New to Fasting

[Carberry1963]

I am looking to lose weight and thought I would try fasting. Please could anyone provide any advice?

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

Hi, Carberry1963 , Welcome.

There are now many posts here giving information on how to fast, experiences of fasting - and the benefits of fasting.

Do you want to fast just to lose weight - or also to cure, alleviate or prevent which diseases... or to rejuvenate you and improve your life expectancy?

This link is mostly about how to get int fasting:

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

[Hidden]

Hi Carberry1963, welcome to F&F and thank you for introducing yourself as we are here to help with all aspects of fasting. We have many topics so it would be well worth checking these out and if you have any suggestions/ideas then please say.

My advice is to start gently and make sure that you're well nourished as your body needs to be nourished to function yet alone fast. And start with a shorter fast and gradually increase it so that it works for you.

So good luck and I hope that you enjoy being a member of F&F and benefit from fasting.

Jerry 😊

[Carberry1963 in reply to Hidden]

So when I am sleeping is it counted as fasting? And is fasting NO food?

[Hidden in reply to Carberry1963]

Yes sleeping is fasting, some people drink tea and coffee and stock cubes/bouillon, which is very low calorie and helps boost electrolytes and stave off hunger.

Some have a water only or green tea black tea or coffee, it's finding what works for you thats the secret.

[Carberry1963 in reply to Hidden]

Thanks

[Stoozie Administrator]

Welcome

As said already, there are lots of ways to fast, I'm sure you'll find one that's right for you. Please keep us posted on how you are doing

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

When I am Intermittent Fasting 20:4, I do not normally eat or drink between 14:00 and 10:00.

I do not know if the benefits of IF are any better if one does not drink outside the eating window.

I think this is about the best scheme for getting the benefits of fasting - but you may have to organise your fast schedule round family, work or your social calendar.

When I am doing a longer fast or "5:2" I drink a two-litre pot of green tea at breakfast time. Green tea has health benefits and works well with IF.

Many find that fasting work best in combination with the Low-Carbohydrate, High-Fat diet... and, to lose weight on IF, you will need to "eat sensibly".

Do you have a history of dieting?

[Carberry1963 in reply to S11m]

I feel like I have been on one diet or another most of my life!! I have just had a hysterectomy and really want to crack my weight issues this time!

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to Carberry1963]

People with “diet history” find it difficult to lose weight counting calories, and tend to do better IFing.

[flo72003]

This article gives you "the ultimate beginner's guide" (as they call it) to IF.

healthline.com/nutrition/in...

It contains some useful information and ideas.

Good luck!

[Carberry1963 in reply to flo72003]

Thank you so much 😊

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to flo72003]

Thanks for the link, flo72003 ... It is great to read something informative and correct!

[Bumblebetty IF16]

Hi,

I’ve been doing 16:8 fasting which means I eat all my food within an 8 hour window. Mine is usually between 12:30pm and 8:30pm. I’ve adjusted to it really quickly and lost a stone in the last couple of months while still eating yummy food. Drink lots of water to stop you getting headaches or constipation. I drink black tea and coffee in my fasting time as well. Good luck.

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Bumblebetty]

Congratulations, Bumblebetty . You are doing so well. Do you follow low carb diet during eating window?

[Bumblebetty IF16 in reply to Praveen55]

I have mainly cut out white refined carbs, bread, pasta, potatoes and rice but not carb counting in other things as mentally I don’t do well with that sort of diet. I’m trying to follow a Mediterranean diet as much as I can in my eating window, lots of roasted veg and olive oil and cheese, olives, nuts and seeds. Lots of eggs and Quorn (I’m vegetarian ) and full fat yogurt.

I’m stricter Monday to Thursday and relax a bit at the weekend as it needs to be something I can do long term. The weight seems to be coming off slow but steady but I would be quite happy eating like this forever as it suits me so as long as it keeps going down I’m happy.

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Bumblebetty]

Thanks for giving the details. That is exactly what I mean by low carb - getting rid of GPS i.e. Grains Potatoes and Sugar. Counting is unnecessary distraction. Of course, yours is not a diet but a lifestyle worth continuing. Wish you continued success in your weight loss journey.

[Stoozie Administrator in reply to Bumblebetty]

Congratulations on your success with fasting look forward to hearing more of your tips!

[Carberry1963]

Thanks for your reply. Not that I am doubting you, but this seems too good to be true!! I am definitely going to give it a go!! So I think what I am hearing is I should eat my food for the day within a certain number of hours and not eat anything at all outside of that period?

[Praveen55 Star in reply to Carberry1963]

Yes, you got it right. You will succeed. 2 lbs per week is an achievable weight loss goal.

[Carberry1963]

Thanks everyone! I hopeful that this will become a way of life for me 👍