Finishing Up February

[donna]

Part of my regular fasting routine I am establishing is one extended fast per month. This week is fasting week for me, started tonight and ending Saturday.

I had already cut out sugar 9 days ago, although I was only having it in dark chocolate the past few weeks. I have allowed some other sweeteners such as stevia and xylitol. Additionally, no wine in 31 days.

I have put weight back on due to overeating even when telling myself I was getting in good nutrients. Excess is excess. I am starting to listen to Dr. Joan Ifland who is an expert on food addiction. I discovered her through the Low Carb MD podcast.

I’ve been taking a look at Dr. Anna Cabeca’s take on alkaline foods and her version of keto is “Keto-Green” which is a heavy on greens form of keto. She’s written The Hormone Fix which I am currently reading. She says eating an alkaline diet makes keto easier in that it prevents keto flu and helps weight loss along. She says it is especially good for menopausal women.

I’m not sure but am taking a look. At the same time, Dr. Paul Saladino’s new book is coming out, The Carnivore Code which argues so convincingly about the downside of eating plants that even Dr. Joseph Mercola is having a second think.

So I try lots of different things to see what works. And Cabeca says that keto may only work for a while. I’ve heard others recommend mixing things up-- what to eat, how often, etc.

For now, fasting is on the agenda while I continue to read, listen, and observe.

[Compdude]

I was watching a podcast that mentioned checking out “Eat for Your Blood Type” which I’ll be checking out. Also Dr Rhonda Patrick, a research scientist, advocates eating a wide variety of carbs to feed our diverse gut bacteria.

[donna]

Thanks, @Alipio. I read about the 4 types eating plan years ago, but I don’t believe in it. If I ate like it said I should, I’d be in a world of hurt.

In what I have read about resistant starch, it’s also advised to eat a variety, instead of just the one, for the same purpose of diversity in the gut biome. I generally have just used green bananas and inulin, mainly because I don’t eat white potatoes and didn’t want to buy them.

Fasting this week while I continue to learn.

[Compdude]

Thanks for the info. I’ll keep it in mind when I check out the 4 types.

[donna]

Fasting is going fine. Nice drop on the scale this morning.

I’m experimenting with taking maca for energy along with a couple of small supplements (and communion) first thing in the morning-- not my usual load. To my way of thinking, it’s few enough calories/food to not hinder autophagy. I don’t know if there is a way to tell how the autophagy is going without perhaps visible/noticeable results from a longer fast than just this week. But I expect that my effort will produce good things beyond fat loss. So onward!

[donna]

Day 3:
Woke up an hour early this morning which was kind of a nice way to get my morning routine started. I’ve added a couple of new daily tasks to my 75Hard challenge since most of the five I already have are pretty much habits now.

I’m continuing with my workouts and have also added a daily, brief rebounder session to help with lymphatic drainage and to boost energy. Today I took maca twice. While out running an errand, I noticed the warmed-up, energized feeling in my lower body that comes from exercise which I enjoy. It makes me feel stronger.

However I grew tired early afternoon, possibly a combination of less sleep and Day 3 of fasting. I was able to stay on task even while cooking-- just a mild hunger which I could easily ignore.

I’m reading/ listening/watching a lot of information on health and diet and continuing to learn and build conviction in the choices I am making.

So far, in addition to this week’s fasting, I am 12 days with no sugar (which only means no dark chocolate for me) and 34 days no wine. I’m taking it all in stride.

Recently I made plans for some tasks/projects/habits to be done/established within two months putting me right at Easter. I also added a Lent devotional this morning which will end then and includes three small objectives per day.

I’m challenging myself but also being realistic given my particular circumstances. I’ve already seen some good results and expect even better ones by Easter.

[donna]

Day 4:
Nice drop on the scale and I enjoy feeling in control of my eating.

I accidentally tore a small hole in my jeans. I’m not going to buy this size again! Maybe I’ll stay longer on the fast.

The maca, 75Hard, & journaling are working for me. The daily steps I am taking towards my desired results are so empowering.

Some of these things I wish I had understood and practiced years ago. I’ve only had spurts of fasting (although I have done 1, 3, 21, and 40-day juice fasts some time ago.) I’ve been sporadic in many other areas like journaling and diet as well. I’ve remained pretty consistent with some kind of workouts, at least walking. I feel much more grounded, peaceful, and confident than I have in a while-- less blown by the wind and more focused and intentional.

I expect my efforts to rapidly produce results and to continue to expand and grow in other areas of life until there is greater self-mastery. Onward!

[donna]

Day 5:
Restless night of sleep – same as happened on the fourth day of my earlier EF. However, the scale was down more than I might have expected due to that. Win!

It occurred to me that there might be a combinations of factors at work this time. I’m starting to feel more energetic this week and more confident. Since I tend to throw a whole bunch of things into the soup at one time, my method is not very scientific and I can’t pin results necessarily on any one thing.

I am not very far from my goal weight and post-menopause, so previously fat loss has slowed considerably after the first couple of days. (I’ve been keto for some time and no sugar for two weeks, nor wine, so those aren’t factors.)

This time, I am taking maca in the mornings and I’ve been doing cold showers the past several weeks (thermogenesis a la Wim Hof). I continue with my usual workouts, bedtime, Earl Grey and green tea to support my metabolism and autophagy.

In addition to the fat loss and 75Hard, I’m doing a couple of other things daily that are empowering. All in all, it’s working well for me.

My original plan was to break my fast tomorrow, but maybe not. I feel pretty good and I know that having food will make the scale show a higher number and I JUST finally got into a lower ten. So maybe I will extend it somewhat. We’ll see.

[donna]

Day 6:
I decided to extend my fast. I continue to be pleasantly surprised at the fat loss. I’ve never consistently lost a pound or more a day while fasting. I forgot to add yesterday that I have also been taking dessicated beef thyroid. Everything is working no matter. I only have 12.5 pounds to lose and although there is a mild hunger and food smells good, I am OK to continue.

Once I can fit in my smaller jeans without being uncomfortable, I’m going to clean out my closet and get rid of everything that I have held on to that is too big and/or I don’t like it and/or needs to be replaced. I will be continuing regular fasting as both a spiritual practice and discipline. I am saying goodbye to the fat and this time, I have a doable plan to keep it off. I’ve struggled and been unhappy about my weight for far too long.

Onward!

[donna]

Day 7:
Yesterday I was pretty much mildly hungry all day long, woke up in the middle of the night for a couple of hours. After I fell back asleep and woke up about my usual time, I was hungry and then had the sparks in my vision indicating a blood pressure drop. Still had a nice drop on the scale. So I decided to break my fast. February is over and I have finished it.

Today I will eat and decide how to proceed.