My fasting experience

(Michelle) #1

I’m at 60 hours fasted so far, and with all the MUCH LONGER fasts going on, I kind of feel like a wimp with only 60 hours, but it’s the longest I have ever fasted, so I thought I’d chime in on my experience thus far.

Is it fun? No
Is it easy? No
Is it a lot harder than I thought it would be? Yes

Now, I think that once you pass the 48 hour mark, it’s supposed to get easier? Your hunger peaks at a certain point and then you level off with the ghrelin. So, waiting for the leveling off to kick in so that I’m not having waves of hunger. The hunger isn’t really that strong anyway. That’s not the hardest part. Mainly, it’s just extremely boring. Now, I know I have several factors that also feed that boredom, and I won’t go into that here, but I’m just bored not eating I suppose.

I’m doing this for HGH increase, autophagy, general health so I am going to try and push through a little longer. I think if I try extended fasts in the future, I will do 3 days only. Or substitute with MCT oil during the fast. This one I’m just doing black coffee, water and some bone broth at night (about 8 oz). I’m drinking water with ACV and salt and take magnesium at night. I hope that’s enough to give me the electrolytes I need.

So, that’s my little update. I’ll post back on this when I decide to end this experiment!

p.s. TMI - No urgent “bathroom meetings” for me. In fact, quite the opposite.

(Melanie Marie) #2

How do you feel overall, though? levels of clarity, energy, etc?

I haven’t fasted yet, but at almost 5 months keto and feeling like I hit a wall the past 3 or 4 weeks, I was thinking of getting a good re-set through a fast. I was planning a fat-fast, though. It was my next thing to really research, so maybe that isn’t the best option for me at this early stage. hmmmm.

(Michelle) #3

I feel fine, except for cold hands and feet. Sometimes that subsides, and sometimes it’s crazy cold. Mental clarity is great. I have no fogginess or anything like that. I only did one light workout this week, but will try something more demanding tomorrow to see how I do. I planned on doing more workouts, but my hamstring is still bothering me, so want to use this time for repair.

I will try adding in fat next time. I think that may be a reason for cold hands/feet. I wanted the “most” autophagy from this fast, which is why I’m trying it this way now. Next time, I may not be so dogged.

(Michelle) #4

Well now, 66 hours in and I’m about to cash in!! I’m still terribly cold, slight headache and I just want some food. So, 66 hours is now my longest fast!! I feel good about it, and will shoot for adding fat in on my next extended fasting adventures.

(Jaidann) #5

Good job! You fasters amaze me. I can’t do it. I’m too much of a food hog. :disappointed:

#6

Thanks for doing this @MKChitown, it’s been my inspiration for starting a 60 hour fast since it will end on Saturday morning when I normally have breakfast at some local restaurant.

I just thought it was important for people like you, @ron-coleman, @mikki and others to realize that your experiences are inspiring others!

Of course :richard:, :carl: :zornface: and many others are fasters, but they’re superstars :star2:!

Thanks!

(I am a Dog (Dog's eat until they burst!)) #7

Yes, I agree chills and boredom are the worst when fasting. I found salt works best for the chills, I increased my intake to 2 to 2.5 teaspoons per day.

(Michelle) #8

Excellent!! Go for it and post your experience too!!

(Michelle) #9

After I ate, it was almost like I could feel the warmth move down from my body and into my toes. Weird experience!

I was salting all my liquids, but not keeping track. I’ll do better next time. This was a great first for me, and helps me prepare for ones in the future.

#10

Great job. I recently only made it to 66 of the planned 72, and it was easier than prior tries, so I think each time gets better. I was cold too that day and eating sure warmed me up for hours afterwards.

(Tim W) #11

Michelle,

You mention that you thought it would get easier after 24 hours, the truth is, it REALLY varies from person to person and fast to fast.

My wife and I usually fast together. We’ll do a five day fast and she’ll have an easy day two and I’ll have a rough one, or we’ll both have a rough day three, or day four, it’s highly variable including how you ate prior to the fast. Rest assured, there’s no hard and fast rule on this stuff!

Take care!

(I am a Dog (Dog's eat until they burst!)) #12

I have found that extended fasting does get easier, not necessarily easy, with practice. Each time you do a 3, 5, or 7 day fast it becomes second nature as your body adapts to the fasting routine and more easily settles into it!

#13

I’m on day four of a five day water fast (although I broke down and had some cream in my tea today). I’m doing it for similar reasons (autophagy, HGH surge, metabolism boost, fat loss). I love the idea of it, but I absolutely HATE doing it. This is my second time and I’m seeing good results, but I doubt I’ll do it again. I love food too much and will probably stick with keto and IF. I enjoy IF a lot because I look forward to my meals and don’t feel deprived.

(I am a Dog (Dog's eat until they burst!)) #14

That deprivation, the mind games we play, can really make fasting miserable! I have found that it does pass especially if I keep busy.

Looking at recipes and planing what to eat after the fast really makes it worse. If you decide to fast again make the plan ahead of time so you don’t have to think about it!

I am 10 days away from eating again and need to avoid any more planning or even looking at the “What did you eat today?” thread on the forums as it makes things difficult.

(Michelle) #15

I’m with you @Magoodoggy!! I love food so much too :smile:

I am just trying to find if the good effects of fasting (all that you list here) would be effective if I add MCT oil in. I think just adding in a little fat, I wouldn’t have such cold hands/feet all the time. But, everything I hear on Fasting talk and the book, says that any amount of add-ins wouldn’t be AS effective. Now, I just have to balance out what works for me, and best way to work fasting into my life.

I will definitely try again, at least a 3 day fast next month with MCT and see how it goes!

#16

It’s cooking for my family that’s killing me. If I’m not in the kitchen, I’m fine. But when I am, I see things in the cupboard or fridge and go “Don’t mind if I do! Oh, crap. I can’t. But, I really want it!” The rest of the time I’m fine.

(Michelle) #17

That has to be hard!!! I only have my dog, and he does get pissy if he’s not getting his egg (since I usually make an egg for him when I make my own). :smile:

Don’t know if I’d be able to fast if I had to cook for others!! The force is strong with you :wink:

(Bacon for the Win) #18

huh…just found this thread, don’t know how I missed it. Nice work, 66 hours is nothing to sneeze at. I’d like to give it a shot one of these days but need to get fat adapted again first.

When are you fasting again?

#19

Good for all of you fellow fasters! I usually do a fat fast: 1-2 BPCs and some bone broth each day. 9 days was my longest so far. Now ending day 1 of a water/coffee/tea/salt only fast. I was hoping cutting out the fat would minimize the extensive bathroom time that usually ensues around day 3. Impressions so far: this is MUCH harder, but I’m going to power through and hopefully will also notice some positive differences without fat. Another discovery: coffee without HWC or CO or KG butter…not even worth it!

(Michelle) #20

I will probably do another extended fast next month. Try to go for at least 3 full days.