Fasting for health with ADHD
Prolonged fasting is something I have done in the past, and something I have tried to do many times over the last year. Prior to the last year, I enjoyed great success with prolonged fasting. My longest fast being 3 months. My average fast was 20 days.
However, something big has changed in my brain over the last 12 months. I was diagnosed with adhd inattentive (meaning without hyperactivity), when I was 7 and again when I was 36. In the olden days, this was called ADD. I took meds for a year each time I was diagnosed, but only long enough to develop my own coping strategies. This is something I did very well. However, a year ago, everything started going downhill.
I am post menopausal, but I take hormone replacement therapy. I order these hormones online. I also do the at-home labs, The ones where you send a sample of your blood to a lab and they tell you the results, so I know my levels. This is how I have to get by without insurance, but it works. I knew that lack of estrogen made ADHD brains worse, so after my hysterectomy at 21 years old, I agreed to take HRT. It seems to me, though, that at a certain point of menopause, even estrogen replacement will not stop the increased issues with ADHD. I still cope ok, because of the skills and stragities I learned over the years, but impulsivity is kicking my butt.
This increase in impulsivity really beats me down when it comes to fasting. Although I set a goal of not eating when hunger hits, instead of refraining and remembering my long-term goal, my mind starts telling me all the reasons I should eat. In the past I could overrule these thoughts and not give in. I mean the "hunger" thoughts or growling tummy only last a couple of minutes.
Anyway, after rambling on so much, I will get to the point. I started a modified fast this morning, in hopes of dropping a few pounds before my wisdom tooth removal surgery. Maybe it will help with my heart-related issues too. I will allow myself black coffee, tea or water. If I start feeling sick, I will add a small amount of fresh juiced veggie juice with pink salt. This juice is made from tomatoes, carrots, and celery. I only allow myself 3 ounces straight or 6 ounces watered down, on my fasts. I only do this once a day, and only if I feel sick. Before I do this, though, I suck on a tiny rock of pink salt. This often solves the icky feeling I get sometimes, due to the need for electrolytes.
I think I will be able to overcome the ADHD impulsivity this time because I am not very well. The symptoms of this illness are present constantly, so I don't think I will forget why I am fasting so easily. I feel kind of sad that I allowed myself to become this ill before I could finally fast again. :-(
[media=https://youtu.be/VzrG3GQ4D48]
However, something big has changed in my brain over the last 12 months. I was diagnosed with adhd inattentive (meaning without hyperactivity), when I was 7 and again when I was 36. In the olden days, this was called ADD. I took meds for a year each time I was diagnosed, but only long enough to develop my own coping strategies. This is something I did very well. However, a year ago, everything started going downhill.
I am post menopausal, but I take hormone replacement therapy. I order these hormones online. I also do the at-home labs, The ones where you send a sample of your blood to a lab and they tell you the results, so I know my levels. This is how I have to get by without insurance, but it works. I knew that lack of estrogen made ADHD brains worse, so after my hysterectomy at 21 years old, I agreed to take HRT. It seems to me, though, that at a certain point of menopause, even estrogen replacement will not stop the increased issues with ADHD. I still cope ok, because of the skills and stragities I learned over the years, but impulsivity is kicking my butt.
This increase in impulsivity really beats me down when it comes to fasting. Although I set a goal of not eating when hunger hits, instead of refraining and remembering my long-term goal, my mind starts telling me all the reasons I should eat. In the past I could overrule these thoughts and not give in. I mean the "hunger" thoughts or growling tummy only last a couple of minutes.
Anyway, after rambling on so much, I will get to the point. I started a modified fast this morning, in hopes of dropping a few pounds before my wisdom tooth removal surgery. Maybe it will help with my heart-related issues too. I will allow myself black coffee, tea or water. If I start feeling sick, I will add a small amount of fresh juiced veggie juice with pink salt. This juice is made from tomatoes, carrots, and celery. I only allow myself 3 ounces straight or 6 ounces watered down, on my fasts. I only do this once a day, and only if I feel sick. Before I do this, though, I suck on a tiny rock of pink salt. This often solves the icky feeling I get sometimes, due to the need for electrolytes.
I think I will be able to overcome the ADHD impulsivity this time because I am not very well. The symptoms of this illness are present constantly, so I don't think I will forget why I am fasting so easily. I feel kind of sad that I allowed myself to become this ill before I could finally fast again. :-(
[media=https://youtu.be/VzrG3GQ4D48]
56-60, FNew
This post is closed and no longer available for commenting.