Is Anyone Else Intermittent Fasting?

[million$$$smile]

When I do eat breakfast, it's like the food floodgate is open and 2 hours later I'm starving.

Agreed.

To me its almost akin to a drug. If I have breakfast in the a.m., I seem to crave something to eat for lunch also and if I don't eat, I get extremely moody to the point where my employees tell me to go eat!

I usually eat only one meal a day - at dinner. I don't get moody, and it is rare for me to have hunger pangs. It's incredible. I'm weighing in around 175, my high school weight. Started at 205 about 10 months ago.

Focus on legs(squats), they're the biggest muscles you have.

Thanks. Good point. I'll work on that.

Now to go to the gym and fight through the crowds of New Years resolutioners....

 

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[silvergirl]

I did intermittent fasting a bit more than a year ago, for 12 weeks intensely. I did the “every other day” fast, which is a more intense version of the original 5:2.
I would do:
Day 1: eat normally
Day 2: fast day, which meant consume up to 500 calories per day.
Repeat, with fast day every other day.

It was quite tough to start with but I consistently lost at least 1kg / 2lb per week for 12 weeks. This was over 18 months ago and the weight stayed off.

Some things I found:
- At the time I was in a very demanding and busy job with little control over my schedule. There was no way I could have done any complicated diet (that required meal prep etc) but simply not eating every second day worked perfectly.
- similarly, the easiest fast days were actually the really busy days in the office, I.e. where I would have back to back meeetings to rush to and from, so I could simply forget about food.
- for my fast days, I would always fast the whole day and consume the 400- 500 calories in an evening meal. The only exception was a coffee at lunch time (2 shots espresso with very small amount of foamed skimmed milk, that counted towards my calorie allowance)
- On my first fast day I had a huge headache. I learnt to drink LOTS of water to prevent this. I drank water all day.
- whilst I know, not healthy and probably not recommended, I couldn’t have compromised on 2 can of Diet Coke during the day or my double shot coffee.
- I also found that hot herbal tea (unsweetened) really helped me in the evening when hungry.
- Quite quickly after starting I realised that I naturally started eating much more healthily and more consciously on my “normal days”. Even though anything would have been allowed, I naturally made better choices and also reduced my portion sizes. I think this came from a better awareness and more conscious eating.
- it’s easier to fast in a warmer climate. I can get really cold when I fast, even when I am not hungry.
- the hardest part for me was probably fitting this into life socially. Alcohol was a no-no on fast days, and I wanted to stay strict with the “every other day” schedule, so I had to plan around it and in the end also became more conscious of which social engagements were actually “worth it” to prioritize.

Overall I would really recommend this. After I lost the weight I stopped, but I noticed I kept the healthier eating habits, and sometimes naturally built a fast day in (like once per week for example), and have kept the weight off.

 

[Kak]

Wow! What a great thread!

Thanks to @million$$$smile for starting this.

As a person who can easily go until 2-3PM without eating this seems like something that could work for me. Breakfast lights me on fire. I’m starving all day if I eat breakfast. So I don’t eat it.

I normally do force myself to eat lunch, or I am forced into it like some have said by being at a business lunch about twice a week on average. Then, I eat a normal sized dinner... My cryptonite is snacking after dinner. I know I do significant damage there.

So, with OMPD I simply eat all of my daily calories within a single sitting? I’m starting today.

Also, I preface my post with the fact that this isn’t some new year new me crap... I’ve lost 20 pounds since October on 1200 calories per day. 20 more will be high school weight. I want to keep it off and this appeals to me more as a lifestyle change, a time saver and long term solution for me.

 

[million$$$smile]

So, with OMPD I simply eat all of my daily calories within a single sitting? I’m starting today.

Yes, all calories within a single sitting OR time frame (maybe a couple hours).
I love it. I feel more in control of my body which enhances my mental outlook positively.

I don't mean to hype it so, but honestly, it makes one believe that they could set some pretty lofty goals, ie: body building or running a marathon or just about anything they really put their mind to.

I just think that for MY well being, it has been immensely beneficial, allowing me to mentally focus better with a better outlook overall.

@Kak Good luck!
Btw, heard through the grapevine that you started private pilot lessons. I've just signed up myself...

 

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[Patrick Besong]

Yes, all calories within a single sitting OR time frame (maybe a couple hours).

 

[Patrick Besong]

I do a 23:1 hr fast myself. I was just skipping breakfast but i still ended up eating more calories by the end of the day than i should to lose fat. So i pushed it to an all day fast, sometimes having an apple at around 2pm. Now i get all my calories when I get home from work at around 6pm. i still have to watch my calories though, as instead of eating maybe 1600 calories I could easily push it to twice that with poor choices. i was just drinking black coffee in the morning, but never did get used to it. now i treat myself to heavy cream and it tastes so much better. it's 50 calories from fat (no carbs) so i just figure on 100 calories for 2 cups to get me thru the day.

 

[Milkanic]

@Kak Good luck!
Btw, heard through the grapevine that you started private pilot lessons. I've just signed up myself...

Awesome. Would love to do a fly in to the Summit sometime, just have my check ride left. @GIlman and @throttleforward are both pilots as well.

I often get 'brain fog' in the afternoon to the point where I sometimes feel unsafe flying. IF seems to help in the morning but trying to track down what causes the fog (carbs, fats, vitamin d, etc).

 

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[Patrick Besong]

Awesome. Would love to do a fly in to the Summit sometime, just have my check ride left. @GIlman and @throttleforward are both pilots as well.

I often get 'brain fog' in the afternoon to the point where I sometimes feel unsafe flying. IF seems to help in the morning but trying to track down what causes the fog (carbs, fats, vitamin d, etc).

You may not be getting enough electrolytes. try adding some Himalayan Pink Salt to your water. See the Snake Diet guy's recipe for Snake Juice on youtube. He doesn't recommend plain water on a fast. i personally just add some sea salt to my water. seems to help.

 

[Milkanic]

You may not be getting enough electrolytes.

Interesting. Hangovers and strenuous activity (hockey) wipe me out the day after as well so you might be onto something. I'll try this out.

 

[throttleforward]

FWIW @Milkanic I'm always exhausted after flying. I think it's a combination of mental taxation plus the somewhat awkward leg placement/muscle usage on the rudder pedals.

BTW Good luck on that checkride!

 

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[Raoul Duke]

The Beginner's Guide to Intermittent Fasting

 

[papi016]

A Beginner's Guide to Intermittent Fasting | Nerd Fitness

 

[GIlman]

Awesome. Would love to do a fly in to the Summit sometime, just have my check ride left. @GIlman and @throttleforward are both pilots as well.

I often get 'brain fog' in the afternoon to the point where I sometimes feel unsafe flying. IF seems to help in the morning but trying to track down what causes the fog (carbs, fats, vitamin d, etc).

@Milkanic A little OT, but speaking of flying, simulator flying is getting pretty amazing now. I use xplane both with an Occulus Rift or a 100" wall of monitors. Dramatically improves your skills...Especially the occulus with a throttle quadrant, petals, and yolk. But the monitors are nice for just casual daily practice since you don't have to wear a bulky headset that disconnects you from the world.

 

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[Dunkafelics]

I've been consistent with IF for the last ten days. The only stuggles I really have is when I work a night shift at work and the evening cravings start to kick in. By 7am, all I want to do is go to sleep so that I can wake up and eat around lunch time.

Also, I do feel that breakfast is still an important meal ... so that is something I will mentally have to deal with.

I am looking forward to reading more of this thread.

 

[JoshM]

I've been consistent with IF for the last ten days. The only stuggles I really have is when I work a night shift at work and the evening cravings start to kick in. By 7am, all I want to do is go to sleep so that I can wake up and eat around lunch time.

Also, I do feel that breakfast is still an important meal ... so that is something I will mentally have to deal with.

I am looking forward to reading more of this thread.

Well, technically you're still eating breakfast... you're just "breaking the fast" a little later in the day

Also, I see a lot of resources for IF being mentioned. I'd like to point out the one that helped me the most: LeanGains. It's the blog of Martin Berkhan-- he's the guy who really helped IF take off with his method.

Here are a few of his best pieces of content:

• The LeanGains Guide
• F*ckarounditis
• Top 10 Fasting Myths Debunked
• The Truth About Alcohol, Fat Loss and Muscle Growth

 

[dudewhat]

I've done IF 2-3 years now. It's definitely a useful tool. But it's just that -- a tool. Monitor how you feel and how you eat when doing it. One thing I've just recently noticed is that I tend to eat healthier with smaller meals. If I get hungry, or feel deprived like with IF, I'm going for the pizza, the fries, and the chocolate. I can still hit my calories this way, but my overall macros suffer. My protein is low, my fiber is low, etc.

Just something to think about. People do well with both so figure out what works for you.

Also, I applaud Martin Berkhan for being a pioneer. He really helped it become mainstream and was chided for years for his beliefs, so read his website, learn, but I had to stop following him on social media lately. The guy has become kind of a dickhead.

Just my thoughts. Carry on.

 

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[ocricci]

Last week i started the one meal a day diet, feeling the benefits today ( at first it is hard and probably you will need to adjust the amount and what to eat )

 

[Globe-Al]

Just want to show my support for fasting. I juice and water fast frequently to benefit not only my physical but emotional health too.
I find I think fastest and clearest when I am fasting.
Glad to see there are others who enjoy it as well.

 

[Kak]

Wow! What a great thread!

Thanks to @million$$$smile for starting this.

As a person who can easily go until 2-3PM without eating this seems like something that could work for me. Breakfast lights me on fire. I’m starving all day if I eat breakfast. So I don’t eat it.

I normally do force myself to eat lunch, or I am forced into it like some have said by being at a business lunch about twice a week on average. Then, I eat a normal sized dinner... My cryptonite is snacking after dinner. I know I do significant damage there.

So, with OMPD I simply eat all of my daily calories within a single sitting? I’m starting today.

Also, I preface my post with the fact that this isn’t some new year new me crap... I’ve lost 20 pounds since October on 1200 calories per day. 20 more will be high school weight. I want to keep it off and this appeals to me more as a lifestyle change, a time saver and long term solution for me.

Well I have already lost 15 pounds doing this. It works. I take Sundays off because we normally go to brunch after church so I’d be dying by dinner time.

Funny thing, my dinner now happens at 3:30 or 4 PM.

I’m impressed and should be at my high school weight by March.

 

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[GMSI7D]

the best book i read about fasting is this :





this is a public domain book

you can find a pdf version here:

Arnold Ehret




.

 

[arfadugus]

I've been an IF practitioner for the better part of 7 years (the 16/8 or LeanGains protocol). I found the focus/performance benefits to be profound and I hovered around 7-8% body fat while only lifting 2-3 days per week.

Unfortunately, after some time, I got derailed from an accumulation of bad habits, lots of stress, and over-consuming bad foods. I went from a lean 175-180 lbs to a whopping 225 lbs in due time and looked like a blimp. I was in a pretty bad place. While IF can do wonders and amplify your efforts, it is nothing more than a tool in your arsenal. It won't prevent the eventual effects of overeating and bad lifestyle choices.

Anyway, I reached a pretty low point in my life and then something inside me just "clicked." I woke up and had my "f*ck this" moment... from that point forward, I dropped all of my bad habits, got back on track. 7 months later and I looked even better than I did before.

If it interests you and you need a swift kick in the pants to get started, this was my journey:

Disclaimer: My 'Lean Body Club' channel/website is defunct and I no longer maintain it, but I am always willing to answer questions and point others in the right direction. It's nice to see others change their habits, actions, and lifestyle for the better!

Nowadays, when I'm asked what I did to get to the best shape I've ever been in, I share these 7 rules:

1. Keep It Simple, Stupid. Overcomplicating the process leads to confusion and makes the goal unattainable.
2. Eat slowly. More times than not, I'd eat too much, because I didn't eat slow enough for my brain to receive the signal from the stomach that I was full.
3. Fuel the body with the right foods. I ate lean animal proteins, fibrous and colorful veggies, healthy fats, and fibrous, starchy carbohydrates. Nothing refined or processed. And I didn't go hungry either!
4. Eat Protein and Veggies at every meal. I made sure I had two palm-sized portions of protein and two fist-sized portions of vegetables at each meal.
5. Earn your carbohydrates. I ate carb-containing meals only after my workouts and on rest days, I'd either have only 1 meal with carbs, or just protein and veggies.
6. Intermittent fasting. I skipped breakfast (SOUND THE ALARM!) and ate my first meal at noon, and stopped eating around 8 or 9 pm. I kept nearly all muscle and dropped fat at a rapid rate. The whole skipping meals ordeal is pseudoscience at best... it won't harm you one bit.
7. Lift heavy. I trained like a powerlifter. Lower volume and heavy weight, with a focus on big, compound movements like Squats, Deadlifts, Bench Press, Overhead Press, Bent-Over Rows, and Chin-ups/Pull-ups. 5 sets of 5 reps, 2-3 days per week, with emphasis on adding 5 pounds to each lift the next time I hit that lift.
   
   That's all there is to it. Nothing special. Apply these rules to your own life and you WILL see a change in the way you look and the way you feel. If you have ever had your doubts about IF, I'd encourage you to implement it as a part of your daily routine. You will not be disappointed.

When you gained 25 lbs were you still fasting? What habits did you change?

 

[cottonbuds]

I've been doing it for about a year now. In the best shape of my life. I fast daily from 8 pm to 1 pm so basically skip breakfast. During the fasting window I only drink water or sparkling water. Many people drink plain black coffee but I feel like drinking coffee takes me out of my fast so I take a caffeine pill instead and my results have been much better. Saw something negative yesterday about caffeine pills so need to research that.

 

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[JoshM]

When you gained 25 lbs were you still fasting? What habits did you change?

Too much beer, too little activity, and an excess of calorie-laden food. Even the most rigorous intermittent fasting routine won't do much for you if you eat too much. However, had I not fasted regularly, I might have gained even more because my eating window would have been even larger.

However, I did still reap the cognitive benefits of IF -- in the morning, I had an intense focus, especially after a cup or two of coffee, and the effects would last up until I broke the fast.

 

[Dunkafelics]

I fasted for all of January minus a week in Mexico and so far all of February minus the Fastlane Summit days. The results have been pretty amazing as I dropped about 11 pounds so far. I highly recommend doing intermittent fasting to any of you who are interested. It isn't an excuse to eat poorly in the time period that you choose just as a point of note.

Sent from my SM-G930W8 using Tapatalk

 

[million$$$smile]

minus the Fastlane Summit

Same here. I fasted 3 days straight prior to the Summit (OMAD)
Have lost just over 30 lbs this past year and feel great.
Also, just my opinion, but intermittant fasting is one of the closest things to the slow aging anyone could do. I literally feel 10 years younger, and I think I look a bit younger since I started this process, but then again it could be due to losing the weight!

Clearer mind, cleaner body, what more could one ask for???

 

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[InspireHD]

I had a slight food addiction for awhile. I would always overeat as if it was my last meal I would ever get.

Back in January I went 27 hours without eating and it broke the addiction instantly. It made me realize I could survive more than a day without eating and I actually felt so much better. I was kind of disappointed that I was going to eat dinner that night.

I just did it again on Friday, but this was only 24 hours. The hunger comes and goes but it's manageable with some water.

I'd like to try a 2 and 3 day fast to see how it affects my sleep.

 

[million$$$smile]

It is surprising what one can do.
I am not recommending this but I've fasted up to 12 days straight with only juice/water/supplements and physically felt good for the most part. After 3 days there was minimal hunger pangs. Continued cardio exercising during this time. Yes, at times I felt a bit weak but other times I had greater energy, similar to what a runners high is after endorphin release.
Reason for doing it was weight loss/mental discipline/clarity. Gratifying to realize it was doable.
Again, I don't encourage this.
But I will most likely fast like this again for shorter periods as I enjoy the challenge of being able to control
my desire for food.
Masochist?
Perhaps

 

[GravyBoat]

I too have been doing IF for a few months, best "life hack" I've found in a long time. Kills body fat, I'm still gaining muscle at the gym (work out about 5x/week) and above all, the mental clarity is second to none. It's almost like when you get "hangry" but without the angry part. Once you get past the first few weeks you realize you're not actually "hungry" and that hunger is pretty mental. Imagine eating a huge meal at a buffet, then being hungry the next day... are you REALLY hungry? Do you REALLY need more food?

It's just like the gym, first few weeks BLOW but once you get into a routine it's all smooth sailing.

 

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[eliquid]

It is surprising what one can do.
I am not recommending this but I've fasted up to 12 days straight with only juice/water/supplements and physically felt good for the most part. After 3 days there was minimal hunger pangs. Continued cardio exercising during this time. Yes, at times I felt a bit weak but other times I had greater energy, similar to what a runners high is after endorphin release.
Reason for doing it was weight loss/mental discipline/clarity. Gratifying to realize it was doable.
Again, I don't encourage this.
But I will most likely fast like this again for shorter periods as I enjoy the challenge of being able to control
my desire for food.
Masochist?
Perhaps

I've been considering this for a while now on my own.

I've gone as long as 7, but I think I wanna push it to 14.

No real reason other than it being a challenge and I just want to see how far I can safely push it.

My biggest holdback is caffeine withdrawals that cause headaches so I think I'm gonna have to just do some excedrin pills ( replacing dr pepper ) to curb that

.

 

[OlivierMo]

I have been fasting intermittently for awhile now with great results.

I basically fast 5:2 and really feel great right for the new couple of days.

Also have lost about 20lbs in the last couple of months since I've started it though that isn't really the main goal I had in mind. I just wanted to be more healthy and have changed my diet along with fasting.

Just curious if anyone else has been IF for any period of time.

If so, what days and how do you fast, ie water only, juice, coffee etc?

Am doing it maybe 3-5 days a week. I'm feeling really good at almost 45. I've also removed alcohol from my diet during the week. I've always been active and exercised but my level of energy is better. I still need my sleep though, maybe b/c I run. I've noticed intermittent fasting lowered my heart rate during running. So I can do a 6:30 mpm on the treadmill now without huffing and puffing.