Nervous to start- advice?

I read the group Wiki. I never eat breakfast, have a light lunch, and a light dinner before 6pm. So, every day, without realizing it, I do 12 to 18 hour fasts (the only drink I drink is water, or the occasional diet soda once or twice a week). My issue is that before I eat lunch every day, I feel like I'm on the verge of passing out. I skip breakfast because I never get up on time, and my head is pounding and I feel weak before lunch. I'm a teacher, and we get a 19 minute lunch, so the window I eat is routine. How could I survive more than 24 hours if my hunger literally kicks my ass every day? There's times after school, I feel like if I don't eat I'm going to pass out. I have students coming in for help and I'm just kind of slumped there, tired, hungry, and feelikg dizzy almost from being so hingry. I've had blood work done because I've brought it up to my doctor. Everything is amazing health-wise, I'm just overweight. I gained 80 pounds having my kids, and no matter what I do, I can't shed a pound. Are my headaches and feelings of fainting an electrolyte deficiency? How do you guys fast for days on end and still have the energy to move? Any brand recommendations for electrolyte salts? I need to figure out what to drink during a fast. Broths gross me out, so they're not an option.

Answer

Great that you’ve had blood work done!

It may be a lack of salts / electrolytes causing the feelings of tiredness and depletion of energy. That is assuming you’re drinking enough water regularly throughout the day?

It could also be the food you’re eating when you do eat- higher carb foods generally are harder to start a longer fast from. You could try eating a keto diet for a week and see if that changes those slumps and highs in your normal routine. Getting your body used to being in ketosis helps when trying to achieve longer fasting periods.

And it may just be the routine of the routine, if that makes sense? Your body gets used to sending a hungry message at that time, so perhaps try confusing it a little and see if that kick starts a change to those regular signals- maybe try eating breakfast and then skipping lunch some days, anything to change it up a bit.

Whatever you do, start slow! Sounds like you’re already on the right track and you’re listening to your body and doing something about it like reaching out for ideas. Like anything, you need to practice to get better and fasting is included.

I’ll be interested to hear how you go on your journey, keep us updated!

Answer

Tbh I would get the dizziness and other issues solved before even attempting to fast.

It does sound like an electrolyte issue, you can test the theory by simply drinking pedialyte or something for a day or two in the morning and see if it changes the before-lunch feeling.

Personally (if I have my electrolytes and water in check) I actually feel much better when not eating. More energy, clearer mind. It’s like my body can focus on efficient function without having process food intake lol.