLouiseFinch — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:05:21 GMT

@bikerbabe wrote:
No, for me that would not work. I know my body and its history.

I’m not convinced it’s a good plan for everyone. I also don’t believe in keto so that also makes a difference in my eating patterns.

Keto and IF do not automatically go hand in hand. Lots of people do one but not the other. Doing both together enhances the benefits of each,

Re: Intermittent Fasting

Icegoddess — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 15:59:21 GMT

I don't consider what I do IF, but I generally eat around 8 pm and eat breakfast around 10 am or so, so I guess that's around 15 hours. I prefer my larger meal to be lunch since I don't like to go to bed full, but I do cook dinner once a week. I don't cook big dinners though. Tonight, I'm defrosting some leftover spaghetti sause and will put that over some raviolis I have in the freezer. One serving each and no leftovers.

I wouldn't consider it a weight loss plan as I don't see it affecting my weight one way or the other, but I do think it helps me maintain my weight. I also don't follow any diet plan except the everything in moderation one.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

bikerbabe — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:26:50 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch

Yes, I know they are not always together. If it I has worked well for you, then I’m glad.

I do know it doesn’t work for me.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

kate2357 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 16:38:44 GMT

I use IF as a way of maintaining my weight. I have been mostly eating this way for years...didn't know it was called IF until the past couple of years. For me, it's just about keeping total calorie intake low enough not to gain weight.

Recently I took in too many calories and have gained a few pounds. I am back to being more moderate with my calories until I lose these few pounds.

I don't think there is any ONE way to lose weight. People have to find what works for their body. For my body, I have to watch calories AND stay very active.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

Karie2022 — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 17:27:18 GMT

@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
@Karie2022 wrote:
@JeanLouiseFinch wrote:
I've been practicing IF for about 2-3 yrs. It's really good for you. I began on a 12:12 and increased it to a16:8 schedule and did that for a long time but now I'm at a 20:4 or a 22:2 most days. Once in awhile I'll break it early but not much. We prefer to eat our big meal at noon rather than going to bed still feeling full. I'll have coffee in the mornjng but don't use anything in it that would break my fast, such as creamer, sugar, collagen powder, etc.
Wow....so you only eat 2 hours most days? How do you keep yourself from feeling hungry?

@Karie2022 When a person eats carbs, it sets the body up to crave carbs. There are also certain food additives that trigger the body to crave more food. Repeatedly eating throughout the day triggers an insulin response each time and eventually insulin resistance occurs. I follow a ketogenic way of eating. That's mean very low carbs, moderate protein, and higher healthy fats - no sugar (in any form), no grains or starchy vegetables, limited amounts of only approved fruits. In the morning, I'll have 2-3 mugs of coffee, to start the day. I add a Tablespoon of MCT oil to one of those mugs. It's a flavorless healthy oil which has a lot of benefits. It also bypasses the usual digestive process so it doesn't break a fast. I break my fast at lunchtime. We are seniors and DH still works from home so I cook a dinner type meal at lunch time that I cook, using approved quality ingredients. I use a food tracking app. If my meal on a particular day meets my macro requirements for that day, I'll only eat the one meal. If there's room to play, I'll have an approved snack toward the end if my eating window. In the afternoon and evening I usually have something to drink. - decaf coffee, tea, water. By easing into my IF schedule and eating the way I do, my hunger is satiated and my body has been conditioned to never reel famished. Of course, a person can follow IF without following keto, but this has worked for me.

Thank you so much for all that info, so interesting...yes, I totally agree- the more 'bad' carbs we eat, the more we will crave, and it creates this vicious cycle🙄

Re: Intermittent Fasting

Shelbelle — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 20:30:47 GMT

I have been doing this for little over a year, I love it and have lost 33 pounds. I dont eat or drink except maybe a few sips Diet soda, from 8 PM to 1 PM next day, and no snacking in between meals, exercise daily and eat mostly healthy, it has paid off, and I find it very easy to do.

Re: Intermittent Fasting

phoenixbrd — Tue, 19 Sep 2023 22:43:15 GMT

@kate2357 Same...I've been IFing before it had a designated name. Also, I don't follow a keto lifestyle. We are healthy and at peace with the way we live...each of us has our own journey. I do use chronometer and aware of macros and micros. No matter what your path, caloric intake is a consideration. Wishing you the best...sounds as if you'll be down a few pounds soon!