From Cravings to Clarity: 30 Days on Intermittent Fasting

 🕒 Intermittent Fasting: What I Learned in 30 Days

📌 Introduction

Over the past 30 days, I committed to trying intermittent fasting (IF) — not just as a health trend, but as a personal experiment. Like many, I’d heard the buzz: weight loss, mental clarity, better energy. But what actually happens when you stick with it for a month?

Here’s everything I learned — the highs, the lows, and whether I’d recommend it to others.

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🧠 What Is Intermittent Fasting?

Intermittent fasting is an eating pattern that cycles between periods of eating and fasting.
I followed the 16:8 method — fasting for 16 hours and eating within an 8-hour window.

🕐 My schedule:

• Fasting: 8:00 PM – 12:00 PM (next day)

• Eating window: 12:00 PM – 8:00 PM

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📅 Week-by-Week Breakdown

✅ Week 1: The Adjustment Phase

• Hunger pangs in the morning were real.

• Felt a bit sluggish.

• Found black coffee and lots of water helped curb cravings.

• The hardest part: late-night snacking habits.

⚡ Week 2: Energy Shift

• Surprisingly, I started waking up more energized.

• Less bloating.

• Mental clarity improved (especially during fasting hours).

• No major weight change yet, but I felt “lighter.”

🔁 Week 3: Routine Sets In

• Fasting became second nature.

• Started eating healthier within my window (naturally).

• Down about 3 pounds.

• Noticed better sleep quality and less afternoon crash.

🏁 Week 4: Real Results

• Total weight loss: 5 lbs (2.2 kg)

• My digestion improved noticeably.

• Cravings drastically reduced — especially for sugar.

• Felt more in control of my hunger and schedule.

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💡 What I Learned

1. Discipline > Diet

It wasn’t about eating less — it was about eating more intentionally.

2. The Hunger Passes

Morning hunger fades after the first week. It’s more mental than physical.

3. Fasting Isn’t Magic

It’s a tool, not a miracle. What you eat during your window still matters.

4. Energy, Not Just Weight

The biggest win for me wasn’t the scale — it was better focus and stable energy.

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❌ Challenges I Faced

• Social situations (like brunches or late dinners) were tricky.

• Some days I overate during the eating window.

• Fasting isn’t for everyone — especially if you have medical conditions.

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✅ Would I Recommend It?

Yes, with a few caveats:

• Start slow (try 12:12 or 14:10 if 16:8 feels too tough).

• Drink lots of water.

• Listen to your body — not every day will be the same.

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🔚 Final Thoughts

Intermittent fasting taught me a lot — not just about food, but about self-control, energy, and habit formation. It’s a lifestyle tool I’ll keep using (maybe not every day, but often).

If you’re considering trying it, do your research — and talk to a healthcare provider if you have any health conditions.

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