What do you guys do when you have a day where you just don’t want to fast?
I’m already about 17 hours in and typically end my fast around 3pm. But I just don’t want to today. It’s not even that I’m hungry or want to eat, just don’t feel like continuing my fast even though I should.
I’m of two minds on this. On one hand, this is where the self-discipline comes in. I distract myself typically by going for a walk outside away from food or doing some hobby-related stuff. On the other hand, it’s okay to have off days and I break fast early. Self-forgiveness is important too.
I didn’t get fat by overeating for one day, I will not go back to being fat if I miss a day of fasting. I don’t believe in streak counting: if the alternative to skipping a day is giving up completely because you get overwhelmed, it is best to skip a day
I just eat and count the calories. Then i start my fast up again. Dont feel bad for stopping your fast if you dont want to fast. Just pick it up tomorrow or the next day. Make sure to always eat under your total daily energy expenditure (TDEE) so you can still lose weight on your off days
I guess I’m privileged in that I’m only about 30-45 pounds overweight and in a stage in my life where I don’t have anything specific to prove but sometimes I feel like breaking fast, eating something unhealthy and having a beer or two on a weekday when normally I’d be doing a 16:8 or 20:4 fast and I just go for. 🤷♂️
I think people that have the self control to keep to it in any circumstance are amazing. I admire that. But I also want to enjoy my life.
I guess my point is, sticking to it is admirable but don’t beat yourself up if you break. As long as you’re overall trending toward your goal, you’re doing just fine.
I’ve lost 165 lbs in a little over a year (check my profile). Sometimes you just want to eat what you want to eat. My advice is this. Do it! Don’t feel a bit guilty about it either. Give yourself a 2-3 day window and just eat what you want. Set a date to get back to eating right and stick to it. Go as long as you can before you take a break again. You got this!
Some days just aren’t made for fasting, I feel you there.
But if you’re not hungry, how are you planning to break your fast? I think if you’re just going to nibble on something for the sake of not fasting, then maybe find something else to occupy your time— or even go to a grocery store just so you get a little inspiration and “feel” like eating a particular thing. I think that would remove some of the “mindlessness” from the eating.
Slide your window closer to lunch. I was doimg 2pm for awhile and I find myself immensely happier when I start to eat around 11 or 12. Partially I am a breakfast fan so waiting all those hours after waking up is hard on the mental fortitude.
When I get like this it’s either from habit of eating, I’ll try and distract myself with another task to push me til 3pm otherwise if I’m just feeling weak and hungry I’ll eat, when I’m around my period I just need to eat sometimes
Yeah, I have that. That is the attitude I listen to when I start to gain my weight back. It is okay to listen here and there but be warned that it is a very easy voice to listen to. If your not careful you will be right back where you started. Some people mention listening to the body and that can be true if it is your body talking (i think if you really listen I think you know it isnt the body talking). Good luck. (PS dont break your fast and hold strong—this is just me talking)
I think it just depends on your goals. If your trying to build a new habit, then pushing through and building discipline is ideal. I’ve been fasting for a few years, and now I’ll regularly break my fast earlier and dont think about it at all. In reality 1 day isnt going to make or break your results.
I eat when I’m hungry with zero guilt (or at social occasions when others are eating). It makes IF a sustainable lifestyle for me. I usually fast 16-8 but I probably do less about once every few weeks.
Because I’ve done IF for so long (about 15 years) it’s really about health maintenance for me, so if I gain or lose a few pounds I don’t really notice (I only weigh when seeing a doctor).
I typically allow myself some wiggle room if I’m past 16 hours and genuinely am not feeling continuing. BUT I try to close my window a bit earlier so I can fast for longer the next day. I’m honestly not sure if that has any benefit, but it tricks my brain into really assessing if I should break early. I usually eat from 4-8pm so if it’s 2pm and I really want to eat something, I will, but I also remind myself I don’t get my 730pm bowl of popcorn.
I do 20:4 and you can cheat now and again if for one day out of a month you’re truly struggling or need a break from the constant discipline required. Sometimes I’ll end my fast a few hours early if my desire to eat is high. Especially if my friends order Chinese food lol.
Maybe you should stop putting a label on it. You said you weren’t hungry and you didn’t want to just eat. Sounds like a contradiction. It’s natural to rebellion against restriction but maybe if you didn’t call it fasting it might not trigger a response. Just a thought.