| | Water Fasting

77 days isn't enough to establish a habit

For 11 weeks, I fasted 16 hours or more every day. No breakfast, no late night snack and extended fasts semi- weekly. I tracked all my food, increased my H2O intake and lowered my carb count. I read this and other fasting reddit sites. I lost 15 lbs, lost 12 inches and cleared my neuropathy. I was developing a keystone habit to transform my life. And then, my anxiety and depression showed my 11 weeks is nothing. 77 days was derailed within a couple weeks. Now, I'm back. I'll go back to the fundamentals. I'll fast 13 hrs today while weighing and measuring myself and my food. I'll keep getting inspired by this site.

Answer

  1. I try to stick to a bedtime, and limit blue light a few hours prior to my bedtime. No screens an hour before bed.

  2. I try to get a decent amount of sunlight each day and I no longer use sunglasses (helps me fall asleep).

  3. I finish eating at least 8 hours before bed. I only drink plain water outside of my eating window.

  4. I try to get 150 minutes of exercise each week, and typically exercise just prior to breaking my fast.

I have been doing this since the start of covid (Mar 2020). I have found that a good night sleep gives me lots of energy and helps me stick to my eating window. Sleep was the key for me but everyone is different!