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> I can see intermittent fasting as something you eventually build as a habit. I've been doing intermittent fasting for a decade, through my 20's, I also stay
by riversflow 4y ago
> I can see intermittent fasting as something you eventually build as a habit.
I've been doing intermittent fasting for a decade, through my 20's, I also stay pretty fit, but am not as consistent at keeping an exercise routine as I'd like. I've been extremely consistent about the diet for the last 5 years. Like I only have cheat days if there is a super important reason, usually being sick or when I'm backpacking. I don't think about it at this point, I have one meal, dinner, and that's it. If I'm weightlifting I might eat an early dinner and 2-3 hours later a second dinner, but I've needed this less since I started having whey protein isolate shakes on days I lift. I've even done some extended water fasts up to days; my experience is that doing these(I had to work up to it, the first time I tried fasting 3 days I quit after 2) on top of consistent IF makes the shorter fasts completely fade away.
I'd highly suggest that if anyone really wants to give IF a fair chance, kick sugars out of your diet--not just added sugars, but anything sweet (e.g. eat sour fruits)--before you go for it. Sugar is insanely addicting. I also suggest starting every day with the game plan being "I'm only going to eat one meal", but if the meal doesn't satiate you, you can fall back to a looser fasting regime, like 20/4 or 18/6.
I first became interested in fasting as a kid, when I saw a documentary on PBS about the evidence that calorie restriction extended life spans. I waited until I was convinced I was done growing, as I didn't want to stunt my growth, but have been at it since around 20. I've been veg since 15, I wish I enjoyed the gym as much as I enjoy dieting, I guess the grass is always greener.
- dmix 4y agoWhat time of day do you have your dinner? Do you get hungry in the afternoon? When I work out consistently I find it hard not to eat a lot. The OMAD thing seems unattainable with my current lifestyle. But I have a very healthy friend who swears by it as well. Personally not eating at night seems to be more than enough of a sacrifice. Not eating an early breakfast comes natural to me.
- riversflow 4y agoI try to eat between 6 and 9PM; I try not to eat to close too bed time as it does seem to affect my sleep quality. I've also found it helps to start with a piece of fruit--today a handful of blackberries. If I'm trying to gain weight I make a point to eat on the earlier side to spread my dinner out. Socially I use the same approach that I do for being vegetarian. I don't outright declare it, I simply just decline, "I don't eat break/brunch/lunch/this early/meat/fish." goes over a lot better than, "I'm on X diet/eating schedule".
- dmix 4y agoInteresting. So when you go out to a restaurant you just order a soup or a drink or something?
- riversflow 4y agoExactly. It was kinda awkward at first, but after the first dozen or so times doing it I realized that the servers don't really think that much of it. Most of the time when asked what I'd like I just say, "Oh, I'm okay with water." It might make a difference that I live on the West coast(California), so special diets are pretty normal.
- tluyben2 4y agoI find 1-2 espressos in the morning and afternoon will keep me from wanting food at all until dinner. Even after workout. I usually eat after 6-9 pm as well as I go to bed at 9 to wake at 5.