There are some things that can change a person’s personality for the worse pretty quickly in life. These things can make the nicest person seem like the last person on earth you would want to spend any time with. One of these circumstances that can bring out our most unattractive qualities is when we are truly hungry. And if you have experienced intermittent fasting, there is a good chance you were a bit snippy to be around when you first gave it a serious try.
The Initial Stages of Fasting
Intermittent fasting means you are refraining from eating for usually 12 to 20 hours a day depending upon the type of program you are going with. Your calorie intake will be limited and all of those snacks you used to enjoy throughout the day will be gone.
Blood sugar will take a dip around the four-hour mark, but it will correct itself after a few more hours. As glucose is being burned through for energy, the body will then switch over to using your stored fat to supply you the strength you need.
Why Do You Feel Irritated During Intermittent Fasting?
Fasting can bring on mood swings when you are not used to it yet. When committing to intermittent fasting for the first time, you may experience some hunger pains. This is to be expected. Like many people when hungry, you will probably become a bit irritated with the world around you. The lack of food can do this to you.
However, numerous people become dehydrated during fasting as well. A lack of proper liquids will get someone annoyed, too. This is why you should make sure you are drinking a lot of water during the fast so you also don’t become dehydrated.
On top of all of this, your energy level will be low at the start of your fasting program as your body is getting used to using stored fat for the energy you need. When energy levels are low, the claws can come out.
Just keep in mind, everything is tougher in the beginning with something new. A new job, figuring out what all of those buttons are for in your new car, and, yes, doing intermittent fasting for the first time.
It Is All Temporary
Rather than explode on your family and friends and alienate all of your loved ones, realize that this feeling of irritation is just temporary. Your body will adjust to the decrease in calories and it will start burning up fat to supply you with the energy you need.
If the feeling of irritation and anger is too much for you, decrease the amount of time you fast for until you can go longer in the future. Instead of trying for a 16 hour fast the first time around, go with a 12 hour one where you are sleeping for eight hours of it. You can work your way up later on if you desire.
FOLLOW US
- How to Do Intermittent Fasting Based on a Shift Work Schedule
- Do Nuts Break a Fast and a List of Nuts on Calories
- 5 Steps Starter Pack to Combine Mindful Eating with Intermittent Fasting
- Mindful eating
- Warrior Diet
