Intermittent Fasting

[Tactically Fat]

I rarely track my weight... I just generally go by how my clothes fit.

That said, last week, I did weigh myself. I'm down to my pre-baby weight. It's only taken me 9 years!

 

[doddg]

I rarely track my weight... I just generally go by how my clothes fit.

That said, last week, I did weigh myself. I'm down to my pre-baby weight. It's only taken me 9 years!

I remember those days with the wife.
I remember her saying she lost all the baby weight fairly quick & always said that breastfeeding helped getting the baby weight off.

Of course, she is the enviable body type that is only 20# heavier from married weight (22yrs old), whereas I gained 100#s more and still 65# more.

That wouldn’t work for me: just going by how tight my clothes were.
That’s how I woke up after a decade 30 pounds heavier and then after another decade 60 pounds heavier.

 

[doddg]

.

 

[doddg]

Got a blood test and the AIC was down to 5.6.
I was estatic.
My other numbers: cholesterol, triglycerides & etc were down also.

8 weeks in a row now of being UNDER 220# for Sat. am weigh-in!
Not able to keep it under 220 every day, though: that's the new goal.

How?
- watching carbs & sugars
- intermittent fasting
- 1st of the month 36-40 hr fast
- liquids only day if over 220 (broth, V-8 juice, protein drinks, tea/coffee, even a beer )
- 2 meals per day usually: breakfast, then a late lunch or early supper (lunch might be a fun snack like popcorn)
- no eating after supper
- weigh-in every day in am/pm (I need the accountability daily)

 

[doddg]

16 weeks in a row of being UNDER 220 on Sat. weigh-in.
30 days in a row of being UNDER 220 consistently.

Only 1.5# lost on average per month in the past year: 18# total as of 9.19.2020Painfully slow progress.

 

[doddg]

212# two days in a row on week 48 (now on week 51).
I blew past my previous low of 216, so I am surprised & pleased.

 

[doddg]

New goal of 215 (or under).

The hard part is staying under a goal weight consistently.
After my 1st of the month 38 hour fast, I did have a new low of 208.
First time breaking 210 in decades.
Even if it is an artificial low, it is motivating & rewarding.

Progress so far:
25 days of being 215 or lower.
4 weeks of being 215 or lower on Sat. weigh-in.

I feel like I have broken through a "plateau" or a set point.

 

[doddg]

Had Annual physical today (Dec. 01.2020), & the Doc said I was 10# less than last year.
Last year before the weigh in I'd already lost about 10 pounds.

I weigh am everyday before I dress, & I'm used to seeing numbers lower, but this gives me a good benchmark.
Having an Annual physical right after Thanksgiving cost me 5# on the scale since I did enjoy treats like pecan pie, apple pie with ice cream.

I didn't care that much because I knew today I was starting the Optavia diet.
My son lost 40# in the last 2 months & got me interested in it.
I wish I'd known about Optavia since I've only lost about 1.5# per month in the last 14 months doing my carb-watching & intermittent fasting approach.

I intend to do it only for 1 month, unless I go crazy & do another month.
6 eating times per day (fuelings they call them).
1 lean meal of meat & 3 servings of green veggies.
5 other eating times with choice of shakes, bars & the like that you buy.
I will finally be forced to deal with the concept of portions since evidently you can't eat a bucket of food even if is low in sugar & carbs.

Eating every 2-3 hours is not my approach since I like fasting & intermittent fasting, but that's the program.
It is supposed to be such a balance of nutrients that you don't get starving hungry eating so frequently but sparingly.
At only about 1200 calories per day, it should peal off the weight.

Since I broke my goals in stages of staying under 230, 225, 220 & 215 & thought it would be fun to get under 210 since I'm close, & hopefully under 205, then the impossible dream: under 200#..
I know I'll end up at least 5# higher than whatever lowest weight I hit, but I'm used to that with my 1x/mo. 40 hour fasting regime & days of liquids only.

 

[doddg]

232# started carb-cycling last week of September 2019

1st Goal: 225-or-under days
00 = September
05 = October 2019
30 = November 2019

2nd Goal: 220-or-under Days
09 = November 201906 = December 2019
09 = January 2020
10 = February
04 = March
01 = April
01 = May
23 = June
24 = July
28 = August

3rd Goal: 215-or-under days
03 = August
19 = September
22 = October
23 = November
31 = December (estimated: only been 4 days so far, but 215 pattern consistent)

4th Goal: 210-or-under days
In December I started the Optavia diet of eating 6 times a day (1200 calorie very restrictive foods).
I will start hitting that goal next week.

 

[doddg]

35# lost since Sept. 28.2019: 232 - 197 (15 months).
26# lost in 2020, with 17# just in December (1200 cal. per day).

Eating 100 calories 5 times per day plus 1 meal of 5-7 ounces of meat & 1.5 cups of vegetables made for a long month of torture.
Then there is the drinking of 100 ounces of water per day.
But, I lost more weight in 1 month of Optavia than pervious 11 months of 2020.

Now the real battle begins in 2021 to stay under 200 consistently.
Might take the entire year.

 

[doddg]

Still having "fun" with the weight loss.
I don't want to call it a diet anymore, b/c I've finally reached the point where I realize it is a lifestyle change or you just need another diet in another year.

Fighting the battle daily trying to keep the weight under 200 is what I wanted & that's where I'm at.
I now track being in the "100 Club" (term Optavia forums uses that caught on since most need to get under 200#).

Number of "100 Club" days for the weeks since the 1st time on (Sat. 12/26.2021).

2/7 Sat. 02/20/2021
2/7 Sat. 02/13/2021
4/7 Sat. 02/06/2021
4/7 Sat. 01/30/2021
2/7 Sat. 01/23/2021
5/7 Sat. 01/16/2021
4/7 Sat. 01/09/2021
4/7 Sat. 01/02/2021
2/7 Sat. 12/26/2021 = 1st time under 200 week ending on 2/24/22021.
0/7 Sat. 12/19/2021

I assume it will be months before I can stay in the 100 club.

 

[doddg]

Good news: 9/9 days in a row being under -200.

Bad news: 18/18 days in a row of 200+

It's all about what happens after 4pm.
Like I didn't know that.

 

[doddg]

It's been nearly 8 months since my successfully losing that "last" 20#s in December.
Under 200 #s first time in decades using Optavia's approach.
Reaching my goal of the "100 Club was short-lived," (any weight being under 200).

The real battle of keeping it off is real & ongoing.
In March the battle changed from being under 200, to under 205.
July was the first time I didn't get under 200 even for a day or two.

I'm now just "grateful" keeping it under 205.
The weight chart tells it all with June being the start of the increase.
I knew keeping it under 200 was not realistic, but I'm surprised I can't stay under 205.

I gaining about 1# per month, which is "only" 120 calories per day.
I'm winning the large battles but losing the little daily battles.
Just like I could never keep in consistently under 220 when I had lost 20#s years ago, I now can't keep it under 205.

 

[BugI02]

I really should get my bicycle back out and fix it up.

Yes, you should. Just remember you have to ride more than an hour to burn fat directly even above aerobic threshold (15 to 18 mph avg). Easy on the knees and feet, but doesn't include a free abs workout like running does so have to do a separate workout for core

I'm doing the same with weights. I might as well have barbie doll stickers on the ends

Starting from zero-is is the best time to make sure your form is perfect. No feet on floor arching the back for bench press, back straight for laden squats etc. Lifting with good form is more valuable than lifting more weight in many ways including freedom from injury

 

[BehindBlueI's]

Yes, you should. Just remember you have to ride more than an hour to burn fat directly even above aerobic threshold (15 to 18 mph avg). Easy on the knees and feet, but doesn't include a free abs workout like running does so have to do a separate workout for core

Thanks, but that post was about 3 years ago. I've lost a lot of weight since then and am running with no problems. Personal bests for the year:

10K	54:54	8:50 min/mi	Indianapolis Trail Running	Aug 4, 2021

and road running:

5K	24:25	7:52 min/mi	Indianapolis Running	Apr 25, 2021

 

[bwframe]

 

[yeahbaby]

It's weird you have to try various things that work out for you. I was 210 at one point. I'm 175 now. I eat 3 meals per day. A small amount of breakfast. Switching between eggs and bagels and fruit. Small amount for lunch. Usually leftovers from a dinner. Dinner is usually homemade, pasta, grilled chicken, always fresh vegies. Between meals I have fruit, apples, oranges, or blueberries. I also work out 4x per week. It's much easier for me now because I'm retired.

 

[doddg]

A yearly update since losing that "last 20#" a year ago December 2020.
Not good.
I stayed mostly under 200 for about 3 months, which was great!
Most of the year I stayed under 205, which was acceptable.

This past December (2021) however, I hit 210# for the 1st time in 2021.
This January I've been 210+ for 15/25 days.
Reality check in progress.

Motivation began for all this has been my type 2 diabetes & bringing down my A1C blood sugar numbers.
A1C has been 5.0 - 5.3 in 2021, down from 5.6 in 2020 after fighting to get that number down from over 6.0 in previous years.

I have changed many eating patterns, but have been in denial over a 1# per month weight gain.
The scales don't lie.
December was a reality check & January had been an ALARM BELL going off.

There is no "diet."
It truly is a lifestyle change I battle with.
Portions.

 

[patience0830]

So many people search for a "diet." It's not so much about the diet as it is your lifestyle. Too many people go on diets, lose weight, tell everyone about their magic diet, and end up fat in another month. Staying fit long term is a lifestyle.

Whatever method you choose, remember, it is forever if you want to remain lighter.

 

[doddg]

It's weird you have to try various things that work out for you. I was 210 at one point. I'm 175 now. I eat 3 meals per day. A small amount of breakfast. Switching between eggs and bagels and fruit. Small amount for lunch. Usually leftovers from a dinner. Dinner is usually homemade, pasta, grilled chicken, always fresh vegies. Between meals I have fruit, apples, oranges, or blueberries. I also work out 4x per week. It's much easier for me now because I'm retired.

I envy you being able to eat 3 times per day like that & not only lose weight, but are maintaining it.
You obviously are doing a great job with portions, indicated by your "small amount" for breakfast & lunch with supper being more "normal."

My weaknesses, which I try to eat for lunch or have a little after a meal:
- unsalted nuts (all kinds)
- cheese
- figs
- dates
- prunes
- popcorn
- bananas

Any of these are fine in moderation, but apparently portions matter, haha!