drink to the beat

got water?

I know one of the many grey areas of dispute is the concept of water. How much? First they say eight 8 oz glasses. Then more. Then less. Do they mean well, or are they just mistaken liars?

Either way, you can't get around in a Texas summer without drinking a boat-load of water.

But I always forget, so I remind myself to drink by the numbers. An old Army trick! Thirsty or not, drink a little - a few sips, every so often.

My goal is to drink about 4 ounces or so every hour. That way, it's not too much all at once. It takes a day or two to get in the habit, but it does help.

I sometimes think that I am in ketosis (yay!) when I am probably just a little dehydrated (boo!)

Either way, it seems to be a good idea. Cheers!

fast times

why call it a "fast" when it feels so "slow"?

These days I am trying to "slow my roll" (so to speak!) and not live in such a hurry.   On days that I practice my intermittent fasting, I found an old feeling has returned to my days.  Profound boredom!

Very long slow days.  Days that don't feel like time is passing at all.  

Days that were once filled with drive-thru meals, and cokes. Eating, shopping or cleaning up after eating.  And planning.  Always something...

Intermittent fasting has shown me that I had a much deeper food-centered life than I once thought.  I feel lonesome, like I just lost my best friend.  It's like a major project has reached completion.  Now what can I do with my time?  Does eating cover up this boredom?

Quick - dash off to work! Run to the store! Eat fast!  Fast food!   It's too much and not enough.

The intermittent water fasting is going just fine.  

I have had absolutely no physical hunger whatsoever!  Maybe a hunger for "something else."

Eating is something we all do, so in a way it connects us all.  And to voluntarily restrict my food intake, either by fasting or just cutting way back, I sometimes feel as though I  "left the fold."   There are so many ways to connect to people; food is just one.   Maybe food became an "idol" and the human connection became nothing but a means.  

Intermittent water fasting is not for everyone, but it is for me, at least for now.  Even on days when I don't do it perfectly, the results are still there. Even with the occasional bout of boredom and hunger.

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.