It’s always so inspiring to see the weight loss posts here, but I just want to shout out IF as a long-term tool for maintaining weight. I have been doing 16:8 or 18:6 almost every day for close to 3 years and it has totally changed my life. I dropped a few lbs at first but I started at a healthy weight so I was not expecting anything dramatic. Now I continue to eat whatever I want, still drink alcohol, do a lot of walking but little other exercise, and I have stayed in the same 5 lb range without any issues and my weight is distributed better than when i was at the same weight pre-IF. I have the flexibility to enjoy my life but the structure to keep my weight steady. For people who are worried they will only stay motivated when they’re actively losing weight, just wanted to share that it works long term after you’ve reached your goal!
I literally just logged on to see if anyone had had success doing 16:8 for the long-term. It seems as if many people do OMAD and longer fasting periods, and I wanted to know who had had success with 16:8. So thank you! And congratulations!
I got back to my maintenance week post Thanksgiving by Sunday morning. I had bubbled up on all the brined turkey and salty stuffing, but I’m back to my normal maintenance. And I ate plenty, and this year (my 4th IF Thanksgiving) I had more pie than usual.
I had rein myself in on the weekend, and do a couple of shorter windows just to make sure I wasn’t eating all day, and focus on fresh vegetables and just meat. But it worked out OK, and I got the water weight back off.
So same. And congratulations to you for maintaining.
Went 16:8 for 9 months / tracking as well
Stepped back from tracking to be more organic about the whole process and give myself a better relationship with food.
I have been on and off fasting since, nothing consistent but all the while aware of when I was eating…if I were to have tracked it I’d say I’m averaging 14:10 now… that seems to be what is sustainable for me for maintenance.
18:6 on most weekdays, 12:12 on weekends
Around five years for me! I have a hormonal issue that makes it wildly difficult to stay lean. IF means no tracking and ability to partake in carbs without consequence. I maintain around 16:8 and the occasional 18:6.
3 year maintenance checking in! I didn’t lose the weight via IF, just CICO and exercise. But IF is the MVP in the maintenance playbook. Means you can live a relatively socially normal life but still eat within your means. Lifelong fan.
This is inspiring!
This past Thanksgiving, I was off 4 days, did my usual skip breakfast, ate in my window, did my usual 6k steps minimum and enjoyed ALL the different types of food, including dessert and didn’t gain a pound.