4 days ago I decided to jump straight into 20/4 intermittent fasting after coming across and reading "The Obesity Code" and I am honestly baffled at how doable it is. I've always struggled with stress eating and constant snacking. Trying to follow a diet is mentally like participating in an endless debate with a grubby middle schooler that wants his Oreos. Its exhausting, and the grubby middle schooler eventually wins by bombarding me with justifications for why I should give in and eat. But my weight has been at a very unhealthy level for a few years now, and I got put on beta-blockers for near constant sinus tachycardia at 22 years old and told I need to lose weight. I think reading that book gave me a scientific slap in the face.

I really thought I wasn't going to make it through the first day. (similar to how other diets have gone) But 4 days later I've stuck with it so far. I really believe fasting takes out the part of dieting I struggle with the most, the mental debate. There's no back and forth of what or when I should eat, its a deep, unmistakable line in the sand. If it's not between 4pm-8pm, I can't have it. No matter what it is. It doesn't make the urge any less uncomfortable and frustrating, but it makes it leagues easier to fight when there's no wiggle room for my brain to take advantage of.

Currently I'm not worrying about what or how much I eat within my window, besides making an effort to eat more protein and fiber. For now I just want to teach my body that I won't, in fact, die if I have to wait a few hours to eat something I'm craving. Regardless, if I had to guess, my calorie intake has probably halved compared to what I used to consume in a day. I'm curious to see if there is any weight loss in a couple weeks or if this helps regulate my appetite long term. I do also want to try longer fasts at some point, (1-3 days) but they're pretty intimidating right now.

I was curious what other former (or current) stress eaters experiences are/were with fasting? Was it similar or do you have different struggles?

I have very little time left. I intend to break my fast tomorrow morning, maybe later. But I swear, eating time with my kids (6, 3) is a battle. Its not bad food either. Meat, cheese, fruit, an occasional vegetable. Salty. Sweet. Savory. It stresses me out to no end. I CANT EAT, DONT YOU UNDERSTAND?!?!?! EAT YOUR FOOD OR YOU'LL DIE AND I'LL GO TO JAIL!!!

GOD DAMNIT.

/end rant

Finishing my 2nd 5+ day fast. Cant wait for the sausage and eggs tomorrow.

39M 5' 6.5" SW 240 CW 210 GW 130.

Hey guys

Day 4 of my fast and I feel great. I have decided I want to attempt 21 days.

Right now I haven’t stepped on a scale or anything, but the feeling of being hungry has like almost gone away entirely. I can now see how this is just a mental game.

Standing in front of a mirror I can see how much different I look now the bloating has gone and my body is a bit depleted, and it’s given me more motivation than anything.

It was hard to fall asleep last night and I woke up once or twice but I got a solid 9 hours sleep, and better quality sleep than I had on days 1-3, feels like I can actually do it!!

Figure I might share my daily journey somewhere as I’ve never done that before! I feel so motivated reading everyone’s experience here and I’d welcome any discussion or questions :)

Day three into my long fast. I haven’t decided how long I’m going to go for in total. I am just set on trying to reach 7 days and deciding how I feel. The obvious goal is weight loss, and just resetting my hunger levels and my attitude towards food.

Besides morning headaches (which are fine after I have some salt and a glass of water), I’m feeling good! Focus is definitely up, but physically I’m low on energy, and this weekend will be the next big test. Weirdly I haven’t had insane hunger pains today, I’ve thought about food for sure, but I’ve been able to just ignore the noise. I feel restless at times, sleep is broken but I’m generally sleeping 8 hours, and the last 2 days have been mostly sedentary.

I’ve bounced back and forth a lot today between wanting to go 30 days straight and dropping an insane amount of weight, and being scared I’ll just lose this momentum and not be able to get back to fasting like this. I feel like I want this time to be different, and I want to feel lighter physically and mentally, so then day to day movement will be easier and I’d be allowed to eat without feeling so ashamed about it? I also want to push myself to do something so difficult I can only feel proud about it.

I weighed myself at the start of the fast, and I’ll weigh myself on day 7, and I’m hoping seeing the number will add to my motivation.

I tried to go on a light walk today, and it was fine. I was sweating a bit harder than normal and when I got upstairs (4th floor flat no lift ffs) I was slightly light headed and my stomach hurt, but after some water and a sit down it was fine.

Thanks for reading my little daily talk :)

I am taking 400 mg of magnesium citrate and 400 mg of potassium, licking table salt for sodium. I'm not dizzy or light-headed. Just feel fatigued and low on energy. I am shooting for 10 to 12 days which would break my personal record, any tips appreciated. Female.

Going strong! Usually day 2 is the hardest for me, but I’m doing good! Granted, I’m currently 45 hours in, so hopefully I’ll still be doing well by nighttime (which is usually when I struggle most). Still, I don’t feel tried or weak at all!

What has been a huge godsend is drinking lots of hot water. Like drinking tea, but without putting anything in it. I believe the warmth makes me feel like I’m eating something, so it helps any hunger pains.

I also took some magnesium oxide to hopefully prevent any muscle cramps. I only took half a pill though, because I don’t want any stomach pains.

Again, though I’m primarily drinking water, I’m also drinking diet sodas and Gatorade zero. The caffeine and electrolytes help me get through the day.

I’m almost at the 72 hour and unsure whether to push it further also is doing rolling fasts dangerous?