Advice/questions about Intermittent Fasting

[Anonymous]

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.

[Anonymous]

Cream in coffee is fine. Personally I find that coffee, even with milk/cream suppresses my appetite.

Here's the thing with intermittent fasting. You lose weight doing it because you are eating fewer calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast and the nighttime snacking/wine you reduce calories. it works, especially the first half of the day because a lot of times you aren't hungry in the morning due to hormones and such.

But there is nothing magical about only eating in the 8 hr or 4 hr window. It is just a tool to control hunger and cut down calories. If you eat 1500 calories/day over the course of 8 hrs it is the same as eating them over the course of 12 or 14 hours. At the end of the day the calorie deficit you have created is the same. Now you can also gain weight doing IF. If you make up for those missed calories by eating more in your eating window then at the end of they day you have eaten too many calories, are in a calorie surplus and, thus, will gained weight.

Every diet out there is a tool to help control calories and create a calorie deficit. Some work better for people than others, but none of them are magic and there is no "you have to do X to lose weight." The only think you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. how you get there is up to you.

[Anonymous]

This again? It's posted like every 5 mins. Track your calories. You can have wine or dessert- TRACK YOUR CALORIES.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This again? It's posted like every 5 mins. Track your calories. You can have wine or dessert- TRACK YOUR CALORIES.

That doesn't work for me, makes me a little crazy, I'll see if there's natural reduction with this method.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Cream in coffee is fine. Personally I find that coffee, even with milk/cream suppresses my appetite.

Here's the thing with intermittent fasting. You lose weight doing it because you are eating fewer calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast and the nighttime snacking/wine you reduce calories. it works, especially the first half of the day because a lot of times you aren't hungry in the morning due to hormones and such.

But there is nothing magical about only eating in the 8 hr or 4 hr window. It is just a tool to control hunger and cut down calories. If you eat 1500 calories/day over the course of 8 hrs it is the same as eating them over the course of 12 or 14 hours. At the end of the day the calorie deficit you have created is the same. Now you can also gain weight doing IF. If you make up for those missed calories by eating more in your eating window then at the end of they day you have eaten too many calories, are in a calorie surplus and, thus, will gained weight.

Every diet out there is a tool to help control calories and create a calorie deficit. Some work better for people than others, but none of them are magic and there is no "you have to do X to lose weight." The only think you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. how you get there is up to you.

This is not correct. OP, read the Obesity Code. The time between meals boosts production of growth hormones, gives your insulin time to bottom out, and makes your body turn to fat stores. Eating the same calories spread into snacks every 3 hours will not provide any of these benefits.

Some people fast 5 days a week and take 2 off. Stick with it for now and see what works for you when you get closer to your goal weight.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This again? It's posted like every 5 mins. Track your calories. You can have wine or dessert- TRACK YOUR CALORIES.

That doesn't work for me, makes me a little crazy, I'll see if there's natural reduction with this method.

You don't need to count calories, but ALL calories count.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cream in coffee is fine. Personally I find that coffee, even with milk/cream suppresses my appetite.

Here's the thing with intermittent fasting. You lose weight doing it because you are eating fewer calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast and the nighttime snacking/wine you reduce calories. it works, especially the first half of the day because a lot of times you aren't hungry in the morning due to hormones and such.

But there is nothing magical about only eating in the 8 hr or 4 hr window. It is just a tool to control hunger and cut down calories. If you eat 1500 calories/day over the course of 8 hrs it is the same as eating them over the course of 12 or 14 hours. At the end of the day the calorie deficit you have created is the same. Now you can also gain weight doing IF. If you make up for those missed calories by eating more in your eating window then at the end of they day you have eaten too many calories, are in a calorie surplus and, thus, will gained weight.

Every diet out there is a tool to help control calories and create a calorie deficit. Some work better for people than others, but none of them are magic and there is no "you have to do X to lose weight." The only think you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. how you get there is up to you.

This is not correct. OP, read the Obesity Code. The time between meals boosts production of growth hormones, gives your insulin time to bottom out, and makes your body turn to fat stores. Eating the same calories spread into snacks every 3 hours will not provide any of these benefits.

Some people fast 5 days a week and take 2 off. Stick with it for now and see what works for you when you get closer to your goal weight.

wow then how have so many people been successful at losing weight through reducing calories?

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/intermittent-fasting/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cream in coffee is fine. Personally I find that coffee, even with milk/cream suppresses my appetite.

Here's the thing with intermittent fasting. You lose weight doing it because you are eating fewer calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast and the nighttime snacking/wine you reduce calories. it works, especially the first half of the day because a lot of times you aren't hungry in the morning due to hormones and such.

But there is nothing magical about only eating in the 8 hr or 4 hr window. It is just a tool to control hunger and cut down calories. If you eat 1500 calories/day over the course of 8 hrs it is the same as eating them over the course of 12 or 14 hours. At the end of the day the calorie deficit you have created is the same. Now you can also gain weight doing IF. If you make up for those missed calories by eating more in your eating window then at the end of they day you have eaten too many calories, are in a calorie surplus and, thus, will gained weight.

Every diet out there is a tool to help control calories and create a calorie deficit. Some work better for people than others, but none of them are magic and there is no "you have to do X to lose weight." The only think you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. how you get there is up to you.

This is not correct. OP, read the Obesity Code. The time between meals boosts production of growth hormones, gives your insulin time to bottom out, and makes your body turn to fat stores. Eating the same calories spread into snacks every 3 hours will not provide any of these benefits.

Some people fast 5 days a week and take 2 off. Stick with it for now and see what works for you when you get closer to your goal weight.

Thanks! I am hoping I have success. I have pcos and have found it extraordinarily hard to lose weight in the past. But I have essentially stabilized in that I haven't gained any weight in a few years (major victory for me!). But the pregnancy seems to be screwing things up a bit. I need to be sure I dont let the extra pounds have enough time to set in to become permanent

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cream in coffee is fine. Personally I find that coffee, even with milk/cream suppresses my appetite.

Here's the thing with intermittent fasting. You lose weight doing it because you are eating fewer calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast and the nighttime snacking/wine you reduce calories. it works, especially the first half of the day because a lot of times you aren't hungry in the morning due to hormones and such.

But there is nothing magical about only eating in the 8 hr or 4 hr window. It is just a tool to control hunger and cut down calories. If you eat 1500 calories/day over the course of 8 hrs it is the same as eating them over the course of 12 or 14 hours. At the end of the day the calorie deficit you have created is the same. Now you can also gain weight doing IF. If you make up for those missed calories by eating more in your eating window then at the end of they day you have eaten too many calories, are in a calorie surplus and, thus, will gained weight.

Every diet out there is a tool to help control calories and create a calorie deficit. Some work better for people than others, but none of them are magic and there is no "you have to do X to lose weight." The only think you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. how you get there is up to you.

This is not correct. OP, read the Obesity Code. The time between meals boosts production of growth hormones, gives your insulin time to bottom out, and makes your body turn to fat stores. Eating the same calories spread into snacks every 3 hours will not provide any of these benefits.

Some people fast 5 days a week and take 2 off. Stick with it for now and see what works for you when you get closer to your goal weight.

wow then how have so many people been successful at losing weight through reducing calories?

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/intermittent-fasting/

Not sure what you're getting out of being so callous and snarky.

[Anonymous]

I think that your plan to lose slowly is great, and easier (hopefully more sustainable) than stricter rules and deeper calorie cuts.

For me- I’m not tracking calories, thanks. I’d rather restrict my eating hours, eat sensibly within those hours, and not have to calculate the calories in everything I eat.

I started an IF plan without allowing myself coffee before noon, when I break the fast. That wasn’t ideal, so I researched and found that generally IF experts allow for up to 50 calories outside the window. I have one cup of coffee with stevia and 1 tbsp of 2% milk, which tops out at around 10 calories. I’m a latte lover, so it’s an adjustment, but it gets me over the hump.

Regarding weekends and special occasions- I don’t go completely off the plan, but I don’t want it to dictate my life every single day. I stick to it as much as I can on the weekends, but I drop it for family and special meals outside the window on weekends. If you love a glass of wine with a weekly tv show, don’t give it up!

I have been slowly, steadily, and easily losing weight following these guidelines over the past couple of months. When I hit my goal I plan to use IF with a larger eating window to maintain. I’m adhering to a 6 hour window now.

[Anonymous]

I just stumbled upon this timely article:

https://www.gq.com/story/it-matters-when-you-eat

I’m not about to start having dinner in the early afternoon, but I do like a 6 hour window.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cream in coffee is fine. Personally I find that coffee, even with milk/cream suppresses my appetite.

Here's the thing with intermittent fasting. You lose weight doing it because you are eating fewer calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast and the nighttime snacking/wine you reduce calories. it works, especially the first half of the day because a lot of times you aren't hungry in the morning due to hormones and such.

But there is nothing magical about only eating in the 8 hr or 4 hr window. It is just a tool to control hunger and cut down calories. If you eat 1500 calories/day over the course of 8 hrs it is the same as eating them over the course of 12 or 14 hours. At the end of the day the calorie deficit you have created is the same. Now you can also gain weight doing IF. If you make up for those missed calories by eating more in your eating window then at the end of they day you have eaten too many calories, are in a calorie surplus and, thus, will gained weight.

Every diet out there is a tool to help control calories and create a calorie deficit. Some work better for people than others, but none of them are magic and there is no "you have to do X to lose weight." The only think you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. how you get there is up to you.

This is not correct. OP, read the Obesity Code. The time between meals boosts production of growth hormones, gives your insulin time to bottom out, and makes your body turn to fat stores. Eating the same calories spread into snacks every 3 hours will not provide any of these benefits.

Some people fast 5 days a week and take 2 off. Stick with it for now and see what works for you when you get closer to your goal weight.

wow then how have so many people been successful at losing weight through reducing calories?

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/intermittent-fasting/

Fb
Not sure what you're getting out of being so callous and snarky.

I was getting at the fact that IF is a great tool to control hunger and reduce calories. But at the end if the day the calories you consume are what matter. If I eat 1500 calories between 12-6 I’ll get the sand results as if I were to eat 1500 calories between 8am and 8 pm

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Cream in coffee is fine. Personally I find that coffee, even with milk/cream suppresses my appetite.

Here's the thing with intermittent fasting. You lose weight doing it because you are eating fewer calories throughout the day. By skipping breakfast and the nighttime snacking/wine you reduce calories. it works, especially the first half of the day because a lot of times you aren't hungry in the morning due to hormones and such.

But there is nothing magical about only eating in the 8 hr or 4 hr window. It is just a tool to control hunger and cut down calories. If you eat 1500 calories/day over the course of 8 hrs it is the same as eating them over the course of 12 or 14 hours. At the end of the day the calorie deficit you have created is the same. Now you can also gain weight doing IF. If you make up for those missed calories by eating more in your eating window then at the end of they day you have eaten too many calories, are in a calorie surplus and, thus, will gained weight.

Every diet out there is a tool to help control calories and create a calorie deficit. Some work better for people than others, but none of them are magic and there is no "you have to do X to lose weight." The only think you need to lose weight is a calorie deficit. how you get there is up to you.

This is not correct. OP, read the Obesity Code. The time between meals boosts production of growth hormones, gives your insulin time to bottom out, and makes your body turn to fat stores. Eating the same calories spread into snacks every 3 hours will not provide any of these benefits.

Some people fast 5 days a week and take 2 off. Stick with it for now and see what works for you when you get closer to your goal weight.

wow then how have so many people been successful at losing weight through reducing calories?

https://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/healthy-weight/diet-reviews/intermittent-fasting/

Fb
Not sure what you're getting out of being so callous and snarky.

I was getting at the fact that IF is a great tool to control hunger and reduce calories. But at the end if the day the calories you consume are what matter. If I eat 1500 calories between 12-6 I’ll get the sand results as if I were to eat 1500 calories between 8am and 8 pm

I didn't say I didn't understand what your point was. I said I wasn't sure what you were getting from being callous and snarky. I get your point thanks.

[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.

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.

[Anonymous]

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?