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Day 28: Part II - IF

 IF stands for "Intermittent Fasting".

A 2007 review by University of California, Berkeley, researchers concluded that alternate-day fasting may:
  • Decrease cardiovascular disease risk.
  • Decrease cancer risk.
  • Lower diabetes risk (at least in animals, data on humans were less clear, possibly because the trial periods in the studies were not long enough to show an effect).
  • Improve cognitive function.
  • Protect against some effects of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases.

 In my quest to lose weight and maintain a healthy weight for life, I have periodically come back to fasting. When I was a young adult, I would fast every Sunday. It was difficult. But I would always feel cleansed and clear-headed on Mondays.

Today I felt heavier and more sluggish than I have in awhile. Perhaps it had something to do with the hot weather. Or my happy hour binge last night! 

I ate a light salad for breakfast and then for lunch I had spicy chicken, brown rice and a salad. The rest of the day I had only unsweetened iced tea.

As my teaching day neared an end, I realized I was not really hungry.  By the time I was heading home it was 9:00 p.m. I consciously made a decision not to eat when I got home.  This will be an experiment.  By not eating after say, 6:00 p.m., I will be fasting for at least 12 hours.  I am hoping this will help with my poor sleep, achiness and brain fog. 


This is my new plan:

6:00 a.m. :  Rise, stretch, drink water. Eat 1/2 cup yogurt
6:30 a.m. to 7:30 a.m. Run
8:00 a.m. Healthy, high protein, low carb breakfast
Noon:  Healthy, high protein, low carb lunch
Snacks: Fruit, veggies, iced tea and lots of water
4:00 p.m. Healthy, high protein, low carb dinner
Evening:  Water, herbal tea.

I am hoping that by putting this in writing, I will stick to it!!

Of course, I will allow occasional happy hour celebrations.  Especially if I am showing results on this plan. Because this, could essentially be a plan for life!

Now, off to bed go I, lest I start eating!!

If you are interested in reading more about intermittent fasting, click these links:

http://www.precisionnutrition.com/intermittent-fasting/summary

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/andrew-weil-md/fasting-health_b_1557043.html

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