18:6 intermittent fasting diet

[Danielj1]

hi all

Not posted for a very long time as I have not had a lot to say -but wishing everyone here a healthy and HNY.

I have found weight a huge challenge with hashimoto and after 3 years of trying loads of different options failed to shift an ounce.

In the past 3 months I have taken intermittent fasting much more seriously alongside a number of careful restrictions over certain foods plus specific supplements and exercise.

Anyway 3.5kgs have now dropped which may not sound much but after 3 years of zilch means a lot.

I am interested in any other experiences for others using this approach.

Also has had a huge positive effect on sleep and energy....I started with 12:12 then moved to 16:8 then 18:6

[fuchsia-pink]

I've been doing it for over 3 years- totally a way of life. I'm quite hard-core - nothing except hot water until mid-day, when the first cuppa tastes amazing and try not to eat anything after 7pm. I've not lost weight on it per se, but weight is stable which is half the battle, and others here have lost lots - and quite a lot of people will have coffee and other hot drinks in the fasting period. Stopping all late night snacking is obv wise anyway if you want to lose weight!

In the summer when it's hot I can manage on OMAD (one meal a day) and lost weight on this - but not for too long as blood pressure drop too much. Have now lost all the hypo weight and have enough energy for a 5-mile daily coastal walk and anything else I want to do But IMO the most important thing is for free T4 and free T3 levels to be good for weight management.

[Danielj1 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

That’s great progress - the first month I found weight became stable and then combined with some arduous gym sessions and this seemed to shift things - still very mindful how specific I need to be over food choices and supplements - encouraging to hear you have made this a long term life choice as I want to do this too longer term

[Danielj1 in reply to Danielj1]

A small query - did this change tsh and thyroxine dosing at all?

[fuchsia-pink in reply to Danielj1]

I'm on lio as well as levo so TSH is suppressed (which is not remotely dangerous despite what a GP may tell you). I've had small tweaks to my dosing in the last 3 years - equally happy with 20 mcg lio + 50 mch levo or 10 mcg lio + 75 mcg levo - but I got my medication right before I'd heard of IF

[Danielj1 in reply to fuchsia-pink]

That’s interesting - I do read that some claim a number of wider benefits eg reduced inflammation, better stomach repair and intestinal health and insulin management etc etc - you could write a book. So I hope some of the hype and hope bears out in reality

[CatsofCatford]

Not everyone thinks this is a good idea for people with autoimmune disease (not sure if that’s you?) … the paleomom is a scientist with several autoimmune conditions including Hashimotos, here’s her take on it: thepaleomom.com/intermitten...

[Danielj1 in reply to CatsofCatford]

Thanks - this view is widespread and why I never considered this for past few years. Having a ton more energy, losing 4 kgs in a month, sleeping properly for the first time in over 30 years and having little to no snacking pangs are such huge advantages I will carry on for now. I will also do a blood test shortly and confirm if automimmune factors are now lowered

[Danielj1 in reply to Danielj1]

I do not like the idea of breaking the fast early as he prefers -simply won’t work for me and I combine this with plenty of hard exercise ...

[Miffie]

I like intermittent fasting. It keeps blood glucose levels more stable for me. A serious advantage for a diabetic.Having a handful of autoimmune conditions pre intermittent fasting I can honestly say it’s not caused me any health issues or worries.

[CatsofCatford]

It definitely seems to be working for you!