The FastDay Forum

Hi all,

I am fascinated by IF, as most of us are and although I am actually under weight if anything I find it incredibly powerful as a way of focusing my mind, feeling more confident, feeling more relaxed, more sociable, my life is actually so much better when I have that feeling of no food in my stomach.

As soon as I eat something I feel sluggish, tired, less interested in socialising, more introverted. It's a really odd but very good side effect for me.

I was wondering has anyone else experienced this heightened happiness and confidence and what is the science behind it?

My issue is that I'm starting to rely on it quite heavily as a way of enjoying my social and work life more and it means I'm probably getting more underweight which isnt probably too good. Now I just have a big meal in the evenings so that by the morning I'm feeling good again and I don't eat again until dinner. And I tend to peak around midday-feeling really happy and elated and clear minded

Id really love to hear other people's thoughts on this.


Many thanks

I feel a real sense of accomplishment when I complete a fast day. It's almost like proving to myself on a regular basis that I can exercise control when I want. It is making me more aware of what I eat on feast days too - I'm less likely to go for that second hand ful of chips. I'm still fairly new to 5:2, and haven't experienced the euphoria you describe, but I can see the benefits to my mood as well as my health.

Joyed I love my fast days but find if the fast has been too efficient I get severe back pain, might be a detox thing I have never had it answered. So some days for me even though I feel great in accomplishment I need to eat to get rid of my fasting pain. Also don't feel that great if I have cravings and I seek things to eat then feel as you say not so comfortable.

I would rather though feel normal for me and that is generally when I have eaten healthy food in moderate to smaller proportions now. I do though understand the sluggish feeling and that happens for me on wheat

I can relate to what you are saying, but I'm not underweight! I do feel rather pleased with myself if I have fasted well.

As you are underweight, have you thought about working back up to your goal but then just switching to 16:8 which is eating within an 8 hour period only? It's a more relaxed version of what you already do now, but you are more likely to maintain and not lose any more. You also would get the health benefits of repairing your system.

Hi Joeyd - what constitutes underweight in your case? BMI below 18.5 or just lighter than you have ever been? Just interested as I am towards the lower end of BMI but not worried because I am very old...

[carieoates]

This is A very interesting question, which a assume many on here will be able to answer. Most, like me are attempting to lose weight in a sustainable way, and grow to love our fasts as it is a way to not worry about food for a day, and when done properly achieve a half pound weight loss on average. I don't intend to sound like I'm interfering as I have been thinking a lot about your post today and wondered why you are in fact trying to IF when underweight. I can't help it but it's the mum in me that has taken over here, instead of the faster who sometimes offers, and sometimes looks for support. Maybe a healthy well balanced diet is what you are in fact looking for. With a burstn of 16.8 to keep you in the zone.

Hi Caroline. Thanks for your message. I'm doing IF because I'm really interested in finding my optimum self and I've always been fascinated by nutrition etc. You must remember that people have fasted for centuries for reasons other than wanting to lose weight. It clears the mind, repairs our bodies and does fantastic things. My only issue is that I have an addictive personality so there is the potential to get addicted to this reliance on fasting as a way to feel in my optimum mode. For instance, if I have a presentation at work. I know that if I haven't eaten for the past 6 or 7 hours my mind is far more active, responsive, sharp and I just feel completely in the moment. Whereas if I had lunch I would feel sluggish, tired and not giving my full attention.
But I'm really desperate to understand the science behind it and how I get to feel these very confident and positive feelings. I've been reading about a hormone called norpinerphrine (I think that's how its spelt) and this is an anti depressant type fight or flight hormone which is released during fasting. I'd love to hear from anyone who has any knowledge around the science of this euphoria.

Thanks

Hi Joeyd,

Much like Carieoates, I am worried about your feelings about fasting (I'm a doctor though, rather than a mum).

The feelings you're describing sound a little more psychological than physical, and I'm worried that your 'addictive personality' you describe has more influence here. Sure, intermittently going without food is not abnormal for humans, or bad for us, but being underweight is (just as being overweight is). Of course this does depend on how much either way... As Creakypete says, a little underweight is not a problem.

Fasting for a day does/ should give a sense of achievement, but eating should then not make you feel bad. If you feel sluggish when you eat, then maybe you're eating the wrong foods for you...? Maybe you should experiment with this. I certainly notice I feel good after eating a big pile of veggies... (And sluggish after chocolate cake - but I'm happy to work through that )

Anyway, just wanted to throw in my tuppence. Your comments did worry the doctor in me...

Jen

And they worried the grandma in me!

I second Carieotes and Jenny

And i must admit, i am never happy when hungry/on an empty stomach, sorry!!!

Hi all,

Thanks for your concern but I genuinly don't think I have an issue around being underweight . I love food and eating! I am 6'2 and about 11-12 Stone so yes definitly on the lower end but I have an incredibly skinny build for a man- very skinny legs haha

Anyway. I think you may have a point jen regarding me not eating the right foods. Is it worth doing those expensive food intolerance tests? I have heard they are unreliable. I don't eat sugar foods anyway as they always make feel terrible. I love protein and carbs etc. But as soon as I eat I feel bloated, stressed, anxious, etc. And that's even more of a contrast now Im feeling the positive effects of fasting. I think I need to explore the food types I react best/worst to...

Didn't Michael say in his book that after a few days on the four day fast that he did that he became quite euphoric and almost unhappy to stop. Perhaps it is addictive?

Thought I'd throw my hat into this ring too.

I am in agreement with many posts above, however, I must say that having an empty stomach does make me feel clearer too.

My concern for you is that anorexia may creep into the picture. Being a bio-mechanical machine, you need fuel to continue to exist. You mentioned that you don't eat sugary things, which is good, but be careful of the carbohydrates you consume. Simple carbs are converted to glucose quickly. Also, the quantity of proteins, which require large amounts of energy to process, may make you sluggish.

You may want to keep a journal of what you eat and how it makes you feel, and if you do eat sparingly, make sure that what you're filling your tank with is quality.

Cheers

There are quite a few links available on google for "intermittent fasting euphoria"

Here's one that hits the science:

http://paleohacks.com/questions/149318/ ... z2mRZZLKq2

I agree with BobbyD... Just keep a journal of what you eat and how you feel. Way better than spending money on a test

There is definitely a euphoria associated with fasting, no doubt. There's a similar euphoria when you get hypothermic, or dehydrated... I'm not totally clear on the scientific basis, but the best understanding I have is that it's when the brain has gone through the warning system (hunger, thirst, cold etc) and has 'given up'. It may also be due to the brain cells themselves not having enough fuel to function properly... So, not a good thing!

On the other hand, the reason we feel sluggish after eating is thst the body has to re-direct more blood to the gut, and actually use energy to digest, which temporarily reduces the supply to the brain and muscles. Hence, the siesta that is popular in Europe. The best way to avoid this feeling is to eat small meals, more often. Sugars are of course easy to digest, so avoid this problem (hence sugar loaded sports drinks etc), but the rush of insulin released by a sugar burst can leave you feeling hungover shortly afterwards.

I hope some of this waffle makes sense/ helps!
In a nutshell - food is good for us, in moderation, and it is totally natural to need to rest after a big meal to allow the food to digest (imagine a lion sleeping after a big kill/feed). Whilst fasting can lead to euphoric feelings, remember that these are probably bad for you akin to the euphoric feelings from drugs.

That's my lot,
Jen