Hi! I go by Kelani, I’m 22 & a female, I’m 5’6 (167.64cm) and around pretty much 245lbs. Today was my first day *trying* intermittent fasting (window from 2:30pm-10:30pm), but I’m just not sure how to go from here. Is it okay to chew gum before/after the window closes? Tips for beginners who eat out of boredom? Do I ease myself into intermittent fasting or just go all in? I’m hoping to get down to at least 175lbs by this time next year, is that too much? Should I lower my expectations? Ahhh I’m sorry! So many questions haha
Hi Kelani, as I said to another newbie yesterday, it can be hard at the beginning. I did it by easing myself in, but with determination. I completed the first two days on a 16:8 schedule. After that I tried to push the eating window a bit further and could do it easily. Although you might think that it’s impossible to you, your body will get used.
Also… Move, keep busy, walk, drink water… I’ve come to realize that most of times it is not real hunger but thirst or as you mentioned plain boredom… Learn the signals among these kinds of hunger, then you’ll be able to deal with them. Ah! And keep trying even if you fail today… Tomorrow you will succeed 💪
I’ve done IF on and off for a while, and every time I begin, it’s hard.
I started with a 10 hr window, and decreased it from there every week or two until I was where I wanted to be. I found that a lot easier than jumping into what I’d done previously.