What I’ve Learned So Far From Past 6 Months of Intermittent Fasting

I’ve fought a losing battle with my weight since Covid, which is when I started working remotely. Due to long sitting hours, I gained weight.
One day, I came across a YouTube channel called Satvic Movement, and after watching their videos, I decided to give it a try.

If you’re looking for expert advice, stop right here — no need to read further.

Intermittent Fasting

One concept of intermittent fasting follows a 16:8-hour ratio, where you’re allowed to consume food during an 8-hour window each day.

Here’s a simple definition: you eat your normal amount of food but within a smaller time frame.

It’s not a diet — it’s a pattern of eating that reduces your eating window to about 8 hours daily.

For example, I usually eat my first meal around 10 AM, and my final meal by 6 PM. After that, I fast until 10 AM the next day. Additionally, I decided to change a few of my eating habits — I eliminated coffee and milk tea and added black tea to my routine.

This breaks down to about 16 hours of fasting and 8 hours of eating daily. I follow this almost every day.

Insights from the Past 6 Months

When I stumbled upon intermittent fasting, I somehow managed to stick to it for six months, and it’s been going pretty well. However, I am not an expert or an advocate — this is just a brief account of my experience.

I started by fasting 12 hours a day. While it doesn’t sound very impressive, it was a huge achievement for me — no snacks, no sugar, just water and black coffee or tea.

After getting comfortable, I moved on to longer fasting periods.

During my 8-hour eating window, I consume a full homemade meal, turmeric milk, fruits, salad, nuts, and sesame seeds. Throughout the day, I drink more than five glasses of water (though I still need to increase this).

It’s been over six months now, and my stomach is much flatter. I’m moving more easily, and my mind feels clearer.

I’ve started to see the results of my hard work. But I won’t lie — it hasn’t always been easy. I still get hungry and drink a lot of water to manage it. At first, I experienced headaches, but they’ve become less frequent, and I’m coping much better now.

One technique I recommend for anyone interested in trying intermittent fasting is to stay busy. Read a book, do some gardening, or go for a walk. I won’t sugarcoat it — it’s not easy. But the health benefits have been tremendous for me.

Why I Started

The primary reason I started intermittent fasting was weight loss. I had proven to myself that exercise alone wasn’t enough. Since starting, I’ve lost 6 kilograms.

I’ve also been able to increase my strength, reduce body fat, and maintain good health — all while spending less time eating each day. If you can achieve the same results by simplifying your life and eating twice a day, why make it more complicated by eating four or five times?

I’ve noticed that I have a lot of mental clarity in the morning when I fast. While I can’t say for certain if it’s due to fasting or just feeling refreshed after waking up, one thing is clear: fasting doesn’t hinder my ability to get things done. In fact, I’m almost always more productive in the morning when I’m fasting than in the afternoon when I’m fed.

The Bottom Line

Intermittent fasting is a popular weight-loss method, but its benefits extend beyond that. Studies involving animals and humans suggest it may help you live a longer and healthier life overall.

There are various ways to practice intermittent fasting. Some methods involve fasting during specific hours each day, while others require fasting only on certain days of the week. Approaches and results may vary.

If you’re interested in starting intermittent fasting, consider consulting a doctor or dietitian. They can help you determine whether it’s safe for you, especially if you’re taking medications that could cause negative side effects while fasting.

However, I am not an expert or an advocate — this is just a brief account of my experience.

You can connect with me on X If this story resonates with you, I’d appreciate it if you could highlight, clap, and leave a comment. That would truly make my day!

Happy reading and writing!

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This post was previously published on Readers Club.

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