Anyone up for supporting each other with 36 hour fasts?

[Peae]

As a midlife / perimenopausal woman these worked brilliantly for me in the summer and I managed to lose my first stone. I'm completely convinced by the health benefits and would like to get back in to them, but can't break through the struggle at the 21hr-ish mark. OMAD is no problem, I just want to hit the 36-hour fast.

Would anyone like to buddy up for some mutual encouragement?

I did just over 37 hours. I could have fasted a bit longer, but wasn't sure when I would next have opportunity to eat, so thought it was best to eat then.

I'm going to focus on eating good, nutritious food over the next couple of days (and remind myself that it's probably not helpful to restrict calories too much, after having 2 fasting days this week).

Is there anyone else here who is quite short with not much weight to lose (already healthy weight/BMI)? Do you know approx how many calories you eat on a non-fasting day? I'm struggling to know how many calories to aim for.

I'm keen to join in with other people fasting again soon. Maybe Sunday eve until Tues am again? Weekdays are definitely better for me to fast than weekends as it works better with family, etc.

@Sunflowers84 great going on the fast.

I am short but also still have weight I want to lose. I don't count calories however and aim during eating time to eat nutritious whole foods - with less sugar and UPF and when I am disciplined lower carb higher healthy fat. The low carb is the challenge.

If you are not looking for weight loss and wanting fasting for maintenance or health reasons best thing is to experiment with how much fasting works for you - usually one 36 is sufficient but a focus on healthy nutritious food rest of the time at mealtimes. Fasting protocols generally discourage calorie counting.

But ofcourse need to see what works for you - others in a similar situation may be able to make suggestions.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and experience @fastingaway Although I'm a 'healthy' weight, I definitely want to lose a few pounds. Every extra pound seems to show (especially on my tummy) on my small frame!

I guess my question about calories on non fasting days was because I find it hard to know how many to aim for. I'm aware that I definitely need less calories than other people due to being short/healthy weight but also want to make sure I'm not under-eating when I get an average over the week of fasting/non-fasting days.

Just reading this thread out of interest. Am a regular on the 16:8 thread and have been doing that every day since August last year and have lost just over a stone. I am at target weight now so pretty much just looking to maintain now.

I don’t know anything about 36 hour fasts other than what I have read on this thread. But I’ll be honest and say that some of the posts from people doing 2 x 36 hour fasts per week and also restricting calories when not fasting does concern me a little bit. At what point does this level of fasting tip in to disordered eating? I have a DD in recovery from Anorexia so maybe I’m just a bit over sensitive. In the world of fasting, what level of restriction is considered unhealthy? Do any of you worry about not getting the right amount of nutrients to sustain a healthy brain/body?

Hi @Rollergirl11 Sorry to hear about your daughter. I'm sure someone more experienced will be along soon to respond to you. But have you looked at some of the resources that different people have provided links to in this thread? There's some really helpful articles and podcasts.

Also (I might be remembering wrong) but I don't think anyone is restricting calories on non fasting days? I think I'm the only person who has asked questions about calories, but that's coming from a place of not wanting to do what you are concerned about (I want to make sure I'm not over-restricting, but just starting to learn what that actually looks like to make sure I'm not either over or under-eating).

Obviously none of us actually know everyone's situations here, but so far I've been really encouraged that I think everyone here seems to have a really sensible approach to this.

Hi @Sunflowers84, thanks for your thoughtful reply. I was a little concerned about posting and causing offence!

I’m not too sure on posters names but maybe it was you. I thought I read somewhere that someone was not going above 1200 calories per day whilst also doing IF but I may well have got that wrong!

So do the people who are doing 1 or 2 36 hour fasts per week eat normally on the other days or are you also doing 16:8 or 18:6 etc on the other days too?

I am aiming to do one 36 hour fast a week until I'm back to my normal 'pre Christmas' weight. I've done a couple of 36 hour ones so far since Christmas and haven't found them too bad. The rest of the week I am just eating normal meals, with the odd bit of cake and chocolate thrown in. The main reason for doing a weekly 36 hour fast for a while, until I'm back to normal, is that I want to be able to keep wearing the clothes I usually fit into. I don't want the expense of having to buy a new wardrobe :-)

Hi @Rollergirl11 I definitely didn't think you were trying to cause offence - just interested and concerned.

Before finding this thread, I'd spent many months eating fairly low calories (not unhealthily low) and doing 16:8 or 18:6, but had been unsuccessful in losing the few pounds I want to lose. I'm quite short and only need to lose a few pounds, so calorie calculators always give me quite low calories.

Since finding this thread and doing a few 36 hour fasts since mid December, I've been trying to work out what a sensible number of calories is to aim for on non-fasting days. I've also been really interested in the articles and podcasts that have been linked to in this thread that explain lots of the science behind fasting rather than just calorie restricting. I'm also really interested in the many health benefits (not just weight loss).

After finding this thread, I decided that it was worth trying this approach, but am just at the beginning of learning what that looks like in practice.

From what I can remember, I don't think anyone else on here is even thinking about calories on non-fasting days? I think the guidance from the experts is not to count calories at all.

I'm sorry if my posts have caused confusion! I genuinely think I'm the only person who has mentioned calories. But it's definitely not coming from a place of wanting to over-restrict (just wanting to have a sensible intake when it averages out over the week).

Rollergirl (I can't seem to tag you) there is some very interesting science behind intermittent fasting. I started off originally doing Michael Mosley's 5:2 and through that learnt about Jason Fung and his work. There are some great you tube videos that I have watched that explained all this - there is one that he did to the CrossFit community that was very interesting. From there I read his book Obesity Code and have been listening and reading since then. There is a lot of science and research behind this and autophagy now that is worth exploring.

Of course it is important to ensure that you get the right balance between fasting and eating but it has been proven now for many years that people can fast for a lot longer than 16:8 or 18:6. In my case doing 18:6 with low ish carb only allows me to maintain weight now that I am in perimenopause.

Hi @fastingaway. I don’t doubt the science behind it. I think it was just the talk of fasting for longer spells alongside calorie counting that made me uneasy but @Sunflowers84 has explained her reasoning.

I suppose it’s just for me seeing first hand how eating disorders start and how things can very quickly get out of hand from
a psychological standpoint. It may start with good intentions but can quickly go past the point of being healthy. I guess it’s for the individual to know if at any point it starts to become obsessive and not healthy. People that are predisposed to disordered eating, the restriction itself is the trigger.

I have found the thread very interesting and I definitely would consider incorporating a longer fast in to my routine.

I'm planning on fasting from after dinner this evening until Tuesday morning. Anyone with me? Mondays are a good day for me to fast (works well with family etc), so I think I might make this a regular fasting day and then be flexible with whether I do another 24 or 36 hour fast later in the week.

I’m doing from lunch today (Sunday) until dinner tomorrow (Monday) as we are having a roast supper then. So it will be a 30 hour one this week. I’ve got around 8 pounds to lose to get back to my normal weight and into my usual skirts and jeans. I like eating with my husband and I find it hard to generally restrict calories - so the one day a week fast works well for me.

Yes, I'm in. This (Sun eve to Tues am) is a good time of the week for me too so I will stick to it when possible.

We had friends with us yesterday and I ate A LOT so it will do me good to give my poor gut a break for a few hours. I aim to keep a smallish eating window (4-6 hours a day) for the remaining days but I always relax at the weekend.

No offence caused @Rollergirl11 your question is not at all unreasonable. I work hard to eat nutritious well balanced meals during my eating window. I never calorie count, I don't believe it's a helpful approach to weight loss / maintenance. (I realise others think differently and would never advise people what they should do, just saying what works - or doesn't work - for me).

I have been doing intermittent fasting for about 10 years now and am convinced about its benefits. It's a way of life that suits me. I actually don't think there's any reason not to do 2 x 36 hour fasts a week if you have a lot of weight to lose as long as when you DO eat it's good quality food with sufficient fibre and protein, and that you do enough exercise to protect muscle mass.

Like others, Jason Fung's work and knowledge has helped shape my thinking. Tim Spector (Zoe project) and Michael Moseley too.

I'm in. Now 22 hours into my 36 hour fast.

I don't count calories outside of fasts. I mostly eat a balanced diet with protein (cottage cheese, tofu) and vegetables with occasional meat and sweet treat.

But I do eat quite a lot on the days (generally twice a week) when I am in the office. I may meet a friend for lunch or someone brings in a cake or treat for the office. Those days I don't put any restrictions and in fact quite relish the ability to eat freely.

Hence fasting and calorie restriction is the price I pay to enjoy at least 2 days of happy eating a week. Falling off the wagon is built into my week. I have to not let these wagon days creep up too much. Hence, a 36 hour fast is a good circuit breaker.

I'm in too. It's been a late dinner tonight so starting the fast shortly. Will fast through to Tuesday morning. A busy wfh day tomorrow so hoping to stay distracted. I will drink sparkling water too as have found this makes me get through a fast easier - I think it may be the inclusion of minerals in this.

Just checking in with people who are fasting today. How's everyone doing? I'm at around 17 hours (started fasting later than I would have liked yesterday).

Just finished a 37 hour fast. I lost about a pound. 😇

Now having my salt lick (roasted peas) and cottage cheese with cauliflower, peppers and nuts. It is weird but it works, I think.

Finding it hard going today I must admit, not helped by having made a stupid mistake (work related) that's left me feeling really sick and upset......the sort of thing that usually sends me straight to the fridge / food cupboard 😬

How are things with you @Peae ?

Sorry to hear that @LittlePearl and I hope you are feeling okay.
I am doing 30 hours as we have a roast dinner planned - so started at 1pm on Sunday and aiming to finish at 7pm this evening. Looking forward to my dinner!

@LittlePearl sorry to hear about your work mistake. What a bummer. Hope you get it resolved. I too would comfort eat in that situation. My willpower goes to pieces when I am stressed.

You probably have a good whack of fasting from last night already on your belt.

Hi fellow fasters. I've done 36 hour fasts 3 or 4 times and do 18 6 fasts most days. For health and it suits me. I'd like to lose 4 kg so intend to do 36 hour fasts once a week. So starting now till very early breakfast n Wednesday. How is it going for those fasting today?

I'm fasting today! Last meal was 7pm last night and I'll keep going until tomorrow.

Some fasting days are easier than others, but keeping busy/distracted helps.

Good luck to fellow fasters today x

Rollergirl11

I just wanted to say that having read your post can understand your concern and I'm so sorry to read about your daughter.

Obviously I can only speak for myself, but in my experience people who fast do it instead of calorie counting, not as well.

I was overweight for all my adult life (now menopausal) until I found that fasting works for me and I took several years to transition to 36 hour fasts. It works for me because I am very much an 'all or nothing' type and I hated diets/calorie counting/restricting portions. I know it they can work for some people, but they just made me miserable and I went through endless cycles of diets that never worked.

On my feast days I do just that! I eat healthily, but I also enjoy wine, chocolate, chips, etc. Nothing is off the menu and I find I have a much more balanced and enjoyable relationship with food and eating now.

Well done @blueshoes - and like the meal. Interesting combination. I find it becomes about the textures and tastes rather than hunger per se sometimes when breaking a fast and also just before I start a fast. Not sure if that makes sense. So something hot, cold, crunchy, tangy, spicy, fresh and so forth.

@LittlePearl sorry it's tougher today. Whatever you decide to do you will have got benefit from the fasting you have already done. I'm at about 19 hrs now and suddenly feeling very sleepy, when I haven't the last few fasts. Did use to get this last year. I think it's to do when I am switching to autophagy or fat burning. Anybody know?

Good luck to all the fasters today. Check in again a bit later