Snacking - need accountability to not do it!

#41

I’m now on day 22 of no snacking. It’s been an interesting stretch. I really don’t like feeling deprived - something in me rebels pretty hard - so I could feel on some days that I just had to be more generous about things: I stretched a meal into an eating window and was very indulgent with my food. In any case, it’s working: once I got through the first few weeks I didn’t really feel the need to do that anymore and I’m still not snacking. :grin:

(Brian Walters) #42

IF is most definetly the way to go or at least it was for me.

I did not enjoy it at first, but now I am a huge fan now.

I started with 14-16 hour fasts each day. I gradually increased my daily fast. Then I tried a 36 hr and a 60 hr fast.

There was a lot of self awareness gained during this time relating to my hunger. I learned when I get waves of hunger, probably from ghrelin cycle. And conditioned snacking at night on the stuff you had mentioned (nuts, dark chocolate, etc) Also, situational hunger.

So, after messing with IF for a while, I learned a lot about how to manage these triggers.

The biggest thing is keeping busy or keeping your mind off of food and off yourself. When I get hungry I try to let it be a reminder for me to do something (item on my to do list, exercise, pray, read my bible, talk to a loved one, serve other people, try to focus on other people and get to know others at work or in the neighborhood)
In many was IF had improved my life spiritually and socially, and of course physically

Hope this helps some

#43

Thanks, Brian! For some reason longer fasts are easier for me (or come more naturally to me) than IF but once I feel that I’m past the snacking habit, I might start fooling around a bit more with IF.
I loved reading your paragraph about keeping your mind off food. It’s true: when I’m fully focused on someone else, food is not on my mind at all! Thanks again -

(Brian Walters) #44

Absolutely!

I’m a Christian and feel I am closer to God when I am not focused on myself. I am commanded to love my neighbors. To love is to serve.

So , fasting has helped to remind me to focus on God and on others.

It’s easier to be content when the focus is not on yourself.