Donna's March Journey

[donna]

I finished up Feb on a fast. I rewarded myself for it and another challenge with fresh flowers which make me smile every time I look at them.

I haven’t decided how long to fast yet, so I will take it a little at a time.

March 1: 2MAD

March 2: OMAD. I was going to fast but after making a new keto recipe for hubby, decided I wanted to try it, so I did. I could have passed on it, but didn’t and that’s OK. (We both decided that recipe is a keeper.)

March 3: Day 1
Scale was still down this morning after the OMAD yesterday. Today has not been difficult. I got a lot done yesterday and today, and the maca I am taking in the mornings is helping.

[donna]

March 4:
I had a medical test that threw everything off so I went ahead and had 2MAD. Back to fasting now.

[donna]

March 5:
Had another handful of monkey wrenches thrown into my life today, including very little sleep last night. I need to make sure my adrenals are taken care of, so I took some ashwaganda and cordyceps along with my maca this morning. I am not going to fight my body today. I have a gentle workout yet to do, plus a few tasks I need to complete today. It’s all causing some stress and strain so I am just focused on doing what I can and not letting it drive me up the wall. Fasting may be sketchy through tomorrow.

[donna]

March 6:
Much better today! Better sleep last night, plus I was able to knock out a couple of issues, and I am finally getting past the residue of my medical test two days ago and other monkey wrenches that threw everything off.

Today the scale is still up from all of it, but I have stuck to no sugar, no alcohol, no starch and using herbs. I’m continuing to do my part to move past it all.

Today I feel stronger and confident and am fasting. I have my eyes set on finishing up the weight/fat loss this next few weeks with a target date of Easter, allowing plenty of time depending on what my hormones will allow my body to release. I continue to learn new things about hormones, fasting, and my particular issues.

I also continue to focus on my daily 75Hard challenge and personal growth. I’m seeing some improvements in several areas which is always encouraging. Yesterday I had to push past an instance of intimidation and when I did, it was a lesson to me and I grew from it. So all in all, things are moving in the right direction for which I am grateful.

Today is Fasting Day One again and beginning my extended fast for March.

[donna]

March 11:

Just finished viewing @Yasemin 's “I failed” video. GOOD FOR YOU, Yaz!

It’s really important to listen to our body and even emotions to learn to work better rather than fighting ourselves all the time.

So I had intended to really have some down time this weekend and it didn’t happen. Consequently I was not in a good place to uphold the fast. It sputtered and spit a few times, then fell apart. During that time, I noted I had trouble stopping eating when I was full even though I ate keto – no chocolate, no sugar, no grains. (Side note: I’m trying eating salted nuts when I want chocolate, and it’s helping a lot.)

So I recognized that although I have stayed on my 75Hard (and no chocolate), it was difficult to complete the additional tasks I also wanted to do daily.

What I did was allow myself to sleep in two mornings-- so exhausted-- and I stayed keto and focused on doing the minimum of 75Hard and rested and read. I made sure to take all my supplements, including all those for energy, and had plenty of fat, protein, salt, and liquid. I even went to bed early.

Today I woke at my usual time (early), feeling in a better mood with a bit more energy and made cappuccino with extra fat. Then I worked on my morning routine & workout and started crossing some things off my to-do list. Then I decided to eat a high fat, protein dinner, finished with a handful of nuts, and it’s early yet.

I will take each day as it comes and see how I feel. This is not about me failing, but about me listening. I know what I can make myself do-- I stuck to my 75Hard because I didn’t want to break it and have to start over-- but I need to treat my whole being with kindness right now. I’m only in a “race” with myself. As I do so, I will be in a better position to commit to a fast longer than 24 hours and succeed.

[donna]

March 15:

The past few days I have focused on self-care, staying on track with my daily routine. I am now 30 days with no sugar, 52 days with no wine, at least 50 days no starches, and over 50 days of daily workouts. I’ve also maintained a meditation practice (60 days) and journaling (57 days).

I am not worried about the virus that so many people seem to be panicking about. I’m choosing to focus on faith with prayer, holy communion, and peaceful confidence. I don’t unnecessarily expose myself to risk and continue to practice good health habits as well. Fasting is very timely right now with adding to other beneficial habits.

I’ve begun fasting this evening and will continue to listen to my intuition. It’s four weeks until Easter and I have a few goals in mind to work on from now to then.

[edguuurr]

You got this Keep it up, I believe in you

[donna]

@edguuurr Thanks!

March 16:
I set my alarm to make sure I got up early enough (which I often do naturally) so that I had plenty of time to complete my morning routine before starting on the rest of the day. I’m glad I did. It felt great to make great strides and feel more in control of my day.

Fast is going OK and I will likely stay with ADF, but will take it day by day.

[donna]

March 22:
Fasting did not go so well the past week and yesterday was a birthday meal I needed to prepare for my spouse. However, I realized it is a good time for my monthly extended fast and after reading some posts here (thank you to @Compdude for consistent & encouraging journaling of your process), have decided to begin it.

Day One:
My aim is to fast the rest of March and break the fast on April 1. To help me get through the first two or three days, I decided:

1. No coffee because I like it with fat & sweetener and it tends to derail me,

2. Using my phone alarm every two hours to remind me to take one minute to take stock of what I am grateful for and to bolster my choice to fast.

I am also scheduling some health practices for additional benefit. I’m taking a few particular supplements in the morning and will pay attention to how I feel.

My fasting reward will be another bouquet of fresh flowers and a cappuccino.

My fasting gains (my “why”) will be autophagy, renewed confidence & feeling more powerful, clearer thinking/planning/goal-setting, building a new habit, and fat loss.

I have been successful with several practices/habits I implemented a couple of months ago and they are pretty well established which also makes it a good time to start the fast. One of my goals has been to establish a regular fasting schedule and now is the time to focus on that. Onward!

[donna]

March 23 – Day Two:

It was great to fast successfully yesterday and to keep my gratitude minute every two hours. I woke up to a very nice drop on the scale which surprised me a little because it wasn’t like I’d been eating much in the way of carbs up til now. But I knew I had gained quickly so that part would be likely to come off right away.

I’m anticipating some improvement in a couple of minor health concerns, plus I already have the emotional boost from a successful start.

Outside of some mild hunger, I feel fine. Onward!

[donna]

March 24 – Day Three:

So very glad to be on this fast! It crosses a couple of things off my list!

The scale was nicely down which was further motivation to stay the course and ignore little signals to have coffee or a snack.

A couple of times I’ve had a little headache but just ignored it and kept my cup or glass full of tea and water. I just remembered I need to make a new batch of electrolyte water as well.

I continue to have my full minute of gratitude every two hours which also reminds me of sticking to the fast for the rest of the month.

I’m also using this time to do some personal growth work.

[donna]

March 25 – Day Four:

I am delighted once again at the drop on the scale. I didn’t expect so much. That is a nice motivator in of itself!

My gratitude breaks are such a nice practice to build into a habit. I continue to be amazed at how God is speaking to me through various means all at once. I don’t believe in coincidences.

It’s also going well with the additional health practices I am implementing while fasting. I have a doctor appt in a week and expect to see some improved numbers then.

[Compdude]

Are you getting lab word done before your doctor’s appointment. That’s what I do so I can review my internal improvements with the doc.

[donna]

It’s a follow-up and so far lab work is not called for, but if it is, I always request a copy of the report so I can see for myself what is “normal”, “within range”, or not. I expect my blood pressure to be improved even from the last time I was there.

[Compdude]

Your lab doesn’t make the reports available online?

My HMO uses LabCorp. They have on online portal where I can see ALL my blood panels going back 5 years.

[donna]

The labs are done at the doctor’s office. I don’t think they have anything online, although I know some specialty offices do.

[donna]

Come to think of it, it may be LabCorp who creates the report. I’ll have to take a look and see about online records.

March 26 – Day Five:

Last night I didn’t sleep well as is typical for me on the 4th night, but I’m doing fine today.

Continuing on. Almost time for a gratitude break!

[Compdude]

LabCorp has an app. That’s how I access my records and set appointments.

[donna]

March 27 – Day Six:

Slept better last night and was also pleased with the continued weight loss.

This morning I felt a little wobbly so I am upping my electrolyte water. Still having a bit of mild hunger and yesterday began to mentally make a list of what I wanted to eat when I did.

Today I am taking advantage of the weather and working some in the yard.

I also am happy to see that my little Shih Tzu seems to have regained her puppy-like sense of play and energy. I’m also seeing an improvement in her teeth and appetite. I’ve been making her food for the past several weeks and it’s so obvious that diet makes all the difference.

Four days until the end of March and the end of my fast.

[Mika]

Hi Donna! Congratulations on making it to day 6! It’s inspiring to read the success of others (I’ve just joined the forum and I’m on day 2, right now). Your dog sounds adorable! I love dogs and cats but I can’t have any of my own because I’m a house sitter. Usually the houses I sit have pets for me to play with, but now I’m in lockdown in a very nice house, but… No pets. Anyway I digress haha! Are you still using your phone alarm to do gratitude checks? I think that is a great idea. I’m going to borrow it!

If you have a photo of your shih tzu, post it for me to admire?