I estimate I have 80 lbs of fat (35% of 227lbs), or, using 30.5 cal /lb, 2440 cal available daily. Is there any reason I should NOT do a 50/50 fast weekly - ie eat for 3.5 days, and fast for 3.5 days? I just finished a 3.25 day fast and my diabetic numbers seem to have found a new (good) band to be in.
Can there be too much of a good thing? I felt energetic and not hungry on the fast. I super hydrated with saline and broth and was 3-5 pounds heavier during the fast than I was at the start. No worries about that. As soon as I started eating and not super hydrating, the scale showed the true number which was lower than before. I have plenty of weight to lose and want to keep my blood glucose in the 90-110 range. Fasting seems to be the silver bullet.
Please chime in
Is there anything such as too much fasting?
To answer your title question…I think that would depend on how you feel during your fast. I have done a lot of research on fasting and I know that no 2 fast are alike and it’s different for everyone. Where fasting works wonders for you and I, there are people on this forum that participate in fasting and have for quite some time and still see no weight loss results. I’d say really really really listen to what your body tells you. For me that’s the key.
Great advice. What I heard from my body was “Yaaaaay. Keep this up!” I probably felt better during the fast than when I broke it and went back to Keto
I agree with @rustyk61 — listen to your body. I have only fasted a few times but I felt really good doing it, and I knew when I was ready to eat again.
I expect absolutely everyone will lose weight fasting if they do it long enough. However the ratio of muscle to fat loss will undoubtedly be less favorable for some. I have a muscle wasting disease so I’m most concerned about muscle loss while fasting but still find it worthwhile.
My issue is that I got no signal from the body to stop. It felt like I could fast forever. I’m just afraid to go super extended all at once so wish to try more and more.
The positive impact on my T2D was fantastic. I felt great. Energetic.
What’s the catch?
I feel great fasting as well. I figure I can do extended fasting until i run out of fat. I just feel so great fasting. I am playing around with 72-80 hour fasts weekly and am getting ready for another extended fast soon. I expect to fast 7-21 days depending on how I feel and my schedule.
I didn’t lose a single lb nor inch with fasting and actually put weight back on. I did the 20:4 schedule and it just seems like common sense to me that it sent a signal to my body that it was in “starvation mode” and didn’t allow me to lose. I am fed up with these fad diets and marketing gurus who slap a name on something and we fall for it everytime. I am simply going to make a “Common Sense” plan for myself and use plain ol’ common sense when it comes to planning my meals.
I’ve been on an extended fast for ~3 months, usually eating about once a week, on average. I am insulin resistant and track my BG and ketones. I’ve had no ill effects (based on blood work and DEXA). If you’re on medication, you may want to be monitored closely. I think hypoglycemia may be a risk, for you. My BG has been as low as 55, and I felt fine, but I’m not diabetic. YMMV.
As long as you have fat reserves to draw on and you feast in between fasts, no reason you can’t fast extended periods and/ or frequently. By feasting, I don’t mean gorge. Just make sure you are getting nutrient dense keto foods to satiety those days. I have adopted fasting Monday-Friday since December 1st and it has worked well for me. I am just a few pounds from my goal, so I will probably switch to alternate day fasting or maybe 2 days fast/ 2 days feast after this week. Like others have said, if you take diabetes or BP meds, you would be wise to be medically supervised. Good luck!
If you fast long enough you will lose weight. It is inevitable. There are almost no exceptions (maybe someone imminently near death). What varies is the effective dosage.
During one of my extended fasts, I didn’t lose weight for 3 consecutive days. But I was still down 3 lbs for the week. On a several occasions, my weight stayed the same for two days. But these are the exceptions.
Fasting is not a long term weight loss strategy. It’s a very efficient tool for improving metabolic derangement. Fixing this makes weight loss sustainable.
Fasting also allows for greater dietary flexibility while living within the constraints of our derangement. Many people on a OMAD regime can eat what they want and their metabolism will still improve. More damaged people might need to do alternate day fasting in order to eat what they want and still heal.
I am not saying fasting is right for everyone. What I am saying is that anyone who fasts long enough will lose weight.
I have heard about people “blissing out” on fasts. It sounds like you were in that zone! So awesome!
I think if you are receiving positive feedback from your body, stay the course. Lots of water, salt (at least 2 tsp/day, I think I heard), and listen to your body.
Also – I heard Megan Ramos talk about Dr. Fung starting his diabetic patients off with a seven-day fast! A WEEK! “Hey, want to try fasting? Great, do it for a week.” Of course, they’re under medical supervision, but that’s where they start!
My results from my initial foray into fasting were improved stats. I am less concerned about weight. The improvements in my blood sugar readings have lasted beyond. So I’m very excited for my 6 day next week
I super hydrate while fasting with 0.9% saline so I’m all set there!
I’m ready to say goodbye to T2D and metabolic syndrome
As others have said, pay attention to your body, get plenty of nutrition on your eating days (sardines, avocados, eggs, green leafy veggies and sea salt are my fav) and you should be able to follow this protocol for a fairly lengthy period of time. If you find that you are staying hungry during fasting periods or start getting lethargic, when fasting OR eating, then you might want to take a break from fasting for a few weeks, then hit it again once you are “back to normal”.
I rely on my mental state, my level of energy, my libido and level of anxiety/depression to guide me. If libido drops, anxiety goes up, or a I enter a mental “black state” then I know it’s time to up calories or eat on a more regular basis.
Best of luck to you!
Tim