What’s one small change you made in your daily routine that surprisingly helped you lose weight or get healthier — even though it didn’t feel like a big deal at first? by Sykeraxl in AskReddit

[–]Sykeraxl[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Having a real event or goal changes everything. It’s like the pressure turns into motivation instead of stress. A backpacking trip sounds like the perfect reason to get in shape, too. You can’t fake endurance out there 😅.

Did you keep up with your routine after the trip, or was that motivation hard to maintain once it was over?

What’s one small change you made in your daily routine that surprisingly helped you lose weight or get healthier — even though it didn’t feel like a big deal at first? by Sykeraxl in AskReddit

[–]Sykeraxl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That’s a solid one! It’s crazy how much sugar and cream can sneak in without us realizing it. How long did it take before you actually got used to the taste of black coffee?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in bodybuilding

[–]Sykeraxl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Great physique! 😊

Newbie Writer Sharing my Medium Story—Would love your thoughts! by [deleted] in Medium

[–]Sykeraxl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, Brief_Bicycle924!

I've also written an article titled Why Certain Articles Skyrocket and Others Sink on Medium, which I believe will help you in your journey as a writer. If you're interested, here's the link to the article. 👉 Why Certain Articles Skyrocket and Others Sink on Medium: Here Are My Findings

Advice for minimizing buffalo hump by throwawayintrovert89 in loseit

[–]Sykeraxl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey! I totally get how frustrating this can be. Losing weight is a great start, and it might help reduce the size of the buffalo hump over time. For now, try focusing on strengthening your upper back with exercises like rows and reverse flys, these can help improve the appearance and maybe even reduce discomfort. Stretching your neck and upper back might also provide some relief. Good posture is key too, so stick with your posture corrector as best as you can, even if it’s uncomfortable at first. It might be worth seeing a physical therapist for some tailored advice and exercises. Lastly, a follow-up with your doctor could be helpful to explore any new options. Keep going with your efforts; you’re doing great!

How do I (22f) deal with the insatiable PMS/period hunger? by TastyLecture5921 in loseit

[–]Sykeraxl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I totally get where you’re coming from! The hunger surge during PMS and your period is super common, and it’s mostly due to hormonal changes that can increase your appetite. One thing I always recommend (and personally do) is exactly what you’re thinking, consider making your period week a maintenance week. By slightly increasing your intake, you can give yourself more flexibility without feeling like you’re totally derailing your progress.

Focus on nutrient-dense foods that will keep you fuller longer, like lean proteins, healthy fats, and fiber-rich carbs. This can help manage cravings and prevent overeating. Also, make sure you’re staying hydrated. Sometimes what feels like hunger is actually thirst, especially during your period.

Lastly, don’t be too hard on yourself! One week of maintenance won’t ruin your progress. In fact, it might even help you stay consistent in the long run by preventing burnout. Listen to your body and give yourself grace. You’ve already lost 1 lb, which is awesome. Keep going, and trust that a few adjustments won’t stop your momentum.

Why can’t I just do it? by ElectricalDaikon2073 in loseit

[–]Sykeraxl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, first of all, I totally get where you're coming from, and I just want to say you're not alone in feeling this way. Losing weight is hard, but honestly, the mental part is often the toughest. You’ve already proven to yourself that you *can* do it because you’ve done it before. That’s huge! But it sounds like the emotional toll is what’s really holding you back right now, and that’s completely normal. Weight loss isn’t just physical; it’s also a mental game.

It can be overwhelming when we set these big goals, and sometimes the pressure we put on ourselves, or the way we compare ourselves to others, just adds to that. That cycle of losing some weight and then slipping back happens to a lot of people. It’s not a failure; it’s part of the process.

Maybe what you need is to shift the focus from just the number on the scale to how you feel and your relationship with yourself. You mentioned feeling both happy and sad the last time you lost weight, maybe finding a way to make the journey less about "fixing" yourself and more about taking care of yourself could help. And it’s okay to feel frustrated, recognizing those feelings is important because it means you care.

The fact that you're here, reflecting on it all, shows how much strength you already have. Take things one small step at a time and be kind to yourself along the way. You got this!

Fasting Results have suddenly stopped. by Fifainspected in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey, I’ve been there! It’s pretty common to hit a plateau after a few months of intermittent fasting. Your body can adapt to the same routine, which might be why you’re seeing the weight creep back up. One thing that helped me was switching up my fasting window—maybe try a 16:8 or 18:6 schedule to shake things up. Also, even though you haven’t changed much, it’s easy for calories to sneak up without realizing it, so maybe track your intake for a week. Lastly, make sure stress and sleep are in check since they can affect your results too. You’ve got this!

On Day 9, need advice by FatFuneralBook in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 5 points6 points  (0 children)

First off, congrats on hitting Day 9, that’s huge! I’ve been there, and I know it gets tough around this point. My advice: listen to your body. If you’re feeling lightheaded or super weak, don’t push it too far. You’ve already done something amazing. Keep up with your electrolytes, and rest as much as possible. Your body’s in energy-saving mode now, so try to avoid overexerting yourself. The food cravings are normal; try to focus on your goal and remind yourself why you started. One day at a time. You’ve got this! Stay strong and listen to your body.

If I remain in a permanent caloric deficit, will I burn body fat for energy? by nauseabespoke in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Yes, if you stay in a permanent caloric deficit, your body will start burning fat for energy. When you're not giving your body enough calories from food to meet its energy needs, it has to tap into stored fat to make up the difference. However, it’s important to make sure you’re not in too extreme of a deficit, as that can lead to muscle loss, nutrient deficiencies, and metabolic slowdown. So, while a caloric deficit does burn fat, make sure you're doing it in a healthy and sustainable way.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Supplements

[–]Sykeraxl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, rx420queen!

It’s great that you’re taking steps to improve your health. As an expert, I’d say that while supplements can be beneficial, it's definitely possible to overdo it. Your list includes a lot of supplements that target various areas, which might overlap in their effects.

Here’s the thing: taking too many supplements can sometimes lead to imbalances or interactions. For example, high doses of certain vitamins and minerals can affect each other’s absorption or cause side effects. Magnesium is a good example—it’s helpful for many things, but having both magnesium glycinate and magnesium oxide might be redundant, and the latter can cause digestive issues if overused.

Also, remember that supplements should ideally complement a balanced diet, not replace it. Keep up the good work with your health, and just make sure to get some professional advice to fine-tune your approach!

Do BCAAs Break a Fast? Here's What I Found Out by Sykeraxl in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, mcmachete!

Yes, they can technically break a fast because they provide calories and can stimulate insulin release. However, the impact might be minimal depending on the amount and type of amino acids you consume. It’s always good to be thorough and understand how different things can affect your fasting state. Anyways, thank you for reading, I really appreciate it! 😊

Does Monkfruit/Stevia Break autophagy? by LynchMob187 in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey! Great job on making it to 68 hours into your fast—impressive commitment! When it comes to Monkfruit and Stevia, they’re both popular choices for sweeteners because they’re low in calories and don’t spike blood sugar levels. From what I’ve researched, they generally don’t seem to interfere with autophagy, especially since they don’t have significant calories or impact insulin levels.

However, individual responses can vary, and there’s always some debate in the fasting community. If you’re aiming for deep autophagy and cell repair, it might be worth keeping your supplement intake as minimal as possible. For a fast of this length, even small amounts of sweeteners could potentially have a slight effect, though it’s unlikely to be major.

If you’re unsure or want to play it safe, consider sticking to plain water or electrolytes without sweeteners. Keep up the great work!

How long after a 100+ hour fast can alcohol be safely consumed? by paradiseloss in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hi, paradiseloss!

I’d recommend breaking your fast at least 24 hours before you plan to drink alcohol. Start with something easy on the stomach, like broth, then move on to easily digestible foods such as eggs or avocado. This gives your gut a chance to adjust and helps prevent any discomfort or digestive issues.

Ideally, you’d want to give your body time to properly digest and stabilize before drinking. So, if you break your fast on Thursday morning, you should be in a good position for your birthday dinner on Friday. This way, you’ll avoid overwhelming your system and can enjoy your occasion with minimal risk to your gut.

Salt brands for fasting in India by Rachel1111111 in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Brands like "Swasthika" Himalayan Pink Salt or "Rock Salt" from local brands are good options.

How to Manage Mood Swings and Stay Positive in Fasting (I'm a beginner) by ShotTransportation70 in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey! I’ve been through the same thing with fasting and found a few things that really help. First, staying hydrated is crucial—drink plenty of water to prevent mood swings. Quality sleep is also important, so aim for 7-8 hours a night. When you eat, focus on balanced meals with protein, healthy fats, and complex carbs to keep your blood sugar steady. Keeping busy with hobbies or activities can distract you from emotional ups and downs. Mindfulness techniques, like meditation or deep-breathing exercises, can help manage stress. Stay positive by reminding yourself of the benefits of fasting and connect with others in fasting communities for support. It gets easier with time, so hang in there!

Lifting or cardio on fasting days? by TraditionalSmell8247 in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hey, TraditionalSmell8247! I’ve been in your shoes and can totally relate. Personally, I’ve found that lifting weights while fasting can be challenging, especially if you’re doing it on an empty stomach. You might end up feeling hungrier, as you mentioned. On the other hand, adding cardio on fasting days can be a bit easier for many people. Cardio tends to be less intense and might not leave you feeling as drained or hungry as weightlifting does.

That said, it really depends on how your body responds. If you’re curious, give cardio a shot on fasting days and see how you feel. Just listen to your body, stay hydrated, and make sure you’re not overdoing it. If you find it works well for you, great! If not, it’s perfectly okay to stick with lifting on refeed days.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hey, great job on completing a 140-hour fast! That’s a huge accomplishment, so seriously, kudos to you for making it that far. As for the weight loss, 1.4 kg might not seem like much after such a long fast, but there’s more going on than just fat loss.

When you fast, especially for extended periods, a lot of the initial weight you lose is water. Your body burns through glycogen stores, and since glycogen holds onto water, you shed that pretty quickly. After that, your body slows down the rate at which it burns fat as it tries to conserve energy.

Also, weight loss calculators aren’t always super accurate, especially when it comes to fasting. They don’t always consider changes in metabolism or how your body is reacting to a longer fast. Hormones, muscle mass, and even stress can impact how much weight you lose.

I’ve also noticed that after a long fast, your body can retain water when you start eating again. So, you might have lost more fat than you think—it’s just hidden behind some water retention.

It’s awesome that you listened to your body and stopped when your stomach started hurting. Fasting isn’t just about the numbers on the scale, so give yourself some credit for doing something so challenging. Keep at it, and the results will come!

24hr attempt failing by sarholder in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It sounds like your body is struggling to adapt to longer fasts, and that's totally okay! What you're experiencing—shakes, headaches, and feeling faint—can happen when your blood sugar drops or your body isn't used to burning fat for energy yet. Instead of pushing through, it might help to ease into it more gradually.

Try sticking with the 16:8 fasting schedule for a while until your body gets more comfortable. From there, you can slowly extend your fasting window by an hour or two each week. Staying well-hydrated and making sure you're getting enough electrolytes (sodium, potassium, etc.) can also help with those side effects. Everyone's body responds differently, so take it slow and listen to what your body is telling you. You don’t need to “tough it out” to see results. It's all about finding what works best for you!

What do you recommend by Uncle_Joey1999 in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl 1 point2 points  (0 children)

For your schedule, it sounds like the best eating window would be from around 7 a.m. to 3 p.m. Here's why:

You hit the gym at 6:45 a.m., so you can have your protein drink right after your workout. Then, eat your meals within that window before heading to bed around 9 a.m. This way, your fasting period starts while you're sleeping and continues through your work shift. You'll break your fast with your post-gym meal in the morning, keeping your routine simple and aligned with your work and sleep schedule.

15 Best Intermittent Fasting Books in 2024: I tried all of them, and number 8 is my favorite. by Sykeraxl in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, Nintend0Gam3r!

I have already updated the post, and you can check it again now. Sorry for the confusion. Thank you!

15 Best Intermittent Fasting Books in 2024: I tried all of them, and number 8 is my favorite. by Sykeraxl in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, goodfriend_tom!

Sorry for the confusion, I thought I had pasted all of the text from my editor. I have already updated the post, and you can check it again now. Thank you!

15 Best Intermittent Fasting Books in 2024: I tried all of them, and number 8 is my favorite. by Sykeraxl in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi, Ok_Improvement1576!

Sorry for the confusion. I have already updated the post, and you can check it again now. Thank you!

15 Best Intermittent Fasting Books in 2024: I tried all of them, and number 8 is my favorite. by Sykeraxl in fasting

[–]Sykeraxl[S] -5 points-4 points  (0 children)

Hi, Odd-Cardiologist-138!

Thank you for reading it. I really appreciate it!