So the experiment was a success (of sorts). I spent the last month eating crap. Lots of carbs....high glycemic carbs. Ate a tremendous amount of calories, too. However, I stuck to the 16:8 IF. I did put some pounds on, but not nearly what I would have expected based on the quantity and poor quality of the calories I took in. My goal was to reset my body's caloric set-point so that I won't gain weight on 1800 to 2000 calories per day. My annual physical was yesterday and the blood work came in amazing. My A1C was perfect, my protein, uric acid, hormones, etc. all came in normalized. My total cholesterol dropped from 280 to 228 and my HDL to LDL ratio is outstanding. Triglycerides are also very low. All in all, I have proved to myself that IF works to keep me healthy. Now its time to cut calories back to a reasonable level and keep on the IF to see if I can lose weight on 2,000 or so calories per day. Optimally, I would be back near my goal weight by the 1st of October (when we head for Orlando for a week at Disney World with the Grandkids!) I hope all y'all have a wonderful rest of the week.
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