What started out as a curious conversation among friends turned out to be a life-changing journey for a lot of us. It has been weeks since we started intermittent fasting (I guess you didn't see that coming). Some may consider it a fad, some may take it seriously while some may just shrug it off as nothing.
For those of you who does not know what intermittent fasting is, it is a cycle between period of no food intake and periods of eating. People may go on a 20 hour fast and 4 hours of food intake. There's also a 16-8 and 14-10 cycle. People do it to lose weight or to improve eating pattern or simplify life.
I started with a 16-8 hour IF, meaning, I go on a 16-hour fast and then an 8-hours of eating. At first it was okay, I was able to adjust. But eventually I found it hard to follow. I felt the pressure to eat more since I was starving by the time my fast was done. I did it for 2 weeks, I think, before I finally had to quit. I ended up gaining weight. My problem started during one meeting where I had to answer some queries. I only had coffee that morning. After an hour, I had a terrible headache and was scared $#!t that I was about to have a cerebrovascular stroke. I had intense headache at the top of my head, pulsating headache at that. I had to ask for meds just to relieve the headache hoping nothing worse would happen. After that, I had to quit IF.
I was saddened. We were on a healthy lifestyle and everyone else pursued IF but me and they were losing weight, but me. So I searched for an alternative and I found the 14-10 hour IF. I could fast for 14 hours, then eat for 10 hours. This seemed reasonable to me and attainable.
I am on my 4th week now and I am happy with the outcome.I have lost a kilo or more though I have not tried to stand on a scale lately. Will do it soon.
With my current IF, I don't get too pressured to take my meals. Sometimes I can even go on a 16-hour fast, depends on the situation I am at, then eat for just 6 hours before starting another fast. I have an app which I follow.
My meal? I don't eat much sometimes and sometimes I do. But I'm beginning to enjoy my meal with my current IF.
If you are planning to go into intermittent fasting, you have my support. It's not easy so be sure you have a strong will and a strong mind before delving into it. I would suggest you start with the easier one. For me it is the 14-10 cycle. Start your fast at the time where you won't get to think too much of food. Me, I start at 8pm and I finish at 10am the following day. Which means I can eat by 10:01 am. Again, choose your time wisely because it will determine how long you can do your IF. And find some support with your friends who are also on IF, they can be a great help on your journey and could give you concrete advises. Lastly, this is not necessary but you can always download apps on IF. It's a great help for reminders on fasting time and eating time. If you subscribe to apps, they also have meals you can follow, you can also input the amount of water you have taken. But before subscribing, be sure that you like the app and that it won't confuse you, but would motivate you more.
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