hi. That sounds like it’s a 10 hour eating window, do you think that it would be possible to stretch out your morning fasting until 9 AM? With a 10 hour eating window you’re only able to get a 14 hour fast. And a 16 hour fast might help. I also recommend checking out an app called Zero that does tracking for fasting. I find it very motivating. And they have a bunch of educational content. I’m not sure which educational content is available for free and which is paid but it’s very good content.
Well the good news is that it gets easier. So much of what makes us hungry all the time is that our body get into those habits, see also the kind of food we eat. Even if you don’t physically need the calories, it’s spending out the hunger signals. But just like a habit, the more you break from it the less the body sends out those hormones. Try to stick with something you can achieve and work your way up to whatever is comfortable.
>I just plain dislike drinking water.
This also got better for me. I used to be a heavy diet soda drinker. I would rarely drink plain water, and thought I didn’t like the taste of black coffee, tea, or sparkling water. Our taste buds get wired for the overstimulation of how saccharine corn syrup and artificial sweeteners are.
>I don’t feel like I have the time or energy to cook healthy meals.
I always recommend sheet pan meals as a great option. Minimal prep to throw some good whole ingredients together. Most cook fast, but even longer stuff is pretty hands off.
>I get snacky at 2 or 3 am when I get up to feed the baby.
I am constantly hungry.
See above. Good rule of thumb is wait 30 minutes - which is about how long waves of hunger last, maybe have some water or tea. If you’re still hungry after that then consider ending the fast early because the body is potentially saying it needs something.
Best of luck!
Do you drink caffeine? Depending on your reasons for fasting… Caffeine can be helpful. And yes you can have a very small amount of milk or cream in your coffee. If you’re not fasting for health reasons, but more concerned with weight loss.
Also I just wanna add that… Sounds really tough to try to kick this off with small kids. I remember that from when mine were small. You might want to check out The fastDiet from your library, by Mosley. His version of intermittent fasting is focused around a 5:2 schedule and a one meal a day technique. It’s just a different technique from than doing a 16:8 every day. And it could possibly be easier for you with your desired schedule. Good Luck!!