I want to start intermittent fasting, 16:8 as I read is the easiest one to start with.
It's my first time fasting and I have some questions about how many calories should I eat and how many meals.
I usually require 2800 calories daily to maintain my form, I usually go to the gym and random cardio( football, running, etc) for 6 times a day, but I want to take a break for the first week to see how I fell while fasting, after that I want to start hitting the gym again.
The questions I have are:
1. do I eat approximately the same calories as I usually do? Or it doesn't matter as long as I eat between the 8 hours period?
2. how many meals should I have? I've read that some recommend 2 meals, someone other researchers said it doesn't matter how many as long as it's in the time period.
3. how many days should I do for the first time? I am thinking about a 2 weeks for the first time. Is it too much/ too low?
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Edit: I don't have a specific goal in mind, I just read that it has a lot of healthy benefits and I wanted to try it on myself, maybe one reason would be to lose 2 or 3 kg, but I am not starting with a main goal
Answer
Depends on your goals. Do you want to maintain your current form/weight etc? Then stick with that 2800 calories, just within a smaller window of time.
You can absolutely overeat and eat a crap diet when keeping an intermittent fasting window.
Answer
For me it has lowered my blood preassure and heart rate loads (noticible within the first 3 weeks).
I focussed more on eating protein within those 8 hours (usually 2 big meals). I would recommend 2 big meals to get to your calories.
If it is just for the health changes and not about weight, then eat as much as your body requires to maintain weight.