In the past, I’d try cutting calories, and my metabolism would almost freeze. No matter how little I ate, I’d only lose a few pounds and I’d gain it back the moment I started eating normally. Keto during birthdays and holidays was not fun. Also it was a pain to try and stay in ketosis all the time.
Now I eat whatever I want and I still lose weight. I’m almost 50 and I have my 30 year old metabolism back. I know that people will not believe me. The other day I ate half a bag of chocolate covered pretzels. I didn’t gain a pound. I’m only fasting one day a week to maintain weight. I’ve actually lost weight while trying to maintain weight. Right now I’m fluctuating between 187-191 (close to 6’ tall) It’s what I weighed over ten years ago. I could probably lose 20 more pounds, but then I’d have to replace all my pants. Maybe I’ll aim for 170 next year. In the meantime, I’m enjoying life.
I fast 3+ days a month and I feel the same way, I’m in my 40s and am the same weight I was in highschool (170) and have been maintaining it over a year and it’s so much easier to maintain than any “diet”. I only eat “freely” a couple weeks a month because my cycle requires some adjustments but fasting is probably the best thing I’ve ever done to support my health besides quitting smoking. I’m also hoping this makes my menopause go more smoothly than my mother’s and auntie’s.
(I also could use 10 more pounds loss, but I just don’t have the motivation to do it)
And now i think honestly, this is how we are supposed to be eating. Our bodies are not made to be eating every day. We should be fasting once or twice a week. The mere fact that our bodies see to reduce metabolism as they age says to me our body wants us to stop eating as much as we age. Yet, this is not even a consideration from health providers.
\>The other day I ate half a bag of chocolate covered pretzels. I didn’t gain a pound.
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I would be shocked if you did. Typical bags of chocolate covered pretzels only have about 1200 calories worth of food in the first place.
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Half a bag of that is 600 calories, and it typically takes 3,500 calories to gain a pound. If you somehow gained an entire pound off of just 600 calories, you would be a very rare person indeed, possibly even breaking known laws of thermodynamics.
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I’m trying OMAD, and its working decently. At least I am not gaining weight, but I believe the weight loss will come from adding in more exercise. I swear I only burn like 1,800 calories a day naturally.
Excellent! I think you’re onto something as I’ve noticed somewhat similar things going on as a result of less frequent but longer fasts. I don’t find keto to be hard at all and started it in hopes of arresting cancer, but after my longer fasts I’ve been a lot less strict. Me being less strict is eating ONE chocolate cover pretzel! Hahaha. I may consider switching to a weekly plan, with a couple 21 day fasts spread out maybe twice a year.
Thanks for sharing your perspective!!