IF, when and how?

fasting
(Nicole Silvia) #1

Hi! Still new to keto! Doing well, still learning a lot. Fasting is certainly a new concept to me.

I’m only 2 1/2 weeks in, ketone level is good, not "fat adapted " yet, I guess. So when does the fasting thing start and what exactly do I do?

#2

Fat adaption takes about 6 weeks. You can skip breakfast then and then move to skipping lunch as well. Then you can do OMAD if you’d like. That’s it! It’s easier when you’re fat adapted because you won’t be as hungry. But if you are hungry or feeling other symptoms, don’t hesitate to eat. It’s nice to work out before your one meal a day. Although you can’t just completely pig out once a day.
More than 24 hour fasts are more challenging and I’m not familiar with them.

(Nicole Silvia) #3

Thank you. What is OMAD?

(TJ Borden) #4

For many, it happens naturally. One day (usually a couple months in) you realize you forgot to eat breakfast or lunch and question yourself “why am I not hungry?”… that’s your first IF.

Fasting is a GREAT tool with Keto, but don’t force it because you think it’s something you need to do; you don’t. Many people on this forum don’t fast and do fine.

If/when the time comes that you’re ready, there are several support threads on the forum that can help.

(TJ Borden) #5

One meal a day

(Nicole Silvia) #6

Thanks TJ! As I’m learning more, that’s kind of what I was guessing. I can’t tell you how excited I am to “forget to eat”. So far my favorite thing about this diet is that I don’t have the obsession with meals and cravings. It’s dying doen, hopefully it will go away.

(Bob M) #7

I started skipping breakfast three days a week, then I would do a “bullet proof” coffee (coffee, butter, coconut oil) for breakfast and skip lunch three days a week, then I started skipping breakfast and lunch, then started some 3 day fasts, then 4.5-5.5 day fasts (can’t make it over the weekend – too hard to do, and my blood pressure goes down too much).

I started intermittent and longer term fasting when I had been low carb over a year, but that’s because I’d never heard of it until then.

#8

As TJ said, it should feel natural. … About 6 weeks in, I took my wife out to a Casino one night, and I wasn’t really hungry, so didn’t eat. I ended up eating the next day, apparently doing a 36 hr. fast. Two weeks later I tried a 3 day, and it went fine. So I repeated this once a week for the next three weeks. (Each time I had no issues, didn’t feel hungry and actually made myself eat, but still wasn’t hungry) … So I waited a couple weeks and decided to try a 5 day. Again, had no issues, but I was more wondering if I could do it. - So with having no issues like the 3 day fast, I stopped and ate something at 120 hrs.

Presently, I actually prefer doing OMAD, but have been trying to switch things up, throwing in a meal at lunch once or twice a week, and fasting periodically. … Presently I’m just about 90 hrs. into a fast, but I didn’t set any limit. Just wanted to fast because I find it enjoyable. … Probably break tonight or tomorrow, because I actually set a limit to how long I want to fast. There’s not reasoning behind this, but I admit, I do like eating good meals and creating dishes, so I usually miss it more than anything else.

(Nicole Silvia) #9

It’s OK to go days without eating? What does this “good” feeling feel like?

#10

Yeah, you get to a point where you just aren’t hungry, so yep, you have the choice if you so desire. As I’ve mentioned, I would do this way before I heard of Keto, (skipping a day of eating) but didn’t realize just how far you can take this. - My wife would look at me when I first started fasting and say, ‘I still can’t believe you’ve gone all these days without eating’. But I was explaining to her, I just wasn’t hungry, and felt absolutely fine. You are basically doing what your body was intended to do, which is to use stored fat reserves whenever needed. In this case, ‘your choice not to eat’, but would be the very same if in a situation where you couldn’t get to any food.

As for the feeling, there are times when I’ve get a slight empty feel to my stomach, but not really in a bad way, just different. But it seems you also seemed to get geared up with energy at times, and yes, I do find myself fidgeting at times, tapping feet, fingers on the table, etc. … Like you start looking around for things to do. :slight_smile: … And it’s been pretty good when I’m at work, but at times, I just want to get out the office and move! I only know what I’ve read, and they say this is due to us burning Ketones better than sugars, and it tends to give most a surge or boost of energy. As for the clarity they speak about, I can only say I generally feel good, in a good mood and haven’t found any issues with thought processes, etc. So yeah, clarity? :slight_smile:

I would suggest reading some of the post on here and on-line to learn if it’s something you would like to try. Yes, you will still both sides of it too. Some for it, some not. … But there’s no need, if you don’t desire to do so and is not a part of the ketogenic WOE/WOL. Just something you can incorporate, if you so choose to do so.

But It is still so strange to be able to go day after day, and not eat. Something we’ve done our whole lives. But it’s good to know you can. Also, it’s usually noted in the readings, that the record for the longest fast, is 382 days. It was said to be done under doctor’s care and that supplements were administered from my understanding, but can’t recall all what they said. … But still, 382 days!