Hidden cost of fasting

(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;)) #1

So what I experienced for the second whole day of my fast, was that I had ZERO energy, or drive to do anything that involved standing. Granted, my job involves a marathon driving weekend, where I’m in my car for 26-30 hours and might drive 1200 miles ! So needless to say, I’m often pretty wiped out on Monday anyway.

But the other thing is, even so, Monday evening, I almost always cook something good on the BBQ, or now, with the Sous Vide machine. So I felt really bad that I didn’t lift a finger to make any food last night, and my GF had to survive on fat bombs (which she really doesn’t have a big problem with, but still. Id prefer her to eat some real food.

Anyway, I guess I’m just saying that fasting creates a pretty big disruption in my normal scheduling.

I will definitely be doing a 24 hr fast every Sunday through Monday morning… But as far as these 48hr fasts, hmmmm. Pretty costly… I just don’t know…
Might just have to beat the heck out of myself in the Gym instead ?

(Susan) #2

Is this the selling the art? Or is that a sideline job from you being a trucker or something?

The benefits you get from the at least 36 hour fasting is Autophagy.

Maybe you could make some food ahead of time for your girlfriend for her to heat up? I am sure that between the two of you, you could find a work around for her having food?=).

(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;)) #3

Actually, its doing rideshare… but I have to drive 100 miles one way, to do it in a place where its still worth it.

Like I say, for her its not such a big deal. She says (and shows) that she can eat a handful of nuts here, and a fat bomb or two there, like every 4 hours, and be totally fine. I’m the one that needs “real meals”… And I guess I can’t say much, as she has never been very overweight anyway.

So anyway, their is usually already something she can heat up, and she sometimes does… but she is just as likely to just snack, instead of having an actual meal, if I don’t cook it, and put it on the plate for her, and then I’m like, “Put down the darn vacuum ! Sit ! Eat” ! :slight_smile: lol

(Edith) #4

Maybe choose different days of the week to fast, maybe when you are not already tired from so much driving. I don’t extended fast, just intermittent fast, but I find week days easier to do it than weekends. You may finds certain times of the week are easier than others. I also think you should listen to your body. If fasting is making you that wiped out, than maybe break your fast and try again another time.

(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;)) #5

Thank you Virginia. Well, I’ve actually put a lot of thought into it, and I feel like Sunday morn, through Tuesday morn is the most opportune time. In fact, the 24 hrs from Sunday through Monday morn is like easy peasy. Granted, I’m hungry by Sunday night, but typically, I’m more exhausted than hungry… So my head hits the pillow, and Bam ! Its time for breakfast :slight_smile: So this will be a weekly thing for sure.

Tuesday through Friday though, I try to get a million things done, including the Gym, maybe a hard core hike with my photography gear, yard work for my GF, etc.

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #6

Megan Ramos says their patients all see results even if they only do intermittent fasting. It can take the a bit longer but extended fasting is not a requirement.

Do not stress out about it, stress is the worst thing for your body (next to starchy, sugary carbs of course.)
I second the idea of maybe trying a longer fast if you really want to do 36 hrs., on a different day. Just enjoy being back with your GF. She sounds like she is fine with the current situation anyway. Good for her.

(Robert C) #7

I remember Dr. Fung and Megan Ramos talking about the end of the second day and/or the beginning of the third day are the most difficult for most people. That may be why - when suggesting multiple fasts per week - they stop at 42 hours (i.e. eat dinner Sunday, skip all food Monday and start eating again at lunch on Tuesday - a half day short of the miserable period).

But I also remember Dr. Fung saying that 3 to 5 days fasts are good in terms of extended fasts. He pointed out that 2-day fasts are not good because you have just finished going through the hard part and the days after that hard part are much easier.

(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;)) #8

Hmmmm. Still thinking about all of this. Those following days would have to be about 100X’s easier, so I could actually do something besides lay on the couch :smiley: lol

(Susan) #9

The other thing you have to remember as well, Chris, is this was just your first Fast. It gets easier as you do more. I did a bunch of 24 hour ones first, then some 48 hour ones, before I tried the 72 hour ones, the longest I have done so far has been 74 hours. I am not doing any more atm until the Zorn Fast. I want to do 72+ hours for that one.

(That is the 3rd Thursday of every month, they always make a new thread for it each month). Your body builds up “fasting muscles” and it gets easier the more you do.

(Robert C) #10

Not only do they get easier - you will probably feel euphoria, extra energy and nearly zero hunger.

If fact, for me, the extra energy (which is your body pushing you to go find food) is a problem. After day 5 of a water + salt only fast, I have trouble sleeping more than 4 or 5 hours - my body is driving me to go out and find calories. But, not through hunger, through extra sort of excited energy.

(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;)) #11

Well, my first “50 hr fast”. Been doing the 24-26hr every week for about 3 weeks prior to the 50…
And going to keep doing those every Sunday through Monday.
As for the longer fasts, I might just do a 72 the very next time I try it… Seems kind of goofy to do, by many accounts, the hardest part, then quit when it was about to get easier. But those still sound really spooky to me.

(Susan) #12

Well, use your OCD focus skills and you can do this =) I believe you can do it!!

#13

This has definitely been the case for me.

(Trudy) #14

I’m going to go against the grain here. I am at goal weight and I believe the longest fast I have completed in my 50kg weight loss is 24 hours. I do not force fasts, I believe it is very important to listen to your body. I would have liked to be able to do longer fasts(for convenience) but it’s not comfortable for me. Fasting is not everything!

(Susan) #15

I agree, and it is not for everyone! Chris has been really wanting to do it was all; and has been talking about it on a few different threads. I even told him on another thread that it is a voluntary thing and he should listen to his own body, and do it only for as long he feels he can =).

(Dirty Lazy Keto'er, Sucralose freak ;)) #16

Yea’, and a prime example of somebody who would probably not do well with fasting is my GF. She can’t really go 6 hrs without eating. In fact honestly, if it were not for me wanting, or making full actual meals, she would survive on fat bombs, pork rinds, and nuts… And she’d be eating these things every 3 hours all day, everyday ! I can’t say much, as she has never had more than a few extra lbs on her little frame anyway.

(Robert C) #17

Some reasons to do longer water (and salt) fasts are:

  • Potentially faster weight loss (if you binge to refeed - this is not going to happen)
  • Autophagy (some feel it is helpful for potentially avoiding cancer)
  • Avoid loose skin (Dr. Fung has said that people that fast down in his clinic do much better with loose skin issues i.e. no need for skin removal surgery)
  • It is a personal challenge (you will never be the same after you have voluntarily completed a 10+ day water and salt fast)
(mole person) #18

The next time try it without any artificial sweeteners. There is evidence that they can affect rate of lipolosis which could seriously affect energy on a fast since lipolosis is your ONLY source of energy while fasting.

(Susan) #19

That is a very good point, Ilana =). I have not used any of them myself for quite some time, but I did read somewhere about not using any during fasting previously too.

#20

Hey Rob, can you expound a bit on the difference in “binge to refeed” vs. “feast” to refeed? As I understand it, I shoudl do the latter but not the former?

Thanks!