My Intermittent Fasting Experiment: The Good, the Bad, and the Hangry

Why I Decided to Try Intermittent Fasting

Okay, so, intermittent fasting. I feel like everyone and their dog has tried it at some point, right? Or at least, that’s how it seemed looking at my Instagram feed for, oh, the last two years. Honestly, I was skeptical. Diet trends come and go so quickly. Remember the grapefruit diet? Yeah, me neither, really. But the IF thing…it just seemed to stick around. And the more I read about it, the more intrigued I got. I’m not going to lie, the supposed weight loss benefits were a big draw. I’d put on a few extra pounds during the pandemic (didn’t we all?), and I was looking for something that felt…sustainable? Like, I wasn’t trying to starve myself, you know?

But beyond the weight loss stuff, I also read about potential benefits for brain health and blood sugar control. My dad has type 2 diabetes, and while I’m not at risk *yet*, I figured it couldn’t hurt to be proactive. Plus, the idea of only having to think about food for a certain window of time each day actually sounded appealing. Less meal prep, less constant snacking… maybe even more time to actually, you know, *do* things. So, after weeks of internal debate and probably way too much research, I decided to take the plunge. Was I ready? Probably not. But hey, what’s life without a little experimentation? And potentially a lot of hanger pains?

The Initial Hype vs. Reality: A Rocky Start

I went with the 16/8 method, which seems to be the most popular. That’s 16 hours of fasting and an 8-hour eating window. I chose to eat between noon and 8 p.m., mostly because I *need* my morning coffee. No ifs, ands, or buts. The first few days were… rough. I’m not going to sugarcoat it (pun intended). My stomach growled constantly. I was irritable. I felt like I couldn’t focus on anything. Ugh, what a mess! I remember one particularly bad morning. I was trying to write an email, and all I could think about was pizza. Seriously, like, a deep-dish pepperoni pizza with extra cheese. It was a struggle to not give in.

The funny thing is, I *thought* I was prepared. I’d stocked up on black coffee and sparkling water, read countless articles about managing hunger, and even downloaded a fasting app to track my progress. But nothing could truly prepare me for the sheer force of my own cravings. I think the hardest part was the mental aspect. Knowing that I *couldn’t* eat, even if I was hungry, was surprisingly difficult. It’s like when someone tells you not to think about a pink elephant. Suddenly, that’s *all* you can think about! Did I make a mistake? Should I have prepared more? Who even knows what’s next?

My Intermittent Fasting Mistakes (So You Don’t Have To!)

Okay, so, let’s talk mistakes. Because I made plenty. My biggest one? Not drinking enough water. Seriously, I was so focused on not eating that I totally forgot to stay hydrated. This led to headaches, fatigue, and even more hunger pangs. Rookie mistake, I know. Another one? I didn’t plan my meals properly. During my eating window, I was so ravenous that I would just grab whatever was easiest. This often meant processed foods, sugary snacks, and generally unhealthy choices. The idea was to eat healthy and cut the extras, and I wasn’t even close to that.

I also went too hard, too fast. I jumped straight into the 16/8 routine without gradually easing into it. This was a recipe for disaster, as my body wasn’t used to going for so long without food. If I could do it again, I would start with a shorter fasting window and slowly increase it over time. You know, ease my way into the pool instead of cannonballing in. I think this might have made the transition a little less painful. And finally, I didn’t listen to my body. There were days when I felt genuinely unwell, but I pushed through anyway, determined to stick to my schedule. This was not smart. Your body knows what it needs. I should have listened.

Finding a Rhythm (Finally!)

After a few weeks of trial and error (and more hanger-induced meltdowns than I care to admit), I finally started to find a rhythm. I started drinking a ton of water, especially during my fasting window. I also started planning my meals in advance, focusing on whole, unprocessed foods. Think lean protein, lots of veggies, and healthy fats. I even started experimenting with different recipes, which actually made the whole process a lot more enjoyable.

The biggest turning point was when I stopped focusing on the “diet” aspect and started thinking about it as a lifestyle change. It became less about restriction and more about mindful eating. I started paying attention to how different foods made me feel, and I made choices that supported my overall health and well-being. Was I the only one confused by this? I don’t know, but it sure was a relief when it finally clicked!

Was It Worth It? My Honest Conclusion

So, after a few months of intermittent fasting, was it worth it? Honestly, it’s a mixed bag. I did lose a few pounds, which was a nice bonus. More importantly, I felt more energized and focused. I also noticed a significant improvement in my digestion. But intermittent fasting isn’t for everyone. It requires discipline, planning, and a willingness to listen to your body. And it’s definitely not a magic bullet.

If you’re considering trying intermittent fasting, I would highly recommend doing your research, starting slowly, and being patient with yourself. Don’t be afraid to experiment and find what works best for you. And most importantly, don’t be too hard on yourself if you slip up. We all do. As for me, I’m still doing intermittent fasting, but I’m a lot more flexible with it now. Some days I stick to the 16/8 routine, and other days I just eat when I’m hungry. The key is to find a balance that works for your body and your lifestyle. If you’re as curious as I was, you might want to dig into other related topics of lifestyle changes and finding what works best. Good luck!