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IF -Fatique, low sex drive

Hello all! I am pretty experienced and knowledgeable with IF and Keto, but still I am unable to get a good grip on proper IF routine that would work for me. I gave up on Keto, because I find it to be too harsh on having family meals together. Hence, in the last few years I am constantly trying to implement IF with Paleo, or as Paleo as possible. However, I keep falling off the wagon, due to the several issues: constant fatigue, low sex drive, soar feeling in throat - feeling like I am always thirsty, etc. Simply, feeling really shi**y. I have tried supplementing different minerals and vitamins, even tried the Bulletproof coffee approach, hoping that morning shot of fats will eliminate the fatigue, but nothing seems to work. Did anyone experience similar issues and was able to overcome them? Any advices? Or maybe IF is simply not working for me and I should give up? Thank you!

Answer

Protein, electrolytes and proper diet. Not supplements but eating well (and eating enough) in your window. How long have you been at it for? There is a period of adaptation, like 1-2 weeks, which I found pretty miserable. Fatigue and hunger pangs. But you adapt. Also, maybe reduce the hours you fast and work up to a longer periods. Try 14:10 for a few weeks to ease yourself in. Then move to 16:8. If 14:10 is miserable then 12:12 (e.g. 8am - 8pm) is still better than nothing and you can gradually have later breakfast or earlier dinner. If you do 12:12 be more careful about calorie counting.

If you’re already doing short fasts, there is a risk that the bulletproof coffee is actually undermining you a little - in the morning, while I assume you are fasting, you introduce a shot of calories to your system. It knocks you out of a fasted state and then your stomach/body is like, oh, time to get ready to eat! And then no food comes. I get hungrier and more tired if I’ve had a little bit of food, or smell food, and then don’t eat, otherwise I manage to self regulate pretty well. You just have to cut yourself off.