Anyone do regular Fasting?
Discussion
Earlier this year I had to have a colonoscopy which required a 24 hour fast coupled with some pretty potent laxatives.
I'd never done a fast before and aside from having a video camera on the end of a broom handle shoved up my hoop I actually felt great after having a thorough internal clear out.
I've just completed a 36 hour fast and have felt really good since.
Last meal was on Sunday evening and broke the fast with breakfast on Tuesday morning. Only plain water and a cup of black tea consumed in between.
Overall I didn't find it too bad at all. I had a bit of a crash around lunchtime on Monday but after that it was fine and no issues. I even slept well on the Monday night.
Since then there has been a noticeable improvement in how I feel. Far less sluggish, more alert and slept better for the past few nights.
My reason for doing it was to give my metabolism a bit of a kick and help burn some fat although reading up on it there are a lot of other benefits such as improved brain function, cell regeneration etc.
Planning on giving this a go on a weekly basis for a while to see how I get on and then once I'm down to my target weight maybe reduce it to once a fortnight.
Can't see myself trying anything longer like 48 hours as 36 seems enough for me.
Anyone else use fasting on a regular basis and what benefits did you see?
I'd never done a fast before and aside from having a video camera on the end of a broom handle shoved up my hoop I actually felt great after having a thorough internal clear out.
I've just completed a 36 hour fast and have felt really good since.
Last meal was on Sunday evening and broke the fast with breakfast on Tuesday morning. Only plain water and a cup of black tea consumed in between.
Overall I didn't find it too bad at all. I had a bit of a crash around lunchtime on Monday but after that it was fine and no issues. I even slept well on the Monday night.
Since then there has been a noticeable improvement in how I feel. Far less sluggish, more alert and slept better for the past few nights.
My reason for doing it was to give my metabolism a bit of a kick and help burn some fat although reading up on it there are a lot of other benefits such as improved brain function, cell regeneration etc.
Planning on giving this a go on a weekly basis for a while to see how I get on and then once I'm down to my target weight maybe reduce it to once a fortnight.
Can't see myself trying anything longer like 48 hours as 36 seems enough for me.
Anyone else use fasting on a regular basis and what benefits did you see?
I intermittent fast so normally one meal a day. Done longer fasts when fridge is empty, max being 60hrs and definitely helped me lose weight, feel less bloated and helped clear me out. If I see weight creeping on I do a 24/48hr fast and reweigh to get a new base line and decide what to do. This normally happens when bread and dairy creep into my diet again. Both I can't have but really like. After 20hrs any hunger subsides so find it easy. Black coffee and drinking plenty of water helps.
I do it occasionally as a kind of psychological reset. I tend to get into this habit of overeating when I'm not hungry and having a fast reminds me that it's not really that uncomfortable to go without food. It's more of a sensation than a discomfort, really. And if I'm snacking throughout the day, then the reason is likely psychological, not relating to hunger. And fasting helps me remember this.
As for the other stuff, like health benefits and metabolism, I have no idea, really. I'm skeptical but haven't looked into it. If it's true, then that's a bonus. But there's tons of stuff that's good for health, like 300 mins of cardio. This would probably be better.
As for the other stuff, like health benefits and metabolism, I have no idea, really. I'm skeptical but haven't looked into it. If it's true, then that's a bonus. But there's tons of stuff that's good for health, like 300 mins of cardio. This would probably be better.
S100HP said:
Tend to do 18/6 at the moment, but have done 48hrs. It's really not that tricky. Black coffee helps.
Yep, typically do 16/8 (lunch and dinner with no snacks inbetween). Cutting breakfast out helps keep the overall calorie count lower. Sometimes do a 24 every now and again just because. I'm one of those people that just dont get that hungry though. If the wife tried it WW3 would be on by 3pm lol lizardbrain said:
having a fast reminds me that it's not really that uncomfortable to go without food. It's more of a sensation than a discomfort, really.
That's a really good way of looking at it.It's well documented how long a body can survive without food so fasting for 36 hours isn't that big a deal and as you imply more psychological than anything else.
I think that's why the worst period for me was at lunchtime on Monday as my usual routine of making and eating lunch was changed. Just having a cup of black tea was quite a change.
Interested to see how I go over Christmas and the New Year but I'd rather do that and be sensible with eating and drinking (I've cut back on drinking a lot in the last couple of months - no more drinking at home) than have a big blow out and than a hard New Year.
simon_harris said:
I do this semi-regularly, the big issue I have is wanting to eat again at the end of a 72 hour fast and have to force myself to do so. First day is usually terrible but fine after that, I think I could do a week without much problem if my wife would let me.
Not sure I could do 72 hours. 48 at a push but 36 seems about right for me.What benefits do you notice in doing 72 hours or is it just to help weight management?
Davey S2 said:
simon_harris said:
I do this semi-regularly, the big issue I have is wanting to eat again at the end of a 72 hour fast and have to force myself to do so. First day is usually terrible but fine after that, I think I could do a week without much problem if my wife would let me.
Not sure I could do 72 hours. 48 at a push but 36 seems about right for me.What benefits do you notice in doing 72 hours or is it just to help weight management?
I generally drink electrolyte drinks, avoid coffee etc so there will be an element of toxin clear-out. On a usual day I have an eating window of about 6 hours or so and the 2-3 days a week I shorten that to 2 hours but with no calorie restriction. Weight is too much but stable, my biggest issue is a desk job and lack of activity.
I do but not consciously...Last meal I eat is usually around 7:30 depending on what I'm doing that day. The next meal is typically around 09:30. I'm fine with not feeling full, in fact, I prefer it...I don't snack either.
I believe eating at the right time, with the right balance of nutrition has more advantages over prolonged periods of fasting. Give your body what it needs, when it needs it, for whatever it is you're doing is my thinking.
If fasting works as a mental block to avoid picking or overeating then I don't see any harm, so long as you feel better for it.
I believe eating at the right time, with the right balance of nutrition has more advantages over prolonged periods of fasting. Give your body what it needs, when it needs it, for whatever it is you're doing is my thinking.
If fasting works as a mental block to avoid picking or overeating then I don't see any harm, so long as you feel better for it.
KobayashiMaru86 said:
I intermittent fast so normally one meal a day. Done longer fasts when fridge is empty, max being 60hrs and definitely helped me lose weight, feel less bloated and helped clear me out. If I see weight creeping on I do a 24/48hr fast and reweigh to get a new base line and decide what to do. This normally happens when bread and dairy creep into my diet again. Both I can't have but really like. After 20hrs any hunger subsides so find it easy. Black coffee and drinking plenty of water helps.
Why do you do it and what has it done for you? I've done 40 hours several times and it found it relatively easy and did get a feeling of clear headedness and wellbeing.
I'd like to make it a regular part of my lifestyle but I' put off by.
I like to exercise at least six times a week. I really struggle if empty - may be psychological but can only manage up to 2 hours of z2 when fasted and if I did that I'd still be depleted after breaking the fast so I'm not sure I could train on 5/2
Constipation. Normally regular as clockwork but the post fast day experience is unpleasant.
There is so much lovely food and drink, seem a shame to waste 40% of opportunities to eat.
I'd like to make it a regular part of my lifestyle but I' put off by.
I like to exercise at least six times a week. I really struggle if empty - may be psychological but can only manage up to 2 hours of z2 when fasted and if I did that I'd still be depleted after breaking the fast so I'm not sure I could train on 5/2
Constipation. Normally regular as clockwork but the post fast day experience is unpleasant.
There is so much lovely food and drink, seem a shame to waste 40% of opportunities to eat.
mcelliott said:
Yes every day between 6pm and 8am
While I'm sure that helps from what I've read about it most of the real benefits take place after around 16 hours as follows: 16 hours - a process called autophagy takes place. It's a cellular process where a cell breaks down and recycles its own components, like damaged proteins or organelles, to maintain energy and cellular health.
24 hours in is where you start to see major cellular repair, where inflammation reduces and insulin sensitivity improves.
At the 30 hour mark, this is when the growth hormone spikes, which helps to preserve muscle and promote fat loss.
36 hours - maximum autophagy is reached at 36 hours, clearing dead cells, regenerating tissues, and boosting metabolism, providing a full body reset.
Davey S2 said:
mcelliott said:
Yes every day between 6pm and 8am
While I'm sure that helps from what I've read about it most of the real benefits take place after around 16 hours as follows: 16 hours - a process called autophagy takes place. It's a cellular process where a cell breaks down and recycles its own components, like damaged proteins or organelles, to maintain energy and cellular health.
24 hours in is where you start to see major cellular repair, where inflammation reduces and insulin sensitivity improves.
At the 30 hour mark, this is when the growth hormone spikes, which helps to preserve muscle and promote fat loss.
36 hours - maximum autophagy is reached at 36 hours, clearing dead cells, regenerating tissues, and boosting metabolism, providing a full body reset.
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