Diandra's Journal

[Diandra]

Intro

Hi everybody! I am Diandra and live in Bloemfontein in central South Africa.

I am 27 years old, 5’2 and currently I weigh about 130 - 136 lbs (59-62 kg). Ever since I can remember, I have been self-conscious about how I look. About five years ago a lost a lot of weight (maybe 20 lbs) within 3 months when I started with low carb and then extreme low calorie. At some point I just got back into old eating and drinking habits and before I knew it I gained it all back. I think this also happened partially because I found constantly counting calories and carbs quite exhausting. I can still remember how good I felt about myself then. About two or so years ago I started incorporating intermittent fasting (16:8) as well as OMAD from time to time. However, my eating patterns have become very random, especially due to social events and mindless eating out of boredom.

At the start of this year I told myself that I will be cutting out sugary foods again and will adopt a more fasting focused lifestyle. However, I am still struggling on getting past day 2 for an extended fast.

Why

I am doing this because I want to live healthier and break bad eating and binging habits to have a better relationship with food by working on discipline. I want to overcome these mental obstacles and gain all the benefits of autophagy and mental clarity as well.

I’m tired of:

• feeling self-conscious and depressed
• my weight controlling my life
• not being able to wear what I want and always rethinking outfits
• not wanting to go swimming because of how I look
• not liking how I look in photos
• feeling bloated, sluggish, etc.
• half assing and not being as strict with my eating habits as I am in other parts of my life

Goals

My goal is to reach about 110 – 115 lbs and to slim down my waist and but within the next few months. I’m getting married in November.

Game plan

I will continue with OMAD and reduce carbs. I would like to do ADF on week days (Monday, Wednesday and Friday) and a 3 or 5 day fast on a monthly basis to help break habits.

I am prepared with all the supplements and intend to drink water, black coffee and tea on fasting days. I was thinking of incorporating matcha as well. Has anyone tried that?

How do I feel right now

At the moment I feel excited and calm at the same time. I’ve been beating myself up these past few weeks for not sticking to my goals. But now, I think that being parts of this community makes me realize that everyone struggles, but also that everyone can succeed. I am still scared of failure.

How will I feel once I achieve my goal

I really can’t imagine how it would feel. I would feel accomplished and proud.

Daily Affirmation

I am strong, determined, healthy, and mindful.

[Compdude]

Welcome to our fasting community!

Technical note: to keep future entries on this single thread, click on reply in the lower right hand corner.

[molly_gonzales]

We are not too far off in our fasting journeys. I’m just beginning day 3. (well, 55 hours according to my tracker lol). I too, hope to develop healthy habits and shed a few pounds. Primarily, I would like to eat like a child- enjoying food when I’m hungry and stop eating once full. Children don’t typically abuse food- they instinctively listen to their bodies. When do we stop listening to physical cues and instead become casualties of emotional eating?
I enjoyed your post and how well you articulated your goals and emotions. I feel like this is half the battle!

[Salva]

Hi and thank you for being so organized with your journal entries.

I want to commend you for even thinking about fasting while in your 20’s. In my tweenties all I did was work to much and party way more. I never even thought about the long term effects of my lifestyle choices. That being said im in my late 30’s now and can feel every beer, cigarette, slice of pizza that I consumed earlier in my life.

While weight loss is a great reason to fast, focus on the the long term more. Focus on the fasting process and less on the goal. Learn to enjoy it. Think about when you are in your late 30’s. Beyond having the body you want your going to have an extremely healthy body.

I have trouble with binging everything in my life. I found that OMAd has been the best way for me to fight the urge to stuff my face. I have also adapted what I call the Complex OMAD diet. One meal a day and I allow myself to include complex carbs. Fruits, quinoa, sweet potatoes… Whole foods only of course.

Stay the path my friend.

PS: do you know Elon?

[Diandra]

Wow, I’ve never thought about how children eat and how they listen to their bodies. Listening to physical ques and not giving in to emotional eating is a bid goal.

It is a great relief to be able to communicate such emotions and get it out in the open. The self sabotaging and negativity is a big thing I need to overcome.

Congratulations on day 3 and good luck on continuing! I will be starting day 1 tomorrow (technically now), and hope to complete at least 5 days. I know that the first few days are the hardest and I just want to get through those.

[Diandra]

Hi Salva, thanks for the encouragement and advice.

Yes weight loss is a bonus, but the mental and physical benefits is very important. I really want to make a permanent lifestyle change through fasting and learn to enjoy it. I can’t wait to experience these benefits of mental clarity and the energy everyone talks about.

I can relate to binging and I feel that OMAD and fasting is just an easier way of controlling food intake. I’ve learnt through intermittent fasting that it is the best for me. Just not eating is much simpler than having to think about diet plans.
I also enjoy fruits, oats, and other more naturally occurring carbs. So for now I want to cut out all processed carbs first.

Unfortunately, I don’t know Elon personally, I’m aware he is from South Africa.