Hi! So I’ve been on the ketogenic diet for about 8 months now on and off. I first started in May of last year and lost 45 pounds in just 3 months. I fell off the carb wagon and started eating badly again once my wife got pregnant, but I’m starting back up again so I can lose the holiday weight I gained. My job is very labor intensive and I need all the energy I can get, to get my work done. My question is what sort of fast would be good for me? I’ve tried to water fast and I just get so fatigued at work and I end up eating something and breaking my fast. Any advice would be great. Thank you!
How can I fast correctly with a labor intensive job?!
islandlight
(Laurie)
#3
Also, what kind of fast? If you mean intermittent fasting (less than 24 hours), you could have a big breakfast (before work) and a big lunch, and then skip dinner.
If you mean something like a 2-day fast, can you do it on your day(s) off?
Kris86
#4
Eat before work on your Friday. That should give you a 60+ hour window to fast through your weekend.
ctviggen
(Bob M)
#5
I would say go keto first. See how that affects you. It’ll take maybe a month or so before you adjust, maybe more. Consider your job as being exercise. It takes people who exercise a while before they transition over to using fat. At some point (say two months from now), see if you can eat a large breakfast and skip lunch. Or see if you can skip breakfast and eat a large lunch. Keep doing that, to see what happens.
You could also fast over the weekend, but I’ve been using intermittent/long term fasting of up to 5.5 days for 3+ years and have never made it through a weekend. I like to eat with my family, and that’s a good time to do so. I have eaten one meal a day (infrequent) or two meals (very frequent) on those days, but I find it quite difficult to fast when the family is eating on a weekend. Weekdays are a bit different, as there are kids activities, homework, etc.
CarlKeller
(Carl Keller)
#6
This… Once you are fat adapted your body can use body fat for fuel instead of dietary fat. At this point, fatigue and metablic slowdown won’t be an issue. You are likely to find that your energy and endurance improves even when fasting.
jessOTR
(Jessica)
#7
I really don’t like fasting until it comes naturally. When your body is using your stored fat, it can go without you feeding it. For me, it took me listening to my hunger signals and realizing I was eating because it was time, not because I was actually hungry. Definitely get deep into eating keto first. Months into it. Then think about fasting.
RobC
(Robert C)
#8
You do not mention exactly what you mean by “water fast” but it might be important. If you are fat adapted but feeling light headed, dizzy or fatigued - it is much more likely that you are having electrolyte problems than any real “energy” problem.
For safety and to keep your fast going, try making sure you have a solid, multiple times a day, electrolyte regime. See if that helps.
David_Stilley
(Full Metal KETO AF)
#10
Not up to fasting yet, but I have read here about fasting and only eating fats. Some benefits of fasting but not autophagy. You will have energy but you’re giving your digestive tract a break and clean out.