Well, it’s been about 12 weeks since I embarked on this Intermittent Fasting journey. Here is the post I did back in September about starting IF. Today, I’d like to update you on my five overall takeaways- what worked well and what I learned about myself.
It was easy to fast on busy days.
When our calendar is busy, I find it very easy to fast. Not eating until noon or 1:00pm actually made my life easier. It was one less thing that I worried about. The busy schedule distracted my brain too. I wasn’t just staring at the clock waiting for my eating window to open.
Lazy Days are Impossible.
So the opposite kind of days- the ones where you get to rest and chill at home are by far the hardest to fast. These days don’t happen too often, so I just chose not to fast on these days. I would rather eat breakfast or a snack than be hangry with my family all morning.
Fasting can definitely work to lose weight.
If you are wanting or needing to lose weight, IF can work. If you plan out your lunch, snack, and dinner you can stay in a calorie deficit easily. HOWEVER, fasting can also trick your brain into thinking you get free passes on desserts or extra portions for lunch and dinner. The fasting can easily be undone with that kind of eating, quickly!
Mental Challenge
There were days when fasting was easier than others, but every day it challenged me mentally. Fasting was more of a mental game than physical. I realized that I wasn’t very strong at denying myself the pleasure of food. I am not suggesting starving yourself. I am talking about delaying gratification, having self control. Intermittent fasting helped me grow in this area.
I will continue Intermittent Fasting
I plan on continuing with my 16:8 method of fasting, on most days. I know there will be days I eat breakfast or an early snack. I am okay with that. But my hope is that I can delay eating until lunch for most days.
I hope you found my five takeaways insightful. I’d love to hear what you think. Many of you told me that you do IF when I wrote about starting it twelve weeks ago. If you are a seasoned veteran in fasting, what works for you? What insights do you have to share? I know there are lots of people reading that would love to hear them.
See you tomorrow, friends!
