Has anyone been to a fasting clinic like Buchinger-Wilhelmi?

[Boobz]

www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com/

If so, what was it like, did you enjoy it and would you recommend it?

[orangina]

I read about Jeanette Winterson's experience there and thought it sounded really interesting.....

[Boobz]

Yes that is where I discovered it, and then did more research around the cancer element. I'm intrigued and am about to book I think.

[BigChocFrenzy]

Very interesting, Boobz Are you going for the 7-day one ?
The aim of those extended fasts is more to boost health, rather than lose weight.
Do post to let us know your experience there

I read that they require you to bring a letter or some info from your GP ?

• I gather this is part of a medical assessment they make on your arrival, to ensure you are fit to fast. Otherwise they just stick you on a standard low cal diet.

[Boobz]

I'm doing 14 nights - the most I can get away from the family!

I am going for a few reasons - I have just finished chemotherapy for breast cancer, and have read a lot around fasting and the effects on cancer cells which I am interested in exploring. I think it will also rejuvenate my body after a pretty grueling chemo and surgery schedule since being diagnosed in March. It will also help kick start some weight loss (I have put on about a stone) and also some non-drinking I hope - I have been self medicating a bit! It will also let me have some "me" time, as I have been juggling working and family, in addition to the treatment (which I have commuted from Rome to London for, for the past 6 months) and so I think it will be good to just relax and focus on myself for a bit, rather than work, kids, cancer etc.

But it's a lot of money so was interested to hear about anyone else's experiences.

[MumMG]

Are you going to Buchinger Wilhelmi in Überlingen? You are right, it is a lot of money but the program you will receive will be absolutely the best. Just have a look on their Website or on Facebook - if you want you could leave their a message and by ask your questions they giving you an email so you could talk to a Person very personally. all the best for you !

[sofato5miles]

I was thinking of Viva Mayr anyone know about a comparison?

[sofato5miles]

www.countryandtownhouse.co.uk/style/health-and-beauty/the-best-spas-for-a-delightful-detox/

[BigChocFrenzy]

If you do go there, it would be great if you could start a new thread afterwards and describe what happens with fasting for rehab, as well as weight loss.
Very useful for others in a similar situation to get feedback.

You may have read about Prof Valter Longo, probably the leading researcher into fasting as a complement to standard cancer treatment. This is an interesting interview with him, good diagrams explaining his latest research: Periodic Fasting
( "periodic fasting:" longer fasts done as a medically supervised intervention say 1-4 times per year, instead of weekly fasts for 1-2 days)

All the best Boobz

[Boobz]

Hi Big Choc - yes of course I will come back and post about it.

Yes I know Prof Longo's work - I have tried to contact him but am waiting to hear back.

Thanks Choc. Am about to do HIIT work out on my fast day.

[Boobz]

Hello - so I arrived at the clinic yesterday and today was my "digestive rest day" which is essentially 3 potato-based meals. Tomorrow is the first day of the fast (the "cleansing day") and after that I will be eating less than 200kcal a day for 11 days. This is a caffeine/alcohol/nicotine/meat free place, so this is going to be a challenge for me - I can't remember the last time I went a whole day without tea/meat!

Start weight: 58.9kg

[patterkiller]

Oh dear god. That sounds like hell. Good luck.

[Sansoora]

Bloody hell. Just reading that makes me want to scream in terror but the very best of luck to you with it and good vibes to help you along the way.

Much respect!

[Boobz]

Day 1 (Digestive rest day): 57.9kg
Day 2 (today - first day of the fast: cleansing day): 57kg

Thanks ladies. It's been ok so far - a bit of a headache which will be the withdrawal from caffeine (I normally drink about 5 cups of tea a day), but otherwise all fine!

Breakfast today is a ginger tea. Hmm. Am about to go for a run I think, to take my mind of the fact I have no "food" until 6pm.

[yumyumpoppycat]

Boobz Happy New Year - found this by accident! Enjoy your run, really amazing opportunity to do this in a monitored way.

[Boobz]

Hi yum - long time no see! How are you doing? Back on the wagon post Christmas?

[yumyumpoppycat]

Boobz I am getting there now, I am just tucking into my first meal of the day and it contains some actual veg, so on my way back onto the post christmas wagon

[Sansoora]

How did your run go Boobz?

[Boobz]

I only did 3 miles today Sandoora, as per the Hal Higdon marathon training schedule I am following (doing the Rome mara in April) - and it was fine (but the gym is too hot). I did 7 miles yesterday, and have another 10 miles to tick off this week. Next week is a killer though, as I am supposed be doing 24 miles across the week and half of those miles on the Sat before I return - think I will be running on empty that day!

[Sansoora]

I really don't know what to say because all of that sounds like the most incredible of feats.

Ive started going to the gym and they always ask if I had a good breakfast before I start my session. They stress how important it is. So how is it you can you run whilst fasting?

Im coming to Italy in May. Me and a friend. We're starting in the North and having a wander down to the South stopping where we fancy along the way. We're doing it by train. Its the only marathon Im ever likely to do

[Boobz]

Yes I think it's sensible to have a good breakfast before doing a workout a few hours later, but there is evidence to suggest that the body can still exercise, and hard, when there isn't anything in your stomach to burn for energy - it just burns the fat (and other things) in your body which you have stored when there is a lack of food to provide that energy. Think back to hunter gatherer times when it might be days before we could find food... we still have to expend energy to find it/catch/kill it. So the body uses a different energy source if food isn't around (hopefully my thighs - problem area).

I live in Italy so do pop by if you are anywhere near Rome on your travels in May - I can recommend places to stay/eat/do!

[BigChocFrenzy]

It's great to read your reports from the clinic, Boobz
Very useful info for those considering it.

Have the clinic or Longo advised about your exercise program ?
I know they organise outdoor walks there, but I hadn't realised an intense running program was feasible during a prolonged fast.

Most of us who have got used to IF can exercise intensely for 1-2 hrs on a single 500 cal fastday: For example, I box, spin, lift heavy. However, on the 2 occasions I did 2 consecutive fastdays of 6-700 cals each, I was unable to exercise the 2nd day.

[Boobz]

Day 3: 56.4kg

Hi Bigchoc - was hoping you'd swing by.

I honesty don't know what the/my limits are for exercising whilst fasting - but the doctor said just carry on as normal - they have told me that lots of patients can work out even harder than normal on about day 4 and 5 as you his the "euphoric" stage. I'm sure there's a lot more science to it (I've had no reply from Longo unfortunately) but for the moment I am just exercising as normal until I can't any more. I am planning on doing my final short run for the week (3 miles) and an Insanity HIIT session (Pure Cardio, probably - which is about 40 mins but includes a 7 min stretchy bit) and see if I manage all of that. Tomorrow is rest day anyway, and then I have to run 7 miles on Sat (but I ran 7 miles on Tuesday no probs in about 52 mins, so am hoping I will be ok?)

Today I have had a cellulite massage already, my breakfast of carrot juice and ginger tea, and am about to hit the gym. This afternoon I will be heading out on an excursion to Constanze, the main town around here. Looking forward to it!

[Boobz]

*hit not his

[diggerdigsdogs]

I'm totally fascinated by this. Please do keep posting how you go.

for 2015 and best wishes for a healthy 2016.

[BigChocFrenzy]

You sound very positive, Boobz that's great.

I notice you are losing weight, as expected, but you started off quite light, so it'll be interesting to see where you end up. Also if loss is linear / tails off.
Similarly your exercise performance and how you feel training.
I gather you are doing some upper body resistance training as well, which should avoid muscle loss.

I suggest that you measure waist and hips, if you haven't already, to monitor inches lost after the 2 weeks - I always rate that as more important than SVs, because waist is a good indicator of visceral fat.

Very interesting reading your posts. Our intrepid reporter at the Buchinger, as it were