Fasting into Keto

#1

Have been successful with weight loss on keto and love how I feel so clean in body and mind whilst in the zone. Have had a party weekend but rather then do the 3 day to get back in the fat burning zone I thought I would try fasting. Does this drop the 3 days time frame by much?

(Allie) #2

There is no set time to get back into ketosis, it’s variable person by person with some reports claiming one cheat can set you back over a week. But yes, fasting would speed it up, though I tend to just get back on track and not worry about it.

(Tim W) #3

It’s highly variable based on your specifics, how long you’ve been eating keto/fasting etc. but, in my opinion and experience, Yes, fasting will get you back into ketosis faster, in as little as 24 hours depending on the situation.

Going for a long walk or doing some form of high intensity intervals early in the fast (if you can do that safely) will accelerate your progression back into ketosis.

Have you fasted before?

#4

Hi Biff, no I haven’t but I’m very interested to try it. Seems kind of scary, it’s amazing how much the thought of food gives comfort.
Any suggestions of a realistic fasting goal to set yourself as a newbie?

(Allie) #5

Don’t force it. If you’re hungry, eat. If you’re not hungry, allow the fast to happen naturally.

#6

Definitely listen to your body and be sure to drink liquids. I tend to use 2 cups of homemade bone broth, coffee with 1 Tbsp. of HWC and of course water. This fast I’m using the KetoAid recipe from @Brenda . I’m on Day 3 of a 5 day fast…getting ready for vacation next week and trying to get the bloat gone from my last vacation 2 weeks ago! My longest fast was 19 days and I felt pretty amazing during the entire time, except for some heart palpitations. I’m trying to get into a more routine fasting mode, fasting at least once a month. I’m going to participate in the Zorn Fast each month, even if it’s not quite on the same days. Best of luck to you and may your find your fasting sweet spot!

(KB Keto) #7

I find that a 24 hour (dinner to dinner) fast has been enough for me.

(Tim W) #8

Some great advice here already.

I’ve found (for me) that “laddering into fasting” works well.

You can start out by skipping your first normal meal of the day, or maybe just pushing in back a few hours, compressing your eating window until you are only eating for 4 hours a day or so. Make sure that when you do it, it’s a keto meal with as many nutrients as you can get during that time. Many find they like to gorge during the first few weeks of this.

After a few weeks/month or so, shoot for a 24 to 48 hour fast. This won’t be easy, my first 48 hour fast resulted in my sitting on the bed just wishing time would go by faster. Don’t overdo the “re-feed” I’ve found a high-fat, small volume meal to break fast (especially the first few times) makes the transition easier (be prepared for gastro distress but it will pass if your electrolytes are “right”).

After that, just keep extending your fasting window until you hit the desired time frames, maybe a few 3 days with a week or two of eating in between, then a few 5 days and so on. I’d highly recommend this “slow protocol” before doing something more than 5-7 days.

Then again, I’ve read accounts of folks just jumping into a 30 day fast or what have you, good on em but I prefer a little more ground work before a “big game”.

Good luck!

#9

Thanks everyone appreciate your comments and suggestions:)

#10

Thanks Biff for you advise.

I had big plans Sunday for my fast but come Monday 2pm I was STARVING!

I thought your plan was a much better way to go of sneaking up on it and I am currently in the fast for 18 hours eat for 6.

Thought getting back into Keto before extending that time frame would be a better idea.

It all sounds like a grand plan fasting for 3 days when you have a belly full of carbs lol.

Thanks again :blush:

cheers janelle

(Tim W) #11

Great example of “listen to your body”.

IMHO/Personal experience, It is ALWAYS better to start fasting from keto.

Fasting from a “carbed up body state” will cause HUGE swings in hunger as the drop in blood sugars cause more hunger, it’s a TOUGH way to go, the “keto flu” or “fasting flu” will ALWAYS be tougher/deeper as you are burning through all that glucose. I think you’ll find that going into a fast from the keto diet will almost always be smoother, it won’t be “easy” per se, you might still have hunger, but you won’t have that 72 hours of intense hunger brought on from the consumption of carbs (many find it takes about 72 hours to get off the hedonic treadmill of hunger brought on by carb consumption).

Keep it up!