Last month I wrote a post about managing insulin resistance long term with keto, intermittent fasting and exercise, so this is a follow up about how this has positively impacted my writing. While I was off for 7 weeks over the summer holiday (from my day job working in secondary education) I spent 5 days a week doing weights, boxing, resistance training and swimming, in conjunction with keto dieting and intermittent fasting, and so I felt I should mention how this has improved my concentration.
I follow the Warrior Diet (fasting for 20 hours and eating during 4 hours) and OMAD (one meal a day, aka 24 hour fasting as detailed in Dr. Jason Fung’s book ‘The Obesity Code ‘, which I do 2 or 3 times a week. I plan my exercise during my fasting hours, as our ancestors would have done (hunting and gathering for most of the day and eating once in the evening). Obviously I’m not a palaeolithic woman (lol, I could make a video in a cave woman outfit next time, ha ha) but this eating plan works for me; it has accelerated my fat burning and lowered my insulin resistance. Obviously 20 to 24 hour fasting is advanced, so if you want more information, you can read this article on Bodyspec titled, The Ultimate Guide to 20:4 intermittent fasting. As for me, and my author-fitness lifestyle? Here goes:
Less brain fog
Carbs really make me sluggish, both in mind and body. I find that when I eat heavy starchy carbs, particularly wheat, I feel fuzzy-headed. Fasting switches my body from glucose burning (all carbs break down into glucose) to burning ketones from my own body fat. With an empty stomach and plenty of my own fuel, I’m much clearer headed, perfect for concentrating on my writing.
Better memory
Related to brain fog above, I didn’t realise how forgetful I was while in carb-burning mode until I went low carb/keto and once I was fat-adapted within a few weeks, my short term memory improved. Another win for writing, as it’s easier to keep the continuity in your stories if you can remember all the little plot points without having to read back over everything all the time. Plus, I’m better able to remember snippets of info or ideas to include in my stories without a goldfish-brain letting me down before I even get near my computer.
More energy
It’s a myth that the human body needs carbs for energy. If you have enough body fat to burn, that gives you all the energy you need. While fasting, I have enough energy to sustain me for both a boxing workout and writing; although I have to admit that I don’t fast on weight training days as I get too hungry and crave protein.
Better sleep/less cortisol
This one is a biggie for my writing. While eating starchy carbs, I found that my insomnia was bad. I often had to wake up several times overnight to pee, as carbs make the body retain excess water. Now that I’m in ketosis, I don’t wake up to wee, soy insomnia is gone. Better sleep equals better writing. Hurray!
In summary
My ability to concentrate on my writing and retain information related to my plot or new ideas has significantly improved over these last 7 weeks while back on keto and intermittent fasting. I’m confident that I can stick to my diet and workout routine now that school term has started again, as I’ve set manageable habits over the summer, so here’s hoping the impact on my writing will be for the long term too.
Keto posts by year:
July 2026: Managing insulin resistance long term with keto, intermittent fasting and exercise
October 2025: Keto diet, intermittent fasting and autophagy
July 2025: Diet books for summer reading
May 2025: Keto diet spring clean time
Dec 2023: It’s a keto Christmas
April 2023: Keto diet, insulin resistance and artificial sweeteners
May 2022: My tips for sticking to a low carb lifestyle
April 2022: Easter eggs – a slippery slope for a sugar addict
Jan 2021: Sugar withdrawal and brain fog – bane for a writer
June 2021: Weight gain and weight loss – my keto journey
May 2021: Surviving sugar addiction – finding life balance
Dec 2020: Happy old year’s night – a round up of all things 2020
April 2020: Lockdown life: Keto diet and writing routine
Leilanie Stewart 
Whatever works for you is good, Leilanie, and it sounds like you’re well-committed to Keto. All the best for continuing this productive, with assistance from Keto. 🙂