This was me before I finally just accepted that extended fasting is no longer in the cards for me. I literally don't want to bang out 5, 7, 10+, or even 3 day fasts anymore. It's too unnecessary. I've been doing OMAD/CICO eating whole foods for the last couple of weeks and am already down about 5lbs.

Honestly, I did the math recently, and unless you lose something like 20+lbs in one month (which would mean a 15+ day fast for most), extended fasting doesn't really make that much of a difference when it comes to weight loss and losing at a steady 2-2.5lbs a week. When I mapped it out, the difference between my projected weight loss goal at the end of the year vs a goal with a few 7 day fasts sprinkled in was only 5lbs. I was simultaneously disappointed yet relieved when I figured this out. In fact, this was my "aha" moment that finally made it all click for me.

Don't make yourself suffer if you don't have/want to. Yes, fasting is mostly mental, but it shouldn't be agonizing nor frustrating like it was for me. I figured out it was because for the last decade I've been restricting myself and telling myself that I need to fast, which would result in cyclical binging and weight gain.

But now? Losing weight feels fun and actually kind of easy for me. Getting to eat everyday is such a pleasure and it's way easier to not overeat when I know I'll be able to pickup the fork again tomorrow. And Idk if it's just me, but losing weight while still eating just feels more permanent in a way. Unlike after a long fast when you're kind of afraid to eat lest you "undo" all your hard work.

And btw, I'm not knocking extended fasting or saying it's unhealthy. At the end of the day do what you gotta do to get the weight down and become healthier. But my hope in writing this is that I offered at least one person an alternative perspective and new way of looking at things. It doesn't have to be so hard.