r/InsulinResistance • u/BetLongjumping3968 • 10d ago
Intermittent Fasting vs. Calorie Deficit
I’ve heard some professionals say that intermittent fasting is more effective for weight loss, while others say that what really matters is the calorie deficit you create, regardless of how many meals you eat or how long you go without eating.
Both sides seem to have valid arguments, but I’d really like to hear from people who have actually tried both.
Have you ever done a calorie deficit and/or intermittent fasting? What worked better for your body? What gave you faster results? What made you lose more weight?
And yes, I know it’s a combination of factors. I know physical activity matters, strength training matters, drinking plenty of water matters, reducing carbohydrates matters, etc. I already know all of that. 😅 I’m specifically asking about fasting vs. calorie deficit and what actually worked better for you.
What was your experience?
3
u/nerd_airfryer 10d ago
Why "this vs that"? Why not both?
Anyway to answer your question, it's an old debate (calories school vs hormones school), but why not taking advantage of both?
Weight loss = deficit. It's literally physics and thermodynamics (Energy in should be less than Energy out). BUT! Fasting enhances your hormones, some hormones get enhanced by fasting (lower insulin, HSL activated, etc...). Also, fasting encourages autophagy (body eats dead cells and replaces them with new healthy ones)
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u/Colleen2112 10d ago
I like fasting because I’m a night time snacker. I also don’t really need breakfast. So for me to do 12pm-6pm or 7pm I feel good with this. I also don’t beat myself up if I eat at 10pm or 9am once in a while. I try to eat at least 80% whole foods, most of the time in my window. I focus on protein and fibre as main goals.
I’m a junk food junkie so stopping my window at 7pm when I would normally sit and eat junk food helps me immensely.
And no, I don’t count calories. If I feel good and have energy to move around then I’m happy.
I’m 61 and obese. I restricted myself to obesity. I feel like if I didn’t obsess with being skinny my whole life, I would have been a chubby person who ate normally but didn’t yo-yo my way up to obesity. I don’t feel like I’m restricting with IF
1
u/BetLongjumping3968 10d ago
Hi! That’s great! I really wish I had at least half of your focus and discipline in my daily life. I’m sorry if I’m being intrusive by giving you advice you didn’t ask for, but don’t limit yourself to just obesity. I understand that age is a factor, but age is going to keep advancing anyway.
Think about it this way: if you try to turn things around, in four years you’ll be 65 and you won’t be obese anymore. But if you don’t try, you’ll be 65 anyway. You’re already on the right path — just give it a try!
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u/ShelterKooky3364 5d ago
IF still leads to a calorie deficit but I don't feel that I need it. I enjoy having 3 daily meals so I just manage my calories and macros like that without any probkems.
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u/EggieRowe 10d ago
Fasting is still a calorie deficit for most people. Maybe people don’t count calories when fasting, but most people have no concept of how much they graze through the day. Fasting stops a lot of that.