I did mention to my doctor that I have lost four stone through (Intermittent) Fasting.
I am now in what I currently think is my "ideal" target weight/body-fat percentage range (18% bodyfat at the last count, two months ago).
The theory is that occasional (longer) fasts rejuvenate you through autophagy, improve longevity and reduces the chances of Cancer, diabetes insulin-resistance and a range of related diseases. Ask me about it in fifty years time (when I will be 120!)
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S11m
Volunteer 70lb IF20
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I have finished a 36 Hour long live IF and all the correct way to do it and particularly not not a DRY Fast ,keeping up at all Time with Hourly fluids!!’All as The Books STATE!!’ 👀👀👀”
Hi Hidden , I'll tag you in our thread seeing if people would like to fast together next month. It would be lovely to see you. This thread is a bit old so folk might not see it unless they search, and I don't want you to miss out on the cameraderie
I normally fast 20:4, so the fast really only started at 10:00 this morning.
I walked 6.7km yesterday - so that would have used up some of my glycogen reserves.
When fasting, to prevent hypoglycaemia, you need to get energy from your fat reserves... and this is not difficult when you are asleep.
I woke up this morning feeling light, lean and fit.
I have walked 5km so far today, and I do feel it slightly - but my blood sugar will go up if I do little exercise for the rest of the day.
I am now the lightest I have been for over forty years - and I wonder if the body can get energy from "old" fat reserves at as fast a rate as it can from more recently deposited fat?
Wow S11m - please keep us posted on how you are getting on? I use IF but have never gone for more than 24hrs - I find the dip in energy levels too hard to sustain. Good luck!
Thanks for the encouragement - I wonder if the green tea you drink is part of your success in managing energy levels - lots of caffeine I think? I'm tempted to try it next next time. Plus I clearly need to read more Dr Fung ... Thanks again S11m - I hope you're still doing ok this weekend ... x
I feel fine... my heart rate is very slightly up today - but that might be because fasting stimulates the metabolism.
The main problem I find with fasting is boredom - eating normally structures your day and takes time... so now, when fasting, I try to fill my day.
I had thought that there might have been some hypoglycaemia, so I thought I would not drive while I was fasting - but I have been fine and drove yesterday (I wore out a pair of shoes I bought in October, and the soles were split - so I got a free new pair!)
Today I am taking the bus to the next town to do some shopping.
Dr Jason Fung says 72-hour fasts are a waste of effort, as, for most people, the first 72-hour are the worst - so why not carry on and fast for a week? I think that 10 months of fasting 20:4 has got me into "fat burning mode" and made it easy. Having been an endurance athlete probably helped too - I cycled 760 miles in 87 hours (Paris-Brest-Paris) in 1995.
I usually break my fast at breakfast time, with a pot of green tea and yoghurt. They say it is best not to break your fast with carbohydrates. Then I intend, again to (continue to) break my fast with a "paleo" Sunday carvery, with no Yorkshire pudding or potato.
Each to their own mate - you're not needing to lose weight so presumably it's an experiment ... sorry if I've missed the point here but it seems OTT to me
Yes, Hidden ... It is not all about masochism - thinking about it, researching and preparing does help... I had hoped to start an informative discussion!
I have just broken my fast with a bowl of yoghurt... the wisdom is that you get more benefit from a fast if you break it without carbohydrate - and I will be having a "paleo" carvery for lunch.
Apparently, refeeding syndrome is only likely after at least five days of fasting - or rapid weight loss.
Salt deficiency can be a problem when fasting - and I walked 6km in 25 degrees centigrade yesterday... but I bought some Himalayan salt yesterday - and put a level teaspoon of it in my two litres of green tea. I find it drinkable - but it does not improve the flavour. Dr Jason Fung says that salt water tastes delicious if you have salt deficiency!
Fasting stimulates the metabolism, and two days my Apple Watch has told me I burnt over 3,000 calories!
I am now down to 17% body-fat.
I did not feel hungry - did have some discomfort in my abdomen, but I have had diverticulitis for a while.
I can feel my pulse all the way from the aorta below the rib cage, down both iliac arteries to the pelvis!
I did mention to my doctor that I was fasting. For contra-indications for fasting see:
I read a fantastic blog by a woman in Malaysia who did a very long fast and did encounter (mild) refeeding syndrome, if anyone would like a read? She documents everything in lots of detail, for those who like that.
Good luck S11m - you've got just 15 minutes left of your fast, as I write this at 9.45am. Oops, sorry - just re-read your post, and you said you were finishing at 10am Sunday, so you'll have already finished. I think I am not concentrating properly today - sorry about that. lol
Sorry I missed this post. I didn't get notifications, I am glad it all went well for you. I have been trying the 20:4 fasts for two weeks and not really getting along with them. I am going back to longer fasts. They seem more effective on me.
I would have thought it more difficult without so much fat to burn. well done!
I think it sounds like a good way for maintenance, it obviously works for you.
But 20:4 did not appear to be working so well for weight loss (not for me anyway) I still have a lot to learn and a long way to go. I will get there though trial and error.😊
Would there be an interest in fasting together? I think it could be pleasant. I was thinking about a 3-4 day fast filled with painting, sculpting, small household projects to pass the time. I could even set up a group video chat for the group to swap stories.
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Fasting and visceral fat (or at least waist size) 
Feast to Fast