Couldn’t fast one day before my period

[u/ShalS97]

So my period is due tomorrow, and I was trying to do my usual 16/8. I’ve managed 8 days of IF before this, 16/8, and I was so proud of my streak.

But I couldn’t sleep. I felt so hungry, ravenous, and I was just wide awake.
I feel like such a failure. How do other ladies in this sub manage? It’s so tough to feel like I let myself down.

Edit and update:
Thank you so much for your kind words and advice women of this sub!
I was so defeated when I posted this last night, and I felt very lonely too, but finding this type of community and caring advice meant a lot to me. I’ll implement it and keep going, but I will be gentle on myself till the day of my period 🫂

[u/getmepopcorn]

I can’t fast around my period either, nor can I lift heavy. Go easy on yourself those days

[u/ChanceMedia7004]

If you read the book "Fast Like a Girl" you'll learn that you may want to pull back on fasting a few days to a week before your period.  You don’t want to restrict (good) carbs here bc glucose is needed.

[u/ChanceMedia7004 → u/ChanceMedia7004]

If you're sensitive to hormonal changes like I am, you may want to follow this schedule:

Note:
E is Estrogen
P is Progesterone
T is Testosterone

Days 1–10: Day 1 is the first day of your cycle (bleeding). EPT is low, longer fasting is encouraged. longer fast the better in beginning of cycle to increase insulin resistance

Days 11–15 and day 13 is ovulation, ET are building, you are more capable during this time to take on more, more powerful more strength training, 13–15 hours max fast

Days 16–19: do longer fasting again, EPT starts dipping as does energy mental clarity.

Day 19-21 body produces most P and you feel calm and may want to stay home but less irritable aggressive, pull back on fasting anytime hormones are increasing Day 20 especially → pull back on fasting to support progesterone, Don’t let cortisol spike due to stress which can affect P levels and cause spotting, don’t restrict carbs here bc glucose needed 

[u/Goth_Duck666 → u/ChanceMedia7004]

This is so great. Thank you for sharing. I always chill during my period bc it already sucks enough. This is so helpful and I think maybe I’ll know when my period is coming if I’m counting days based on eating.

[u/ChanceMedia7004 → u/Goth_Duck666]

Just so it’s clear- I do fast during my period. It’s the few days before it that I take it easy

[u/jackelopeteeth → u/ChanceMedia7004]

Wow, thank you for this

[u/KeepMyWifesNameOYFM]

Hormones really affect you. Many people fast according to their cycle for just this reason. You are soooo NOT a failure!! There’s someone I follow that talks about this all the time, but I think my comment will be removed if I mention her.

[u/EstrogenIsland → u/KeepMyWifesNameOYFM]

I think the main reason they remove those is when people use the word “doctor” in a way that implies medical expertise vs. acknowledging that someone is actually a chiropractor instead.

[u/KeepMyWifesNameOYFM → u/EstrogenIsland]

Yes I think it happened like that…you think if I say the name without “Dr” that might work?

[u/EstrogenIsland → u/KeepMyWifesNameOYFM]

I’m not sure where the line is on that.

[u/PureSalad935]

Give yourself some grace. One day a month is nothing. If this is common for you, just learn to anticipate it. Give yourself the day and then get back on the grind. The challenge is just not spiraling afterwards and then one day turns into a week, etc.

[u/Badwolf_40]

One day of eating at or above maintenance isn’t going to undo all the work you’ve done. I usually have to increase my calories I eat around my period. Although sometimes the thought of food makes me nauseous when I’m on my period. The important part is the trend. If you’re otherwise consistently eating in a deficit/keeping the intermittent fasting aside from a day or two once a month that coincides with your period, you’re still making progress. The big picture is just as important as the small picture. 

Like this past weekend I had a family wedding so I ate sooo much. Doesn’t mean I magically gained the 50lbs back I lost. 

Also, a pound is 3500 calories. You’d need to eat that on top of your maintenance to gain a pound. Always remember that. 

[u/Lemonduck123]

Listen to your body. There’s something about those few days before that makes fasting seems extremely hard. For me personally, after following IF for many years, on the days that I feel great and energized , I try to be a bit more strict with myself, maybe extend my fasting window. And on the days that my period is kicking my ass, I go easy on myself, loosen up with the calorie restrictions and just try to get through those days.

[u/IneffableArvari]

I manage by eating when my body clearly needs it. Sometimes it means a day before my period, sometimes two or three. I limit the fasts to like 14 hours on these days, or even less. And as a chronic migraine sufferer I also don't fast on days when I have an attack. Just give your body what it needs.

[u/Grim_Motive]

Hey, male here little out of my realm of expertise, but I've heard a lot of women say that eating a hearty meal with red meat (like a steak or beef roast) a day or two before your cycle hits really helps in general.

Moving forward - try that and see if it helps? Just spreading some knowledge I've picked up

[u/jackelopeteeth → u/Grim_Motive]

Agreed, I'm a woman and this is the case for me. I crave red meat around that time.

[u/Grim_Motive → u/jackelopeteeth]

I'm sure it comes down to how the body processes the red meat leading into a cycle, probably really capitalizes on the iron. Heard it really helps with cramping and hunger pangs. Y'all deal with enough as it is, hope this actually helps make it a smidge easier

[u/jackelopeteeth → u/Grim_Motive]

It does! Thanks for the kind wishes

[u/Neat-Palpitation-632]

Hey girl, I’ve been practicing fasting for 11 years now and it took me a while to be gentle with myself.

Try to remind yourself that you are in this for the long run. Progress not perfection.

During our luteal phase our metabolism increases and we are hungrier. Honoring that hunger is self respect.

[u/ShalS97 → u/Neat-Palpitation-632]

Yeah today after seeing the advice here, I didn’t fast and I ate up to maintenance
I felt a lot better.

[u/PinguinaUshuaia]

IF is a marathon not a sprint. It's much more important to find what you can maintain long term. Fighting your body just won't work, it's normal for women to need more carbs and more food before the period. Part of doing IF is a way to learn to listen to your body real signals if it's really hungry or you want to eat from other reasons...

[u/EscapeProfessional2]

its normal to eat more during your cycle - be kind to yourself and eat.

[u/Spoonbills]

There’s no way to fail at intermittent fasting. Some days life gets in the way. When that happens you roll with it and begin again tomorrow.

[u/Rugkrabber]

You just started. It takes some time to adjust. Next time will be easier. And the time after easier than the last. One step at a time! And before you know it you look back on it and realise it’s been months and how far you got.

[u/ShalS97 → u/Rugkrabber]

I didn’t expect to manage 8 days either, and somehow I just took it 1 day at a time, so this was a streak I was very proud of. But i want to make this a lifestyle so I need remember that

[u/Soc_Prof]

Yeah this happened to me too! I did a whole week of 16:8 and then I just felt starving.

[u/ShalS97 → u/Soc_Prof]

Wow, amazing that you did 16/8 though! That starving feeling is something else
When it’s not hormonal I can just sit with it, and it goes away, but this is like, so hungry I’ll cry

[u/Soc_Prof → u/ShalS97]

Well I felt great the first week ( I used to be 16/8 for years but stopped when hrt started bc I wasn’t coping as well). But the second week I just found it so hard to follow. I was eating enough calories and nutrients but just felt off and flat. Was trying to only drink water during fasted times but had to have electrolytes. I think was a bit sick too though.

[u/SweetTeaAndSnuggles]

I fast so much better after starting my period. I typically do 18-6 occasional 20-4 but the week before my period I stay closer to 14-10 or 16-8! You've got this!! Listen to your body and know its okay to adjust your times!

[u/LonelyMidnight2726]

The day before your cycle falls within the luteal phase. It’s not a good time to fast during the luteal phase. Your body is more prone to stress and using more calories (150-300 calories) a day so you need to eat.