Moving into longer fasts

(Kristin) #1

Hey, I joined the forum today but have been lurking. I’ve been without a computer so have to type on my phone. That’s been my reluctance up til now. Wanted to say this forum has been very helpful to me. I don’t feel so alone in this journey.

Anyway, been keto for 2 months today! PCOS, metabolic syndrome, hypothyroid driving me to this WOE.

I’ve been IF pretty much from the beginning (18-6), as I’m just not hungry in the morning. Done several 24 hour fasts. Longest was 28? hours. Was going to celebrate my 2 months anniversary of keto today with a 28 hour, breaking the fast with a planned dinner feast. But, at the 24 hour mark, I broke it with an espresso with hwc - was just too hungry. Maybe I’m not quite as fat-adapted as I had hoped by this point, or maybe it was my 1st cheat meal 4 days ago, or maybe it was because my last meal before fast was not big or high fat enough. No longer hungry after the drink.

In any case, KCKO! I’m thinking Keto is one of the best things that’s ever happened to me. Longer fasts can happen later. :slight_smile:

(Vladaar Malane) #2

Great job! I think Dr. Fung’s clinic suggests if you fast, to try for over 48 hours as then you achieve maximum benefits of it. I currently just intermittent fast by drinking black coffee instead of my breakfast.

I have done many 3 day fasts, a few 5 day and have gone as long as 7 days before. When you get close to your ideal weight your body will get less and less results from extended fasts. Well you will always have results, but your body will go into a crisis mode of sorts thinking it’s going to die from lack of food, and will cause you to gain back more of the weight then you want after your fast. It’s called your body’s set point and worth reading up if your interested. Dr. Fung’s book the Obesiety Code explains all this stuff, but he is on a lot of videos on youtube as well.

Don’t worry about extended fasts though. It’s not required for being on keto lifestyle and you will still lose weight without. It’s just something that can some people enjoy doing now and then and others do it to try to speed up the weight loss.

(Jane) #3

I was keto for 7 months or so before I tried any EF. Prior to that just skipped breakfast and sometimes lunch for some unplanned IF if I wasn’t hungry.

So… was definitely fat-adapted at that point… and was in a multi-month stall and wanted to “change my setpoint” so I tried it. And found it pretty easy, much to my surprise!

80% of it is mental. Yes, you get hunger pangs but they go away if you ignore them and you aren’t STARVING!!! like you would be pre-keto.

I miss eating. I miss my [spoiler]HWC[/spoiler] and [spoiler]butter[/spoiler] in my coffee. But I set that aside and just keep on fasting, knowing I can eat when I am ready.

Oh - and next time try some pink salt under your tongue or in a glass of water. Sometimes that helps with the hunger, believe it or not. If still very hungry in half an hour then maybe best to break your fast and try again another time. It’s not like fasting is a big commitment - to stop you just eat LOL.

(Carl Keller) #4

This is why I sought out this forum and I’ve not been disappointed. Someone will always respond to your questions and concerns, pretty quickly too. It’s great to share in the good news of others and to offer and hear some encouragement when we meet a goal or find some wonderful benefit of keto. Glad to see you here Kristin. :slight_smile: