Kevin: Day 5376

Day 5376. My body has been a little off recently. I've been feeling weak and experiencing muscle aches and stiffness to an atypical degree. I'm testing if this is low carb and intermittent fasting related. I have been on the low carb regiment for some time now and I do think mixing in some carb loading here and there has been beneficial. This might not be the case for less active people, but I think it may be a good practice for those who are consistent exercisers. 

My gut is telling me that I need a few days off of intermittent fasting. I have been very consistent with typical 16-18 hour fasts daily for 6 months, maybe even closer to a year at this point. My body composition has changed. I am leaner and I think as a whole my system is still adapting to changes. I think the weakness and muscle issues I've encountered over the past few weeks have possilby been due to lack of on-hand fuel. I do eat well and substantial amounts of food + variety as previously discussed. However, my hunger has wained a bit over the past couple weeks and I think a couple days off of intermittent fasting and low carbs will fill up my tank. 

Overall the benefits of fasting and carb reduction has been so transformative that I am confident it should remain a part of my lifestyle. But, there is no set, everyday routine; to my knowledge, that can sustain proper nutrition and optimal health without variation to some degree at some point. What may have been beneficial today can often become detrimental tomorrow, next week, in a few months, or at some point down the road. It is important to know what has got you to where you are. To understand, to your best ability, the good and the bad. But to continually be open to changes and tweaks at the same time is also vital. 

My baby boy turned 1 today. He was up all night with a fever. Taking care of him rocked my energy and threw me off from our morning run. With my low energy and cognitive function, I forgot to run for the better part of today and remembered this evening that I still needed to get Day 5376 in. I've been on such autopilot with a first thing in the morning cold shower and jog routine, that I have become less inclined to think about running later in the day. I need to be careful with that. 

Anyhow, I'll be taking off in a few minutes for today's jog. I hope you all have a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend. And by you all, I'm probably just talking to me. So, enjoy it man. 

TBJ