madaboutmoose's Journal, 22 January 2014

And you are sounding more like yourself too Carol. There are lots of ways to do IF. There is the 2 meals a day plan - fasting for about 16 hours a day; there is the two days a week of 500 calories a day and the other days eat 'normal' and then there is the fast for 24 hours for one day a week and then eat 'normal' the rest of the week. It's just a way to restrict over calories. If you try it, you will find what works for you. I do the two meals a day ie no breakfast. I never was a breakfast eater anyway. When doing Atkins I had to push myself to eat a protein breakfast. My breakfast of choice was always black coffee and a muffin which made me hungry all day. Now I'm used to this way of eating, still low carb, I find I am not hungry until about noon. Adding coconut oil into your morning somewhere or any good fat helps stave off the hungries when you first begin this. Good luck. PS: I am also flexible with the 16 hour fast. Sometimes it's 12 hours, sometimes it's 18. There are no hard and fast rules. You take an idea and make it work for you. Same as any 'diet'.  

Oh Isabel cool!!! I didn't know you were doing this!!! I like the 2 meals a day idea better than the 24 hour fast once a week. I tried the alternating very low calorie days a while ago and wasn't a fan. I think this is something DH might do too ... anyway ... still pondering so we'll see. Maybe I'll give it a whirl today. So far all I've had is coffee and I almost always drink my coffee black. I'm feeling a bit more like myself too. Funny thing is ... I saw a woman I work with sometimes recently. She is def overweight but oh so beautiful. I have no idea how she feels about herself but she carries herself well. I thought to myself ... if you think she is beautiful why don't you think of yourself as beautiful even though you are overweight? Anyway that was about a week and a half ago ... I know it starts with how I treat myself ... I've just struggled ... like you said ... a lot this past year (years!?!). Ah well ... today is today ... yesterday is gone and tomorrow is undetermined!! Stay warm!! 

It is just so hard to be good to ourselves..why is that? I am trying to work on this too Carol. I have looked at people who were heavier than me and thought they looked wonderful, then I look at me and want to puke. These health issues have me thinking about what is important and health is more important than anything. I am trying to be more accepting of myself and thankful for what I do have. It's a journey...that's for sure but we will do it and slowly get back on track. I am not allowed exercise yet and don't feel well enough to do it but I have been eating well that's for sure and that's half of the battle...now to stick to it. We can do it Carol. Hope you got to your work out, I am dreading how much I am going to hurt when I start up again..lol Have a great day! 

Let me know if you do this, how it works for you. I'm sure you can do it. And Cathy's right. Health is most important. You will get back on track. (warm weather will help, won't it). 

Several of us ladies are doing the 16:8 fast. I do mine from 12 noon to 8pm only because my DH works late ... so we eat dinner late. It takes a bit of self-discipline, but it has certainly kept me from the midnight snacking I used to do. Good luck. 

I'm going to try it today! And back to counting calories too. And I did 20 minutes of Pilates which nearly killed me!  

But I figured out if I'm not going to eat in the am that would free up a little time for exercise! 

I have read a lot about the fasting technique. I have to tell you though, I really think there is a lot to "fueling the furnace" in the morning and maintaining a good blood sugar level throughout the day by eating small, sensible portions. I wish you luck but please be careful! I'm a little worried that you might end getting sick easily.  

If you go to the Diet Doctor website, he has a report on there about diabetes and fasting. Apparently there isn't anything harmful in skipping breakfast for diabetics as long as not on insulin. I did research this before I started. I am pre-diabetic but not on any meds.