First fast day! Can I expect to feel more positive and more energy?

This topic contains 4 replies, has 3 voices, and was last updated by Isa_Asturias 9 years, 1 month ago.

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Isa_Asturias

8:37 am
9 Nov 15
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Hi everyone,I’m stating fasting today! I’m 26 and weigh 85kg and want to get back to a healthy weight. I have recently broken up with a long term boyfriend and realised that somehow I have put on lots of extra weight over the years we have been together.
I’m interested not only in losing this weight but also the health benefits I have read about. I was wondering if anyone here has noticed any mental health benefits oror increased energy?
I live in Spain and so far I haven’t met anyone who follows the diet here or an online community like this. So I decided to try and post on here and hope to find support 🙂
I will be fasting Monday and Wednesday, I think I will skip breakfast as I’m not really hungry in the mornings anyway. One of my main challenges will be avoiding the tea room at 11 where the school provides all kinds of treats for breakfast! Wish me luck xD

Pot-bellied Heron

8:53 am
9 Nov 15
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After 5 or 6 weeks of do feel more positive but only because it’s working. I don’t think the fast has had any physiological or chemical effects on my brain. I do feel more alert most of the time too but I’d be lying if I said I had more energy.
Then again, I rarely exercise so that would account for that.
My fast days can make me quite irritable and withdrawn but it’s the thought of the next day’s pleasures and the physical results I’m achieving that keeps me going week after week.

Good luck!

Pot-bellied Heron

9:05 am
9 Nov 15
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That first sentence should read, “after 5 or 6 weeks of intermittent fasting I do feel more positive…”

And… exhale

11:31 am
9 Nov 15
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Good luck Isa!

I guess that fasting has a different effect on different people. I definitely feel sharper on Fast Days, and the determination that I have to stick with the plan rubs off onto other projects. I also find that I feel a lot less hungry if I keep myself really busy, so I end up getting a lot done!

I went really off-track last weekend and the effects lasted all last week – I’d forgotten how sluggish and ‘low’ I feel after I’ve eaten a lot of sugar, and how much it makes me crave fatty/greasy food. It really drained my motivation. Alcohol does the same for me, and I’m learning to be wary of both.

As Heron mentions, once you get into the habit of eating 5:2, it’s great to feel the results and to know that you’re heading in the right direction.

I can’t remember who suggested it, but a cup of miso soup, or something similarly salty and low-calorie, really helps keep headaches away on Fast Days. Hope you manage to avoid the tea room today!

Isa_Asturias

11:52 am
9 Nov 15
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Hi! Thank you both for your answers! So far I’m feeling great! I think it’s because like you said, I feel determined and quite proud that I stayed away from the breakfast buffet this morning!
As its my first day I’m not sure how I will do tomorrow on normal day, but I can predict what could be my downfall… When I’m studying in the evenings I always fancy some sugar and I tell myself I deserve it or need it but really I think it’s just out of habit. Maybe we can swap the sugar for healthier treats?
Thank you for sharing your experience, I will try to be careful not to go overboard tomorrow!