After years of dieting and falling back into old habits, using food as a comfort food and no regular eating patterns, I decided to give IF (16:8) a try a couple of weeks ago. I eat breakfast at 12pm, maybe a snack (some fruit or nuts) if I get hungry inbetween and then a whole, homecooked dinner around 8pm. I dont count calories but sometimes check the approx. calories to get a better feel for what I’m putting in my body.
And the weight just keeps coming off. I have already lost 25lbs. And I feel great. I dont feel like I’m restricting, I eat the occasional pizza or chocolate if I feel like it (within my window). I also took a break from IF when I went home over christmas, gained about 4lbs back, didnt stress out about it, and lost them quite easily again.
The biggest change for me, however, is that I dont think about food amd what to eat next/this evening/tomorrow the whole damn time. Because IF gives me a structure when I can eat.
I know that weight loss will eventually slow down. I have a very high BMI (37) so naturally, its easier to lose the first pounds. But I can see myself doing this for a very very long time.
Sometimes I do worry if this is too easy, though. Anyone feel the same? :-D
I think it is mostly a mind game, we are often conditioned to think that if we don’t eat we’re going to suffer some consequences. At first I found myself a little too obsessed with watch the the clock, counting down the minutes until I could eat. But, now I find myself not even realizing that I could have eaten over an hour ago, and even then I might not go eat quite yet.
I kinda have the same feelings but I don’t want to jinx myself. After years of struggling with counting calories I finally decided to try IF after lurking this sub. It took me several weeks to build up to 16:8 as a daily routine and I seem to be losing approximately a pound and a half a week. I also gained about 4 pounds over the holidays due to all the awesome foods but have already lost three of those pounds. There’s a phrase I heard a couple years ago that I can’t remember now, but it means noticing changes that has nothing to do with only the number on the scale. One of my revelations came last week when I realized my hockey jersey is now big enough then I can wear it over top of it my hoodie. Also when I push up the sleeves of my jersey they don’t stay up anymore lol
I was watching a YouTuber the other day that said people naturally don’t want to accept how easy and simple IF is, because our brains can’t accept something so simple could be so effective, so you’re definitely not alone!
Nice work, well done.
You are right, it is easy.
The Hard part will be keeping it up long term, and when the results slow down/stop.
You will hit many obstacles, situations where you may be compromised, when life’s stresses kick in, holidays, social situations … all that.
Good luck! Stay on the path!!!
I don’t know WHAT you’re eating, but if it isn’t traditionally healthy food IF is only going to take you so far. If you want to get healthy, you’re going to eventually have to change your eating quality as well. Again, you may be doing this already, if so stick to it!