Life At Slow-Mo

Most people take on Intermittent Fasting to lose weight. But after three weeks of doing it, I discovered additional benefits that I did not expect.

The Obvious

1. The weight loss is real. Although it is slower than I expected.

2. I am getting used to being hungry and not feeling the pressure to alleviate it. Before this program, I eat when I want to eat. Even when I was full after a big lunch if I feel like it was time for some fried snack, I ordered a delivery. One hour later, I had dinner. Later at 10 PM, in the middle of a TV show, I felt like the nacho chips were calling me. I went to the pantry, grabbed a party-size bag, and ate them all. Along with 2 cans of beer to wash them down.

When I was working and I was stumped, the first thing that came to mind was, “Let’s get some coffee and some hot snack.” I took my car keys and my wallet, and 15 minutes later I was at McDonald’s, eating apple pies.

Lately, I can say no to my cravings when they claw at me in my fasting window. I discovered that even during my eating window, I don’t need to eat so much to satisfy my hunger. I might get hungry again two hours later, but it doesn’t disrupt my work. I found that the belief that I must eat to be able to concentrate is not necessarily true. I can still focus on an empty stomach, just like now.

This is going in the direction that I hoped for at the start of the program.

The Unexpected

1. My blood pressure is getting lower. On January 18, at 98 kilograms, my first thing in the morning blood pressure was 145/103 (systolic/diastolic). The Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s definition of hypertension is 140 or higher for systolic, or 90 or higher for diastolic. Yes, I was that. This morning, my blood pressure reading was 122/84. By CDC’s standard, it is considered to be prehypertension, but it is definitely A LOT better than 145/103. Some of you might say, “Isn’t that what people get when they lose weight?” Yes, I agree. But even on January 1, 2021, way back when I was still in the 80-kilogram range, I was already 151/93.

2. I don’t need alcohol as much as I did. The cravings were not only for food but also for booze. There were times when I kept a bottle of whiskey and a shot glass right on my desk. And there were times when all I could think of all day was chicken wings and beer. I cannot drink much, mind you. A couple of shots or even a single large beer is enough to make me tipsy. But the urge to have at least one drink bugged me interminably.

I still drink, but only rarely during the program. I found that it helped to dispel that drinking urge.

Yes, good progress. Hopefully, I can report new unexpected things in the coming weeks.