How Long Before You Started Seeing Results from Intermittent Fasting
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Anonymous
| I know there have been threads on IF, but I didn't see anything in my searches that answer this question: How long before you start to see results on the scale? I just turned 46, am 5'8", and weigh 172 pounds. I could easily stand to lose at least 15 pounds, if not 20. I've been doing IF for the last three weeks and I feel great. It works very well for me in terms of being able to stick to it. I've tried WW, keto, etc. in the past, and none of them worked for me. I can't count points or calories, and having to cut entire food groups out of my diet isn't realistic for me. Anyway... I've been fasting until about noon each day, and not eating after 7:30 pm, and eating pretty clean (not perfectly clean, but definitely better than before I started IF). I know three weeks isn't a very long time but I haven't seen the scale move at.all. I feel better and less bloated, which is awesome. But it would be so nice to see that number go down, you know? Any advice from people who have done this before in terms of how long it takes to see a real change? Thanks in advance! |
Anonymous
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IF may help if you have insulin resistance, or it may not. Not everyone has insulin resistance.
If you feel better when you skip breakfast and bedtime snacks, that's good. The way to lose weight is to eat less food when you eat meals. |
Anonymous
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OP, I have been doing IF for about 4 weeks, which I started 4 weeks after reducing carbs and cutting calories in my diet. I have lost 10 pounds, but can't swear if it is due to combine of diet and IF or just the former. (I've also been working out 4-6x/week and that may also be a factor.)
I am pretty strict about the IF, but will make exceptions, e.g., I had a breakfast meeting this AM, so had eggs and salmon rather just a glass of water. If an IF day, I would not eat until after 1 PM. I've also limited, but not eliminated, carbs and processed sugar. I cook dinner for a family of four 4-5X/week and I am not making them follow my diet - but I construct meals with protein, veggies, and salads, and then I eat just a bit of the pasta or rice in the meal. Finally, I have cut my calorie intake and only snack on almonds between meals. Cutting calories is key, even if a drag. Ideally I will lose another 5-7 (vanity) pounds, but may only knock out two to four more. Good luck! |
Anonymous
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IF isn't magic. If you're eating less calories, your weight should decrease (whether that's just fat or water/fat/muscle is another question).
If the scale hasn't moved, you're most likely eating at maintenance, not in a deficit. |
Anonymous
| My wife and I have been doing IF for over 5 years not with great success. I would highly recommend reading Brad Pilon's E-book called Eat Stop Eat. It's a short read and really breaks down the science behind it. It also helps reverse the brain washing we get in this country about opposition to fasting. My wife dropped 55 pounds in 5 months doing IF and NOT working out. I'm a male, so I know no one is impressed with me losing weight, but I did drop 25 pounds when I started FWIW. I know 16:8 is really popular, but we do 2 fasts a week that range between 24 to 30 hours on non-consecutive days. If you read the scientific research in Brad's book behind why the longer fast is better than daily 16:8 it will all make sense. We continue to do IF weekly to this day for just weight regulation; in fact I'm fasting right now. It's so nice because it completely eliminates our need for counting calories and other food tracking burdens. Right now I'm 37, and I can still wear the same 34 inch waist pants that fit me in college. If you need any encouragement or other advice feel free to ask me. |
Anonymous
PP here. I meant "5 years now" |
Anonymous
| I don't lose weight when I do the version of IF you are doing - for me that is just normal maintenance. I do lose weight when I do 2 days a week of eating 500 calories per day, and then the other 5 days a week sticking to 1500 calories per day. But it takes a lot to make me lose weight - your body may be more forgiving. But I would try doing two days a week where you restrict calories and see if that helps. |
Anonymous
How much muscle do you have though? |
Anonymous
| I agree with PP. You should give 2 days a week a try. I think women are supposed to eat 400 or 500 calories those "fasting" days. It will also shrink your appetite on non-fasting days. |
Anonymous
What do you eat on the 500 calorie days? |
Anonymous
| I’ve done pretty much exactly what you are doing since the end of January. I’m down only four pounds. So 1/4 lb or less per week. |
Anonymous
I have a decent amount. Once I figure out how to send or upload a picture, I will show you. |
Anonymous
It’s been painfully slow for me too. I’ve been doing it since mid-March and only lost 4lbs. I’ve added more exercise and am now watching calories as well. It’s not the cure all it’s promoted to be - but then again what diet is? |
Anonymous
Interesting. I was thinking about adding in a longer fast, maybe only 6 hour eating window two days a week. I've read some research on fasting and a woman's cycle so I was not interested in messing that up! To answer the OP, I've been doing 16:8 for 7 months and in one month my clothes were looser and I could tell a difference. Now going into summer, my shorts are looser than last year and I probably could buy a smaller size. But, I have also really upped my weight training and workouts during this time so I'm seeing more muscle and my actual scale weight has gone UP because of that. But, I don't trust the scale and prefer to stay off of it. 
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Anonymous
I think you're making the right call, PP. |