Intermittent Fasting Follow Up

So, a few weeks back I decided to tinker with Intermitten Fasting (IF). Here’s my initial post.

After an initial positive response, my IF experience started to go downhill pretty quickly.

I still felt energetic and not at all hungry, but at the end of the day I began to experience swelling and water retention after eating. Hmmmmm. So, I started eating my normal low carb, high protein/fat paleo diet a la three meals a day and I immediately lost the bloat and swelling.

What could be going on here?

• This site cites a study that found that women who IF for one month developed impaired glucose tolerance. 
• This site, however, argues that IF does not affect cortisol negatively. 
• This site delves deeply into the idea of hormesis (so fascinating) and how stresses like fasting and cold showers actually make us stronger and more immune to cortisol’s effects. 
• This site reports that “refeeds” after IFing sends insulin through the roof – which would better explain my bodily reaction. 

Most of the IF sites I’ve seen out there are male dominated. Perhaps a women’s hormonal makeup make IFing more difficult. Maybe this experience is just a personal response. 

I’m not sure but I’d love to hear from anyone who had some IF insights. 

Intermittent Fasting – Surprising Experience

Now that my body is my own again (weaning my almost 1 year old – not pregnant – now I can do whatever I want!!!!!) I am tinkering with something I’ve been eyeballing for about a year – intermittent fasting (IF).

About two weeks ago I started my version of IF. I’ve been reading quite a bit of what’s out there on this subject and how people approach this style of eating.

Some, like Brad Pilon of Eat Stop Eat, take a break from eating one or two days a week. This style doesn’t appeal to me. As a mom I am constantly making food for someone and I just don’t think I can go a whole day without eating something.

The approaches in the Leangains and The Lean Saloon sites are much more doable for me. These dudes are really into long periods of daily fasting with a distinct “feeding” window at the end of the day. Oh, and they are ripped to the bone!

So this is what I’ve done.

• I eat between 1 pm and 8 pm.
• I eat two meals and allow for snacks when hungry.
• I eat paleo.

I’m not going to go into all of the benefits of IF – please use the above links if you need some good sciency stuff. I just wanted to report my experience.

• Surprisingly little hunger.
• Better sleep.
• Improved digestion.
• High energy.
• Free time.