First a disclaimer: I am not advocating intermittent fasting or any kind of diet or even weight loss. I don’t believe in fad diets, but in listening to your body.  Please consult your doctor and do your own research. Only you know what your body needs.  I am only sharing what I chose to do to cope with the quarantine and not gain any extra weight.

Love your body and be kind to your body no matter what. It is a temple!  And also a playground!

“The secret of happiness, you see, is not found in seeking more, but in developing the capacity to enjoy less.”― Dan Millman

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When I was having my floors done I had the brilliant idea of dismantling my elliptical machine and throwing it away. It was bulky and not working that great.  My intention was to get a smaller one after the new flooring was installed.  However, my floor, as I have mentioned before, remains unfinished. 

Before the quarantine, without the elliptical, I wasn’t exercising much but still was taking walks and a trip to the gym every now and then.  My hip and clavicle issues prevent me from really doing the exercises I like, such as Zumba and heavy weightlifting.

With Planet Fitness closed, as well as the gym in my building, all I have been doing are some stretches. I know I can and I should be doing more, but have yet to get into an exercise routine.   

“So be gentle with yourself; show yourself the same kindness and patience you might show a young child – the child you once were. If you won’t be your own friend, who will be? If, when playing an opponent, you are also opposing yourself, you will be outnumbered.” ― Dan Millman

When we were forced to stay at home I knew that it could be disastrous to my sister and I.  We both love carbs and sugar.  Adjustments were in order.  Taking my sister’s advice (she has been doing it for awhile) I embarked on the intermittent fasting. The way we do it, we try to stop eating as early as we can the night before, normally around 7pm and then only eat again the next day after 11am.  We fast for 16 hours or more.

I always believed that I had to eat something very early as soon as I woke up to get my metabolism going, so my body wouldn’t think I was starving myself and shut down. I had to reevaluate my thinking.  There is a whole debate and science behind eating and not eating breakfast.  I am not getting into that here. 

To me what is important are the foods I choose when I am eating.  With less hours to eat I eventually ate less, which led to losing 15 pounds. My goal was not to gain, so I am over the moon.  

“The secret of change is to focus all your energy not on fighting the old, but on building the new.”― Dan Millman

In the beginning it was a struggle. I was so addicted to my daily morning meal of bread and butter.  I am one of those people that wake up starving.  I am not sure it is really hunger or just the routine of eating in the morning.  By now I am mostly used to it, but still there are some very hard days.  

Unfortunately now my fasting has been called into question.  Should I be rethinking the fasting because of the dizziness? I am feeling much better but every day I have my moments of feeling out of focus and wobbly.  It is normally when I lift head, and every night when I lay down.  I am really almost 100% better but still feeling out of focus has me worried.

The other day my boss, Jeff, said to me:  “Dr. Jeff is ordering you to go back to your breakfast of bread and butter. You are starving yourself, that is why you are dizzy.” 

My friend that is a Naturopathic doctor said: “Intermittent fasting is great but it is not for everyone.  It may not be for you.”  He wants me to do different allergies tests.

“It’s better to make a mistake with the full force of your being than to timidly avoid mistakes with a trembling spirit. Responsibility means recognizing both pleasure and price, action and consequence, then making a choice.”― Dan Millman

I have been doing the fasting since late March and it was only in June that the vertigo symptoms started.  Plus I have had vertigo a couple of times before in 2019.  I want to believe that it is not the cause and just a coincidence.

I am a fan of the fasting because I don’t have to deprive myself of anything I like.  I still have my bread and butter but now normally on weekends, and sometimes I will have for lunch or dinner if I really want it.

Intermittent fasting makes me feel more in control (there goes that word that I have a love-hate relationship with).  It taught me that it is okay to feel hungry.  Actually I am learning what is to feel hungry.  Since I have fewer hours to eat I am making better choices.

I will be having a physical this month, so I will discuss it with my doctor.  But for now I am sticking to it.  It was the jump start I needed to get my mind and body reconnected.

Have any of you tried intermittent fasting?  What is your experience?

If you have any recommendation of a good, yet, small elliptical machine please let me know. 

“Sometimes sorrow, sometimes joy. But beneath it all remember the innate perfection of your life unfolding. That is the secret of unreasonable happiness.”― Dan Millman