Intermittent fasting disrupting sleep?

[Pseudonym]

So I've just jumped on the intermittent fasting bandwagon to see what all the fuss is about.

It's early days yet, and I'm still trying to suss out how to structure my macros - although I've already discovered low-carb IF isn't particularly successful.

What I have noticed, though, is a change in my sleeping pattern. All of a sudden I'm waking up feeling totally fresh and bright, and ready to start the day. Which would be great if it wasn't 4am. Then I toss and turn for the next 3 hours, trying to get back to sleep.

Anyone else experienced this?

[genetic freek]

I have had this dieting, what I was told (no idea if true or not) was that it was body waking as needed food, hits adrenaline rush blah blah. If I had a protein shake I was out to it strait away, if I didn't it was hell.

I wasn't fasting etc.

[Hitro]

Havent had that issue but sicne I started IF ive found it alot easier to get up at 530am for training.

Could be a similar effect?

[Ronin]

I did notice the same thing intermittently, while intermittently fasting (see what I did there :grin: ). It wasn't a long-term thing, but would come on for a few days at a time. One thing that I found to help was Resurrect PM from the Ronnie Coleman range. One shot before bed and I'd sleep right through and wake up bright-eyed and bushy-tailed when the alarm went off. And if I did wake up to pee, I'd be straight out again as soon as I was back in bed. Kinda pricey though, so I just got my mate at the supp shop to hook me up with a sample

[Pseudonym]

Genetic Freek - an adrenaline rush is exactly what I'd considered too. Only thing is, because my feed window finishes at 10 or 11pm, that's just normal supper time for me, the same as any other diet. And I'm not hungry when I wake, either. It's very odd.

Ronin, as it happens, I do have a sample of Ronnie's Resurrect sitting in the cupboard. I'll use it eventually, but I don't want to rely on it, and I'd like to solve this mystery first. :wink:

[vracula]

have been on for a year ,sleep like a baby.

[Riccardo]

When do you have your last meal? This could be a number of things not necessarily related to intermittent fasting but probably related in some way to cortisol. Is there anything else you are doing differently during the day? Any new supplements or drugs you are taking?

[Pseudonym]

Last meal is about 10pm - roughly the same as my "normal" diet would be.

I hadn't changed anything else, other than starting IF, and within a day or two I noticed this change in sleep pattern.

:shrug:

[tgzerozone]

What sort of things do you have for the last meal Pseudo?

I do lots of eggs and dairy, as far as I understand eggs and dairy contains more Casiene (however you spell it) protein which tends to last you longer. (EDIT: eggs don't contain casiene protein apparently. O well, still works for me. )

I also try and make the feed between 1500 and 2000 calories.

Never had any issues sleeping, besides the kids waking me up at 6:00 am!

My last meal is about 9-10 pm.

[Pseudonym]

8 eggs (3 whole, 5 whites - or whatever other ratio I feel like at the time)

1 banana

250g cottage cheese

1-2 scoops of protein.

Egg albumin? Check. Casein? Check. You couldn't get a longer lasting meal if you tried. :grin:

[I Declare War]

8 eggs (3 whole, 5 whites - or whatever other ratio I feel like at the time)

1 banana

250g cottage cheese

1-2 scoops of protein.

Egg albumin? Check. Casein? Check. You couldn't get a longer lasting meal if you tried. :grin:

Advocating for drugs...

You could try 20mg Nortriptyline 2 hours before bed. It's very mild and has no addictive quality that I have observed. It might reset your sleep pattern and get you through a night. If your body is like mine, just one or two nights doing this can get you back in a proper rhythm.

Alternatively, if the above is too weak to get you a good nights sleep, you could try Zopiclone. One tablet as soon as you wake up at 3am will have you back asleep within 20 minutes. This could also get your sleep pattern back in order. Be careful though, this stuff is addictive and can be a bitch to get off of if you're unfortunate enough to get addicted.

[tgzerozone]

8 eggs (3 whole, 5 whites - or whatever other ratio I feel like at the time)

1 banana

250g cottage cheese

1-2 scoops of protein.

Egg albumin? Check. Casein? Check. You couldn't get a longer lasting meal if you tried. :grin:

Aye, Agreed. Seems very legit to me. Maybe give it some time and see if sleep patterns change? The methane release from the eggs should put you out as well I would imagine, sure does me!

I do:

8 x raw eggs

100 gram rolled oats

2 large bananas

300 ml full fat milk.

[Northland Powah]

Hey Pseu

I had the same thing when starting. It got better. My issue was I would wake up starving and wide awake at around 1am, then after falling back to sleep and waking up in the morning I could go another 6 hours without even thinking of food.

I dont have any advice, rather just give it time and make sure when you do sort out how you are going to structure your IF that you stick to that.