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So I did a 24 hourish fast after Thanksgiving.
I've been doing interval eating, or intermittent fasting for about 2 years now. I try as best I can to get all my eating into a 6-8 hour window at least 5 days out of a week. Basically ever since my doctor looked at my a1c and saw I was just over the line of being prediabetic. Ever since I started the practice, my bloodwork has come back flawless, minus my stubborn LDL. Hopefully that's just from eating 4-6 eggs a day since my wife bought about 20 chickens in the spring. Cut my egg consumption in half. Fingers crossed.
Anyways, the 24 hour fast went pretty OK. I finished my last piece of pie around 6 PM on Thanksgiving day, and then managed to hold off until just after 5 PM the next day to gorge myself on Thanksgiving leftovers. It was a fascinating experience and barely difficult at all.
One thing I think I've realized with the IF is that my metabolism was fucked before. I'd just snack whenever I was a little bit hungry, cause why not I work out? And then I'd wake up in the morning absolutely ravenous and barely able to function until I'd slammed down 3 eggs, a bagel and some yogurt with a pot of black coffee for a chaser. And frankly my energy level throughout the day was bonkers, with that much talked about 2-3 PM slump. Since changing over to IF my energy level has been much more consistent, I don't really get hangry anymore, and my cravings have fallen off a cliff.
What got me thinking about all this is youtube suggested a random video about Ozempic, and it's basically describing many of the same positive side effects. So I'm sitting here thinking, is it really as simple as just not stuffing your fat face every waking moment? Are people so willpower depleted it requires a drug to stop eating?
I think I'm going to do more 24 hour fasts. Maybe once a month for now, and I'll probably go breakfast to breakfast instead of dinner to dinner. That way I can sleep through the worst of it. Or so I believe.
Can I get more specifics about your IF practice? Wondering if this will help me lose weight without experiencing cravings
Sure. My goal is at least Sunday through Thursday sticking to an 8 hour eating window. I have a pretty hearty breakfast, a light lunch, and a large dinner, often with a protein shake if I've been working out. The protein shake seems to go the farthest in terms of nipping cravings in the bud, although starting out there really isn't any getting around them. Took a few weeks for my body to adapt to me not shoving carbs in my face every waking moment.
My goal is to only have one cheat day a week where I snack late or drink whiskey. Sometimes it turns into two. Occasionally three if it's just be an insanely stressful week and for whatever reason no other vice is available. Sometimes I really let myself go those nights, but I guess my body has adapted because now I'm not even slightly hungry until noon or later the next day when I pull a stunt like that.
As far as "without experiencing cravings", I mean, that's going to be subjective. I think IF enormously down regulates how intense and commanding those cravings can be. But I wouldn't say I'm 100% without them either. I think there is a significant biological component to that, but I'm no doctor and for all I know it's just habit and willpower.
But like I said, according to my last physical, my weight hasn't budged. Still about 210# on a 6' frame. But my bloodwork has enormously improved, my energy levels are more consistent, and I haven't lost muscle. Even hit some pretty nice personal bests.
Not sure what sort of specifics you are looking for. Feel free to ask.
Guess I’m curious about the timing. When are you eating these meals?
I have breakfast around 9:30 or so, dinner at 5:00 most often, and lunch around 12:30 or 1:00.
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