Anyone else get really miserable?

#1

Didn’t even realise how morose I was today, didn’t have enough salt I reckon, but fasting really affects my mood.
Have done really long fasts in the past but haven’t been successful in ages, just heading into 49th hr or so now. Trying for Friday pm.

(Jan) #2

I’ve been thinking about posting on the same topic here. I’ve been Keto for about a year and a half. I’ve tried to do longer fasts beyond just my usual 16-18 hrs. I’m fine for a while, let the hunger waves hit, eat salt, drink water, feeling ok. Then the world starts turning dark: doesn’t anyone else see the sink full of dirty dishes? Why is it taking my husband so long? The sunshine is too bright/it’s so gloomy… Dog hair everywhere. And who left their dirty socks on the living room floor!
I can’t decide whether I want to slam every door in the house while screaming obscenities, or hunker down in a corner and bawl my eyes out.
Eventually I eat something (Keto of course) and suddenly the world is good again.
So, should I push through this nastiness and hope my dog and my husband are still around? Or do I just accept that I can’t handle extended fasting?

#3

Be interesting to see what advice comes back. I’ve been so unsuccessful for so long I haven’t even tried, or gave in at dinnertime, so at best a warrior fast. I have started looking at other elements to bolster me, meditation, exercise (getting those “dolphins”) hoping to sail through this. Maybe I’m not the sailing type - lol
:rofl::crazy_face::face_with_raised_eyebrow:

(Renee Slaughter) #4

I don’t get morose but anything beyond 36 hours and I bet a funny feeling in my head. Even 24 has it’s issues. This week I forgot to salt me so it’s been bad. So no fasting for me until I’m feeling more like myself. Yep fasting is interesting.

(Chris) #5

I get waves of emotion. Sometimes little things will spark tearing up, that wouldn’t normally. Comes and goes in waves, like just about anything on a fast. I’d use it as an opportunity to explore those feelings, you may find that through the mental clarity that fasting produces, that you had that feeling for a reason and you may have a better understanding coming out of it.

#6

Thanks Renee, good advice to stop when it’s not working.

#7

Cheers Dread, good advice too, have thought about it and journalled this evening. Only earlier today, I was wondering why sometimes I can and at other times not. As soon as the meeting ended and I got back to my desk, I realised it was probably salt. The issues, are the blockers at the moment. Hence finding tools to bolster myself. So after a quick resistance sesh in the gym, have had a long soak in Epsom salts and sprayed some magnesium oil on for a “belt and braces” approach. Also re-reading Jason Fung’s fasting book, for other tips.

(Allie) #8

I would say any type of negative feeling is a signal to stop the fast and eat, it’s meant to be a positive thing after all.

#9

Thanks Allie - good point well made, but knowing my messed up set of behaviours, this could be exactly why this is happening. I’ve often wondered if I justify a binge, because I’m feeling sorry for myself. :thinking:

(Chris) #10

Some might argue that identifying and dealing with feelings, be it the positive or negative ones, would be a positive thing. :slight_smile:

(Karen) #11

I don’t love fasting, but it doesn’t seem to affect my mood. So sorry it negatively affects so many.

K

(Shawn) #12

I think I am good on about one meal a day. Longer than that I can get cranky sometimes. Hunger is a primal force and is not to be taken lightly. People will do things they wouldn’t normally do when they are starving.

#13

I do not get depressed but definitely have a shorter fuse. My first week on keto I made a huge scene at my local bank because they would not give me change of a $20 without ID (it was ridiculous). I had gotten the $20 out of their ATM and was paying someone $10

(Rob) #14

You probably need to add some context. How lean are you? We all know it is harder to fast if you are leaner and that our physical and mental capacities to fast vary like the f’n weather :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

If you are lean then fat fasting will probably be helpful… get autophagy, eat fat! :grinning:

#15

Not lean Bob, had a poor nights sleep. But re-reading Fung’s Fasting book and giving it a good belt before deciding if it should be in my tool box. Just hope I keep my cool today. Sometimes being aware is not enough.

(Jan) #16

Boy, I wish I was lean enough to have this be an issue. Nope, still got another 40-50 lb to go before I get too lean!
I’d really like to fast longer to get some autophagy going, and to improve insulin sensitivity. And losing a few pounds would be nice as well.
Now, I’m not claiming to normally be a precious ray of sunshine, but neither am I normally a thunder bitch. However, I’m not sure it’s worth it if I feel this nasty.

#17

Have ended the fast. Went to my first HIIT in years last night and fasted until this morning. As part of my morning routine I had a coffee with double cream and a tbsp of great lakes collagen. And 20 mins ago some nuts.
Am really space cadet today. Concentration is poor. Will reflect on the experience but keep going with weekly fasts. And then review.
I have a monkey mind at the best of times. So I have put a series of supports in place. To bolster staying keto and getting to the happy place rather than believing the keto rules don’t apply once I’ve seen some success.
Small changes every day.

#18

Yeap, totally agree. Have read that it takes a bit of time. It does mean I feel very low whilst I get things back in place. Hence the routine. Which will be tested as I overnight elsewhere.

(Liz ) #19

FWIW I have been using Milk Thistle for ill moods on Keto with great success. I think we are processing a lot of toxins through our livers in this process & milk thistle supports the liver.

(Solomom A) #20

Please where did you get this idea that you don’t get autophagy without fasting? Maybe you hope to increase the degree with fasting.