Why 16/8 Intermittent Fasting Didn’t Work for Me

Intermittent fasting has gained significant popularity in recent years as a promising approach to weight loss and improved health. With claims of increased energy, better metabolic function, and even longevity, it’s no wonder that many people are eager to jump on the bandwagon. However, like any weight loss strategy, intermittent fasting comes with its own set of pros and cons. In this post, I’ll discuss what the science says about intermittent fasting and talk about my own experience trying it.

What is Intermittent Fasting?

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Intermittent fasting is not a diet in the traditional sense but rather an eating pattern that cycles between periods of fasting and eating. There are several different methods of intermittent fasting, but some of the most common include:

  1. The 16/8 method: This involves fasting for 16 hours each day and restricting your eating window to 8 hours, typically by skipping breakfast and consuming all meals within a specific time frame, such as 12:00 pm to 8:00 pm.
  2. The 5:2 method: With this approach, you eat normally for five days of the week and restrict calorie intake to 500-600 calories on two non-consecutive days.
  3. Alternate-day fasting: As the name suggests, this method involves alternating between days of normal eating and days of fasting or severely restricting calorie intake.
  4. The Eat-Stop-Eat method: This involves fasting for a full 24 hours once or twice a week, typically from dinner one day to dinner the next day.

Benefits:

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While intermittent fasting has been around for decades, it has only recently become popular. Much research on the eating pattern is still new, and sample sizes need to increase to form definite conclusions. Below is a list of possible pros to trying this diet.

  1. Weight Loss: One of the primary reasons people turn to intermittent fasting is for weight loss. By limiting the window of time in which you eat, you may naturally consume fewer calories. This can lead to a calorie deficit and subsequent weight loss.
  2. Improved Metabolic Health: Intermittent fasting has been shown to have positive effects on various markers of metabolic health, including insulin sensitivity, blood sugar levels, and cholesterol levels.
  3. Simplified Eating: For some people, intermittent fasting can simplify their eating patterns by eliminating the need to plan and prepare multiple meals throughout the day. Instead, they can focus on enjoying larger, more satisfying meals during their eating window.
  4. Flexibility: Intermittent fasting is flexible and can be adapted to fit individual preferences and lifestyles. This is no diet or food restrictions to follow, participants only need to follow the time-based eating pattern.

Drawbacks:

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  1. Irritability: Fasting periods can be challenging, especially in the beginning, as the body adjusts to the new eating pattern. Some people may experience hunger, irritability, and difficulty concentrating during fasting periods.
  2. Disordered Eating Patterns: Intermittent fasting may not be suitable for individuals with a history of disordered eating habits. It can potentially exacerbate unhealthy behaviors and attitudes toward food.
  3. Social Challenges: Fasting may present social challenges, particularly during social gatherings, holidays, or meals with family and friends. It may be difficult to adhere to their fasting schedule in social settings.
  4. Potential for Overeating: Some individuals may compensate for fasting periods by consuming larger portions or indulging in unhealthy foods. This negates the benefits of fasting.

My Experience with Intermittent Fasting:

When intermittent fasting became popular a few years ago, I decided to give it a try for a few months. My husband was actually the one to introduce me to the eating pattern. He had already been doing in for weeks and was seeing weight loss benefits.

For about 2 months, I tried the 16/8 eating pattern. With my schedule, this typically gave me an eating window from about 11am-7pm. It was definitely a hard adjustment for me. I experienced fatigue and irritability in the mornings. I also found it hard to concentrate at work sometimes. I did allow myself a black cup of coffee in the mornings to help (leaving out my regular creamer was tough!).

I didn’t experience any noticeable weight loss for the two months I tried this eating plan. I may have fallen into the trap of over eating during the 8 hour eating window. Additionally, studies have found that fasting can increase the stress hormone cortisol, which can actually lead to weight gain. Fasting may also impact female reproductive hormones, potentially lowering progesterone. Progesterone is key to balancing mood for women. With this information, I’m unsure if the 16/8 eating pattern was the right choice for me.

After trying the 16/8 eating pattern and finding no benefit, I modified the pattern to be around 14/10. This helped me maintain a healthy weight without the negatives of irritability and fatigue. Even now, I still aim close to this fasting schedule, and I find my body feels best on this eating plan. I like the overall freedom and flexibility of this eating plan, since there is no food restrictions like typically dieting. It makes it easy to continue maintaining a sustainable and overall healthy eating plan.

In Conclusion:

Intermittent fasting is a popular eating pattern with potential benefits for weight loss, metabolic health, and longevity. However, it’s not without its drawbacks and may not be suitable for everyone. It’s okay to play around with the fasting pattern to find the right balance for your lifestyle. Ultimately, the key to success with any change to eating lies in finding a sustainable approach that promotes overall health and well-being.


Have your tried intermittent fasting? Comment below with your experience!