Oh I know what you mean about the rules, Marty. I was actually thinking about that as I was typing that post. I think those additional guidelines for myself will happen automatically over time, as my body adjusts and craves nutrition after the fast, not just "food" for the sake of a full tummy. I have already been used to eating a healthy diet (very little processed foods, etc.), except over the holidays when I indulged way too much and got off track with that.
I guess what I mean to say is that the only hard and fast rule is the eating window. Other than that, as long as I do those things I said the majority of the time (without stressing out about it or thinking in terms of cheating or not cheating), this will work. The only non-negotiable item is the 5-hour window. I guess rules is the wrong word for those other things...more like just making good choices during my window, which shouldn't be much of a challenge for me.
I agree that mucking things up with too many restrictions is not the best way to do this.
--- In fast5@yahoogroups.
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> I don't recall everything you said as being part of FF specific rules. Don't get me wrong, I thing that is a good plan, but sometimes "rules" trip us up mentally. Some people just have a "need" to break them to feel in control! So its the minimal rules of FF that help some folks stick with it.
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> In some ways, the lack of rules makes this workable (and therefore effective) for some. The fact that I can eat anything I want in my eating window helps take away the urge for unhealthy snacks (or anything else) during the Fast. When it is time to eat, I am hungry for food, not junk. For whatever reason, I like to start with cheese most of the time. Except for low fat yogurt, I normally don't eat desert. But if I feel like it, I don't hesitate. No "one treat - only on weekends" rule for me. It wouldn't work.
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> I fully agree with not eating outside the eating window. Any time I have done that I have gained weight. Even if only once in a long while or by only 1/2 an hour or so.
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> While recovering from surgery I didn't FF but didn't feel like eating much anyway, so I didn't gain weight during those few weeks of eating small amount throughout the day. But any other time I broke the rules, especially eating outside my window, it got me!
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> --
> Marty
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> --- In fast5@yahoogroups.
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> > Someone, can't remember who, said recently that they had found success following FF "scrupulously.
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> > I will not eat anything even one minute before my window opens. I think almost as important for me as the 5-hour window is how I begin it. With something healthy, not starchy. I will not break with starch, and I will not eat starch alone during my window...only at my meal. The only exception will be weekends, when I will allow myself one treat per night, but only one. I will eat veggies first during my meal, and during my fast period I will stick with water, herbal tea, and the occasional diet soda (I don't drink coffee).
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> > Bring on the scruples. :) I think it's easier to have rules that you follow without question than to shoot from the hip and take yourself out of the game.
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