dude, where's my lunch?

what's up with that?

For two weeks now I have done a water fast a couple of days a week. It's not a strict, obedient thing- it's a mini vacation from food for just one meal. Or two.

I started the fast, so I can end it, anytime I feel the need. It's not a contest or even a goal.

If needed, I take a little coconut oil or even a sf beverage. Just a bite or two or something. Even the day I choose for a fast is flexible. If it doesn't work out, I might try again the next day. I take my cue from how I feel that day.

They call it intermittent fasting. But more and more, it's being refereed to as "intermittent feeding." I googled it, and millions of hits came up. It's more popular than I thought!

After a mini fast, I feel much better, and have more energy. And save time! I exercise more on days I fast. I sleep a lot better, too. And drink water, water, water!

Fasting for one meal is like a 400 calorie gift. It is meant to be a joy, not a weapon to use against myself. I find fasting to be effortless, even occasionally boring. Eating was probably something I did to cover up that internal dialogue that is always going on ...ego stuff, that is not nurturing or true. Fasting, for me, is a way to face the thoughts, and as brave as a blog, to dismiss them. Or at least challenge them.

While I was gaining weight, it would have been good advice for me to occasionally skip a meal, or at least cut down. Now that I am making an effort to lose weight, it's still a good idea to take an occasional "pass!"

The worst that could happen is that I'll be hungry, which isn't likely because I'm already in ketosis from Atkins! How ironic; I wouldn't let myself go hungry when I was gaining. Now that I'm quote-unquote dieting, it makes sense that I might experience hunger!

Fasting is not what I expected, or what I was told it would be like. I thought it would be unbearable, unthinkable and undo-able. But it's not. I even look forward to my fasting days. I treat myself a little better on those days.

I skipped lunch and I didn't die!

a brand new day

I read blogs after I sit around thinking about things. Everything I think I just came up with - viola - someone else has already done it and blogged about it!

I sometimes miss a meal at work. I don't always add more food at the next meal. I mean, in theory I wouldn't have to!

Someone I knew intentionally skipped the occasional lunch at work, then donated the money that would have been spent on going out. Someone else I know skips lunch on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to save on calories. (Plus a couple of bux!) It's like a mini, hidden society, right here in our midst!

Intermittent fasting is all over the Internet as a good way to miss a couple of calories. Most people think of it as a cleansing experience. Of course, it is not for people with blood sugar disturbances, etc, etc. Or for people who are not ready for the "down-side" of fasting. It can be a challenge.

I look at pictures of myself. I never thought that person would be me! Someone else, but not me. So I thought... what would it hurt? Would it really hurt my fat arse to miss one meal every now and then? Would I be hungry? Maybe a little inconvenienced? Frustrated? Would just the thought of missing one single meal send me so far over the edge of insanity that I would turn and destroy myself with donuts? Just because I want something, do I have to give it to myself every time?

Am I really so out of control (after missing a meal or even delaying a meal) that I must not see food, or look at a picture of food, or even think about food at all?

I skipped lunch yesterday and had an extra glass of water. I spent the time instead exercising! An extra 30 minute walk. I was already in ketosis from low-carbing, so I had no hunger at all!

It was more of an experiment than a goal. I did indeed skip lunch and I didn't die!