Intermittent fasting is amazing if you don’t look at it as some quick fix diet hack, but approach it as a permanent lifestyle change. I find 16:8 easy, it’s mostly about skipping a meal (breakfast for me), getting your exercise in towards the end of the fast, avoiding late night snacking, and not binge eating in the 8 hour eating window. The changes were instant for me. I’ve pushed to 22 hours a couple of times, but that’s been a bit intense.
I’d also eat a dessert a day, after dinner or lunch. It was a shitty craving I had for years, this need to end every meal with something sweet. My friend got me on to these natural protein/energy bars: https://thewholetruthfoods.com/ And I’ve become huge a convert. For years I hated protein bars, they’re chalky af, taste ridiculously artificial, and generally aren’t very easy on teeth. Hated it. But these are different, they’re delicious and healthy. Sometimes I’ll have one for a meal replacement because they keep me so full. If you can find the equivalent in your country, it’s worth adding it to your diet. I’ll do a dessert once a week now, but now some of my favourites (Magnolia’s banana pudding & their apple crumble bars) are starting to feel “too sweet”.
Over the last year I’ve discovered the magic of Isabgol (psyllium husk) and that’s also something that has changed my life. It helps cut out hunger pangs because it expands in your stomach and it helps digest everything you eat with absolute ease. One glass of water with a couple of tea spoons just before you start your fasting works wonders. If you’re a heavy meat eater without too much vegetable or fruit in your diet, you should definitely start this. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/what-is-isabgol-and-why-you-must-start-adding-it-in-your-food-now/photostory/68186496.cms?picid=68186513
Hardly the right person for this kind of stuff, being overweight most of my life, prone to minor bouts of anxiety & unnecessary work stress over the small things. Also a daily pot smoker. But I’ve been 115+ kgs plus twice in my life and I’ve managed to knock out 10+ kgs within three months of intermittent fasting+daily exercise+cutting out refined sugar.
