A recent article by Wales Online shared the experience of Samantha Leathers, who tried intermittent fasting to shed some weight but ended up regretting it. After three months of intermittent fasting, during which time she managed to lose a few kilograms, Samantha reflected on her journey with mixed feelings.
At the start of the summer, Samantha sought a way to trim down before a holiday but faced challenges due to her PCOS and thyroid issues affecting her metabolism. Unable to rely on conventional diets, she turned to intermittent fasting, which involves extended periods between meals to prompt the body to burn fat for energy. Opting for a 16:8 eating ratio, Samantha restricted her eating window from 8 am to 4 pm, consuming 1,400 calories per day.
Initially, Samantha experienced positive changes, such as improved sleep patterns and reduced inflammation and bloating. Her energy levels rose, and she noticed early weight loss, motivating her to continue. However, she faced obstacles with incorporating exercise into her fasting routine and struggled to match her planned caloric intake.
As the weeks passed, Samantha found the time constraints and meal planning demanding, which impacted her energy levels and motivation. Weight loss plateaued in the second month, leading to increased reliance on processed foods and a decline in energy levels. By the end of the third month, despite maintaining the fasting routine, Samantha experienced no further weight loss and decided to discontinue intermittent fasting.
Reflecting on her experience, Samantha acknowledged the insights gained about her body’s response to food but concluded that intermittent fasting was not sustainable in the long term. While she does not regret trying it, she has chosen not to continue beyond short periods. Samantha emphasised that individual responses to intermittent fasting vary and hinted at exploring alternate fasting methods in the future.