Extended/extreme fasting

[footballmum]

I’m currently doing 16:8 with some success (if I don’t let weekends sabotage me!). Anyway, I joined a 16:8 Facebook group for a bit of real life support and there seem to be a number of people on there who see fasting as an endurance sport!! They take great pride in 24 hour+ fasts. One guy is on day 5! Surely this starvation, not fasting?!

There are also a number of people who do one meal a day. Again, they must be eating a ridiculously low number of calories.

I’m concerned there are a number of people in the group who actually have eating disorders and are using IF to legitimize their eating patterns.

Is there a point at which “fasting” becomes dangerous?

Am much better. Also do not agree that slimming world is unilaterally healthy.

Promoting the benefits of not eating for long periods of time without mentioning the downsides is dangerous. There's a documentary that shows two journalists undergoing extreme approaches to weight loss and one of them is fine with it, the other develops the beginnings of an eating disorder and is advised to stop.

Fasting behaviour can be competitive, addictive and harmful. Just listing the good parts makes it sound like a panacea, a magical miracle cure but there are massive downsides.

“Promoting the benefits of not eating for long periods of time without mentioning the downsides is dangerous.”

That’s not what’s happening on this thread. OP suggested fasting is starving. Others chimes in and tried to correct that myth. Fasting isn’t competitive or dangerous. That’s what you made it.

Anorexia is dangerous. And I’m sure when you suffered from it, you used fasting as a means to your end. Any diet would have been dangerous when you’re underweight and or malnourished.

Most people who fast are trying to get healthy and lower their insulin response. They’ve got masses of fat stored but their body can’t burn it or even get to it because they’ve got so much insulin in their blood by constantly snacking on carbs.

Lots of people do it for autophangy. Help your own body heal itself.

I’m sorry you suffer with anorexia, but it is a separate issue.

I'm currently at around hour 60 of a 75-hour fast. It's the longest I've ever done. I feel great. Jason Fung should get a medal, as far as I'm concerned! Im 9lbs down in 2 weeks - which included a weekend away with dessert and wine. Starvation and fasting are worlds apart.