I am exploring intermittent fasting as a lifestyle. It’s been an interesting experiment.
It started after Christmas 2018, a holiday season over-eat-fest full of self-reprimand and self-induced frustration. I was ‘pretty consistent’ (admittedly not perfect) with my newly adopted way of eating (no sugar/no flour/manage your insulin) and frustrated with a several month weight plateau. Only 10 – 15 more pounds to go, how can this be so hard? But after the holidays? Weight up – only three pounds, but I was full of disappointment. I had hoped I had developed the skills required to navigate the holidays without overeating on the sweet treats that abound. Nope. Glycogen and sugar stores were not only replenished but flooded. <<HARRUMPH>>
I had also been experimenting occasionally with intermittent fasting and reading up on it extensively. I am (holiday over-eat-fest-aside) fully fat adapted and have completed several 36 – 42 hours fasts and at least one 48 hour fast, without much difficulty.
Furious with myself about my holiday over-eat-fest-behaviors, I embarked on an impromptu 5 day fast, starting right after Christmas dinner. I enlisted the support of my coachy-friend Ann, who was also experimenting with occasional intermittent fasting and she agreed to daily chit-chat support.
The 5 day fast? Apart from Day 2, it was easy. I was astounded. Utterly astounded. It was not surprising day 2 was challenging. That is when my flooded glycogen stores from my holiday over-eat-fest, would predictably be depleted. But thereafter…. WHOOSH. Increased energy. Longer and more restful sleep. Decreased hunger. Prolific writing. And, the mental clarity that I initially experienced when I adopted the no sugar/no flour way of eating, easily doubled if not quadrupled. Seriously, slick thought processes. LOVE it. Just LOVE it.
What I did not notice, but was very evident to Ann, was the silencing of my inner critic. When she pointed this out to me, I was speechless. It was true. My inner critic, who is quick and deadly accurate with a soul piercing insult, was silent. I WANT THAT FOREVER. Who wouldn’t?
And so, my intermittent fasting as a lifestyle experiment began. The day after I broke from my 5 day fast, I started alternate day fasting – an approach to intermittent fasting discussed at length by guru Fung (Dr Jason Fung) in his book, The Complete Guide to Fasting. I am now, three weeks in… prolific writing; increased energy; improved sleep; broke through my weight loss plateau; slick thoughts. WHOOP, WHOOP!
My inner critic? I would describe her in disbelief, quietly watching, waiting to pounce. She has taken a few stabs, but they are not nearly as accurate or piercing as usual. I wholeheartedly believe, with continued intermittent fasting, she will be silenced indefinitely.
Silencing of my inner critic. Incredible unpredicted benefit of intermittent fasting. I am all in! ALL IN!
Buff it up,
my friends
Dr Karen
Are you ready
to Buff Up Your Brain? Ready to, lose weight, increase your mental clarity and
polish up your thoughts? Let’s chat.
Email: DrKaren@karenbackwaymd.com
