Hi KronicSonic, I, like you, am an evening muncher. I have only just started fasting – I’m on my second one as we speak. And I’m experimenting. I figured that seeing as the evening is the hardest time for me, I would get that out of the way first. So I started at 9.00 yesterday, after my evening meal, and got the hardest bit over. It wasn’t too bad, as I was still pretty full from eating beforehand. I was a bit hungry in the night when I was trying to go to sleep, but again, nothing too awful.
So by 9.00 the next morning, (this morning), I’d already done a 12 hour fast without really trying, and was well pleased with myself! I allowed myself a drink with some milk in, and then continued fasting again. I don’t know about you, but I really don’t find it too hard to stay away from food in the mornings, so that’s okay – I’m just keeping drinking until lunchtime. Actually, we don’t have our lunch till 2.00, so I might succumb to an apple or something before that. Then I’m going to eat nearly half of my calories, and have the rest later – perhaps about 6.00 p.m. Then I’ve only got to cope till 9.00 p.m., and the fast’s over!
From what I’ve read on these forums, I’d better not go crazy during the rest of the evening though, otherwise I might undo my good work, so I shall still be a bit careful what I eat just for this one evening - being relaxed about it, but still keeping it healthy and sensible.
Then I hope to have lost ½ lb by tomorrow morning.
Two books that I have found really helpful on my road to eating less during the evening are Jason Vale’s two books, ‘Chocolate Busters’ and ‘Slim for Life’. I used to start munching dark chocolate (and peanut butter) at about 9.00 p.m., and then carry on until 1 or 2 in the morning, not being able to sleep because the chocolate was keeping me awake!
I read ‘Chocolate Busters’ and haven’t had one bit since. That was about a month ago. It stops you wanting it. All the reviews on Amazon say so too. Similarly, ‘Slim for Life’ makes you realise that we are addicted to many manufactured foods because the foods make us addicted. It’s not our fault. Sugar and many other substances make you go back for more, because they don’t feed you – they leave you feeling empty and in fact leave you feeling emptier than you did before you ate them in the first place! As Jason Vale says, no-one gets addicted to apples or spinach. (Probably my words, not his).
So if you have been munching manufactured foods and drinks during the evening – it’s not your fault. It’s possible to get un-addicted to them and to eat healthier things instead, which will fill us up, so that we stop when we are full. The trouble with many manufactured foods is that they don’t fill us up, so we can always eat more and more.
If I don’t lose weight on my 9 to 9 method, then I’ll have to re-think, but I figure it’s a lot better than what I was doing before, and it’s okay for getting used to the rigours of fasting. And who knows, I may even lose some weight on it and stop being obese. In which case, I shall stick to it.
You can only do what you can do – if you can’t do the whole shebang straight off, (and why should you? It’s probably too extreme for you, as others have said), then approximate towards it. Figure out what you can do, and start there. Then, as you get used to what you are doing, consider taking it down a notch when you feel ready. The heavier we are, the more weight we lose from walking, and probably from exercises strengthening our muscles. Doing exercises while sitting down is better than sitting still. Also the heavier we are, the easier it is to lose weight, so I agree that having a higher calorie allowance for starters would be a good thing to try. Do what you can do, and stick at it. That’s the way to get there in the end.
Hope that something I’ve said may be of help. I think I’ve helped myself by writing it, and got myself through till 1 p.m - nearly time to prepare lunch. So thanks!
(PS Wrote this earlier today)
I didn't believe the claims that people felt more energetic on the diet but now I am used to fasting I feel generally more energetic which is great.
