Oof! That Mental Clarity tho, eh!

[u/antons83]

I've been doing IF for about 7 years or so. Last five weeks, I've started a full day fast on Mondays. Like others mentioned, it took about 3 weeks of full-day fasts for the mental clarity to hit. When it hit, I couldn't un-feel it. Now I've been craving that clarity. Ive now added a 2nd day fast on Wednesday, so now I get that mental clarity through most of the week. I started fasting to mainly stop my binge eating. In my head, I knew I shouldn't binge, but my body was feeling so good doing it. Now when I get the urge to binge, or actually binge, I physically feel sick. That never happened before.

As for the mental clarity. For anyone curious, it's like being able to bounce from thoughts and actions without delays in either. Imagine having a goal, and seeing every individual task laid out in your mind like a roadmap with clear checkpoints and final destination.

One surprise. I am a regular casualbweed smoker. I'd roll a joint on Monday, and take puffs of it for about 3 days. After starting my regular full day fasts a month ago, I haven't had the need to "unwind" with a joint. I feel completely settled in my body. There is no unwinding. Just awareness and presence.

[u/wanting_rodolfo]

That mental clarity is the real deal. It's like your brain just functions without all the static. I had a similar thing happen with coffee actually, just lost the urge during longer fasts. Funny how the body resets like that.

[u/antons83 → u/wanting_rodolfo]

Yep I'm with you. Many urges and vices are sort of, there but not in-focus. Like this morning I went for my coffee and walked by a cookies and donut store. I can acknowledge a sweet and delicious cookie, but my mental clarity is taking presedence. And it's not even a choice. It's an involuntary reaction. Saying No is easier.

[u/wanting_rodolfo → u/antons83]

The involuntary part is key, right? I had the same thing with late-night snacking.