Monday, October 7, 2019

Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet Day 2 Review: Brainfog Sets In

Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet Review
Another sneak peak from Instagram Stories

"I woke up like this and I didn't have one cocktail last night! Promise," that's what I told a number of friends and colleagues on my second day of my five-day Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet when they asked me how I felt.

Monday morning was not pretty. Literally and figuratively. I woke up with puffy eyes and headache! Way to enter the work week. 

Some individuals who fast experience brain fog or caffeine withdrawals. I think my headache might be both. I usually have one cup of black coffee in the morning and either a green tea or diet drink (I know, it's my thing, don't hate me!) in the afternoon. Since I was focused on eliminating that second hit of caffeine, perhaps some of the headache was from the caffeine withdrawal. Perhaps it was something else: sugar or carbohydrate withdrawal. Whatever it's from it sucked but I was still focused on powering through the day and staying on the protocol.

A Day 2 on Prolon's Fasting Mimicking Diet Review from Instagram Stories

Day 2 on the Prolon Fasting Mimicking Diet

I intentionally wanted to do the fast while I was working. Being so busy helps me not think about food. So as I approached my second day on the fast, I was ready to stay busy and work until I felt hungry.

I had black coffee around 7:30AM at home before going into the office. Again, coffee is discouraged but allowed on the plan.

Eating at the Office 

A look at an L-Bar, it's smaller than a water can.

Breakfast was at work - an L-Bar Nut Bar around 10AM. I'm pushing breakfast to a bit later in the day in effort to space the "meals" during the day. It makes sense in my head.

Day two also introduces the L-Drink which is slightly flavored and, in theory, supposed to provide energy and help satiate you during the day. Maybe that's the case. I just drink to get fluid in my stomach. I flavor it with some of Prolon's hibiscus or mint tea.

What's saving me is sparkling water. I'm drinking La Croix and some of Target's new Good & Gather sparkling water. They come in a range of flavors and have no calories. They're probably not allowed but, oh well! 

From my Instagram Stories on Day 2

Lunch was tomato soup, which is my least favorite so far. I also get to eat about eight olives. My boss and I joked that soup looks like something our daughters threw up when they were little. Kinda true. 
Afterschool pickup involved a trip to Trader Joe's with my daughter. If you know Trader Joe's, you know the sample station. Needless to say they know Jordan and me by name there. She popped by for a sample, I declined. Shopping was relatively easy as we picked up more sparkling water, raspberries, cucumbers and some pretzel bread. I wasn't tempted at all! That's a win in itself. 

Making dinner was painless, too. I cooked some pasta we had on hand and added some sauce we were looking to finish. While I made that, I also heated up the Butternut Squash and Quinoa soup that is suggested for the day two dinner. It was fine. The quinoa adds some real-food substance to dish that I craved. 

Another Choco Bar and spearmint lemon tea followed for "dessert". 

Day 2 Recap

As I got ready for bed, I took some time to do some stretching. There's no strenuous exercise on this plan, which I miss, so I wanted to do something somewhat physical. I was hoping that would also help my brainfog/caffeine withdrawal headache. No luck. 

As I said goodnight to my daughter, she asked me again why I was doing this. I told her it was to feel better. I hope that's coming. I think it is. 

Despite waking up looking like I tied one on the night before, I'm so glad I started this diet on Sunday. I don't think I could have handled Monday at the office and the first day of this plan simultaneously. 

The caloric intake during the second day, certainly tapers. In fact days two through five on the plan range between 700-750 calories. Good times.

Disclaimer: this is solely my experience on this plan and should not be taken as medical advice. Please consult a medical professional before making any dietary or lifestyle changes. This is not a sponsored post. All items paid for and purchased by me.