I decided that after doing the Primal lifestyle for the last 30 days, I probably should try some Intermittent Fasting (or IF for short). IF is when you go a number of hours (usually 24) without eating. Past studies have shown that periodic fasting can have dramatic weight loss results as well as an increase in overall health. I am attempting to break through a small plateau that has developed in my quest for lower body fat loss.
I am going to be doing a 24 hour fast but that is not the only option. For more info on the types of fasting, check out MarksDailyApple.com.
I thought it would be fun to keep a time-line of the thoughts and emotions that go into a 24 hour fast
- 6:00pm – Fast started after supper.
- 6:45pm – Headed to Wal-Mart to get school lunch supplies for the kids and beef jerky for the wife. Sat staring at the mixed nuts trying to figure out what I wanted as a snack. Remembered that I was fasting for 24 hours and to buy something would be a waste of money. Walked out of Wal-Mart feeling let down.
- 10:00pm – Its now been 4 hours since I ate and so far so good. No hunger and I am ready for bed.
- 6:30am - I am feeling hungry this morning as I usually do. It doesn’t help that I am making breakfast for the family knowing that I cant eat any. I will enjoy a small cup of coffee when I get to work but that is the extent of it.
- 9:45am – I am starting to really feel hungry. Now is the time that I usually would eat a small meal. Not today.
- 11:30am – Worked out at the gym. Energy level and focus was very high. Came back not feeling as hungry as I was before.
- 1:30pm – Starting to feel hungry. Only 6 more hours to go!
- 4:30pm – Hunger is gone and feeling pretty good again.
- 6:30pm – I did it! I made it 24 hours without food. It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be. My hunger subsided after my workout and I was able to keep it away. I didn’t feel very dizzy or light headed like I thought I would from not having any food.
I eased my body back into eating by having some slices of fruit and a few baby carrots. Then about an hour later, I had a small taco salad.
I really enjoyed this fast and may continue to do it on a weekly basis.
Related posts:
It was neat to see how you felt hour by hour, in a diary type style. Thanks for sharing that. I’m interested in trying out a fast at some point, so I may have an idea of what to expect.
I am enjoying the fasts and try to do one a week. Glad you liked the time-line approach.