I've been doing 16:8 intermittent fasting for about 3 weeks now and I'm constantly starving during the fasting window. I drink coffee and water but nothing helps. Does this get better, or am I just not cut out for this approach?
Eat more calories during your eating window - seriously, that's usually the culprit. Most people doing 16:8 either undereat out of habit or don't realize how much they need to consume in 8 hours to feel satisfied. If you're genuinely hungry all day, your body's probably not getting enough fuel in those 8 hours. Try tracking what you're actually eating for a few days and bump up portions, especially protein and fat, which keep you fuller longer than carbs alone.
Three weeks in is still pretty early, so yeah, some of the hunger does settle down as your body adjusts to the rhythm. Your stomach might also literally shrink a bit, so you get fuller faster. But if you're miserable, that's a sign something's off - either your eating window calories are too low, or 16:8 just isn't the right split for you. Some people do better with 14:10 or even just eating a bit earlier/later to align with when they naturally feel hungry. The whole point is to make it work for your life, not turn it into torture.
If the hunger persists even after eating more, honestly consider whether this is the right approach for you. Intermittent fasting isn't magic and definitely isn't for everyone. There are plenty of other ways to lose weight or feel healthier that don't involve fighting hunger all day.
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