MAY 2021 IF/EF Chat Thread (All Welcome)

(Bob M) #7

I think, theoretically, insulin should be lower and growth hormone higher on a 3 day fast.

Maybe the best option is to mix the two? One week of 3x/week; one week off; one week with 3 days straight.

I found that I could do too many 36 hour fasts, and it got so that I was freezing when I tried to fast any time at all. I had to take time to recover. So, I’m not a big believer (anymore) of doing a lot of fasting, without “enough” feasting. The trick is to determine how much is enough feasting.

Right now, I’m just trying to get back to one 36 hour fast per week. That might be all I do, until I do a long-term fast, probably 4.5 days. That’s one I can fit into a week, so eat Sunday evening, then again Friday morning sometime.

(Central Florida Bob ) #8

I honestly hadn’t thought of that, Bob. Thanks!

My thought was that I’d do these ADFs for a month and see where I stand. Then maybe try something different next month.

Considering I’m trying to lose just 10 pounds, I had thought of just doing one extended fast until I get there. I’ve never done any fasts beyond these 40 hour fasts and I know of no way to figure out how many days to expect. I also get cooler when sitting around, although I get warmer with minor efforts. I find that I tend to go to bed feeling a bit cool but then kick off the covers overnight.

(Bob M) #9

When I did my first long fast, after a certain point, it got a lot easier. I know that seems crazy, but it was true. The second day I thought was the hardest, the third not so bad, and then it was smoother.

The longest fast I ever did was 5.5 days, though. I started getting dizzy when I stood, so I bailed on the fast. I did a ton of 4.5 day fasts for a while.

Some people only recommend about a 3.5 day fast (and I’ve done a lot of those too), as I think that’s when your growth hormone and metabolism hit a peak. After that, some are concerned with a loss of muscle, too. I’m not sure about that, but Dr. Phinney is against longer fasts.

If you’re not getting really cold, it’s probably not a big deal. I was getting so cold, I couldn’t touch myself.

Maybe a 3x/week (Mon, Wed, Fri), then wait until Tuesday night to start the longer fast? That would give you Sat, Sun, Mon, Tues to recover. Then fast until Saturday morning? Or you have a normal week, then the 3.5 day fast.

This also depends on what effect you get after a longer fast. I used to eat a normal meal after a 4.5+ day fast, but it wreaks havoc on my system. I have to go to the bathroom a ton for hours. So, I learned ending a fast on Friday night is not good. I end now toward the morning. And I even try some gentle break in (eg, some broth and an egg maybe, then wait to have more).

Not everyone gets these effects, though.

#10

Just at 20 hrs. presently, and think I will just be skipping tonight? So might have something tomorrow, or if not, something sometime Saturday. I really just hate Fasting on weekends, when meal prep isn’t limited due to work and time restraints.

(Butter Withaspoon) #11

After a trigger last weekend (someone gave me something I should have refused), which led to many treats until I lost that ketosis feeling, I’ve decided today is a very lo carb OMAD, finishing early in the evening. I’m here to keep motivated and honest. It’s time to produce ketones again! And to sleep better.

I’ll see how long the overnight fast goes. Last night was a definite improvement over the rest of the week so I feel I’m getting close to pressing the metabolic reset button. Good fasting all!

#12

Wasn’t planning a long Fast with the weekend coming. (Plus I took today off, so it already started) … But I broke at just 41 hrs. today… Dependent on the weekend, may start a longer one come Monday.

(Butter Withaspoon) #13

Checking in helped get me back on track, cravings gone and I feel normal again. Well nearly :crazy_face:

#14

Hi everyone. Trying a fast for the first time. I started 5:30pm last night and am at hour 16. Shooting for 24 hours. I’m only drinking salted water (“lite” potassium salt and Himalayan pink) How much do we need? I think my drink is actually making me a bit hungry. Might stick to plain water for the rest of the day.

#15

First observation: my desire to eat is as much about boredom and procrastination as it is about hunger. Need to keep busy and be social!

#16

Welcome, and good luck. As far as Salt requirements, ‘for me personally’ do 1/8 tsp. of Morton’s Lite, which also has Potassium, along with 1/2 tbsp. of Magnesium Citrate, which provides Magnesium. I do this in a 20-24 oz. bottle of water. … I don’t usually do any, unless I Fast for more than two days, but it does help with leg cramping, at least for me. - If I’m Fasting 3 or more days, I will do one in the morning and one in the evening. - I may still get the rare cramping, but not as much or as bad. But when I find myself Fasting a lot, the leg cramping can at times be more prominent.

As to 24 hr. Fast, or OMAD, I do this pretty much regularly, maybe 50% of the time. So don’t usually use anything. But I do have a tendency to add some additional salt to meals, which works fine for me.

#17

Plan on doing some Fasting now. Wife had mentioned I had some stuff still in the fridge, that only I eat, but took care of that issue. :smile: Not sure how long, but thinking a longer one might fit nicely.

(Bob M) #18

I’ve had mixed results as to hunger. Usually this resolves hunger, but not always.

I usually “eat” salt and add No-Salt to my water, but I’ve also added salt and N-Salt.

I find I have to have some of this even when fasting only 24+ hours.

#19

Presently at 40 hrs. Still not sure if I will be eating tonight or not?

#20

Salt need is very, very, very individual. I probably would think about it after 72 hours :smiley: I eat little sodium anyway while many people drink salty water even for 16/8 and need 3 times as much sodium, apparently. And there are people who are fine without ever supplementing it (they probably don’t do very long fasts and there are other special circumstances when we lose electrolytes, of course). Our sodium intake may affect many things and both too little and too much is a problem. Maybe some people can’t eat too much and some can’t eat too little under normal circumstances…

Hi guys, I do the same, try to do IF and carnivore-ish at the same time with mixed results but nowadays it’s better. I usually do TMAD, maybe with a few extra bites in between or something tiny in my coffee earlier but I try to do it clean and nice, it isn’t that hard, after all.
I still have huge problems with waiting for hunger or other real need, I am just not that type, it seems. But I am stubborn and know it would be better for me. I am adamant not to eat before 2pm at least as I practically never get hungry so very early. It went well today, OMAD has a big chance and if I can do that, it probably will be a 26 hour fast. But I will be happy with a TMAD day too.

I really, really am curious what would happen if I did a longer fast now. I barely did a few 24-48 hour ones since I tried carnivore in the end of 2019! OMAD has a very slim chance on my carnivore. I have many non-IF days too, it makes me uncomfortable, my IF was natural and my old companion, it suited me very well. I understand I needed to get used to my new default woe but I had enough already :slight_smile: But it starts to get better now I think. My more satiating woe helps not to think about food so often. My original keto never could do it. I am too obsessed with food and eating in general, I love reading and writing and thinking about it and experimenting… And it’s a nice hobby to some extent, I suppose but I need more creative ones. But changing and finetuning my woe helps with these mental problems too.

I can’t do longer fasts yet. I just want the occasional fasting day, is it so much to ask for? Apparently it is. I don’t give up, my time will come one day!

#21

Well, got home yesterday after work and figured to either just eat something or do some work… so I decided to go out and worked in the Garden for a couple hours. Presently just passed 60 hrs. Wasn’t sure if I wanted to continue or eat something today or not, but I did drop a 2-1/2" Top Sirloin in the Sous Vide last night just in case I decide to break. If so it will sometime after 70 hrs. or so.

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(Bob M) #22

Great news!

Trying for a mere 36 hours today until tomorrow morning. Couldn’t do it last week (broke around 20 hours or so). Have hopes for longer today.

(KCKO, KCFO) #23

I’m doing OMAD for this week. Hoping to build my “fasting muscle” back up, LOL.

#24

Well, broke at just around 70 hrs. … Plan on Feasting tomorrow after tonight’s meal, and then cruise the weekend and maybe pick back up again next week. But I also took off Friday and Tuesday to make a 5 day weekend. So may wait until Wednesday when I go back to work. … Happy Fasting Folks. :+1:

(Bob M) #25

You really do see to lose the “fasting muscle” if you don’t use it.

Well, I was able to hit about 36 hours or so… Worked out this morning, a short body weight training, then riding my bike to and over a local hill, and back. Switched from my mountain bike (with studded tires for ice - haven’t had time to rotate tires) to my racing bike. Whoa! I dropped a bunch of weight in the bike and felt as if I was flying up the hills. (Of course, I wasn’t. I’m still slow, even with a lighter bike. :wink:)

I know some people hate fasting 24+ hours and think it’s not useful, but I find it refreshing. It does “something” more than just no calories. For instance, I slept really well last night, not getting up at all during the night. That never happens if I eat.

Every time I got hungry yesterday, I took in some salt. I tried to use the trick of putting it under my tongue, which supposedly makes it absorb faster. But I get some small amount under my tongue, and the rest everywhere else. It did seem to work, though. And, I got only a tiny beginning of a lower leg cramp at night, which went away.

I also am going to have a longer holiday. I’ll also be back next week. Enjoy your fasting and/or holiday.

(Jane) #26

I started a new thread for June fasters