Intermittent Fasting and Life Beyond Lockdown

May 13, 2020 Kurian#coronavirus, #intermittentfasting, #lockdown, @anamika2573, @aninditaroybose, @beingsheblog, @itsmystyleofliving, @jinjuvijaya, @kootsss, @muddlingthroughmymiddleage, @neelambari13, @prashasti125, @savithasblog, @seems123, @shobha2903, @shyamabethlehem, @stilllovedstillmissedLeave a comment

This is my message today to our intermittent fasting group.

We are starting at the prospect of having to live with the Coronavirus lurking in around us! Some predictions such as ‘no international travel for 2 years, no holiday for a year, huge job loses etc’ may well be rumours, I hope.
There are so many things impacting personal life. Health, perhaps is the only happiness. We need to at least preserve it, knowing that gyms, swimming pools, play grounds and even walking tracks are going to be very restricted.
Months long lockdown have taught us new skills. Some of which we can further them with some imagination and efforts.
The dance for TikTok video may be modified to learning some of the fast paced Bollywood/ Tamil dances. A good way for aerobic workout.
You will be a star at dance parties when all these get over.
The cooking skills acquired could be fine tuned for healthy food with focus on fresh and plant based as far as possible.
And very importantly, do yoga. If you are new, do at least Pranayama (three times) and breathing exercises. Also do a 20 minute meditation. If interested I can send videos showing how to do Pranayama and breathing and on assisted meditation.
For us Intermittent fasters, we should not let go the benefits we have been enjoying.
Perhaps this is not the time to experiment new things. Let’s be careful not to try anything extreme if it’s new.
Weight loss is a big target to many of us. I have read that those obese are more vulnerable to viruses.
Two of the weight reduction methods are diet and intermittent fasting, both supplemented with some physical activity.
We have chosen the Intermittent fasting route and if we add the diet program of sensible eating during eating window, the results could accelerate. This could be low carb, medium protein and high natural fat (preferably plant based protein and fat).
I would recommend watching the Netflix program ‘Game Changers’.
On Intermittent Fasting, let’s try and make it clean fasting for 16 hours. Those who can may extend to 17 or 18 hours. That’s when autophagy and benefits such as cellular repair take place. However, let’s not rush into 24 hour fasting etc now, if new to it.
We have seen so many expert commentaries that IF would boost immunity. One of them gave a simple example that our immune system will not be overworked fighting food based bacteria when we fast, as there’s no food intake. And the rested fighters will be more effective to combat viruses.
Last item for discussion today is diabetic and IF. I am a beneficiary of lower glucose readings and reduction in medicine intake to half, as a result of IF.
A recent discussion with a medical director was an eye opener. There are two high level dangers for diabetic in doing prolonged fasting. Hypoglycaemia and Ketoacidosis.
I would suggest, those of us on diabetic meditation ( tablets only) please send me a message and I will share more on the discussion with the good doctor.
If there’s anyone taking insulin, please contact your doctor and discuss fasting.
Intermittent Fasting is being promoted as perhaps the best for controlling diabetes. If so, we should not be denying the opportunity to the affected people. But with sufficient precautions and checks that the doctor friend alluded to.

Doomsday Predictions in Plenty, We Need Solutions

May 9, 2020 Kurian#intermittentfasting, #noah’sark, @anamika2573, @aninditaroybose, @beingsheblog, @itsmystyleofliving, @jinjuvijaya, @kootsss, @muddlingthroughmymiddleage, @neelambari13, @prashasti125, @savithasblog, @seems123, @shobha2903, @shyamabethlehem, @stilllovedstillmissed2 Comments

Noah’s Ark when finally landed after the floods was greeted by a huge rainbow, believed to be God’s signal of end of such punishment.

World is hiding from the spreading Coronavirus and nobody is saying it’s over. We don’t know if the Kochi rainbow is a signal that worse is over, but what we hear is doomsaying by so called experts.

Perhaps it’s correct, it will remain in a bigger or smaller way, till a vaccine is found and available or till human race become immune.

While most people raise the issue without a solution, there are sporadic voices about the precautions and resistances that we can build.

One such advice is to boost body’s immune response. Intermittent Fasting, of which I am a strong proponent is regarded as one key solution in boosting immunity.

It’s time that we lose focus on TikTok videos, Cooking and eating binges and concentrate on good steps like Intermittent Fasting and sensible lifestyle to stay ahead.

Grated Coconut, The Hard Way!

April 19, 2020 Kurian#intermittentfasting, #lockdown, #selfchallenge, @anamika2573, @aninditaroybose, @beingsheblog, @itsmystyleofliving, @jinjuvijaya, @kootsss, @muddlingthroughmymiddleage, @neelambari13, @prashasti125, @savithasblog, @seems123, @shobha2903, @shyamabethlehem, @stilllovedstillmissed4 Comments

Having stuck in lockdown in Bangalore has some advantages and some adventurers. Though our place is fully furnished, there are some tools found wanting

So in place of an electric scraper and a manual machine, all I have here is a spoon sized hand held scraper for grated coconut.

But that’s an opportunity to get a tick on the daily goal of cooking. Otherwise with my wife being a maestro, there’s hardly any chance.

Here I am using my strength more than the tool to scrape out the coconut.

In the activities update, there are other exceptions too, like I broke the intermittent fasting schedule, the first time after my birthday.

Then with 1341 calories burned in yoga, floor cleaning, land swimming and walking, I was tired even to watch Netflix.

Intermittent Fasting Boost Immune System.

April 11, 2020 Kurian#coronavirus, #immunesystem, #intermittentfasting, @anamika2573, @aninditaroybose, @beingsheblog, @jinjuvijaya, @kootsss, @muddlingthroughmymiddleage, @neelambari13, @prashasti125, @savithasblog, @seems123, @shobha2903, @shyamabethlehem, @stilllovedstillmissedLeave a comment

I am mentoring a small group of intermittent fasters and I am attaching my today’s communication to the group.

The reason I am writing on it here, is because of the studies on Intermittent Fasting which boost immune systems which would be a defence against the virus.

Though Corona Virus is new for any detailed research, the limited animal (rat) trials and expert analysis point out to the prospect that intermittent fasting helps people to become bad hosts to the virus.

This is all the more important now, that the lockdown restrictions are likely to be relaxed to save economies. Intermittent Fasting could be an additional tool to social distancing and washing hands.

Please take time to read our group message and the valuable video attached here. I am also attaching the previous video to the group. Dr. Nick Zyrowski and Dr. Mindy Pelz are renowned experts and it’s worthwhile to subscribe to their YouTube videos.

If anyone wants to join our broadcast group (individual privacy is taken care of with broadcast group and I as group mentor only have a global view), please send a whatsapp to my whatsapp number +91 9400056031.

My Broadcast on Intermittent Fasting:
Hello everyone, it’s lockdown time for most of us. The temptation to go lax on fasting is high.
But hold on! There has always been evidence that intermittent fasting boosts immune system and accelerate T-cell production.
Though new, there are animal trials and expert simulations on the impact of IF on corona virus. And it’s all pointing out to the benefits.
The lockdown is likely to ease as governments are to consider economy also. And then it’s more important to defeat the lurking virus threat through the good practices like social distancing, washing hands etc.
Dr. Mindy Pelz in the video here and Dr. Nick Zyrowski in the earlier video are firmly advocating Intermittent fasting to become bad hosts for the terrible virus.
Dr. Mindy suggests three fasting types. 1. 13-15 hours 2. 17 hours plus and 3. Dinner to dinner or one meal a day.
If you want a recommendation I would suggest 17 to 18 hours.
And my own plan is as follows:
Do a 13 hour fast on one day in a week. I call it ‘no fast day’.
Do 17-18 hours fast five days in a week.
And do a 24 hour fast once in a week.
I have to convert one of my 17 hour fast to 24 hour one now.
I hope it’s not inappropriate to point out that poorer countries are less affected by the virus spread. If so, a reason could be that by eating less and less frequently, they have acquired the immunity.
So people, take this seriously and get more focused on IF. If you’ve slowed down or stopped IF, please please get seriously back.
And watch/ listen to this video very carefully.

Stay at Home and Intermittent Fasting

March 29, 2020 Kurian#intermittentfasting, #stayathome, @irefusetogiveup, @jabeela, @jinjuvijaya, @kadhavashesha, @nainanair, @neelambari13, @nimmygangadharan, @savithasblog, @seems123, @shyamabethlehem, @thebeyoutifulgal, @thetenthzodiacLeave a comment

We are in a different environment with ‘stay at home’ strategy to counter the spread of the dangerous virus.

For intermittent fasters, this has brought about some challenges with family being together all the time and the meal times.

There are indications that intermittent fasting boosts the immune system, which is a major plus in these difficult times. And of course there are numerous other benefits with intermittent fasting.

As a mentor to a small group of intermittent fasters, my advice is to stick to their usual schedule without making much of a change now.

An aggressive 3 day water only fast could reset the immune system quite positively. I have clearly advised the group not to try it now as it has to be done under proper supervision.

And if someone wishes to start intermittent fasting to gain it’s benefits now, here are some tips suggested by Max Lowery, personal trainer and intermittent fasting champion, who is the author of The 2 Meal Day fasting method,

First, eliminate snacking in between meals by eating three square meals a day. Once you are used to this, move onto step 2.
Finish consuming any calories by 8pm.
Try waiting an hour to break your fast in the morning.
Try extending your overnight fast to 12 hours.
If the first four steps go well, try upping your overnight fast to 14-16 hours.

Take care, stay safe!

Fitness Consulting

March 3, 2020 Kurian#ageingwell, #intermittentfasting, #Weightloss, #Wellness, @decodinghappyness, @deesplatter, @irefusetogiveup, @lifesfinewhine, @megalaskitchen, @nimmygangadharan, @radhikasreflection, @savithasblog, @socialanimalonline, @stilllovedstillmissed, @theshowersofblessings, @thinkingclearly2018, randomthoughtsbydreamerLeave a comment

I chose fitness consulting as an activity, as i have something to share from my personal focus on fitness as a tool to age well.

Perhaps the compelling reason is the positive results of intermittent fasting which I have been following for over a year now.

Intermittent Fasting is the wellness program where rich rewards are on offer with perhaps the easier sacrifices. And I am confident in suggesting the routine to my friends with just one caution of consulting the doctor on restricting any prescribed medicine, only during eating window.

Nobel Prize winning studies and researches on both animals and humans are suggesting unimaginable positive benefits of this period fasting and delaying food intake.

Naturally, this attracts a large number of experts on the subject. This is good as long as a commercial interest or powerful lobby do not influence a slight variation for the sake of the product or idea they are paid to promote.

Honest sharing of personal experience is important and that’s what I am aiming to achieve here.

Today’s focus is on fat burning and weight loss with intermittent fasting. 12 hours into fasting, the food based energy released by liver get completely used up. Then starts the fat burning.

If so, exercising vigorously during the fasting hours after 12 hours should accelerate fat being used more as fuel.

I adjusted my schedule accordingly, doing some good yoga and weights during the last few hours of fasting.

But the improved energy levels and concentration seem to be getting affected, with something like a fatigue setting in. Of course the one hour weights have been vigorous with six packs in mind.

Going through some researches and studies, it indicates that the fat burning is almost the same when working out on empty stomach or with food fuel. Worse, vigorous weight training on empty stomach could result in getting muscles used as fuel and resultant muscle loss.

I am shifting schedule again with weights and swimming moving into the eating window with just yoga during fasting hours.

The results and observations will be shared here and in the Intermittent Fasting Group.

Fitness Consulting!

February 28, 2020 Kurian#fitness, #intermittentfasting, @decodinghappyness, @deesplatter, @irefusetogiveup, @lifesfinewhine, @megalaskitchen, @nimmygangadharan, @radhikasreflection, @savithasblog, @socialanimalonline, @stilllovedstillmissed, @theshowersofblessings, @thinkingclearly2018, randomthoughtsbydreamerLeave a comment

I have recently updated my LinkedIn profile as a ‘fitness consultant’.

Fitness has been a passion from early years and I used to work out regularly with not much of a result in looks and body shape, except during my stay in Hong Kong where the gym in the building was fabulous and youngsters were looking at me for advice as I could show some muscles.

But the 45 minutes non stop swimming at the house pool while working in Philippines didn’t produce much results with weight slightly increasing. And I blamed osmosis!

Later a Kuwait based friend introduced me to Intermittent Fasting. And, like in all passions, I started on it religiously on the 19th of January 2019. I am even mentoring a whatsapp group on Intermittent Fasting.

Studies followed, as being a mentor vested in some responsibilities. These studies led to workouts during fasting hours to accelerate energy usage, fat burning and the onset of autophagy.

I have now a schedule of only water for about 16 to 18 hours from dinner, serious yoga from 12 hours into fasting, some weights and gym before a late lunch which is first meal from dinner on previous day. The major exercise swimming however is just before end of the 6 to 8 hours eating window, but It has also the competitive masters game as objective. These workouts burn about 1200 to 1400 calories a day.

Autophagy is the main objective where cellular repair, less inflammation, prevention and cure to some deadly diseases like Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, cancer etc are indicated.

But there’s a problem! The experts on the subject seem to promote a product and to do that might be altering the speech to highlight the benefits of that product to boost autophagy. Coffee, bullet proof variety of it, green tea, dark chocolate etc are good for autophagy, but may not be good during fasting hours. All these and Keto can be during eating window. One expert even suggests that toxins are not cleaned during autophagy, instead accelerates it’s release into body. The expert runs a residential detox program franchise. You see!

So, there’s an opportunity for fitness consultant. And I am thinking about it. The aim is to advise unbiased and researched solutions to fitness.

Watch this space.