btkunene's Journal, 04 Feb 21

I struggle with the fast I want to eat anything in sight wen I come off it. All the small steps help good luck dear  

Having the right meal options available post fast really helps! When you get to the 13 hour slump start prepping and planning what healthy but filling things you will eat! 

i first got off sugar for 3 weeks before I started my first because I didn't want to shock my body. At 3 weeks I lost nothing. But at 1 week into my fast I lost 2kg. I drank about 3 to 5 cups of tea a day & I didn't think I could manage going without tea but I did. This was my second time cutting sugar and I have to say it was easier than the first time I did it. But everyday other days are a struggle as I crave sweet thing but I am sticking to my goal like glue. My advice, drinking water helps. 

Thank you guys for the input I appreciate it and having the right meals its true . The sugar craving I've conquered it at this juncture *lol* I've stopped buying bad food to bring home .  

Now on my 100th attempt, though this time I decided to just quit the sweets and choc etc because that on its own will make a difference if not with weight loss then to at least be mindful about my eating. Cutting carbs and milk will come down the line, my point is one thing at a time to avoid that shock your body gets and that may result in a binge... Good luck.  

sugar is a tough one. it creeps back in so easily and the addiction is hard to crack. I've been on the same buzz since about two weeks ago... I'm finding that extra water is flushing it out my system X.  

Devika... a tip for coming off the fast without going into binge mode...about 10minutes to half an hour before you have your first full meal... have something with protein. either a bone broth (I'm not a fan but it's good for some) or a bit of biltong or a boiled egg. something small and protein rich helps prepare the stomach. having fibre first thing after a fast a bit hard on the stomach and I find can make me think I'm hungry, but it's actually just that the stomach can't cope with the fibre.... I tend to have my biltong snack as my first fast-break meal and it normalises my eating for the feeding window.  

I also struggled to let go of sugar in my coffee. I replaced it with xylitol and it has been one full year without sugar. 

Honestly don’t fast. Just calorie count. You’re saying you dont know how long can keep this up for and I think this is exactly the core issue. Fasting isn’t something you can keep up for for very long. Calorie counting is much more doable. It’s realistic and not so extreme 

I dunnow. I've been practicing fasting for 3 years now. I do 16:8 at least 4 times a week, 18:6 twice and a rest day at least once a week... I wouldn't change this lifestyle for the world. No more migrains, a much healthier relationship with food. Blood pressure issues have improved - doesn't get as low anymore... Theres much more to it than fat burning only. It's not for everyone, but it's been a game changer for me.  

I use blueberries for the sweet tooth. You can eat them like sweets. Just three or four at a time when want something sweet. And they're super low in calories.  

I also find fasting to be very sustainable - I actually can't believe that I felt that I "have" to eat breakfast for forever now....when I fast (so basically skip breakfast) I find it easy to stick to my calorie and makros for the day. I did read something specifically related to cutting down sugar/carbs - when you are making the transition (first week) then don't try and add fasting to that, it's very hard and might make you feel lighthearted, headaches, cravings etc - that first week cut out your sugar and carbs, but make sure to eat enough fats and proteins and when you have settled in to your new routine *then* you can start looking at fasting etc, but break it up in to manageable achievements - it's really really hard to come off sugar!