Well, Day three (yesterday) didn’t go as planned, but it wasn’t an epic failure either. I needed to get my 5-mile run in around 8:30 a.m. and I just had zero energy. Hence, I decided to make an adjustment to the fasting routine. Which, in hindsight, is what this experiment is all about, adjusting a fasting challenge to meet my bio individual needs, but also experimenting for the sake of my clients. Anyways, I needed some glucose before trying to tackle a 5-mile run. So, I broke out the energy gel at 8:30 and had 100 calories worth of glucose. Despite that added bonus, I still wasn’t running up to par, which just goes to show that I’ve clearly been dependent on a much higher dose of glucose to run every day. Yikes! what have I been eating?
Although, in truth, this intake of glucose broke my 20 hours fast, I decided to make the best of it and switch things up by allowing myself an 8-hour window of eating with a 16-hour window of fasting. So, since I started eating at 8:30 a.m. this would mean I would finish eating at 4:30 p.m. I really did want to stick to my plan and go a week with the 20:4 but for the sake of my exercise routine (that I’m just not going to give up), I’ve decided I’m going to have to switch it up sooner than I’d planned. Maybe the thing to do would be to save the 20:4 fasting for days that I’m not exercising? Or maybe jump from 16:8 to 18:6 to 14:10 and back again? This would still keep my body guessing a bit but would allow me a little more nourishment when it comes to running, lifting, swimming etc.
That leads me to today, Thursday, February 8. This morning, first thing, I had to take my son up to Erie for a pre-scheduled wisdom tooth extraction. I thought about going swimming before we left but just didn’t have the ambition. (Still struggling in this arena. Mostly a lack of energy and stamina) When we were done, and I’d gotten him settled in bed with ice packs and pain reliever, I started my eating window.
10:30 – clean protein bar
12:00 – 2 fried eggs on homemade paleo toast with smashed avocado/ Oikos Triple Zero Greek Yogurt with Goji Berries, Hemp and Cacao Nibs.
2:30 – Paleonola (paleo granola) – 1/2 cup
Yep, I know…not a lot of veggies to be seen here today. (Definitely need to get a better plan for that.) On the other hand, I did take a 3 mile walk with my kids and the dog before my clients came for nutrition class, and I’m hoping to get some weightlifting in tonight. To recap, today ended up being 18-hour fast: 4-hour window of eating. That’s counting from the close of yesterday’s eating window (4:30) to the beginning of today’s (10:30) which equals 18 hours with only 4 hours of eating today.
What I’m happy with:
1- I’m switching up my eating window and fasting window enough to keep my body guessing.
2-My gut is feeling much better. Less bloating. I’m going to bed satisfied rather than stuffed.
3-I’ve lost about 3 pounds.
What I want to do better:
1- I need to eat more veggies
2- I’m hoping my energy will increase as I go on.
Hope you’re enjoying my journey as much as I am! Beth
Deep Roots Wellness 