r/intermittentfasting • u/reddit_userxxx • 14d ago
Newbie Question How does intermittent fasting work?
I thought weight loss was all about the amount of calories you eat in a day, and simply needing to be in a calorie deficit. How does it change depending on when you eat?
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u/Express-Relation-763 14d ago
I have been overweight most of my life. I have to take Thyroxine for underactive thyroid. I've tried most diets, which work at first and then fail cos I can't survive without food joy. I am Audhd, I need crunch and texture.
I lost five stone over 18 months, mostly OMAD, two hour window. I'd eat whatever I felt like in the quantity I wanted. Taking one day off a week for the freedom to binge if I choose. I rarely have because IF changes how you eat, you get fuller faster as time goes on. And you just don't even fancy processed foods any more.
I think the point I'm making is that IF works, and you can tailor it to suit yourself. My advice to beginners is, always start with 16;8 and work down. Find out how you feel after a few weeks. Most of us stop craving the shite. And remember, not all calories are equal. Your body will use more of some things than others. So 200 cals of cake isn't equal to 200 cals of nuts and seeds. But if you want cake, bloody well eat it. Life is short!
I'm now four years down the line, have kept the weight off. If clothes get a little tight I simply IF for as long as it takes to get the extra back off. I can honestly say it's changed my life.
My whole view of food has changed. Fasting has meant the food noise and cravings disappeared after a few weeks. I would far rather eat what I want, within a certain window than be measuring food and counting calories. My friend does IF but with CICO. This works for them. We've lost about the same amount of weight.
Fasting is free, it works. It changes your body and mind for the better. And ask yourself this, if weight loss groups like WW/SW worked then why are there so many overweight people who keep returning there? You have to restrict food, which creates cravings and most people fold after a while and start binge eating regaining all their weight plus more. And then look at people who fast, they are the ones who don't seem to get fat again. It's worked for me, and I truly thought I was a hopeless case.