3 Days in - The Danger Zone

Building new habits is such a major challenge. And I have a history of doing *awesome* on a new program for, like, you know, about 3-5 days. Or a week. Or like 6 hours.

So I am approaching the Danger Zone.

I'm still building a habit. Nothing is second nature. And I'm on the brink of really feeling better. But pretty soon I'm going to start thinking, "This is so hard, why am I not thin yet?!

Here's the habit I'm building. Fasting. My best fast for now is a 20 hour fast, from 9:30 pm until 5:30 pm the next day. Opening with dinner works for me because I'm only relying on self-control for one end of my eating window. The other end of my eating window is closed by sleep.

Last night, I had only a 75 minute eating window (5:00-6:15 pm)!!!  Which means that if I'm going for a 20 hour fast today, I could technically eat at 2:15 pm. But I don't think it's "safe" for me to open my window that early. Or really even before 5:00 or 5:15.

And if some of my eating windows are much shorter than 4 hours, then I think I will have more success. But what I'm allowing myself is a 4 hour window.  I get personal extra credit whenever it's shorter than that. :-)

My body will heal. I will become more insulin-sensitive rather than insulin-resistant. My hormones will get more in line. Ghrelin and leptin will start working again. I will have working hunger and satiety signals. Yay! And for the 20 hours I am fasting, my body will learn to pull food from my fat stores.  And that store is well-stocked indeed.

But first I have to get through the Danger Zone. Because those things aren't all healed yet. So it will take a little grit to see me through. And commitment. And envisioning success.

Let's Get Cold!!! (Find Your Motivation)

Oh my goodness, I'm so overweight and uncomfortable. It's all the time, but when the hot weather hits, the feelings are so amplified.

My plan for weight loss and health is intermittent fasting (IF) where I have an eating window from 5:30 pm-9:30 pm (flexible time frame), and then I fast from 9:30 pm through 5:30 pm the next day.  It's called a 20/4 fast. 20 hours fasting, 4 hour eating window. 

I have an app on my phone (Android) called Zero, and it helps me keep track.

Many IFers have said that when they fast, they get COLD. Oh that I might feel cold!!!!  Starting any program or eating protocol has a very difficult adjust period.  I always feel hungry as I try to adjust to less food and not giving into my desire to eat. Enter the mind games a.k.a motivation. 

I have been dabbling in IF for months now.  The reason for the dabble is that I have been breastfeeding my baby.  She is now 10 months old, but I have typically nursed my babies for over a year.  All experts agree (even those who are pro-IF) that one should not fast when nursing a baby.  So it's been a slow start for me.  Sometimes I've skipped breakfast and then opened an eating window around 11:00, 12:00, or 1:00.  I feel hungry so I give in.  Months ago, I was very concerned about my supply when pumping at work. But I haven't pumped in over two months due to Coronavirus quarantine, and summer is on the horizon, and the baby has been eating solid foods. I'm still nursing Baby to sleep at least 3 times per day plus a few additional nursing sessions so she is hydrated. 

So I'm still nursing, and I have no way to know if it will make fasting an uphill battle - does the nursing I'm doing now make me hungrier than I would be otherwise?  Even so, I don't want to delay my quest for health any longer. I am 100% convinced that IF is a healthy and sustainable lifestyle for me.  I just need to jump in with two feet and get through that challenging adjustment period.  

Where am I getting my information on IF?  I suggest you read The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung and Delay, Don't Deny by Gin Stephens. The former is highly scientific. The latter is highly practical, often referencing the former among other sources. I've joined the Delay, Don't Deny facebook group and listen to Gin Stephens' podcast where she interviews those who have found success with fasting or One Meal A Day (OMAD). 

I have GOT to take before pictures, get my weight, and take some measurements. We put our scale in storage because we are in the process of selling our house (we hope!), so that is a challenge. I'm sure I've gained in quarantine, but my last known weight was about 335. Yes (cringe!) you read that right.  I'm about 5'7 1/2" 

So it's about 12:00 noon right now, and I'm getting hungry.  I've been fasting for only 14 1/2 hours, and I have 5 1/2 hours to go. It's hot outside, and I need to dig deep to stay strong.  

Let's Get Cold!  Every time I feel hot, I will remember I'm try to gt cold!

Peace out. 

Introduction

Who Am I?

Not in the deep way :-). 

Born in January 1982, I'm 38 years old. I've been married 15 1/2 years, and I have three children: 6 (boy), 4 (boy), and 9 months (girl). 

I have worked my whole adult life, these last nine years as a high school counselor (focusing on college & academic counseling) at a Christian High School near Chicago.

I'm a Christian, and I'm involved at my church.

What will this blog be about?

My entire life, I have struggled with discipline. I'll narrow that down for you. I'm thinking this blog will focus on three areas:

1.) My struggle with my weight and health

2.) My struggle with being a budgeter/spender 

3.) My struggle with general follow-through.... in the workplace (being a good worker and meeting deadlines), in a Bible study (I never do my homework), in plans within my household (I'm going to clean the litter box every day!  And then a week goes by).

So, you know, pretty much every aspect of my life. 

In short, I just feel like a a lazy loser most of the time. 

So why the blog?

I'm hoping that by writing about my efforts, I might keep myself more mindful and accountable in my pursuit of discipline. Writing seems like a much better use of time than Candy Crush.