ZC Mindfulness

(Meeping up the Science!) #1

I find that when I am ZC I am more mindful in general. I am not sure if it’s a result of diet, however, or other factors. I find I tend towards more minimalism and less hubris in general on an every-day level, but also in my own home. I buy less. I do more. I find it curious, this mental shift. It’s not bad in the least.

I wonder if it’s because I am so used to spend so much time worrying about food. Now, zero worry is involved and utilized.

It’s interesting to me, as I have also not been completely zero carb again until recently.

(AnnaLeeThal) #2

I find the simplicity generally soothing as well.

#3

Really great perspective, @Donna. And a very motivational message for me. I’m completing my 7 day fast in two days, and will embark on a ZC protocol for one month n=1 trial. I love the beauty and logic of simplicity. This will be a bonus in my life…like, who the heck does not want simplicity in their life!!!

(Scott Shillady) #4

I love the simplicity of not having to think about what I am eating. Meat, cheese. that’s it, it’s liberating not having food dominate my evenings. and am very fortunate that my wife is supporting me on this by cooking most oof the meals for her and the kids. She has learned that i may just not be hungry at al when i come home so she leaves me to my own devices

(Blyss (Old @Charmaine)) #5

There’s definitely a simplicity to my cooking and stuff I buy. I actually like it, plenty so far.

(Adam L) #6

Agree, it’s quite liberating in many ways. I’m back to work next Monday after almost a month of holidays so curious to see how being ZC affects my performance at work, particularly the mental side of things.

#7

I agree, when I fast (generally 2-3 days, every other week) I find those days super productive. I also use exogenous ketones to ease into the fast (e.g. C8 oil, ala Brainoctane and ketocana). I would suggest you check out some other form of intentional mindfulness such as meditation or heart rate variability training.

Meditation: I use www.headspace.com personally for 10 mins a day in the a.m.; you can try it out for free for 10 days (I came across this from Tim Ferriss’ podcast) … look at it’s reviews on iTunes - this many people could not be wrong (and I attest to it as well! - https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/headspace-guided-meditation/id493145008?mt=8 .

Heart rate variability training: I also do Inner Balance’s Heartrate Variability Training ( https://blog.bulletproof.com/how-to-biohack-your-courage-using-the-wizard-of-oz-and-heart-rate-variability/) using their sensor (provides immediate feedback ~$130 on Amazon, https://www.amazon.com/HeartMath-Inner-Balance-Lightning-Sensor-Lightning/dp/B00GUL3FHS/ref=sr_1_1_a_it?ie=UTF8&qid=1484223603&sr=8-1&keywords=inner+balance+sensor). Essentially you are learning to control your body’s “fight or flight” via intentional breathing with bio feedback - this is sort of next level stuff, I’d start off with some mindfulness practice first and then stack this to level up a little down the road.

#8

How about this as a baby step on mindfulness - today sometime at work when you are feeling like things are out of control, open this link http://www.duffthepsych.com/stopanxiety/ and do this breathing exercise for 90 seconds. I personally do it for 5 minutes a day with my heart rate variability training and find the pacing of 4 seconds in and 4 seconds out is personally perfect for me to totally chill out.

(Meeping up the Science!) #9

What’s desirable is global mindfulness. The 10 minutes a day is good, however the goal is to extend it to all things. I actually am traditionally trained in the soto Zen Buddhist tradition, so I prefer the old school meditation. Headspace isn’t bad, but I usually don’t give it to clients because they don’t typically want to pay for it (I still mention it at least). Also, as a Buddhist, for me washing the dishes is just an important “mindful moment” as getting married or any other fantastic life event. That is the mindfulness I find zero carb helps increase.

My resting heart rate easily drops 10-15 when I meditate. Traditional meditation does this naturally, as it alters limbic and vagal tone in desirable ways. I’ve talked to many psychologists who have started doing fMRI studies for it. Fascinating stuff. :slight_smile: I tend not to be a health gadget person, however I can see where others would totally dig it!