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The Signs Of Orthorexia

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#1 Nutrition Content First I would read nutritional labels... every... single... time. Anything without a label, I would completely disregard. Anything that has sugar or 'too much' carbs, I would put back on the shelf. It's a good habit to avoid hidden sugars, but not until it becomes an obsession. Heck, I would check the nutritional value of natural foods too--removing fruits from my diet because they contained fructose, and removing vegetables like carrots because of its high glycemic index. #2 The No Carb, No Sugar, No Gluten Challenge #2 Case in point: I added a star whenever I ate completely clean--I thought it was a good practice. This has since been erased. I constantly challenged myself to go carb-free, sugar-free, and gluten-free for as long as I could. I would ask people to hold me accountable and would feel accomplished whenever I succeeded. I thought I was making myself healthier by doing all of these. But with one challenge came another, and the o
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Intermittent Fasting & Eating Disorders

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This might come as a surprise but--I'm unashamed to say--I have developed an eating disorder. I started noticing the signs about a month ago--after trying to combine intermittent fasting protocols--where I admitted to a few people that I don't really have control over my food intake during my feeding window. And by admitting it, I realised that what I considered as a 'healthy' habit had become an obsession. But before I continue, let me clarify that intermittent fasting will not cause an eating disorder in everyone and it is certainly not the sole contributor. I know that there are a few factors that caused mine--I recently removed carbs and fruits from my diet, and even challenged myself to eliminate sugar and gluten for 60 days straight (which, of course, I failed). I wouldn't have noticed anything wrong with my constant need to remove food groups, if not for the increase of binge eating episodes. Once I did some research, I discovered that I have orthorexia-
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[REVIEW] Intermittent Fasting Combo - OMAD & 5:2

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It has been over a month since I embarked on this IF combo. And, based on my experience, I've decided to drop it. Why? I'm dropping it not because this combination isn't sustainable. I believe it is very doable. But, because of the adjustments I made to my workout regime, this combo became rather difficult to adhere to. What were these changes? In WEEK 2 of this combo, I started swimming. I swam for 25 minutes 5 days a week, on top of my weight training. Jump roping barefoot on tiles for a season was taking a toll on my feet. So, I decided to go low impact--in this case 'no' impact--for cardio. And with a pool an elevator ride away, I incorporated swimming into my regime. During that week of swimming, I realised that 500 calories today couldn't sustain my workout tomorrow . So when WEEK 3 rolled around, I tossed the 5:2 protocol out the window and ate in the 1000 calorie range. I also readjusted my workout schedule, moving my recovery day to help my b
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Intermittent Fasting Combo - OMAD & 5:2

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After my week of  liquid fast , I decided to make minor changes to my nutrition and fasting routine. This intermittent fasting combo is the tweak I'm making to my fasting game. But before I explain how I'm bringing these two protocols together, let's start with what is what. WHAT IS OMAD? OMAD stands for one meal a day. Some people call it the warrior fast, where you fast for 20 hours and feed within 4 hours. But many who've adopted the warrior fast find it easier to just have one meal, often making it a 23:1 fasting to feeding window. Personally, I've been doing OMAD for 8 months now and it hasn't affected my health or my gains. I've been growing in strength despite training fasted, and 'hunger' is no longer a word I use - the growls in my stomach are daily occurrences I've acclimatised to. WHAT IS 5:2? The 5:2 protocol involves consuming normal daily calories for 5 days a week, with 2 days where calorie intake is dropped to 500 fo
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5 Days Liquid Fast - The Experience

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From January 8 to 12, I went on a liquid fast. I didn't do it for health purposes, but as part of my church's prayer and fasting week. Since I'm already on the one meal a day intermittent fasting protocol (which has become second nature to me), I needed to up my fasting game. Hence, a liquid fast. Disclaimer: I am not a doctor. What I'm sharing is based on my own experience.  So before I started the fast on Monday, I prepared myself physically and mentally. I consumed a high-protein and calorie-dense meal on Sunday, with added dessert (because 'why not'). I also planned the liquids I were to consume during the week and tweaked my weight-training program. DAILY LIQUID MEALS A post-workout shake of 333 calories - Nitro Tech Protein (160 calories) - 200 ml of full cream milk (124 calories) - A tablespoon of chia seeds (49 calories) A pre-bedtime shake of 264 calories - Nitro Tech Nighttime Protein (140 calories) - 200 ml of full cream milk (124 ca
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Does Intermittent Fasting Cause Stomach Ulcers?

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I know it's not Tuesday, but I stumbled upon a cool video by TED-Ed today. It answers one of the most common misconceptions people have about fasting. If you're one of the many wondering if intermittent fasting will cause stomach ulcers, it is definitely worth watching. Disclaimer: I do not own the video. All rights belong to TED-Ed. As their tagline is 'Lessons Worth Sharing', I'm doing just that. On a separate note, I know I've been missing in action for a while. September has been a transitional month for me - I changed day job, and rewrote a portion of my fantasy novel upon my publisher's request. Did I tell you I'm an author? A royalty-free one, that is. Pun intended. Anyway, I'll be back in action soon. But till then, I hope this video-post has debunked a fasting myth for you. Now, isn't this a lesson worth sharing ? Thank you, TED-Ed! --- If you like what you've read,  SUBSCRIBE  for more content!
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You're NOT Hungry

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You're simply experiencing borborygmi. Yes, that growling you and those around you hear - rising from the depths of your belly - isn't a sign of hunger. To assume you need to feed, because the beast within is calling for food, is a myth. HERE ARE THE GROWLING FACTS: - It comes from the intestines, caused by moving air and muscle contraction of the intestinal wall. - It is commonly heard on an empty stomach, because food isn't present to muffle the sound. Also with food present, the body focuses on digestion instead of shuffling air back and forth. - It can occur on a full stomach, and can spark 2 hours after a meal. - Low blood sugar increases its activity. - And swallowing too much air can also spur its occurrence. No, you didn't read wrong - none of the facts above mentioned hunger. And the only reason we've associated it with hunger is because it's frequently heard on an empty stomach - when it's almost breakfast, lunch, and dinner time.
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