Experienced IFers out there, who has tried all and what are your personal experiences/preferences? 16/8 works best for my work/workout schedule, but I’m feeling like I’m not getting the benefits I want, as it just feels like I’m skipping breakfast, not actually fasting. 20/4 and OMAD doesn’t seem sustainable for me with the level of workouts I do, but it’s the one I’m most intrigued by. Thoughts? Thanks for sharing your personal experiences!
Been doing this going on 2 months
17/7Because I take 1+ hour cooking lunch for me and my wife, and I go to bed before feeding window ends. My 2pm-10pm window means I am frequently eating by 3pm, and going to sleep by 9pm. Somehow I even manage it on my off days when I stay up an hour or two later.If anything I used to be extremely hungry in the morning, but since I have avoided work food, and drinking my meals early, I have a much more satisfying lunch and I don’t go to sleep feeling any hunger due to when my window is.I enjoy cooking more, and I find I spend time making food that is more varies and satisfying. Mushrooms and spinach, fresh greens, squash, and fruit, brioche burgers, beef stew on rice. Eggs and all manner of combinations. Some low carb bean chips and Verde salsa. Cheese.My calorie intake is lower, my food is fresher and more filling.I really do enjoy the changes.
I’m doing 18:6 because it’s difficult but I can sustain it. Last month I didnt hold myself to an expectation of working out. This month I’m lifting weights twice per week. 18:6 seems like it will work with that plan but I’m afraid much more would not work for me. YMMV.
What’s your goal?
I’ve similarly gone up and down the spectrum of methods. I started with 16:8 for a few months, then started dabbling with going longer and the occasional OMAD. These days because of my focus on working out and wanting to get enough protein I stick to OMAD+ to reach those goals and still drop some weight. Which sort of splits the difference on OMAD and 16:8 in a specific way.
My typical day is workout in the morning. Then somewhere between 12:00-4:00pm depending on how I’m feeling and schedule I will break fast with a small meal, usually some form of protein. Then I try to hit the bulk of my calories a few hours later at dinner. So essentially OMAD with a snack added earlier.