My longest fast

[dentalplan]

I fasted for a little over 40 hours a few weeks ago and it was ok. When I ended the fast, I didn't feel super hungry like I had to eat but food still sounded appealing and I was worried whether I would have enough energy at my job.

I've read about the benefits and I also personally know a Catholic priest who did a 40 day fast. He said that his lungs cleared up and he breathed easier in spite of being a smoker and not quitting. He also reported that he had less aches and pains afterwards. Obviously, he lost a ton of weight.

I have a few days off work and decided to give it another go. I'm a little heavy right now and sometimes my stomach feels.. funny. I don't know how to describe it exactly. Sometimes I drink a lot of coffee and I think that can mess with my stomach so I am only having water for the fast, no coffee like I did last time for the first day of the fast.

Currently, I'm about 40 hours in. Last time I ate something was late Monday night. I had a horrible headache last night which I believe is a result of the caffeine withdrawal. It's slightly better today. I feel ok, like I can keep going. So I'm just going off feel right now for how long I will stay on the fast. I was actually able to do a little workout on my bicycle yesterday morning and I still felt fine not eating anything after. I might even go to the gym today. I've been tasting a little bit of salt, not too much, to help keep my electrolytes balanced. I feel like it helps.

Any other fasters here? What's the longest you've gone? Any tips? I'm taking it hour by hour seeing how I feel. For now, I feel like my body is handling this fine and I can keep going.

 

[The Gooch]

How far did you get? I've only done 48 hours, give or take a couple hours. It's not too bad for me, but I've always felt I can't really feel a big difference in things concerning my body when I try them. When I go carnivore/super low carb, however, I do feel my brain burning on ketones. I get this wonky feeling that is tough to describe. It kicks in after a few days of carnivore.

 

[dentalplan]

How far did you get? I've only done 48 hours, give or take a couple hours. It's not too bad for me, but I've always felt I can't really feel a big difference in things concerning my body when I try them. When I go carnivore/super low carb, however, I do feel my brain burning on ketones. I get this wonky feeling that is tough to describe. It kicks in after a few days of carnivore.

I only got 45 hours and I decided to eat. Maybe I will go longer in the future. I haven't done carnivore yet. I always love my carbs when I eat but I might try it some day.

 

[Renard]

Longest I did was 4 days. Could have probably done 5 but I had plans. For me fasting is always difficult. Online they say just get to day 3 it gets easy. That never happened for me, or maybe it needed more time. It's an interesting experience though.

 

[usernamee]

Longest I did was 4 days. Could have probably done 5 but I had plans. For me fasting is always difficult. Online they say just get to day 3 it gets easy. That never happened for me, or maybe it needed more time. It's an interesting experience though.

It's way easier if you're already balls deep in ketosis before starting the fast. For me the toughest days have always been day 1 and 2 and after three days it gets easier and easier. And you start feeling really honestly. Like a nice mellow high or something.

 

[Flower2dPeople]

I did a 48 hr fast before. It wasn't really particularly difficult. I ended it with sprint intervals. I am currently on adf and it is harder, imo. The first 24 hrs is always tough for me and had to repeat that every other day.

 

[The Gooch]

It's way easier if you're already balls deep in ketosis before starting the fast. For me the toughest days have always been day 1 and 2 and after three days it gets easier and easier. And you start feeling really honestly. Like a nice mellow high or something.

True dat. Hunger hits way different in ketosis. Those carb grelin spikes in hunger can be so strong for me. Hunger on carnivore/ketosis is just like a dull, "hey man, it would be nice if you ate in the next several hours, but I'm cool either way."

 

[Satur9]

What is the consensus for fasting? I will admit to not being knowledgeable about it too much, and just try what I think works. I only eat after 12pm until 6pm. It’s helped me lose 43 lbs since early February, along with calisthenics(minimal weights) but not sure it’s the healthiest or anything. Dont go to doctors really, so can’t say it’s hurting or helping other than the weight loss and definition happening now.

Basically, is this an ok strategy for a mid-40s fella to do? Friends say it’s ok, but more opinions can’t hurt

 

[Don Quixote]

I did a one week fast and lost 18 pounds. I had occasional dips in energy, but I was otherwise alright.

 

[The Gooch]

What is the consensus for fasting? I will admit to not being knowledgeable about it too much, and just try what I think works. I only eat after 12pm until 6pm. It’s helped me lose 43 lbs since early February, along with calisthenics(minimal weights) but not sure it’s the healthiest or anything. Dont go to doctors really, so can’t say it’s hurting or helping other than the weight loss and definition happening now.

Basically, is this an ok strategy for a mid-40s fella to do? Friends say it’s ok, but more opinions can’t hurt

Like anything in the nutrition space, you'll get experts that say it's best thing you can do in your life, and others will say it's useless. I have a habit of binge eating, so anything that gives me a reason to not eat is good for me.

 

[Possum Jenkins]

What is the consensus for fasting? I will admit to not being knowledgeable about it too much, and just try what I think works. I only eat after 12pm until 6pm. It’s helped me lose 43 lbs since early February, along with calisthenics(minimal weights) but not sure it’s the healthiest or anything. Dont go to doctors really, so can’t say it’s hurting or helping other than the weight loss and definition happening now.

Basically, is this an ok strategy for a mid-40s fella to do? Friends say it’s ok, but more opinions can’t hurt

The overwhelming consensus is that it's a positive. Weight, blood sugar, cholesterol, etc., all improve with fasting.

There are a few people that have blood pressure problems or have bad relationships with food that will cause them to overeat during their eating window and fasting doesn't work for them, but if you've done it for months and feel fine, then keep at it.

 

[Koya]

I did 3 days 4 years ago. Did 2 days regularly back then. Now I eat like shit because of stress and lack of willpower. Fasting felt good. Even if I felt weak sometimes. But just sometimes. Actually I was training during the 3 days fast. I need to get back on track.

 

[BroScienceTalkatWork]

I don't do strict fasts because I still want to hit protein numbers. But I have two off days where I diet extremely aggressively. Even if I tell myself Im doing a gentle cut now.. That goes out the window on off days if I measure my waste and the number isn't moving. I get mad as fuck when that number doesn't move. Fuck the scales. But I'm deep into this cut now.. And I worry about those weeks where you think its a slight deficit and its actually maintenance. Wanna get it done..

 

[dogday111]

I did longer fasts but I made sure to supplement daily with a DIY salt solution containing regular salt (sodium chloride) and nusalt (potassium chloride). I also take multivitamins although some ingredients are fat soluble so probably won't get absorbed during the fast. I also continue to consume fiber from psyllium husk (0 calories).