16:8 diet

I seem to have lapsed due to a procession of Christmas lunches (and possibly chocolate). Sounds like a plan for the new year!

I've been thinking about how to manage the 16:8 over Christmas. I've been doing well by following it strictly and really don't want to undo the weeks of effort in a few reckless days! Have decided to continue restricting my eating "window" over the hols, and avoid the cake-and chocolate-for-breakfast-trap that has done for me in the past! January is bad enough without a hefty dose of guilt and remorse. Will anyone be keeping me company?

During the last 4 weeks I've gone off the rails. The 8 hours has gone to pot as I'm staying with DD and her family and have to fall in with their meal times. I'm keeping away from naughty stuff but in this heat the wine is winning although I don't think I've put on any weight as the shorts are still reasonably loose round the waist. I'm here for another 6 weeks so will start again with increased vigour on my return in February. ?

Parsleywin I'm sticking with it except for Christmas day. It's so easy to just keep the eating to that time window. However, I suspect that I'll be eating much higher calorific content but won't worry about that. January is coming...

I should say that I don't go to evening events. We're having a procession of people in for drinks in the early evening on several days so socialising but not out late or having to eat outwith the 8 hours.

I think I might go back to 5:2 over Christmas week, so that I don't miss out on any special breakfasts and the traditional sherry while I cook the turkey.

I'll decide then which regime to stick with.

That's good to know, Jane10. I know my calorie intake will be high too - but I'll feel that I've got some measure of control if they don't ooze and escape from the 8 hour period!

I'm going to try this. I lost 4 stone with Slimming World but over the past 4years it's all gone back on again. Hate the way I look and feel so maybe this approach will work for me. Fingers crossed. ?

I’m out to a Christmas Dinner function tonight, so I can’t avoid eating!
I will note when I finish eating hopefully around 9 and do my 16 hours, or as near to it, from then.

I got a bit carried away with DGS2's bucket of popcorn sitting between us at our trip to see Paddington 2 today and completely forgot I was supposed to be fasting. That was 11.30, so there'll be no gin or supper from me at my pub quiz tonight. I had a beer with my lunch to compensate though - a big one!

The dinner was delicious, I didn’t have the turkey option!
Now I’m suffering with stomach pains from eating more than usual, later than usual!
I think fasting won’t be a problem today!

I've just checked back and it's 8 weeks since I started this way of eating. (Not going to call it a diet). Have been trying on clothes to pack for Christmas and while I still don't look too good in some, I look a whole lot better in others. I can really see a difference. And that's despite a helping of Belgian chocolate cheesecake and two glasses of wine. Am praying for resolve when the boxes of biscuits and sweets are passed round. At least where I'm heading for they are very fond of bracing walks. I shall try to keep up.
Wishing you all a very merry Christmas.

I backslid (is that a word?) yesterday when a pork pie winked at me in the fridge. I succumbed and ate it nearly 2 hours before I should have!
Am back on the wagon again today though. I blame the pie.

Well I’ve only managed to lose half my desired weight, but the clothes are no longer tight.
I will continue through Christmas, when I can, and then resume a normal pattern afterwards!
Merry Christmas to all 16:8 ers.
?

Yes, Merry Christmas to all, and don't worry about letting go for a few days. We know we can do it now, so we can get back to it after New Year!

Well. That was unexpected: we both discovered that we just couldn't eat as much as we used to. We had a lovely Christmas lunch at DDs. Usually in the evening on Christmas day we have turkey salad sandwiches and smoked salmon etc as well as making inroads in the chocolate stash. This year we found that we couldn't face anything in the evening at all. Stomachs shrunk? Who knows. Not complaining though.

That's sadly not applicable here, Jane10. I've been in full pigging out mode since Sunday evening. I am reading in bed and when I ran down to pop the heating on half an hour ago, a box of rose creams mysteriously made their way upstairs with me. I'm now looking at an empty box. I think I'd better call it breakfast.

I have found the same thing Jane10, my meals are gradually getting smaller and I find I don't want much more after eating main meal. Purposely didn't buy chocolate this year and haven't missed it (but son gave me a box which I am limiting myself to a couple a day lol) and haven't been attacking the peanuts etc.

Yes, Jane10! I've been pleasantly surprised by how easy it was to get through Christmas "in control" but not feel at all deprived. I didn't buy the sort of temptations that have previously been my downfall when available dotted temptingly round the house for mindless grazing.

I'm also noticing that my appetite is smaller and this definitely feels like a way of life now, rather than a temporary diet. Thanks again for sharing back in November!

Same here, Christmas Day was not too bad, early breakfast of smoked salmon, lunch with all the usual bits. But then nothing in the evening. Lunch probably was calorie loaded, as was Boxing Day lunch and we did have canapés in the evening.
Going to have first meal of the day now, ham/turkey salad and the last of the Christmas pud! ?.

We've got cupboards of chocolates, cakes and crisps as well as loads of fizz and wine but I just don't fancy it. Most odd. Early days though. We've got more than a week of 'holidays' to get through. Visitors the next couple of evenings, a party too and, to top it off we've been told that we're being treated to dinner in the Michelin star restaurant of our choice!
The GN Burns lunch in January also on the culinary cards. Oh boy.

Gone off the rails but will restart after family Xmas in Ireland on Jan 5th

I'm restarting on 1st. Jan, but I haven't put on any weight over Christmas Hurrah !!!

I think the joy of this diet is that you can go off the rails a bit and you won't pile weight back on as long as you do some exercise. I've had a couple of long weekends away with full English breakfasts but haven't gained an ounce, though did do quite a lot of walking.

My youngest grandson (7) noticed that there wasn't as much of me round the middle. However he went on to itemise which other parts I could work on to match up.
I did keep to my 8 hour window but did have a few chocs and some Turkish Delight, also Christmas pud. Like others I found that I cannot eat the piggy portions I used to. Since being home I've succumbed to a cold and a wheezy cough which is subduing my appetite no end.
Resolve undiminished. I have some pairs of jeans with non elastic waists I'm aiming to get back into.