r/intermittentfasting • u/Cooper1Test • 2d ago

Newbie Question Improved sleep

Those of you who have had success losing weight through IF have you noticed your sleep improving?

11 Upvotes

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8

u/tangu 2d ago

I sleep like a baby while fasting.

1

u/coldj7 2d ago

I have a question when do u have ur last meal of the day ?

5

u/astro_2077 2d ago

I haven’t been someone who lost a ton of weight but my weight did find a healthier place. Also my sleep definitely improved and my energy levels overall have improved. I’ve also become a lot more selective about my food. It creates a healthy feedback loop and sleep and digestion are a big part of it.

1

u/coldj7 2d ago

When is your last meal or how many hours u give time to go sleep before also do u drink anything to wind up particularly before bed ?

1

u/astro_2077 2d ago

I try to finish my main meal at 7 but I’ll have a piece of fruit like a banana or kiwi at 8 -830, and then I don’t eat in the am until 11 or noon depending on my schedule. I usually start the day with some fruit. Typically a veggie stew or stir fry or roasted veggies with rice/lentils maybe salmon for lunch. Something similar for dinner most nights.

5

u/TwoTimeOlympicFarter 2d ago

Yes!  Especially eliminating eating before bed (I stop at 7PM and go to bed around 10PM) has helped so much.  A lot of it is more likely due to weight loss vs IF itself, but I do think having more stable blood sugars overnight helps a lot.

2

u/Active_Remove1617 2d ago

Can’t sleep. Cortisol goes through the roof.

1

u/Cooper1Test 2d ago

Has it helped anyone to eliminate sleep apnea?

1

u/RimfireRoulette 1d ago

I lost 50 pounds (not by fasting, but eating less and better food) in 2020 which put me at a healthy BMI. I did it specifically to not have to use a CPAP. Although I had less incidences I’m still required to use a CPAP.

1

u/oldbutfitinsg 2d ago

Yes, it’s been one of the best benefits (aside from the weight loss) of fasting. Once I close my eyes, I’m completely out.

1

u/Obvious-Monitor8510 1d ago

yes, pretty noticeably for me. the biggest difference came when i stopped eating within about 3-4 hours of bedtime. your body spends a lot of energy digesting, so eating late keeps your core temperature up and disrupts sleep stages.

also worth knowing: if you're in a significant calorie deficit your sleep can actually get worse initially, especially deep sleep. so if you're struggling with sleep early on in IF, that's often why. it tends to stabilize once your body adapts, usually a few weeks in.

1

u/RimfireRoulette 1d ago

I fasted for eight days last week and the fourth through seventh days were the longest I’ve slept in years.