Advice/questions about Intermittent Fasting

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just started a 16/8 IF schedule a few days ago. I've already lost a pound, which is great, although probably has to do with ditching my post kid's bedtime glass of wine than anything else! I had a baby 10 weeks ago and had gained about 5 pounds after losing all the weight in three weeks.

I currently weigh about 204. I am looking for a manageable change I can make that will essentially be semi permanent. I would like it if I could eventually be in the 180s or even, a pipe dream, the 170s but I am happy with my body and my life so this is more about health than self worth or confidence. I also really don't care if I lose the weight over the course of six months or six years. If possible, please just bypass this thread if you want to tell me how obese and unhealthy I am!

Anyway, I seem to be doing pretty well. The only part that is at all hard is wanting coffee before 11am (when I break the fast) but I can't drink it black.

My main question is if it has to be 7 days a week. I feel like overall this is totally manageable. But I am missing the occasional glass of wine with the bachelor or whatever and want to go on dates with my husband and am wondering if doing this 5 days a week is enough to see results. And like I said, I'm not in any rush, just want to ensure that I'm a few pounds lighter post baby than heavier.

I am active, I jog and go to yoga classes if that makes a difference.

I’ve been doing IF for over a year and very active but also prediabetic.

You can do it less days a week - it just goes much slower. Some people don’t lose a lot of weight on this method to begin with so less days may reAlly slow it down. Would not drop below 12 hour fasts, ideally not below 14 as maybe harder getting back to the 16 but you will find your rhythm. Obesity code indicates very small amount of cream in coffee is ok. Would consult the book

. I find some days with certain schedules are easier to fast longer. I aim for a longer fasts those days and am kind to myself on days where I know I can’t do that.

If you pre-diabetic or predisposed to diabetes, fasting helps your sugars and you may feel better on this as you get used to it - more than someone without those genetics. For me that’s the motivation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I just started a 16/8 IF schedule a few days ago. I've already lost a pound, which is great, although probably has to do with ditching my post kid's bedtime glass of wine than anything else! I had a baby 10 weeks ago and had gained about 5 pounds after losing all the weight in three weeks.

I currently weigh about 204. I am looking for a manageable change I can make that will essentially be semi permanent. I would like it if I could eventually be in the 180s or even, a pipe dream, the 170s but I am happy with my body and my life so this is more about health than self worth or confidence. I also really don't care if I lose the weight over the course of six months or six years. If possible, please just bypass this thread if you want to tell me how obese and unhealthy I am!

Anyway, I seem to be doing pretty well. The only part that is at all hard is wanting coffee before 11am (when I break the fast) but I can't drink it black.

My main question is if it has to be 7 days a week. I feel like overall this is totally manageable. But I am missing the occasional glass of wine with the bachelor or whatever and want to go on dates with my husband and am wondering if doing this 5 days a week is enough to see results. And like I said, I'm not in any rush, just want to ensure that I'm a few pounds lighter post baby than heavier.

I am active, I jog and go to yoga classes if that makes a difference.

There's a current thread near the top of this forum with someone posting about a successful strategy who started exactly where you are now. Good luck.

Do you mean the woman who just got under 200? Shes amazing but with all due respect she started at 275 and has aspirations to get to 140/150. And she made pretty significant changes, because she was after very significant weight loss. So not the same goals or situation. Or is it another thread you could point me to?

No, I meant this one. Started at 204, lost 30.
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/857109.page

[Anonymous]

I do think this needs to be 7 days a week. If timing doesn’t work for you (ie you have a late dinner with friends) then shift the eating window so it does work (yes you might need to fast a few hours more than usual). so if you have a dinner at 9pm break the fast at 14 not 11. One of the reasons I like IF is because it gives you a lot of flexibility, especially 12:8 one.

[Anonymous]

If you want to not fast every day you could try 5:2 instead of a restricted eating window. I find it pretty easy - five days a week eat healthfully but normally, and 2 days a week eat just 500 calories. I lose weight steadily when I do this if I also keep my normal days free of sugar, flour, and potatoes. Otherwise I don't have to think about calories or limiting those days.

But...did you say your baby is 10 WEEKS? I commend you for taking care of your health, but your body is still figuring itself out. Be kind to yourself. I assume you are not breastfeeding, because IF is not for breastfeeding moms, at least not without medical clearance first.