It's getting easier. I've stopped chewing gum during the day -- that might have been harder than not eating during the day. I enjoy blowing bubbles and I look forward to chewing gum during my window.
As I think I've mentioned, I've been on a business trip for the last three weeks (four cities, six time zones). I think it's actually been helpful to my fasting -- is easier to start a new routine when you're in a new situation than when you're in the day-to-day routine at home. On the down side, I'm eating at a lot of restaurants and (since I don't eat sugar or flour) the only thing I can eat from convenience stores are the nuts. So... lots of nuts. Looking forward to being home with good hearty vegetarian fare.
Also looking forward to weighing in when I get home. Sometimes I feel lighter, but then I'll see a mirror and cringe a little bit. Let's see what the impartial witness has to say.
Thursday, May 20, 2010
Monday, May 10, 2010
I was cheating?!
I've been cheating on the fast this whole time...
1) I've been chewing sugarless gum during the fast. This is discouraged in the Fast-5 book but seemed to be an acceptable crutch for a while. I went without gum today for the first time and had no problems. I'm ready to stop using it.
2) I've been taking fiber in the mornings. It finally occurred to me to check the nutritional information, where I saw it has 40 calories per serving. I'll move the fiber to the end of my window.
...and voila! I should be in compliance with the fast. Unless there's something else I'm forgetting.
I'm not feeling thinner and I'm rather afraid to weigh and find out I haven't lost weight; that would be too depressing. I'll weigh myself in a couple of weeks when I'm back home. I'm on a work trip and have had quite a few business lunches recently. I lie and say I had such a big breakfast that I can't eat lunch. My colleagues have been a little concerned but I made a point to eat dinner with several of them so at least they know I'm not anorexic.
The energizer bunny I am not, but I notice that I'm much better at keeping awake during afternoon meetings than my colleagues. I feel alert all day drinking just water while they have to seek out coffee every few hours. Fasting is good for so many things!
1) I've been chewing sugarless gum during the fast. This is discouraged in the Fast-5 book but seemed to be an acceptable crutch for a while. I went without gum today for the first time and had no problems. I'm ready to stop using it.
2) I've been taking fiber in the mornings. It finally occurred to me to check the nutritional information, where I saw it has 40 calories per serving. I'll move the fiber to the end of my window.
...and voila! I should be in compliance with the fast. Unless there's something else I'm forgetting.
I'm not feeling thinner and I'm rather afraid to weigh and find out I haven't lost weight; that would be too depressing. I'll weigh myself in a couple of weeks when I'm back home. I'm on a work trip and have had quite a few business lunches recently. I lie and say I had such a big breakfast that I can't eat lunch. My colleagues have been a little concerned but I made a point to eat dinner with several of them so at least they know I'm not anorexic.
The energizer bunny I am not, but I notice that I'm much better at keeping awake during afternoon meetings than my colleagues. I feel alert all day drinking just water while they have to seek out coffee every few hours. Fasting is good for so many things!
Wednesday, May 5, 2010
three weeks / insulin / sugar is evil
Three weeks of fasting and I'm feeling better. Less anxiety at the end of each eating window hence eating less to prepare for the fast. I hope as my appetite lessens the weight will start to come off. Haven't been able to weigh myself for a while. Chewing less gum.
In my recent reading it seems that fat metabolism depends largely on insulin. Low insulin allows the body to correctly manage its fat deposits. Fasting is one way to regulate insulin; lowering carb intake is another. Hence I've quit eating refined sugar. Had a couple weeks of cravings but, as with fasting, the anxiety dropped away soon. At first the idea of not eating mom's cookies again was very sad and a little scary. As time passes I realize that sugar does not equal love and my relationship with my mom and other loved ones can be expressed in ways that don't involve sugar. My skin is clearer than ever and I wake up easily in the morning even after a short night.
Check out these resources...
Sugar: The Bitter Truth -- Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF (video)
http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16717
The No Sugar, No Flour Diet -- Dr. Gott (book)
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Gotts-Flour-Sugar-Diet/dp/0446177903/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273110552&sr=1-1
Lecture at UC Berkely -- Gary Taubes (video, Real Player)
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216
In my recent reading it seems that fat metabolism depends largely on insulin. Low insulin allows the body to correctly manage its fat deposits. Fasting is one way to regulate insulin; lowering carb intake is another. Hence I've quit eating refined sugar. Had a couple weeks of cravings but, as with fasting, the anxiety dropped away soon. At first the idea of not eating mom's cookies again was very sad and a little scary. As time passes I realize that sugar does not equal love and my relationship with my mom and other loved ones can be expressed in ways that don't involve sugar. My skin is clearer than ever and I wake up easily in the morning even after a short night.
Check out these resources...
Sugar: The Bitter Truth -- Robert H. Lustig, MD, UCSF (video)
http://www.uctv.tv/search-details.aspx?showID=16717
The No Sugar, No Flour Diet -- Dr. Gott (book)
http://www.amazon.com/Dr-Gotts-Flour-Sugar-Diet/dp/0446177903/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1273110552&sr=1-1
Lecture at UC Berkely -- Gary Taubes (video, Real Player)
http://webcast.berkeley.edu/event_details.php?webcastid=21216
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