Intermittent Fasting - Update #2

Back with another update and, again, didn't expect to have much to report so soon. But, besides providing information to any reader thinking about Intermittent Fasting, I'm using this blog as my own journal of this journey.

I continue to enjoy a good sleep pattern, sleeping a solid 8-9 hours every night. Sleep is also deep, resulting in vivid dreams, which are usually extremely odd and intense. But, so far, the dreams are just entertaining and not at nightmare level.

I appear to be settling into a 15/9 IF pattern, fasting 15 hours (6:00 PM to 9:00 AM) and consuming all daily food during a nine-hour period. And I still appreciate no longer having to think about food after 6:00 PM.

My workout crop pants fit a bit more comfortably today. Not a big difference but a nice surprise.

I've now been Intermittent Fasting for 10 days. It might be a little challenging to continue through the holiday weekend, but my intention is to "stay the course!"

Intermittent Fasting – Update #1

I didn't plan, or expect to feel the need, to post an update this soon about the new eating pattern I started last Tuesday night. But I've been so surprised by Intermittent Fasting, I wanted to share.

First, and primarily, since starting the program I've been sleeping deeper and longer with no supplement, such as melatonin or Benadryl, than I can remember ever doing in my entire life. I've literally been sleeping 8-9 hours straight and waking refreshed. My belief is this blissful sleep pattern is due to my body no longer having to exert energy all night to digest food. Did you know it takes 8-12 hours for your body to fully digest any amount of food? Amazing!

Second, I'm not at all anxious about feeling hungry or making certain I eat enough before fasting begins. Truth is, like many of the articles I read about IF, I now appreciate being less stressed about food. I simply make healthy chooses (more proteins, fewer carbs, little-to-no sugar) during my eating window and don't fixate on calories. Then, when fasting begins between 6:00 PM and 7:00 PM, I no longer have to think about food, which is a big relief. And, surprisingly, I don't feel hungry during my 14-16 hour fast.

Finally, I don't feel I've lost any weight because my clothes are still fitting the same. (I don't use a scale anymore.) I'm not surprised by this because it's been incredibly difficult for me to lose weight since turning 60 nearly six years ago. No matter, I'm quickly becoming sold on Intermittent Fasting as a beneficial lifestyle. But, of course, I am still hopeful some weight loss might eventual happen ;)

(Here's another article about IF I found helpful – Intermittent Fasting Benefits.)

Intermittent Fasting

Not too long ago I completed a free online form that determined my body type and why I'm not losing weight despite counting calories and working out regularly. One of the main suggestions to help end my weight plateau was to put off breakfast 2-3 hours. In other words, I should fast longer each day.

Then, more recently, one of the YouTubers I follow said he was currently on the Intermittent Fasting program, fasting 16 hours and consuming food only within an 8-hour window. During that 8-hour period, he made healthy choices and stayed within the suggested calorie count for his body type.

So, beginning last night, I decided to try Intermittent Fasting. I stopped eating at 7:00 PM and put off breakfast until 9:00 AM, fasting for 14 hours. I could have gone longer, but I didn't want to get light-headed during my 10:00 AM dentist appointment. I did drink roughly 16 ounces of water between waking at 7:00 AM and eating at 9:00 AM.

Intermittent Fasting goes against several beliefs I've had for a long time. First, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Second, it's best to eat many small meals during all waking hours. Third, one should always eat when hungry. Nevertheless, I plan to do Intermittent Fasting (fasting 14-16 hours per day) for at least 90 days. I don't see it hurting anything and, just maybe, I'll lose a few pounds.

(You can easily research online the pros and cons of Intermittent Fasting,

but here's a quick intro – Intermittent Fasting 101.)

Over Jet Lag

It took eight days, but I'm finally over jet lag. I feel asleep at 9:00 PM on Monday and slept straight through to 6:30 AM Tuesday. I woke refreshed and energetic. What a great feeling!

With my energy back, I went to the grocery store mid-day Tuesday. When I got home, I cooked up all the meat I bought. I roasted bone-in skin-on chicken breasts, poached boneless skinless chicken breasts, cooked a pound of bacon, and popped a pork roast in the slow cooker. Now we're set for a week of high-protein low-carb meals, which our diets need after two weeks in the land of pizza and pasta.

I'm sure I gained a few pounds despite averaging six miles of walking and 14 flights of stairs daily while in Italy. But I don't weigh myself anymore because the number on the scale can make or break my day, and I'm tired of that happening. I now gauge weight gain or loss by how my clothes fit. However, that's a bit confusing these days because I believe my body's changing due to my regular workouts.

Nevertheless, hubby and I both need to drop a few pounds before our annual family trip to Florida in July. We share a condo with my daughter and her family. I do some cooking, which helps keep things somewhat healthy. But it's hard to pass on the locally-made key lime pie and ice cream. Actually, it's hard for hubby not me. I don't really like ice cream and I'll be good with just a sliver of pie once or twice.

So I'm not too worried about gaining more weight while in Florida. But I am eager to get back to pre-Italy weight. I'm hoping a high-protein low-carb diet along with my regular three-days-a-week workouts gets me there by my 66 birthday in October if not sooner. Thinking positively!

Thoughts of Italy

Hubby and me on the Amalfi coast
with Positano behind us.

We are safely home after two weeks in Italy. Gratefully, we had no major glitches and stayed healthy the entire tour.

Italy is absolutely beautiful this time of year and smells so good. Flowers and blooming trees and bushes are everywhere. Unfortunately, it's also full of tourists. We had hoped to be there just before the influx, but sadly that wasn't the case. However, we were told it will be much worse in a few weeks and continue building until the new school year begins. I honestly don't know how the locals can stand it!

Nevertheless, it was a good trip and we very much enjoyed the beauty and wonders of Italy. Thanks to iPhoto, I was able to quickly and easily post slideshows of each day on FaceBook. Just click here and scroll down until you find them in the feed.

Definitely a hightlight of the trip was the food. Authentic Italian food is amazing and I miss it already. Here's what the Italian's do diffently:

1. Noodles are served al dente no matter the dish.
2. Eggplant is often included in starters (roasted, grilled, or deep fried) and pasta dishes.
3. Pizza sauce is thin almost runny.
4. A simple green salad is served last not first.
5. Coffee is strong, very strong. Espresso is the norm.
6. In restaurants, a glass of wine cost no more, and sometimes less, than a soft drink.
7. Breakfast consists mainly of an espresso and small bakery item.
8. Lunch is eaten between 1:00 and 2:00 PM and dinner typically begins at 9:00 PM.
9. Bakery items, desserts, and chocolates are not as sweet as they are here in the United States.
10. Awarding winning gelato is creamier and richer than what's available in the United States.
11. Beef is served barely cooked and melts in your mouth.
12. Very little processed food is consumed.

Despite the crowds and unseasonably warm weather, we loved Italy. If money and time would allow, we'd return someday, just not between mid-May and mid-September!