Thoughts on eating window during morning hours

Jon Chacon · 06-22-2008, 02:01 PM

I would consider myself a dedicated IFing paleo eater and CFer. I typically fast for 16-18 hours 4-5 times a week (eating all day on the off days, with slightly more calories) with my eating window in the 1100-1800 time range depending on the day. I typically workout either in the morning (in a fasted state, which I prefer) or at night 2-3 hours after my last meal.

The problem is that during this next week I will be "forced" to eat breakfast at about 430am (yes, I'm in the military, though I'm excited about this since I don't eat breakfast often) and then don't eat again until about 1100-1200. The morning hours will consist of a very fast pack hike that lasts about 40 minutes right after breakfast followed by 4-5 hours of minimal movement. The most active part of the second half of the day takes place at about 1600 when I do another 40min of the same pack hike back where I came from.

My question is, for this week should I plan to eat when I get home 1-2 hours after the hike back or should I consider breakfast and lunch, and the snacking between those meals, as my window? I guess what I'm getting at is I want to maintain my IF regiment, but I'm not sure if it would be detrimental to my health and progress to not eat when I got home at the end of the working day (after the second hike). The rest of the week looks the same. I also plan on doing some short CF workouts at night on 2 or 3 of the days.

Any thoughts?

Mike ODonnell · 06-22-2008, 08:58 PM

If you take a week off IF don't sweat it. Remember the body doesn't like routine anyways so changing things up once in a while just makes it all more effective in the long run. Eat on the first day as much as you can....see how your energy goes and then you can be the judge from there. If this is only something new for a week then play with it and see what happens. Life is never a set schedule anyways so this chance to play with eating and timing will only teach you more about yourself and your energy levels.

Jon Chacon · 06-23-2008, 05:14 PM

Thanks, Mike. I think my body could use a break and a little randomness/inconsistency. I'll give it a shot. The only thing is that at breakfast my only options for paleo are the tiny egg portions they provide along with some "fresh" fruit in the form of apples and oranges (as opposed to the sugar-saturated canned peaches and pears available at the salad bar).

I'll have to make up for the morning with the rest of the day.

chow on

Mike ODonnell · 06-23-2008, 07:11 PM

Probably best option for breakfast is too keep it light anyways.....some small protein and fruit is pretty ideal. Otherwise you don't want to be hiking for hours with a full stomach....won't feel too good.

Liam Dougherty Springer · 06-23-2008, 07:56 PM

I love this thread. I find my body reacts incredibly with breaks from any patern that begins to form in my life.

The only aspect that I dont find as much benifit from being "randomized" is probrably my sleep. However if my work schedual (which I wish I could randomized) allowed for naps I would probrably experement alot more with randomized sleep paterns. OKay I am of on a tangent. I guess my point was I try and shake up my life as far as eating and work out times as much as possible and since I have started I have experienced incredible progress in my nutrition and athletic performance. However as I am sure is the case in the military there are certain obligations which can make routine necessary and when this happens if an oportunity to break it (whether by my intention or not) arises I relish it and usualy find it improves many aspects of my well being.

Mike ODonnell · 06-24-2008, 08:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Liam Dougherty Springer

I find my body reacts incredibly with breaks from any patern that begins to form in my life.

Best thing to do is throw out all your clocks and watches...and then just eat by what your body is telling you....that's pure randomization at it's best....as we are way too addicted to times and food intake...and don't listen to what our bodies are trying to tell us.....of course if you are late for PT or get fired from a job because of never knowing what time it is....that I can not be responsible for.