| | Water Fasting

Complete Beginner

Brand new to intermittent fasting. I am F, 29, 238lb would like to lose 42lb initially. I go to the gym with a Personal trainer 2-4 times a week depending on how often they can get me in. Mostly strength training with some cardio. I have been working hard to make healthier choices and exercise but don’t seem to be losing any weight so thought I would give IF a go. Going to start with 16:8 from 12-8. I’ve done lots of research where to start etc and am looking forward to it. I do have ulcerative colitis (IBD) of which I think my medication also impacts my weight. I don’t know if anyone on here also has IBD and finds it fine? I’m concerned that it could do me more harm than good however I think that’s my own anxiety about having a potential flair up rather than being backed up with any evidence. Any support or tips for starting out would be welcomed. Thanks for reading

Answer

You can find lots of ‘starting out’ posts using the search function and much of the advice given in the hundreds of posts on the topic is good; so I won’t repeat it here.

That said, I expect that you’ll need to be EXTRA, SUPER, MEGA careful with your UC in order to avoid flares. You are going to be intentionally stressing your body and digestive system, so you need to make sure you do your best to avoid ANY triggers you have.

For instance, you’re naturally going to avoid foods that ABSOLUTELY cause flares, but what about foods that ‘sometimes-but-not-always-maybe-possibly-occasionally’ trigger a flare? Are you prepared to avoid them altogether? Because you’ll need to.

Same with environmental factors. Stress, lack of sleep, hormonal issues, etc…etc…etc. All of these potential triggers can have an outsized effect on your digestive system when you’re fasting, so you need to make sure you take care of yourself properly.

Finally, I’d strongly recommend that you discuss this with your doctor. It’s possible that s/he can advise you on a medication change or schedule change that may make IF easier…or, at least, less prone to cause an IBD flare.