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IF 16/8 only 5 days per week effective? Anyone else do that?

Hi all, newbie here.

How effective would IF 16/8 be only 5 days a week. I can’t fast on Fri or Sat because I know both days I’ll likely have a couple drinks or late night snacks.

I also worry about my body getting “used” to fasting everyday, and I want to keep it “guessing” and keep my metabolism revved up.

Does anyone else only fast 5 days a week? If so, how effective has that been for you?

(5’4 Female, weightlifting 4-5 days a week. Start weight: 160 pounds CW: 157 GW: 135)

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Answer

I do 18:6 on weekdays only, and I’ve been generally losing about 1lb per week.

Now, I also try not to overdo it on the weekends, but I’ll usually eat breakfast (the meal I normally cut), and I still try to eat healthy and stop eating after 6:30pm.

It’s entirely possible to do a weekday IF schedule, but expect to lose weight more slowly. Also, expect that while it’s been effective for me, it might not work at all for you.

Answer

This is what I do, maybe it will be helpful. On Mondays I do 16:8, Tuesdays 18:6, Wednesdays 19:5, Thursdays 20:4, and Fridays 22-26 hours.

Often times during the week I am able to go longer, but I do not extend my eating window. Today is Tuesday and I went 20 hours pretty easily.

Heading into Friday night, when I know I’ll have a few glasses of rum of wine, I eat a lot later. I might start at 5 pm and have up to 1000 calories of food between 5 pm and midnight. I save 500 calories for rum or red wine (it’s a lot, but I overestimate). At midnight I stop.

I don’t eat again until at least 2 pm the next day. That gives me a 14 hour fast. Not great but it’s something. If I can go longer, I do.

Same thing but longer eating window. I stop by midnight.

Sunday I again go until 2 pm but stop my eating window by 6 pm.

Monday I can eat by 10 am. Boom, back on track.

Answer

Having 2 normal days a week would make it even more effective, the body does actually need a break from fasting now and then because it is actually a light stressor. So two regular days (not an eat fest haha) just normal, is A-ok.

Answer

I started IF with weekdays only and lost some weight, but a few weeks ago I went IF seven days / week. I’m sort of amazed I‘m able to do it. I like snacking on the weekend, but so far I’m maintaining 7/week. During Christmas and holidays obviously I’ll do whatever I want. Shutting down the snacks in the evening on a Saturday night takes some doing, but it’s working.

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