Women IFers -- lets chat about protocols! page 15

[zoebird]

dragonfly,

that's interesting, because DH and I were talking about shifting the window around --or at least mine -- to a 9:30-5:30 window. This way, I can eat at the office (9:30-10:30 when I don't normally see clients, after teaching at 1/2, and then just before teaching again at 5:30), and then be done for the evening. It's definitely an option.

[fiercehunter]

It's great for body fat control, but way too stressful otherwise.

[zoebird]

I don't think it's stressful at all. It's been really great for us on a lot of levels, and -- as i wrote before -- the science seems to indicate that it has anti-aging and many other health properties.

I'm considering doing a two-day fast with water, tea, and bone broth (chicken stock, about 75-200 cals/cup). Perhaps before my ILs come.

[cori93437]

I also don't find fasting stressful at all.
Just the opposite.

I IF naturally every day.
A day or two a week I do 24 hour fasts for no particular reason it's just how I feel (I don't feel like having any coffee w/ cream that day, just water) ...and have fasted pretty much by accident through just random circumstances to about 36-48 hours several times without feeling stressed by it.

As long as I have water to drink I can decide to not eat things like fast food if that is all that is available and go on about my business until a better food opportunity arises. The lack of eating doesn't make me feel stressed at all.
The first time it happened I was a bit shocked.
I thought I would be ravenous when I finally ate, but then ate a normal portion of food and was satisfied.

[zoebird]

It's amazing how well water works.

I have been drinking like a FISH. so much water. still thirsty.

[girlhk]

Since beginning IF, I don't crave food as much, I forget completely about snacks.

This past week, however, I feel hunger pangs in the mornings and drink milk tea. Then I can stop thinking about food 12:30pm. We finish dinner 6:30pm the nights before, and unless I eat a lot (stuffed), I generally get this hunger in the mornings. Hunger that persists after tea/water/broth that makes me irritable. A cup of milk tea solves it, and then I feel fine.

Funny thing is since becoming comfortable going for longer hours without food, I also stopped overeating at meals.

[reallygravity]

I agree with you. I cant overeat anymore, and I can really wait for food, rather than go nuts.

[zoebird]

I feel the same way. It's no hardship to wait for food, and I tend not to eat more than I did before fasting, really. It's nicely self-regulating.

I've also noted that in addition to being great for maintaining weight, people keep telling me that I look "radiant" (and i'm not pregnant!).

[girlhk]

Lol, that's great zoebird!

Even if IF don't have any health benefits, this appetite regulation makes IF worth it. I've been trying to wean myself off snacking for a very long time. In the past if I managed to skip a snack, I just felt deprived. Now, there's no deprivation.

[zoebird]

so we are giving up caffeine and chocolate for the time being. Silly season to do it, but I made some almond-honey candy for us to much on for some sweet (egg white, honey, and toasted almonds).