Cold and Insomia with Intermittent fasting

fasting
(Charli) #1

I have been keto for going on a year. I have lost 16kg (35 lb) in that time and probably only have a few to go. Unsure what number to target as I have not been this weight since high school, but I just want the fat round my middle gone. I started Keto mainly for the anti inflammatory benefits and have managed to come off all my pain meds, and even start running again. I feel fantastic!

While I have always done a bit of fasting and time restricted eating, I have recently (6 weeks) been implementing IDM fasting protocols of 24-42 hours 3 times a week to move off a plateau and shift the last few kilos. It is definitly working and am losing steadily every week now. I don’t find the fasting an issue, now that I have the headaches sorted out.

My issues are that on the days that I fast, I am freezing all day, and on work days my patients are objecting to me touching them (LOL). I have gone so far as to wear thermals under my scrubs. The second issue is that if I go beyond the 24 hours, I do not stay asleep for more than a few hours, often waking up at 3 or 4 am. This gets to be problematic if I have night shift the next few days.

I don’t count macros or calories so have no idea how much I’m eating on feeding days, but I’m definitely full after the two meals I do eat those days. I can’t fit in another meal as I am just not hungry, and sometimes even have to force the evening meal as I know I won’t be eating the next day.

The last time I attempted to go beyond the 24 hours, I took a handful of macadamias before bed, which seemed to help with the sleep issue. I have read somewhere that taking MCT or butter helps with the cold during the day but have not tried that yet.

My question is this: If I have been doing this a year, surely I am “fat adapted” enough to not be that cold and have the ketones disrupt my brain at night? Or is it just that I am down to the last few kilos and just dont have that much fat to draw down from. Megan Ramos is tiny and fat adapted and continues to fast for health benefits, which is something I would like to continue to do for the same reason. Do you think this will get better or worse if I carry on? Anyone had experience with this?

(Stacy Blanchard) #2

Have you tried Calm Magnesium before bed? I for sure had these problems as well. How is your thyroid? I think I am still trying to get my thyroid working optimally. emphasized text

(Charli) #3

I take magnesium every single night otherwise I wake up with debilitating leg cramps. I can tell if I’v forgotten a few days as i start getting the calf niggles. I have no idea about my thyroid as its never come up on doctors visits. Did this go away for you the longer you dit it.

(Stacy Blanchard) #4

I haven’t fasted for the lengths that caused these two problem in a while so I’m not sure. I do think your thyroid might be contributing to keeping you cold. Most doctors don’t test them thoroughly enough.
I love a good nights sleep so I feel you pain.

(Charli) #5

Thanks. I’m only cold when I am fasting. I have tried to pay special notice on the days at work both fasted and eating because its generally the same temperature controlled environment and the same pace. I dont usually get to sit down for 12 hours and am frantically busy for most of those hours. I thought it was just me, but ended up having to take the extra layer of thermals off on the days that I was eating as I was getting too warm. I might just try some MCT oil in coffee the next time and see if it makes any difference.