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'm not really into joining clubs, but I must say it's nice to have some like minded people to share stories and encouragement with on here.

My weekend will include indulging in my weaknesses (chocolate and wine), but I'm happy to fast again on Monday. Life is very much about balance, I think.

One thing that I have found useful on my fasting journey is to take electrolytes. I've only had to do that in the last couple of years. I was getting headaches which I couldn't understand as I was no stranger to fasting back then. Maybe it's an age thing - or menopause? Anyway, I did some research and gave them a try. Bingo, no more headaches! If you are going to try this, make sure they are calorie free and don't contain any sweeteners which can interfere with the fasting process. The type I favour are just a tiny scoop of flavourless powder added to a bottle of water twice a day.

It's great to hear everyone's updates.

@Peae How's the quitting of sugar going?

That's kind of you to remember @Sunflowers84. Day 3 and no sugar so far. I've not even found it difficult, apart from having to remember(!).

@CranberryJanuary can you recommend a brand? I've really struggled to find UK-based recommendations.

Hope you're still going strong @CranberryJanuary. I've got about half an hour to go.

Sorry @CranberryJanuary and @delightfuldaisy19 that last question was for @delightfuldaisy19 ! Not sure how it happened because I even went back a page to double check the username.

Yes, 26 hours.

Really struggled at dinner time as I enjoy eating in the evening. Not massively hungry but so bored. Going to go to bed soon and forget about food.

Well done, I find the evening tough too. You’ve done exceptionally well on a Friday in my opinion!
What time will you finish and what will you have?

I’m definitely having a 6 or 8 hour eating window tomorrow as I don’t want to get to the point of feeling deprived and binging after a really successful few days.

I did it!!

37 hours and currently deciding what to eat. Had a brilliant night’s sleep as well.

Well done @delightfuldaisy19 the feeling of achievement afterwards is great, isn’t it?

I’m still in holiday mode and eating up Christmas food this weekend, hoping Sunday - Tuesday’s fast will be the start of getting back on the wagon with a tighter eating window (I usually do 16:8 or 18:6) and a weekly 40 hour fast.

I will stop eating at 8pm tomorrow night, break the fast at 12 noon on Tuesday. I’m expecting it to be tough because it’s quite a few months since I last went beyond 24 hours, plus I get very cold when I don’t eat which isn’t fun in chilly January! But this thread has given me extra determination so I’m grateful for that.

Well done @delightfuldaisy19 !!

(After an easy three days I am now craving sugar!!).

Well done Peae!

I'm on Freak Athletics Electrolyte Powder.

Enjoy your feasting this weekend.

Started my second 36 hour fast over this Christmas period at 10 pm last night. Now at the 17 hour mark. I figure if I come on this thread to tell you all, I have to keep to it 😂

Keeping busy to take my mind off food. Just cleaned the bathroom and now putting a load of laundry on.

I figure if I come on this thread to tell you all, I have to keep to it 😂

Definitely!

Who is doing the 36-er starting tomorrow then?

Oh i guess maybe I could. I was thinking Monday to Tues was best as I've got work to distract me. But maybe I'll give it a whirl.

My will is strong rn but let's see this time tomorrow!

Likewise - I'm hoping I can do it as I haven't fasted since mid Dec. Must try and eat plenty of fat and keep sugar low tomorrow.

I'm planning on fasting from tomorrow evening until Tuesday morning.

@Peae Reporting for duty sir. I’m in.

I don't think I will make 36 but if i can do 24 then that will be something at least. So much easier if you're distracted and busy at work!

How often do you do an extended fast?

I feel great after doing 1 this week and wondered if it should be a weekly, fortnightly or monthly thing.

I hope this link works, it has a few protocols and how often to do them. I don't worry about how often, I just do what I can get to fit in with my life at the moment.

www.thefastingmethod.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/06/Intermittent-Fasting-Protocols.pdf

It is fairly easy to go from a 24 to 36 hour fast if you book end it with 7-8 h sleep on both sides.

24 hours is nevertheless a good start.

Yeah that's what I figured but I'm struggling to get to 24 as it is ! There's just too much time around the house with food smells!
I think if I'm at work it will be easier...

I completely agree about the food smells. In our house, dh does the cooking and he is great at it too. When the family sit down for dinner, it would be weird for me not to eat anything. So many temptations at home. I use housework to distract. So at least the house gets cleaned and tidied! Already done a lot of filing and archiving of paperwork that has built up.

The last time dh stayed out overnight, I immediately planned a 36 hour fast on that day. It was much easier.

I WFH most weekdays but the days I am in the office, it is a trigger for eating because I have to comfort snack to get through it. Sadly, I am too weak-willed to fast in the office.

PS lost half a pound on my most recent (and second) 36 hour fast.

I’ve started (but only a 30 hour). Good luck everyone, enjoy your final meals.

I've got 2 teen boys who require constant food. So far today I've had to withstand bacon smells for their breakfast and chorizo hotdogs for lunch.
It's sooooo hard. I think if I can do 24 I'll be happy and I'll plan the 36 for Monday /Tuesday and that should work OK

Well done on the weight loss you must be very happy !