Prolonged fast starting Sunday

[BestestBrownies]

I am planning to begin a prolonged fast on Sunday 28th June.

Anybody want to join me?

How long for, out of interest? I’m not joining you but I’ve been reading about fasting for health benefits so take an interest.

Hi @obsessional
I have done it once before, (about a month ago) and managed 68 hours, so ideally would like to get to 72 this time.

I started by researching it thoroughly too. My main reason being that I want my body to go into autophagy for all the health benefits.

Wow - good luck. Do you just drink water?

@BestestBrownies

The last time I tried it, I was taking supermarket own-brand rehydration salts and allowing myself one black coffee per day. I have since realised that the rehydration sachets contain sugar, which is very annoying. This time round, I am just going to use good quality salt instead

Sorry to be a PITA but have you ever checked this with a GP? It just seems a really long time without nutrients!

Hi, can I ask if you’ve done anything to prepare for your fast.

This really does interest me but I think I would have to start at 24 hours and progress from there.

I’ll join you OP! I did a lot of long fasts last year and felt amazing! I was usually aiming for 115 hours (Sunday night to Friday dinner time) and managed that a few times but may kick off with an easy 60 hours alongside you!

By the way please don’t just use salt! You also need Potassium and Magnesium. You are looking for electrolytes not rehydration powder. Any supermarket will have them without sugar.
Here’s one example
https://www.sainsburys.co.uk/gol-ui/product/virtue-12-x-4-5g-mango-passionfruit-electrolytes-hydration-sachets

I love a long fast! I can do Sunday night to Wednesday night without any difficulty, as long as I focus. I fast Mondays most weeks, so a 48h fast.

I've once managed Sunday night to Friday night, that felt like a true challenge. I've managed Sun to Thur two or three times.

I should caveat all this with the fact that mine aren't true fasts - I have milk in my coffee because (a) I cannot go without coffee and (b) I don't like black coffee. So my "fast" includes about 200ml of semi skimmed milk a day. That's it though. The only other thing I have is a multivitamin and salt flakes in my coffee.

BMI currently 25.7, down from 43.0

I've done a 3 day fast for the same reason. It made me realise how much time food takes up in my day.

I’ve always fancied doing this but have never been brave enough. Really interested though.

Wow. This is amazing.

Advice for extended fasting
Make use of time you are asleep. Start when you ingest your last food/drink at night.
Electrolytes! Make sure you take enough.
Sparkling water is a life saver. I will sometimes have a glass of sparkling water with a dash of ACV in the evening as a treat.
1 black coffee a day.
Join extended fasting groups on Facebook for inspiration and support
Get the Easyfast app to track your fast. It also shows what’s happening to your body. Ketosis, autophagy etc
Read things by Dr Jason Fung. The seminal authority on extended fasting and how amazing it is for you.
Day 1 is pretty easy
Day 2 is terrible
Day 3 feels a bit better
Day 4 you feel amazing. Brain fog gone, feeling of lightness physically and mentally
Day 5 still amazing. I’m always a little sad I have to eat as I feel I could continue for much longer

What long fasting teaches me is how much I eat out of habit rather than need.

Now my BMI is approaching healthy it's different. But when I was obese, as long as I was busy, occupied and have no time to think about food, then I can go without eating with no physical effects for several days. I imagined I'd feel weak or lack energy, but didn't. That took until Day 4 to kick in (when obese).

Mind over matter. Fasting helps me understand the psychologically over-eating.

I was also expecting I'd over-eat coming out of a fast, but I don't. Mounjaro helps.

Oh and when you eat again plan a slow introduction. No shoving in burgers immediately!
Broth or light soup
Brazil Nuts
Dinner of a light protein and veggies. Avoid creamy or rich things.

Monday morning here in NZ already so I’m already 8 hours in! Hoping to do 70 hours so through to Wednesday night.

Please add some sodium, magnesium and potassium to your drinks if you are doing this. Electrolyte imbalance can have risks for the heart.

Yep mentioned up thread several times.

I'm sorry but what is the point in this? Many religions/cultures fast but not for this long. It appears that fasting every day for 14-16 hours is more than enough to keep you healthy.

is it another myth being spread by influencers?

That's amazing well done you 👏 🙌

I find this thread very concerning

The benefits are extended fasting are well documented with plenty of scientific studies.
https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/fasting-benefits

Me too. Hence (unanswered, I think) questions upthread about consulting with GP before embarking on these extended fasts. Even a minor health issue can be magnified; something like pre/diabetes, arrhythmia & more could be downright dangerous. At the very least take sensible decisions wrt electrolytes, vitamins.

eta - I’m also concerned about the similarities to EDs & the apparent enthusiasm for the competitive aspect.

The studies in that article are mostly about intermittent fasting. Some of the studies are very very small. And it Quite clearly stated that a fast any longer than 24 hours can be dangerous and needs a doctor visit beforehand.

@Cookingandfoldingthings i also found the competitive tone very unnerving.

Each to their own
Horses for courses
And so on.

Fasting has been incredibly valuable for me to shift the psychology of over-eating that caused morbid obesity, and all the health issues that goes with that. It feels really healthy to me, teaches me a lot about the difference between what my body wants, and what it needs.

There is no need to come onto a thread looking for like-minded support, in order to spread judgment and attempt to amplify shame feelings, when you're clearly not like-minded. I mean you can do that, clearly, because you have. But that you want to create negativity, and think your unsolicited advice is so important that need to be voiced, says more about you and the sort of person you are inside.

Peace and love.