Combining fasting with low carb 1

[StuntNun]

This thread is for people who want to combine fasting with a low carbohydrate way of eating such as Low Carb Bootcamp, keto, paleo or primal.

Disclaimer – I am not a health professional – I am relying on my own reading and experience. If you have a relevant health condition then consult your doctor before introducing fasting. For example, people with diabetes or high blood pressure often require medication adjustments if they cut carbs or start fasting. In many conditions, medications must be taken with food which may dictate one or more regular meals per day. If you have had an eating disorder, or tend to be obsessive or controlling about food, then fasting may not be appropriate for you. I’m happy to chat about any of these issues but this thread is not a substitute for professional medical advice.

Why fast?

1. To lose weight
2. For the health benefits (e.g. reducing insulin resistance, triggering cellular repair, lowering inflammation, reducing blood pressure)
3. All of the above!

Types of fasting

1. Intermittent fasting (for example 16:8)
2. Fasting mimicking diet (such as 5:2)
3. Extended fasting (over 24 hours)

I will describe each of these over the next three posts. Most people start out with, or working towards, either 16:8 or 5:2. Before we get started, my top fasting tip is to make sure you have plenty of calorie-free drinks: water, black coffee or tea, green tea or herbal teas. You may need to drink more than usual because you aren’t getting any water from food during your fasting window.

How are you getting on so far with your fast Oneborn?

What makes it harder to fast Venus? Do you feel more pressure to eat when DH is around? Or do you find the sights and smells of food preparation make fasting more difficult?

Peachey the cordial shouldn't make much difference to your fasting. Although in some people it can perturb insulin levels which might make it harder to fast. I find artificial sweeteners are hard on my gut so I avoid them. BUT if it keeps you going on your fast then it isn't all bad in my opinion. Dr Jason Fung is very tolerant of these type of crutches to assist fasting. If you have a headache then you probably need electrolytes. Try adding a pinch of salt and a squeeze of lemon juice to some water and see whether that makes you feel better.

I don't have a Fitbit Cat so no clue on the syncing issue, sorry.

@StuntNun it's okay, I've sorted it now thanks 😊.

Cool! What does syncing it with your Fitbit do?

I feel fine thank you. I haven't really felt hungry at all, though I am aware that I'd quite like a cup of black tea right now. If I struggle it will be when my DC eat and when DH snacks in front of the tele.
I received my Bulk supplement today. I didn't like the Hero ones and think I'd become used to having a mild headache most of the time

@stuntnun thanks for the reply I've kept myself busy and my headache has eased. I didn't think I would carry on with the fast as I had my headache, but I'm just going to carry on till 7pm now . Pretty chuffed with my self. i have allowed 2 small coffees with a.dash of milk so maybe that will have affected the fast but i only had a small splash of milk so hoping not x

22 hours 35 mins into my fast, just to kickstart a new week! It was unintentional really but will keep it going until 7pm. 16/8 tomorrow then may try an extended fast from tomorrow night.

Well done, ZiggZagg. I've only just started mine.

@stuntnun when dh is here, spending the evening together, eating a nice meal, chatting over the day is what we do together. Often after a day when neither of us have seen or spoken to a 'real' person. Breakfast and lunch we do our own thing, so a 23/24hr fast fits in. Last Saturday I'd have felt a bit mean just leaving him to it at lunch time, particularly if we were doing other activities together, and I don't think I'd get any enjoyment out of sitting watching him eat. Plus if he had butter melting on toast with bacon, I'd feel hungry (both in reality and psychologically).

At the moment, eating together is one of the only pleasures so I'm reluctant to give it up. In 'normal' times I might be out in the evening at a class, so the ritual of dinner together is more fluid and I can go for an extended fast. Of if dh could go away for the weekend, then I can get into a more 'meditative' state on the whole thing...

I think this is the thread for me. I’m doing a mix of OMAD, occasional 16:8 & occasional longer fasts, & trying to stick to primal or whole30 recipes as much as possible. Mostly walking for exercise, I can’t run but am doing some HIIT when I can manage it (not very regularly).

Am almost 40, 5’3” & 11st 6lb. Want to lose 3st if possible. Have got the Life fast tracker app & a pedometer on my phone, & we don’t own a car (an advantage right now!)

@venusandmars I do know what you mean. I'm fortunate that my husband plays bridge twice a week (all online at the minute but the match timings mean we don't eat together). So when I did my last (and only so far!) long fast, I timed it so that it coincided with one of his busy evenings.

My night is not going to plan!
By the time I'd finishing messing about, feeding kids and ironing it's 8pm and I not even hungry.
So rethink - 24 hour fast to 1.30 tomorrow instead!
I used to be able to eat when not hungry but no more.

I definitely think it would be much easier to fast if I was on my own as well Venus. Maybe I can send the family away on holiday without me one day and I'll have a lovely long fast which will be easy with no food in the house and I'll turn off social media so I don't have to see all those posts about food!

Poorbuthappy sounds like a chaotic day for you.

Morning everyone, I ate dinner with the dc last night and going to try to not have dinner tonight, hoping to last through to tomorrow lunch time. If I feel hungry I may break it and will allow myself a splash of milk in my afternoon coffee. Quite excited to see how I get in breaking the dinner barrier in my head

Morning @oscarandelliesdad all the best for today

I went a little over my goal with 38 hours. I probably could have gone longer but I woke with a headache. I had a Zero supplement yesterday evening and think I drank 3ltrs plus so not sure where I went wrong

The Almond muffins look so fab, I know what I am cooking today !

I used to 5:2 wat back and have on and off since, did really well on it in the first lockdown combined with low carb bootcamp, but I have been slipping again and although I haven't got on the scales I know that I have put some back on especially in this current lockdown.. so I am definitely back in as from today.. I think that if I go for 16:8 ( which is doable today as haven't had anything since dinner last night ) that's a good start. I used to fast 3 days a week 16:8 with the odd 24hr thrown in ..

I'm rather late finding this thread, but thought I'd jump in and say hello to fellow fasters!

I have been overweight all my life (now mid fifties) until I discovered fasting and have lost 50 pounds in the last couple of years and a way of life that I can easily maintain.

I do a 36 hour fast from Sunday evening to Tuesday brunch. The rest of the time I eat normally and have treats such as buttered toast, chocolate & wine at weekends.

I started off doing 5/2 which worked well and got me into the fasting habit, but I actually find water fasting easier now.

I have upped my exercise a bit too, so do a brisk hour long walk most days (usually swim a couple of times too and go to the gym once a week).

Just about to break my fast - and I'm looking forward to pancakes tonight 😁

Hi, I'm pretty new to all this having started 16/8 about 6 weeks ago. I'd read a lot beforehand and felt confident. I've managed to lose 1st2lb so far so all the signs are good.

Lifestyle means that I tend to do a more 18/6 20/4 during the week with 16/8 on weekends. I don't feel hungry, no issues with light-headedness or anything. All good.

However my stomach growls and grumbles like you would not believe. So so loud it is ridiculous. Like I say I have no hunger pangs with it but I need to control the sound! I'm currently doing jury service, the room is silent and every single person can hear it - at first a few giggled - now they are not laughing this happens every day from around hour 14 to hour 18.

Please, please can anyone suggest anything? (I drink water and electrolytes all day).

Welcome to the new people. Most of us are low carb on this thread so toast and pancakes are out. Although the Seriously Low Carb bread seems to have taken off in a big way. I have no clue on the stomach rumbling issue. The only thing I can think of would be drinking water but you said that doesn't help.

I'm 21 hours in and struggling with hunger. I don't know why it didn't hit me three hours ago when I was making lunch for my DH and DCs. I'm trying to motivate myself to do a workout then if I'm still hungry I'll have a cup of decaf coffee. If I can make it through dinner time tonight then it should be easy to make it to 42 hours which will be noon tomorrow.

You can do it @StuntNun you're a seasoned pro at this

Whilst you're here, any ideas why I woke with a bad headache? It's put me off doing a longer than 24 hour fast again tbh

Did you drink enough water and get electrolytes Oneborn?

I had a Zero supplement yesterday evening and drank 3ltrs approx. Do you significantly increase your water over and above a normal day?

I do find I drink more on fasting days. Remember that we get about 20% of our fluid intake from food. I also always have a big drink when I'm feeling hungry on days 1 and 2 of a fast. Plus if you're drinking extra water and not taking in any electrolyte from food then you probably will need more. Not everyone feels they have to drink a lot more water when fasting, indeed some people even dry fast and don't get me started on hard dry fasting where you're not even allowed to brush your teeth or take a shower! But the fact that you had a headache would make me assume electrolytes were the culprit, especially if it was a hangover-type headache.

@StuntNun if you're struggling with hunger, is that not a sign that maybe today (and overnight till tomorrow) is not the day that your body wants to fast? I get that you might notice feeling a bit hungry during a fast, sometimes I notice that, but can be easily distracted until it passes, sometimes I even enjoy the feeling of emptiness. But if you're struggling with it then listen to your body... ? and your mind.