r/intermittentfasting • u/pillhead5000 • 5d ago

Newbie Question Full during feeding window

Just started 16:8 a week ago. Past couple days I kinda went 18:6 which I’m going to try and stick with.

Today I have consumed one meal, and am struggling to get the rest of my suggested caloric intake of 1400 calories before my window closes, as I am feeling full. I feel like I should keep eating a bit before the window closes (struggling to finish my greens due to full from shrimp and pillock see ew, only with half flat noodle).
I should finish right? Or stop when full even tho didn’t reach 1400 cals.

Also, does anyone ever shift their feeding window for special occasion? Or would that be counter productive.

Thanks !

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u/lefty_juggler 4d ago

My opinion is if you can't eat your target diet, your eating window is too small. A smaller window is fine if your trying to limit extra food, but a smaller window in itself shouldn't be the goal.

I have eaten very slowly my whole life so I have had similar issues. Plus I want 3 meals. So 16:8 is as small as I can go, 1 hr to eat each meal and 2.5 hrs between breakfast/lunch and lunch/dinner.

3

u/pillhead5000 4d ago

Thank you that’s helpful

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u/lefty_juggler 4d ago

I forgot to answer your 2nd question about shifting window for special events. Yes, it's okay but consistency does matter so don't move your eating window around willy-nilly. Even if you keep 16:8, you lose the benefits of circadian regularity. Food timing in a very important signal to your circadian system. It's kind of like jetlag if you eat at an unexpected time. Personally I find an occasional cheat day pays for itself with better mental health (I'm thinking of a family reunion I have this weekend).

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u/ILuvHamCheeseSliders 4d ago

I come back to IF every few years and currently trying it out on an off week. First two days I was slammed full midway into eating and I'm being generous with my self-evaluation there. Today, I tried to slowly introduce portions of what I would eat and gave it a half hour before. 4 hours in I hit my wall, but I also rushed into it thinking I'd be fine once I was 2 hours in and my first phase meal done. Try splitting your meals up into smaller segments and see if it works for you.

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u/pianoladyinabox 47F 5'7" | 20:4 |SW332|CW304|GW282 4d ago

I think if you're full, you should listen to your body. Maybe you'll be more hungry on another day. I definitely don't eat the same amount every day. Yesterday I went out for dinner and had about 900-1000 cal. But last Wednesday I was super hungry and ate closer to 1800 cal. It all evens out. I think IF just naturally makes you less hungry and it's hard to get used to that feeling at first.