I am trying to lose some weight after having my 3rd kid and also from having to take steroids for a few months. A friend told me to try IF. I really have no idea what I'm doing. I downloaded the Zero app and have been tracking but feel like I may be doing it wrong? So In the mornings I break my 16 hour fast at 1130, then I don't eat again for 8 hours at around 730pm. Then I fast for 16 hours. Is that 16:8? Am I doing it right? I'm also only managing to consume like 1000-1200 calories this way so I'm worried I'm going to do more harm than good. Am I suppose to eat bigger meals? Sorry if this has been asked before I did scroll through the sub for a bit trying to find my answers but didn't really find what I was looking for.
Answer
For 16 hours you do not eat except drink water, black coffee or tea. For the next 8 hours you consume all your macros for the day spread out. So for you, your first meal is at 11:30am and your last meal should not be any later than 7:30pm. After 7:30pm, it’s back to water, black coffee or tea until 11:30am the next day.
Answer
Step 1: find your tdee. Google that and you will know what you need to shoot for calorie wise.
Step 2: don’t eat more than step one
Try going to 18:6, my schedule is finish eating by 7pm, fast until 1pm.
You really don’t get in “the zone” for metabolizing fat until the 16hr mark, so right now you are quitting just as you are about to start effecting change.