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?

That also sounds like a good plan for the evening!

Hi everyone, I've been reading the thread and everybody seems so friendly and supportive, I thought I might join! I'm not ready for a 36 hour fast, but wanted to ask a question about my fasting experience to see if anyone has gone through the same thing.

I've been doing 18:6 for about 8 months now, eating healthy and have lost about 4 stone through that. I've tried to switch up to a 20 hour fast, and it's like a switch has gone off, making me want to eat everything in that 4 hour window, to the point I'm feeling sick and have quite bad stomach aches.

I think it must be a psychological thing, but wanted to see if anybody else went through the same/any tips to get through it?

Welcome @troyandabedinthemorning and congratulations on your weight loss, 4 stone is amazing!

I recognise the temptation to stuff yourself during a short eating window, for me it very much depends on whether I'm 'in the zone' in terms of willpower as to how well I resist.

Would you consider sticking to 18:6 given the good results you've been getting?

@LittlePearl thank you so much for the message and the welcome! I think I might have to stick to the 18:6, but my pride makes me want to try and conquer the 20:4 and then eventually the 36 hour, but I might need to take baby steps to get there

Thanks @Jollyjoy and enjoy the few days away ahead and great that can flex the fasting around life.

@LittlePearl great that you are going strong, have warmed up with a blanket on the sofa maybe and are enjoying the TV to yourself. I know exactly what you mean about enjoying it when everyone is away.

Agree with @LittlePearl - huge well done on the amazing loss @troyandabedinthemorning. Reading your message I too was going to say that I would stick to the 18 if it's working- and maybe keep building the fasting muscle. On the wanting to eat a lot during the 4 hour - going lower carb may help with the craving or eating what you want in that 4 hour window as long as you keep sugar and carbs low. Welcome and stay and chat with us.

Welcome @troyandabedinthemorning , amazing consistency you must have taken to lose 4 stone, well done. I wonder if you do want to increase if you should just go in much smaller increments, like 18.5hrs then 19 etc?

I also tend to overeat sometimes when doing a short window, it's almost like a fear of starvation and needing to prepare for the apocalypse! But maybe since you have a great practice of 18hr fasting you will adapt better if increase more gradually.

Thanks all for the kind welcomes and advice. I think you're all right. I'm going to reset at 18:6 and then maybe think about increasing slowly. This will probably all have to take place after half term as, like many of you, I don't want to be seen to be 'missing' meals if front of the kids. When I'm at work it's easier to say I ate their, but I'm off most of next week so can't use that!

I hope everyone fasting this weekend are doing well - I'm in awe of you all!

Hi @troyandabedinthemorning, and congratulations on your success so far 😍😍. I’d reset with 18:6 this week so the kids can see you eating twice. Then, I’m going to suggest you try OMAD rather than 20:4. Enjoy one big meal without worrying about it. (Also I wouldn’t do it every day. I did, with great ease and success but then read it can alter your metabolism in an unhelpful way

Yesterday was a bit of a tricky day. Had very unhealthy, early dinner but pulled it back with a Zoe recipe for tea.
Had brunch today and now fasting. Going to go for 30+ hours.

Good luck with your fast @Peae and well done with getting back on track after your blip. That's something I'm really trying to work on as I'm prone to that 'oh well I've blown it now anyway' mentality.

Broke my fast at just under 40 hours. Will start again after meal with friends tomorrow evening and aim to go through to Wednesday midday.

It's half term here, hope those of you with families have a good week. We're looking after our little grandson overnight for a couple of nights midweek, first time he has stayed without his parents.....wish us luck!

Welcome @troyandabedinthemorning Well done in the amazing weight loss! I agree with the recommendations others have given you of maybe sticking with 18:6 for now.

Also, something to consider for when you are ready is to move from 18:6 to OMAD as @Peae suggested. That way you won't be trying to eat lots in 4 hours, but just having maybe a healthy dinner with your family. And/or - you might even find moving to 36 hours easier than you expect. I find it helpful to just know that I'm not eating anything on my fasting days. But don't push yourself too quickly. Clearly everything you have done so far has worked as you've lost so much weight!

How are you doing with your fast @Peae?

Well done @LittlePearl for your fast.

Is anyone fasting tomorrow? I've just finished eating and aiming for 36 hours until Tuesday morning. However, there's a slight chance I might need to eat dinner tomorrow evening (half term means usual Monday plans are a bit different to usual).

Not been a clean fast but am determined to fix this before I spiral down. Am attempting my first food-free day at work tomorrow since I fell ill. I would love some mutual support @Sunflowers84 !

I'm going to attempt another fast tomorrow - had dinner at 6 today and aiming to go right through till Tuesday. I am a bit nervous! Do any of you Gin Stephens fans do the 500 cal meal on the fast day? I can't decide whether that would make it harder... I think it might make me more hungry tomorrow night. Plus it's not really fasting if you eat, surely? Hope it goes well for everyone who's doing it at the same time!

That sounds more like Mosley’s 5:2. Gin Stephens is a big advocate of clean fasting.

I prefer not to eat anything at all on fast days, but then I am a bit of an all or nothing person. Although it’s hard being hungry I like knowing that I won’t be eating anything so no mental chatter about what I will eat, or when, or how much I will have. I just find it simpler.

I did the 5:2 500 calories today. Can't wait for this day to be over, although I always feel more alert on a restricted calorie day. Have to chug water like nobody's business though to prevent a blinding headache coming on and then spend all day with the bladder of an 18 month old child.

Well done @LittlePearl hope you have a good half term with your grandson staying over. @Peae how have you found it stopping eating after brunch today. Well Done on being disciplined last night and Good luck for the overnight and at work tomorrow.

Good luck @Flibbertyjibberty for tomorrow. I agree the 500 cal is like the original 5:2 diet - I know some people also call it a modified fast on Gin Stephen's group. I did the 5:2 in the olden days but technically it will be a shorter fast and then broken with a low cal meal. However it can be a training wheel for somebody building up to the fasting. See how it goes - if you do need something you could try fat fasting foods.

I'm fasting tonight too @Sunflowers84 and finished dinner early as have early lunch plans on Tuesday. Been feeling really tired this weekend and not sure if I'm coming down with something - so hope I can do the fast tomorrow.

I've been quiet as I've spiraled. 😣

Terrible week of food, ate lots of carbs as was feeling ill and sorry for myself. Now off for a few days for half term so fasting will be tough. Will resume next week!

Hey @Whyherewego . It’s just part of the journey, don’t be too down on yourself. I would choose a plan that’s so easy, you can’t not stick to it. So, 12:12 TRE or no TRE and no bread all week?

Thank you @fastingaway, I’m afraid I had a bad day yesterday. But I’m not hungry now (no surprise!) and so psychologically I can do a full day of work with no eating, and get over my DC-relapse.

That's a good idea @Peae ... anything I do will be better than nothing ! Will try some TRE for sure

Actually starting TRE right now @Peae am travelling and haven't eaten since about 6pm last night so will hang on until we arrive at lunchtime. Good shout !

I'm fasting today for anyone who is also around. I fell off the wagon massively at the weekend, drank loads of wine and ended up eating a maccies! Really need to get back on it this week!

Hey fellow fasters. Hour 17, colleagues all starting their dinners and I’m starving!! Feeling happy though, and I can do this. Actually relieved not to be eating sugar or drinking DC too 😇. I feel rubbish after a weekend of caffeine and chocolate and takeaway.

Anyone else free to check in?

I'm on 19 hours now - in the office too. The person next to me keeps offering me Welsh cakes! They look v tasty. I'm drinking some nice salty electrolytes instead. Hope all fellow fasters are doing okay today!