I'm starting a 3 day fast today - any tips, particularly for mental sanity?

encouragement
extendedfast
(Phillip Brandvold) #1

This is my first “on purpose” 72 hour fast. The first and only other one I’ve done was on a whim and I was moving constantly and thinking about other things beside “I’m fasting.” It seems as though when I’m distracted by life, it’s fine, but when I start focusing on it I cave.

I’ve tried longer fasts since then, and seem to end up wigging myself out - I’ll feel a little “weird” mentally, or my stomach will feel odd being full of just water and salt, and I’ll end up eating and feeling “normal.” I know this is a mental game - any tips on staying strong? I work in front of a computer all day, so it’s easy for me to start thinking about what my body is doing.

My wife is gone through Friday afternoon, and also we’re mostly out of groceries so it seems like good timing for me not to cook for a couple days.

(Doug) #2

Phillip, there is a good-size mental component to it, to be sure, especially in one’s first few fasts. Thinking about other things, as simple as that sounds, is a great way to go. If you can distract yourself, hunger goes away, at least for a while.

https://intensivedietarymanagement.com/fasting-ghrelin-fasting-29/

Dr. Fung weighs in on ghrelin, the “hunger hormone.” It’s pulsatile - the body secretes it unevenly during the day, and its levels rise and fall. During longer fasts, overall levels decline, day-by-day.

(Phillip Brandvold) #3

Thanks, Doug! That was a really insightful/helpful read. I’m thinking I might just need to sip some green tea or something when I start thinking about food. This will help me overcome the mental barrier, as well as give my mouth something to do. It also helps vary my intake from straight water, which is another mental barrier in and of itself.

(Doug) #4

Once I’d done a few 3 or 4 day fasts, it really did become easy. It sounds odd to be “talking to yourself,” but it’s “I’m not eating anything today,” and that’s it.

By far, the hardest thing for me is social stuff - when it’s time to have a few drinks and eat supper with my co-workers, can I resist? Mostly, no. People have talked about preparing food for their families and not eating themselves - wow, I think that would be rough. Vacations, parties, etc., - tough to totally go without.

(Judi Campion) #5

I’ve figured out a couple of distractions while fasting.

Cleaning! I’m no Martha Stewart but my kitchen (anyone see the irony here!) is spotless today.

Watching You Tube video lectures.

Listening to Carl and Richard! I don’t listen to the recipes. Sorry! I do listen to the podcasts more than once.

Heading out of the house either to run errands or just go for a walk. Love being near water so peaceful.

If I get hungry then I start my arsenal of salt and water, sparking water and bone broth. If I’m really struggling I will put some butter in my coffee (huge cheat but it works and for me I need to get a few longer fasts in).

Happy fasting!

(Lauren) #6

If you struggle with a wave of hunger (mental or physical) brush your teeth. No one wants to eat ANYTHING right after brushing, so it buys you time to get through that wave.

#7

The replies have been good so far so I won’t repeat, but I do know exactly what you mean about the freaking yourself out thing. I’d vote: keep up on the electrolytes (heart palpitations freak me out), avoid naysayers and discussing your fast with anyone unless you must, and focus on the positives (don’t Google minor symptoms and let WebMD or Reddit convince you you’re gonna die if you don’t eat in 20 minutes). Good luck, it gets easier.