Just started intermittent fasting. Going to be eating from 12 PM to 8 PM. Is this a good place to start? How long before you start seeing results?
I’ve been doing IF + low carb, no sugar for three weeks and started with 16:8 (eating window 12p - 8p). Within a week, I moved to 18:6 (7p - 1p) and sometimes go 19 or 20 hours depending on whether or not I’m hungry. If I’m not hungry when I’m supposed to open my window, I don’t eat and just keep going. Thus far, I’ve lost 15lbs. I’d say 12p - 8p is definitely a good start but play around with the timeframe if it’s too easy or too difficult.
“Is this a good place to start?” — Sure, 16:8 IF is a great place to start.
“How long before you start seeing results?” — Depends on what results you’re expecting, how much you’re eating in your window, and your height, weight, age, and activity level. In general, one pound a week (on average) is a good rate of loss. Sometimes it may be more or less than that, but look at the long-term average. Or you can look at things like body measurements and clothing fit. I’d give it at least a month.
For me, after about a month of IF, I noticed my clothes were starting to fit a little better. After 3 months they were starting to get loose. (I’m 39F, 5’4”, starting weight 180 lbs, and not very active. I do OMAD without counting calories.)