My Intermittent Fasting Experiment: The Honest Truth
Jumping on the Intermittent Fasting Bandwagon
Okay, so like everyone else and their mother, I decided to try intermittent fasting. I mean, the hype is real, right? Weight loss, better focus, supposedly living longer—who wouldn’t want a piece of that? I spent weeks reading articles, watching YouTube videos, and scrolling through endless before-and-after photos. I was convinced. This was it. My ticket to a healthier, more energized me. I even bought a cute little water bottle to keep me hydrated during those fasting hours. I was READY. What could possibly go wrong?
Funny thing is, I went in with the best intentions, honestly. I downloaded a fasting app – Zero, I think it was called – and meticulously planned out my eating window. 16:8 seemed like the most manageable, especially for a newbie like me. Sixteen hours of fasting, eight hours to, you know, actually *eat*. Seemed simple enough. But let me tell you, reality hit hard.
The Hunger Pangs and the Struggle is Real
The first few days? Brutal. Absolutely brutal. I’m not gonna lie, those sixteen hours felt like sixteen years. My stomach was growling loud enough for the entire office to hear. I tried everything: water, black coffee, herbal tea. Nothing seemed to quell the hunger pangs. It was like my body was staging a full-blown rebellion. I even started dreaming about food. Specifically, pizza. Extra cheese, pepperoni, the works. Ugh, what a mess!
And the irritability? Don’t even get me started. I snapped at my coworker for breathing too loudly (sorry, Sarah!). I almost threw my phone across the room when my internet connection went down. I was basically a hangry monster, roaming the office in search of… well, food. I guess. Or just someone to unleash my fury on. I mean, who even invented fasting anyway? What were they thinking? Was it worth it? That’s what I kept asking myself.
My Intermittent Fasting Low Point
There was this one day – and I remember it so clearly – where I was supposed to be fasting until noon. But around 10 a.m., a colleague brought in a box of donuts. Glazed, chocolate, jelly-filled… you name it. They were literally sitting right next to my desk, taunting me. The smell alone was enough to drive me insane. I spent the next two hours trying to resist, but it was a losing battle. Finally, I cracked. I grabbed a glazed donut and devoured it in about three seconds. The guilt, oh man, the guilt was immense. I felt like I had completely failed.
I considered giving up right then and there, throwing in the towel and declaring intermittent fasting a total scam. But then, I thought, “Wait, maybe I just need to adjust my approach?” Maybe 16:8 was too aggressive for a beginner. Maybe I needed to be kinder to myself. That’s when I started researching different fasting schedules and listening to my body more closely. It turns out, maybe you can’t just throw yourself into these things headfirst and expect sunshine and rainbows.
Finding My Rhythm (Eventually)
So, I scaled back to 14:10. Fourteen hours fasting, ten hours eating. And you know what? It made a world of difference. The hunger pangs were still there, but they were manageable. I also started paying more attention to what I was eating during my eating window. I focused on whole foods, lean protein, and lots of vegetables. Less pizza, more salads. Shocking, I know. I also found that staying busy helped immensely. If I was focused on a task, I was less likely to think about food. Funny how that works, right?
I also started experimenting with different types of fasting. I tried the 5:2 diet, where you eat normally for five days and restrict your calories to 500-600 for two non-consecutive days. I even dabbled in some longer fasts, like 24 hours, but honestly, those were not my jam. I think if I was going to do more, I would maybe check into some expert advice first! Who even knows what’s next?
Was Intermittent Fasting Worth It For Me?
The truth is, intermittent fasting isn’t a magic bullet. It’s not a quick fix. It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of self-discipline. But for me, it was worth it. I did lose a few pounds (though I’m not going to lie and say it was easy). But more importantly, I felt more focused, more energized, and more in tune with my body. It’s been about 6 months now and I still practice intermittent fasting most days, but I am okay with deviating from the schedule on the weekends or special occasions.
If you’re thinking about trying intermittent fasting, my advice is to do your research, start slowly, and listen to your body. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find a schedule that works for you. And most importantly, don’t beat yourself up if you slip up. It’s all part of the process. And if you are like me and get obsessed with health, I recommend reading about mindful eating.
Maybe it’s not for everyone. And honestly, that’s okay too. The most important thing is to find a healthy lifestyle that you can maintain long-term. And if that means ditching the intermittent fasting and indulging in the occasional donut, then so be it. Life is too short to be hangry, right?
