I don’t really do intermittent fasting, but when I heard that some people stop eating at 4 pm and swear by the benefits, my curiosity got the best of me. I mean… no dinner? For a mom who’s used to sharing evening meals with the family, that sounds wild. But hey, anything that promises better sleep, less bloating, and maybe even a lighter feeling in the morning is worth exploring, right?
So here I am — not an expert, not even a “disciplined faster,” just a regular mom who wants to give this a try. Think of this as me dipping my toes into the 4 pm cut-off challenge.
My 2-Week Adaptation Plan (So I Don’t Cry of Hunger 😅)
Instead of going all-in right away, I made a gentle plan:
Week 1
- Days 1–3: Eating window from 8 am – 6 pm (still have dinner, but lighter).
- Days 4–5: Eating window from 8 am – 5 pm.
- Days 6–7: Eating window from 8 am – 4:30 pm.
Week 2
- Aim for the 8 am – 4 pm eating window.
- Lunch will be my heaviest meal, and my 3:30 pm snack will be like a “mini-dinner” so I don’t feel too deprived at night.
A Sample Day (How I Plan to Eat)
Here’s how I imagine my day will look once I fully adjust:
- 8:00 am (Breakfast): Coffee with oat milk + 2 boiled eggs + cucumber slices
- 12:00 pm (Lunch): Grilled chicken + rice + fresh salad with calamansi dressing
- 3:30 pm (Mini-Dinner): Boiled camote + egg salad (lettuce + cucumber + olive oil dressing)
- After 4 pm: Only water or herbal tea (like peppermint, chamomile, or ginger)
What’s Next?
I haven’t started this yet, but I’m excited (and a little nervous) to see how it goes. Will I feel lighter? Will my sleep improve? Or will I just end up craving dinner too much? We’ll see.
To help myself stick to it, I’ll also make a 7-day meal plan that includes daily salads and, of course, my coffee with oat milk — because there’s no way I’m giving that up. ☕
I’ll share updates along the way, but for now, this is me — just a mom, curious to try something new, and hoping it might help me feel a little healthier. 💛
