What is happening to me?
The hunger pangs I can deal with. The low energy, I can deal with. The listlessness, that I can deal with.
But this depression. I feel so so awful. I feel so low. I feel absolutely despairing. I feel like I am dying emotionally.
I’ve also developed hemorrhoids since I started IF for the first time in my life (I’m only 30).
My chronic pain and fatigue is so much worse.
I have debilitating nausea in the mornings before I break the fast.
I am actually losing my appetite. I don’t even want to eat anymore. I actually am losing interest in food.
Now, if I don’t eat even more regularly in my easting window, I get depressed. Within a couple of hours of the last meal, I am depressed again.
What is happening to me?
If I can’t fast, I have to give up on ever getting my health and weight in order. I just won’t manage it. I will always be unfit and unhealthy and in pain. I can’t do this. I try so hard and my body is fighting me kicking and screaming all the way. How can I even begin to tackle this? I feel that my body is turning on me faster than my mind.
It sounds like you could benefit from speaking with a mental health professional/ therapist. Sometimes weight and other issues are tied to long-standing lifestyle factors that you might not even be aware of. This can be past traumas, unresolved issues with family, body image, etc. etc. If you’re not able to get the emotions and depression in check, you’ll likely continue to have issues even if you WERE able to lose weight. I’m sorry you’re having such a tough time.
It also sounds like you’re jumping to some pretty extreme conclusions and black and white ways of viewing your situation. Saying that you “have to give up” and won’t “ever” get your health together if you can’t intermittent fast is not balanced OR true. You’re spiraling. Take a deep breath because you WILL be okay if you address your mental health first and foremost.
AND speaking from personal experience, stress and worry can make you VERY physically ill as well. The stress and worry can lead to sleeplessness, overeating, stomach pain, body aches, muscle tightening… ALL things that make this journey tough to start and stick with.
TLDR: Seek therapy. It will help.
I can say that after fasting consistently for 30 or 60 days (I can’t honestly remember), that my hunger went away and I had way more energy. I would talk to someone. I take effexor and one reason is it doesn’t have a weight gain side effect. I think there are others. But def see someone.
Boo, none of this is normal!!! Are you eating enough? Are you eating good food?? Have you spoken to your Dr about the depression? I would suggest getting a full work up, something is going on with you. What about the last meal is depressing you, that it’ll be awhile till you eat again?
I can only speak from personal experience, but I have more energy, feel better, sleep better, skin & hair look great. I did get some muscle aches, but that was probably 2 years after starting? and guessing its more an age thing, so started taking magnesium lately and they are gone. Everything you’re going through is so extreme, please get yourself checked out!
Lots of black and white thinking in the last paragraph almost like giving yourself ultimatums. Therapy. Compassion. Kindness. Look for any books, therapists, support groups etc that are gentle loving and nurturing. Best of luck❤️
OP, I’m sorry you are not in a good place. Please take care of yourself; if you believe IF is causing/exacerbating your mental health issues, I would discontinue it. Maybe your metabolism is unique, maybe you are just not doing what is right for YOUR physiology. You should seek out supportive professionals, a doctor/diet expert, and a mental health professional. Yes, it can be difficult to find the right people, I do not say this lightly. Still, your condition sounds serious enough to warrant this, not advice from random people on Reddit such as myself. Reddit is great for getting second opinions, information that professionals may not be aware of, and personal experiences. People can also be supportive any time you need it. A couple things that occur to me: We’re at the tail end of winter in the Northern Hemisphere; lots of people tend to be at ‘low ebb’ emotionally at this time. Constipation often leads to hemorrhoids, perhaps you are not getting enough fiber. If you are eating poorly (you say food doesn’t appeal), that’s going to trash your mental health. I personally have found the Keto diet really helps with the cravings. Perhaps consider trying it; I feel it goes well with IF. Again, get some professional help and get back on a more stable course before attempting to change things other than perhaps going back to whatever you were doing before IF, if you felt better then. You do have lots of time to try keto, various IF schedules, perhaps EF, gluten-free or dairy-free diet, on and on. But you need some support before switching things up.