I have come around to accepting that the standard Western meal plan of three distinct sittings day is largely unnecessary, and I enjoy being a little more efficient. I had considered IF, because it seems very efficient and supposedly – I know the science is somewhat contentious – is closer to the evolutionary optimum.
However it's a problem for me on two counts, both socially and nutritionally. For the first, I don't go out *a lot* but I do with some regularity and often I could see dinner starting or at least continuing Bmbeyond a strict 8 p.m. cutoff. On the other hand, I like to work out and get started with my day very early, and needing to wait until 12 seems like it would leave me a bit lethargic, and also be a problem since I'm likely to be busy then.
I am in good shape and and get a good amount of activity and exercise, is the strict 12/8 IF schedule really going to be advantageous for me, or can I do something looser?
I do enjoy the feeling and energy, and mental clarity, of feeling less full and being a little hungry occasionally. Currently I do essentially "1.5MAD" - some fruit, nut, yogurt/kefir/diary protein in the morning (~7-8), main meal ~6-7:30). I suppose this isn't really fasting so much as it is just skipping lunch. Am I just fooling myself?
Answer
Sounds like you’d benefit from longer fasts once in a while rather than regular 16/8. You’d then get a mental and physical boost once or twice a week, but you could still do early exercising and late socialising on other days.