In my previous stint, I (finally) had a lot of success actually sticking to my fasting schedule, but am considering giving myself more leeway. For those that take cheat days or short breaks from IF, how long or often do you stop or reduce your fasting schedule? I just got back into fasting, and am going on day 3 of 18 hour fasts.
I don’t want to do a single cheat day per weak, but was thinking about 1 indulgence day ever 2 weeks.
I eat from 12 - 6 everyday except Friday and Saturday. Those days I allow myself to eat from 12 - 8, so I can go out to eat with friends or family in the evening. Not really cheat days though as I’m still eating relatively healthy and counting calories.
On average, I flex to a shorter fast about once a month. I usually do dinner-only OMAD, but will occasionally do a shorter fast (like 16:8, 18:6, or 20:4) to accommodate a special occasion meal with friends and family. I don’t think of them as “cheat” days — just as shorter fasts.
IF has become the normal, natural way that I eat. I do it in a way that fits my life and feels natural. It’s not a stressful, artificial restriction that I mentally need a break from.
I’m also not restricting what I eat — if I want to have pizza or burgers and a beer in my eating window, I do. So I don’t need a break from strict diet food.
I guess what I’m saying is, it has worked best for me to do IF gently enough that I don’t need or want breaks or cheat days from it.
I do 18:6 pretty much everyday and leave my off days to special occasions or when I go to someone’s house for a meal. I say you do what feels right for you. I try not to do anything that would deter me from continuing IF.