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?

Sorry all just checking in as it's been a while. I've been having a break from 36 hour fasts and doing omad instead, as I was finding I binged on non fasting days too much and ending up self sabotaging. Still fasting and losing weight which is my goal - fasting does work! Great to see all your achievements on here :)

Hello Peae and everyone else,

Just checking in for some inspiration ahead of a planned fast tomorrow and Monday.

I've been away for a few days on the coast, visiting friends and it's been a constant stream of drinking too much and overeating! I feel dreadful!

I've just been catching up with the thread and would thoroughly recommend treating yourself to a Sodastream. I didn't even like fizzy water until I tried some at a friend's place and immediately bought one. I now use it in the evenings as a 'treat' drink and really enjoy it!

I've also been reading a recent thread about jealousy regarding weight loss injections, half heartedly wondering if I could/should think about it to lose my spare 20lbs. Reading has convinced me not to do so! I know fasting works for me, but a quick, 'easy' fix is always tempting...

Good luck fasters. We've got this.

Love the support on this group. Managed to fast to 39hours. May do a 24 hour fast on Friday but don't think I will be able to fit in another overnight one. Weight loss has stalled but I have had a couple of weeks of inconsistent fasting so even if I maintain for the moment I'll take it as a win. Hopefully back to 2 proper fasts next week will get things going.

Hi everyone, I always want to respond properly, but find it frustrating to type on the phone.
Well done everyone on the successful fasting.

Hello all! I've been lurking on this thread for ages, trying to get my fasting mojo back and have finally dipped my toe back in since March 1. You're all so wonderfully inspiring! At present, I'm managing 20/4 and once that's completely comfortable, I'll start doing 24, 36, and finally 42 (the "gold standard", or so I hear).
Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and I hope to be joining you in getting healthier ( and thinner!) over the coming months.

Hello and welcome @LittleLamzyDivey! Are you doing your longer fasts on any particular day(s) of the week?

I’ve been able to fast 16:8 this week, and maintained suger-free for two days before tumbling off the wagon this afternoon. Back on it tomorrow with 0 regrets or reluctance. Also managed to fit the gym in after work.

Good to have you on board @LittleLamzyDivey

Today's plan for a 24hr fast went out the window. Although I was sensible earlier in the day with just some soaked chia seeds in water. It then turned into lots of nuts and carb based meals. Will make healthier choices over the weekend. If I plan my food it means I am more likely to stick to more veg and protein etc.

Good morning @Peae . I'm planning the longer fasts for Tues, Thurs and Sat - but it may be Apr before I start. 20/4 is going well, though I'm still tempted to graze in the evening.

I started looking at the WLI again this morning, but the list of side effects and thought of loose skin put me off, again.

Planning really is key for me too.

I’ve just got to 36 hours,YAY.

I’ve been successfully doing IF for a few months and regularly manage 20 hours+. Decided to try to add 1x36 a month but really struggle as I really enjoy the ritual of dinner.

Going to push on until lunch as I never eat breakfast but am planning a delicious salmon salad with some freshly baked bread.

I am close to giving up on everything at the moment! I have been taking creatine which has made me swell up a bit. I can't seem to fast very much at the moment. I don't qualify for wli. I am hungry all the time.
I'm sure I saw an insta reel which summed up how I feel along these lines "eat protein not too much, lift weights, done zone 2, do intervals, do fasting, don't fast before exercise, exercise every day, eat less but not too little" argh !

@delightfuldaisy19 well done on the first 36. Massive achievement. Sounds like you have a lovely lunch planned later.

All the complicated advice out there is so frustrating @Whyherewego. Maybe it's best to take it back to something simple and to what works for you and where you feel good.

I reckon something is happening to me hormonally, possibly related to fasting, as I have had a period despite being on the Mirena. I felt ravenous yesterday - possibly related. When I get like this I sometimes take apple cider vinegar - although I need to remember to take it before not after a meal. It has worked in the past. I think just planning my meals will be the thing that makes the most difference.

Congratulations @delightfuldaisy19 ! Hope you stick around and post more 😊.

i hear you @Whyherewego . I think the trick is little tweaks, but if reflection, little tweaks and so on. This morning I have completely revised my goal to 1lb a month. Hopefully that will allow for the fluctuations. Second thing is, I’ve ordered myself a nice weightloss journal so I can plan.
Last thing, is talking to DP and doing some joint trouble-shooting.

@fastingaway tjat reminds me to refresh some of the Glucose Goddess stuff,

Hi everyone, and welcome @delightfuldaisy19 and @LittleLamzyDivey , great to have more in the gang and sounds like great successes for you both.

Yes @Whyherewego it's all a bit discombobulating all the different advice. @Peae that sounds like a good plan.

@fastingaway that's interesting about the bleed - I was interested in the cycle bits from Mindy Pelz and wonder what other fasting proponents are saying about it. I've had changes to the length of my cycle in the last few months that I've wondered if could be connected to fasting, but I also stopped a supplement so that may be it too.

For those looking at WLIs (no judgment from me), I just read that on FT that Wegovy and Ozempic start to go off patent next year. That means the price will plunge as the generics roll out, typically by 80%.

Hang in there all.

Evening all. Sorry I've not been around for a few days. Just catching up on the posts since Tues.

Welcome to @LittleLamzyDivey and @delightfuldaisy19

I'm hoping to fast from now until Tuesday morning. Is anyone else fasting tomorrow?

I say 'hoping', as I'm feeling quite run down, but my current aim is to fast tomorrow. I think I need to do some more research about what was being mentioned a few days ago about fasting & exercise. I wonder if I'm not getting this quite right and whether that's linked to me feeling run down?

How often do you all do a 36+ fast for? I was hoping for 1 a month (alongside IF the rest of the time) but it really is soooo hard to miss dinner.

I started off once a week @delightfuldaisy19 and was coming to up it to twice. (I think the Ramos regime recommends twice a week). However, a combination of illness and emotional eating has me resetting and just doing TRE. Tomorrow I’m aiming for 18 hours.

I had a day out today and counted up the calories out of curiosity. 3000!! I’m going to do the same thing tomorrow which will be a normal day. However, yet more evidence that I can’t afford a “day off” even once a week.

@Sunflowers84, @Whyherewego et al, I too am rethinking some of the advice. (Edit - not saying that you are though). It’s not so much that I think it’s wrong as contradictory.
Or perhaps I’m rethinking my goals? Focusing more on eating (very) clean and upping the protein and weight lifting. I guess I need a “diet break” and want to focus on what makes me feel good and happy.

@Sunflowers84 I'm planning on fasting too to Tuesday morning. Kitchen closed at 7pm.

I've had a weird day today where felt like I have having a sugar crash after having had a slice of sourdough this morning with eggs, avocado etc. also had some cheese and grapes after dinner and not sure if grapes were too sweet. It's bizarre as if I have become so much more sensitive to starch/sugar in fruit.

I've been reading and reflecting too and realising that I need to reduce/eliminate carbs (bread, potatoes, rice and pasta) in my eating windows if I am to fully benefit from the fasting. At least until such time as I hit my fat loss goals. This is really hard for me and not sure I can do it. So will take it a day and meal at a time.

@delightfuldaisy19 I've built up to about 2 x 36-40 hour fasts per week but some weeks do less depending on commitments. The skipping diner thing is mental mostly and is usually at the most difficult part of the fast. Once you are there pushing through makes the rest of the fast easy and you don't feel hungry usually by the morning.

@Sunflowers84 hope you feel better tomorrow - definitely play it by ear.

@Sunflowers84 I am fasting from this evening till tomorrow. Might try to fit in a Belgian Choc Pudding tonight as a final hurrah.

@delightfuldaisy19 I do two 36 hour fasts twice a week (generally Saturday and Monday) with Sunday in between. I use it to reset and maintain my weight. If I eat normally even for just 2 days, I instantly put on 4 pounds! So need to constantly reset the dial. It could be because I am short and petite and calorie restriction is not that effective for me.

I find it easier to not eat at all for a full day than to eat a small amount. Once I 'break the seal', my self-control goes and the food noise starts again. Hence cold turkey whilst on the 36 hour fasts.

Morning all. I'm still trundling along on my 20/4's but planning the first 24 hour fast for Tues. Regarding fasting/exercising - what's working really well for me is to do my walks (10 hilly km) first thing in the morning in a fasted state, then open my window as late as possible (2pm currently). I thought I would struggle with climbing hills on water only but did 350 meters yesterday with no problem.
This may completely change when I start longer fasts...