Fasting and mood improvement...?

[ZipIt]

OK, I don't want to jinx this, but since I starting fasting (one day a week, for health benefit) about 6 weeks ago, I think I feel happier. This could be coincidence, of course. But things in RL have acutally been pretty difficult, and yet the fast day itself, whilst difficult, feels like it gives me a real boost. Feels like a proper chemical change, IYSWIM.
My weight hasn't changed (I didn't want it to), so it's not to do with that.
Anyone else find this pleasant mood effect? Is it "real"?!

For the first few weeks, I definitely noticed a "euphoria". In fact, I had to take extra care when driving, as I felt soo relaxed and as if nothing bad could happen to me. It's not so obvious now (have been doing this since January)

That's interesting, Melanie. Do you feel generally more "up" the rest of the time, do you think? (i.e., not just when fasting?). I'm normally getting pretty down at this time of year, yet seem to be doing a lot better than I would have expected.

Hard to tell, I'm usually a pretty positive person anyway. Plus I've been doing loads more running too, and that gets the seratonin "feel-good" horrorr-moans going as well. So it would be dangerous to imply causality between 5:2 and good mood.

I do know that it doesn't make me grumpy, which many people fear at the start!

I've just discovered that there's a section in MM's book which suggests mood enhancing effects of fasting (via some chemical whose name I've forgotten). But most of the comments I've seen here suggest that people have experienced the opposite, if anything.
Anyway, it certainly it seems that if it's part of an all-over health kick, including exercise and the like, it's going to be positive. Thanks for your replies.

I genuinely like doing it and tend to feel amazing the morning after a FD. On a complete high. One of my school gate friends swears she can always tell if I had a FD the day before. Weird isn't it?

Yes, it does feel weird. At the moment, I'm having to try hard not to get all evangelical about it. It was a bit difficult the first 2-3 times, but since then none of my fears about it have been realised. I was scared that I wouldn't sleep after a fast, but if anything I sleep better. I was scared I wouldn't be able to concentrate on work, but I feel more alert. I was scared I'd feel down, but it actually seems to improve my mood.... A big (if tentative) thank you to MM and all the lovely encouraging posters on this board

My mood has definitely been better since starting 5:2 (nearly 3 months ago). I feel lighter, mentally as well as physically, less prone to IBS, less drawn to the wine bottle, more energetic. As a result I'm doing more exercise, which no doubt has a "virtuous circle" effect on all of the above.

I also feel more productive at work, less liable to procrastinate (& thereby create unnecessary stress), more in control and on top of things generally.

THe clarity of mind that you get between 18 and 23 hours into a fast is worth all of the tummy rumbles
DH and I both love it.

I think it does improve your mood, yes. I am three months in now and a total convert. Not only have I lost over a stone, pretty painlessly, but my teeth and gums look healthier (less inflamed, although that may be my body calming down post pregnancy) and my nails are stronger. It would make sense to be that my mental fitness would improve in line with my physical hotness, iyswim.

Oh and btw, I do nothing but 5:2... My exercise levels have stayed the same, and I don't diet at all on feast days, I really do eat what I want. My appetite has decreased a bit but I make no effort to curb it.

When I first started fasting through the day - 24 hour fasts, followed by

Can I ask - do you all totally fast on fast days, or just reduce cal intake?

I have tea and that is all until supper when I have 400 calories

Hog, like Talkinpeace I fast (except peppermint tea, black coffee and chewing gum, usually) all day till supper, when I have 400-500 kcal.

Really interesting to hear others say they've had the positive mood effects. I hope they don't go once I'm more used to it! Having said that, I'm 2.5 months in now still feeling significantly more chirpy than I usually do in November.

Into feel really energetic on 5:2 and not grumpy. I really like it!

I'm another one who finds mental clarity and physical energy through fasting. Nine months in and I'm rarely irritable on fast days either. My DH, who isn't fasting for weightloss, finds exactly the same - he's a high-powered City lawyer and has found the mental clarity and physical energy the most compelling reasons to keep on fasting.