One day at a time...

I've mentioned before I've been doing intermittent fasting for the last couple months. Basically it breaks down to 8 hours a day I'm allowed to eat and 16 that I'm fasting.  It's really not as horrible as it sounds.  Part of the time I'm fasting is when I'm asleep.  I really didn't eat after dinner before, so really all I changed is not eating so early in the day.  Generally I eat sometime between 11am and noon and I finish dinner no later than 8pm.  I'm usually not hungry in the morning anyway.  I used to make myself eat because the old school of thinking is that you need to eat breakfast, most important meal of the day and all that.  

So far it seems to be working well as a diet tool.  I've lost 25 pounds since I started dieting with the if.  I don't really get hungry with it and I haven't really changed much of what I'm eating.  I've cut back on dairy, I don't eat it at home at all due to Michael's allergy and rarely when we are out.  I've cut back on carbs a little bit, but I still enjoy them. Not so much on the white bread, but I do eat whole wheat, potatoes and beans.  

I've done a little more research and so has Michael, into the benefits of fasting on a more long term basis.  According to what I've read, fasting 2 days a week is supposed to be one of the healthiest things you can do. It supposedly will lower blood pressure, regulate your blood sugar and in studies with lab mice it has increased their life span by about 70%.  It also is supposed to stabilize your weight.  The studies I've read say if you fast 2 days a week you can eat anything you want the other 5 days and you still get all the benefits to your blood sugar and blood pressure.  

So, starting in May, I decided to fast for 48 hours a week.  Nothing I've read really seems to say whether the 2 days have to be consecutive or not.  I fasted for 48 hours this week, continuing to exercise like normal.  My plan is to fast 2 days and continue the intermittent fasting the other 5.  My weight is down by 3 pounds and my blood pressure and blood sugars have been good.  I'm still taking my blood pressure meds though.  The edema in my legs is better.  Overall I feel good.  

I'll likely update this weekly as I go.  I'm sure fasting isn't for everyone but it seems to be a good fit for me.