Hey,
I recently started 18:6 with my eating window being 12-6. I still have some hot drinks outside of that window, but im working on reducing them and gradually swapping them for green tea and water.
My main issue is that I have been really struggling to sleep since starting. Sometimes I need to finish eating at 4pm (if I do I sometimes start at 10am) because I work 4pm-9pm, but those days I struggle more than others with my sleep.
I am definitely hungry, but I can cope with that. I just keep getting restless legs and can’t nod off. I think that maybe there’s a nutrient that I am missing or something, maybe? The food I eat hasn’t vastly changed, there’s just less of it. Maybe less veg because I’ve been quite busy and not able to cook as much, but not by a huge amount.
Has anybody else had this? How can I fix it? I would struggle to move my eating window till later, as I don’t want it too late because of my working hours, but the lack of sleep is making me really struggle. It might not be linked, but it’s the only thing that has changed in my life that I can think of. Any thoughts?
I don’t think I have a direct answer, but I have found that I fall asleep easier 8-12 hours into a fast as opposed to 2-6 hours into a fast. I think at 2-6 hours I’m still kinda of feeling that food energy. 8-12 hours in and I’m feeling like I’m running low and for me that helps me tell myself “alright it’s time to pass out”
I’m sure it’s different for everyone, but that’s my experience. Maybe just play around with your eating window.
I know how it is though with work schedules. Just gotta find that perfect time where you can eat that motivates you and gives you energy but isn’t so late or early that you feel sluggish. Good luck mate!