How To Fast?!

#1

Hi all,
I’m new to keto, & I’m sorry if this has been asked before - I’ve had a look through some of the posts, but not had time to listen to podcasts- but interested in what people do/ understand by fasting. I’ve done fasting like Michael Mosely’s 5:2, but I needed to do ADF to lose weight- it worked for me & I lost 2 stone between September & Christmas last year. Since then I’ve continued it but have been up & down- mainly due to a lot of stress (bereavements), & have gotten into more of a ‘feasting & fasting’ cycle, overloading on chocolate! So I started Keto 10 days ago to help shift the 7lbs I’d like to get rid of, plus to try & get a grip on my sweet tooth. I’ve dropped to 2 or 3 day fasts a week, as last week starting keto I was soooo hungry, but still following Mosely’s 500 cal suggested limit- usually between 300-400 cals. . So my questions are:

  1. do people still eat something on their fasts?
  2. to keep below 500 cals I probably don’t eat much fat on those days, but am still keeping the carbs well under 20g… will this be okay on Keto, even though the proportions are out a bit on those days?
    Sorry if these have been answered elsewhere, I wasn’t sure what exactly to search for!!
(Karen) #2

I haven’t done a water fast. I do use butter or hwc in drink.

K

#3

Depends. On long fasts (over 3 days) its usually just water, tea, electrolytes because I really am not hungry. On shorter fasts, if feeling a bit peckish - I take a spoonful of butter or coconut oil and that usally takes care of things. As you follow along on the forums you will see folks doing ‘fat fasts’ throughout, and also a lot of variations in between. You have to try things out and eventually you will find what works best for you. Personally given such a long history of the pain of doing calorie restriction - I avoid anything that resembles it. I would prefer to fast, and then when I eat - eat to satiety so I don’t have to think about calories or being hungry. This is the freedom of keto.

#4

Thank you- I really can’t imagine not being that hungry to manage 72 hours, but I know that takes time & building up!

(Raj Seth) #5

I know it’s hard to imagine not eating for days and not being hungry. But that is a function of the brain washing we all receive.

It IS possible. It is, I daresay, logical. I’ve fasted 31 days this year. As long as 7 days, and as short as 24 hrs. N=1 opinion - not eating and hunger are almost not related to each other.
I’m launching on a 14-18 day water only fast the day after Easter - April 2. Will report back after that

(KCKO, KCFO 🥥) #6

Read the fasting subforum postings. We all fast a tad bit differently. For shorter fasting I use coffee with a teaspoon of coconut oil or just water. If I go longer I might use a serving of homemade bone broth. But water with lots of pink salt is my go too if I start feeling hungry.

But Fung says in one of his videos, if you are not eating, you are fasting. I agree with that. Keeps me motivated to do lots of IFing and some 3-5 days of fasting when I feel like it. I’m in maintenance so more IFing than multidays, but I do the Zornfast group fast monthly now as well. .

#7

You’re new to keto? 10 days in?
I’m new to keto too but I would like to add that when you first start keto you shouldn’t restrict your calories as much and you should be eating enough fat to keep your hunger at bay.
It may be hard for you (being so experienced in/used to fasting) but I’ve also been told not to try fasting until later in your keto “diet” or way of life… just so your body has time to adapt, which in turn will help you fast since you won’t be as hungry after you’re fat adapted. You’ll find fasting easier once you’re further into your keto way of life!