Newbie here - how strict are you?

Hey all, newbie here. I’ve sorta been getting into IF by accident (didn’t eat one day, didn’t feel terrible, wanted to see how it went) but am liking how I feel a couple weeks in. I’m sorta on a 18:6/OMAD schedule—basically, I just eat dinner but give myself some fruit or a snack a couple hours after dinner if I’m still hungry or unsatisfied. What I’m wondering is how strict people are with special occasions. My friends like to go to lunch or brunch here and there, and I’d like to be able to go AND not be the weird one sitting there sipping tea and making everyone uncomfortable. Ideally, I’d like no one to really notice I’m doing this. Not a secret, by any means, just not the top priority in my life. For people who have had success, have you committed completely? Or made some exceptions here and there for social situations?

Answer

I’m not very strict but I’m also not trying to lose weight fast, more IF has been a sustainable way to cut down my overeating and constant snacking.

I’ve found controlling the time I can eat a lot easier that what I eat (e.g. I’m incapable of banning pasta from my life). Plus my diet has decrease a lot since starting IF.

I generally start eating at 11am and stop by 5pm (I.e. 16:8). Two meals, breakfast and dinner.

However I will stretch it to stopping eating by 7pm (I.e. 16:8) if something comes up that delays dinner.

I also throw it all out the window if I have relatives staying over or I’m going out for the night with friends. I don’t have nights out often though, or I would shift the eating window to later.

I might have to shift it anyway because I’m going to rent a place with my brother soon and will struggle to have stopped eating at least 2 hours before he has dinner lol.

The people who have had dramatic weight loss fast seem to be quite strict and also be on other diets like keto. I’d never keep that up though.

Answer

On weekdays I’m on a 18:6 schedule, sometimes I can stretch to 20:4 if I’m busy. On weekends it varies between OMAD (if I’m out for a very long walk/running errands all day) or a more relaxed 16:8 if I‘m going to socialise.

Answer

I’m not strict at all. I allow myself to stop fasting early if needed and if I have an event to go to I’ll either push my eating window around a bit or just skip that day if it’s going to make me fast during a period I don’t want to (ex skipping breakfast entirely)

Answer

I’m not very strict. I’m mostly OMAD. Some days I need to snack about 2 hours before dinner. Some days I need to eat lunch and skip dinner for activities. Some days I have lunch and dinner. If you can, try to schedule lunch dates close to your eating window, and just adjust for timing/calories.

That’s what I like about this WOE. I’m not feeling deprived, there’s nothing off-limits (though certainly still things I avoid,) and I can wiggle as I need to.

I’m finding that I’ve adjusted to the feeling of hunger (which really isn’t HUNGER) and if I, say, decide to have breakfast one day, I can hold out until dinner and not derail the whole day with snacks and lunch.

Answer

I am very strict on my fasting. I follow 19:5 routine, and for your problem. It’s not absolutely necessary that you should be fasting every single day. If you are meeting your friends don’t fast that day and fast the next day. It’s consistency over intensity. There is no point in doing it If you can’t enjoy your life.