First Fast 7 days...I hope

(Jason Thomas) #1

Good afternoon to all! I am a ketogenic fanatic and I’ve been practicing since September. In that time, I’ve gone from 5’8, 190 to 5’7.5, 160 (yes, I shrunk a half inch last year). I was stuck at 170 for about 3 months, but the weight is now coming off again.
Alright, so I came to this ketogenic lifestyle in a fairly roundabout way. I have had psoriatic arthritis for over a decade now, and I was tired of going to the doctor, getting bloodwork, paying for meds, and not getting any better! I can’t remember how or why, but somehow I stumbled upon Peter Attia discussing dietary recommendations, and more importantly, that reducing your insulin would reduce inflammation. Well, it hasn’t worked a bit, BUT I have learned how to eat, and so I’m hoping for a 7 day fast to clear out my system (is this enough time), and then slowly reintroduce different foods, so I can try and ascertain what my body can and will process. Naturally, very low carb, no gluten, no sugar (even very few artificial because man has my palate changed), and about 4 weeks ago I finally gave up dairy.
I’ve enjoyed most of the benefits of the lifestyle (mental calmness and clarity, weight loss, fat highs😀, and that sense of superiority I get every time I eat some pasture raised eggs…), but my condition remains unabated and even though I love eating this way, the pain can be overwhelming.
Now, I don’t do keto strips or measure insulin or none of that jazz. Apologies for not being too technical, but I know when I’m in ketosis and I generally stay in that state. This morning I’ve had 2 cups of coffee with heavy coconut cream and some bone broth. I don’t anticipate problems for a while, but 7 days is an aggressive goal. So far, the longest I’ve been is about 50 hours, but I quit out of poor planning and no sort of despair, mental fatigue, et cetera.
Okay, so I am not a Facebook, Twitter, social media person, and I’m a bit of a loner, but I’m man enough to ask for help if I need it. I do.
Any advice on how long to sort of reset my system? Should I perhaps do a “cleanse” while fasting? Is that even legal? Anyone else with psoriatic arthritis??
I thank you all for your time, and have certainly enjoyed the forum!

Warmest regards,

Jason Thomas

#2

I quit smoking & alcohol last Sunday and started a water fast. My plan is 21 days. And that is just because they say it takes 21 days to form a habit. And I read somewhere autophagy & 21 days is good, but who knows. I just wanted to come out the other end of my fast fully revitalized and as clean as I can be. I don’t know that someone can give a magic date, it all comes down to what works for you. If you have never fasted before 7 sounds like a great goal, you can always extend it. Good luck on your journey and remember the first 3 or 4 days are the hardest. It gets easier the longer you are in it. I just crossed the 8 day mark

(Jason Thomas) #3

I appreciate the response, and thanks for the encouragement! I did a “fat load” this weekend, and I think it was a mistake. I generally eat very little these days. In fact, the 50 hours wasn’t a fast per se…I just wasn’t eating. Then, I read Ron’s 45 day fast thread and downloaded some podcasts for this weekend trip. I’m pretty excited about the prospect of clearing everything out. I’m moderately hungry today, but I think this is mental since I’ve now set a goal. Usually, 24 hours is a breeze.
I rarely drink anymore, and this is the opposite of my carb lifestyle. I find that I can barely tolerate it, and somehow I don’t miss it either. My concern with my fast is I don’t really have too much body fat left, and I don’t want to make myself ill. I’ll abort if need be, but I’m doing a fair amount of fat. 3 coffees and cream today…
Anyway, for housekeeping purposes, my last snack was 4/30 at 9:11 pm, and I weighed in at 161.8 this morning. Planning on walking 8-10 miles tomorrow, and anxious to see how that feels and what it looks like.
Best-

(Jason Thomas) #4

Good luck on your fast as well!

#5

The Dudes podcast is obviously awesome! I also really enjoy Fasting Talk. I binge listened to all episodes in 2-3 days when starting my fast so i could try to download as much info as possible. It is amazing how much information is coming out about all of these WOE and that it has been shunned for so long.

(Jason Thomas) #6

So, I just got through 60 hours. Yesterday was fairly simple. Late last night my stomach started grumbling. I only slept a few hours, but I never sleep much. Anyway, also walked 6 miles yesterday, and I’m getting around 500 calories from coconut cream a day, maybe a little less. So far, so good. I weighed in at 157.4 this morning and my BP was 123/69 with a HR of 57. I saw one Chrohns thread and so for the family of auto immuners out there I will submit that my symptoms of arthritis (moderate to severe) have reduced to mild to moderate. My shoulders are still a wreck, but my hands and feet feel much better. I’m hoping the longer I go without food, the better I feel. Fasting is a lot of fun! Surprising.
:+1:

(Jason Thomas) #7

80 hours down and it’s a personal record. Let me just say that yesterday FELT like fasting. I was tired, hangry, and as usual frustrated fighting the disease. In fact, after a miraculous 6 hours of sleep, I feel crumby. Dear body, feel free to start cannibalizing white blood cells, specifically those T cells. They are the problem. I did walk 3 miles yesterday and plan on walking a little this morning (probably the same three miles). The wife is taking it all in stride, but she won’t let me cook for her while I’m fasting, and maybe that’s super supportive? I roasted a chicken Monday with no issues. Seems like this morning it might be. The marine presses forward though. I definitely want to get to Friday, and I’ll see how the weekend goes. I’m also keeping a fasting journal. I plan on doing this fairly often until I’m certain that my body is learning disabled. Like I mentioned up there, my inflammation has very rarely abated through any and all dietary changes. I was certain leaky gut was the culprit, but if I’m not eating…that seems unlikely. It’s just another hack, but at the same time, I feel as if this will help redefine my relationship with food. As an ex Southerner, I’ve been taught many of the wrong things about food. My wife and her family are extremely competent in the kitchen and so I have evolved into a bit of a food snob. Yes, I want my food to taste delicious. Yes, I aspire to cook the most delicious, flavorful meals I’m capable of. No, I don’t want my life to revolve around good food and wine. During my fast I consider myself and my ancient O- blood type to be a hunter/gatherer out on the prairie, scouring for food. At some point, we’re gonna find some sustenance. Not today, I says. Not today. Good morning.

Jason