Cheering each other along - breaking the psychological hurdle of the longer fast

[Stoozie]

Hello everyone.

A thought struck me reading Hidden s thoughts on just setting a date and going for it to achieve a milestone 24hr fast.

I know that, for me at least, doing a challenge with others really motivates me. I find I want to read about their progress, find it fun and motivating, and gets rid of any 'if I just stop this, no one will even know!' feelings. It brings accountability.

So! I wondered if anyone would like a thread, either where a few of us do a 24hr fast at the same time, and spur each other on.

And/or

An accountability thread where we share our next goals. A longer fast, a different type of fast, etc.

Have a think, and let me know if this idea appeals to you

[Hidden]

Oh yes, I would be interested.

[san_ray70 in reply to Hidden]

When I do not eat my blood pressure drops, I have ended up in hospital 4 times. So I dare not fast, I can go without breakfast when I stay home, but I dare not when I need to go out.

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to san_ray70]

Hi, san_ray70

We are not qualified professionals - and, even if we were, we could not give specific advice without a full medical history.

If we are not fed 24/7 (through an intravenous drip) we are all Intermittent Fasting.

How do you know your blood pressure drops, and how long does it take? If you can miss breakfast, you can IF.

Fasting typically stimulates the metabolism.

If you are so carbohydrate-dependent that you have difficulty fasting, you might be diabetic - have you been tested recently?

What did they tell you at the hospital?

It is not actually blood pressure that matters - it is blood flow to give adequate supply of energy (as glucose, ketones, etc) oxygen, etc to the brain and other organs.

[san_ray70 in reply to S11m]

I know because 4 times I have ended up in hospital. when I have not eaten or drunk enough. The last time I was out for a day trip, just about to eat fish and chips but felt peculiar and was sick. Then I fainted, somebody called an ambulance and the paramedic said my blood pressure was in my boots, they called it a vasa vega attack. I am wary of not eating when I go anywhere now.

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to san_ray70]

It might be that the main problem is dehydration.

I get postural hypotension (and I have a pacemaker to fix it).

When I fell off my bike (in the 1990s) my blood pressure was so low it did not register on the paramedic's kit, and it was 90/60 when I got to the hospital.

Do you get bradycardia (slow pulse rate)?

[san_ray70 in reply to S11m]

I do not think so, that day was hot but I drank a bottle of water, but that did not make a difference. I was told by a paramedic to keep a banana with me.

[Cosmo501]

Yes, why not ! Count me in , please 😊

[Zest]

Hi Stoozie

I'll give it a go as well, I'm definitely interested!

Zest

[Hidden]

Hey this is such a good idea Stoozie even I'm up for it...😊

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

It is a good idea, Stoozie ... but, for the longer fasts, some of us have regular scheduled meals - and we try to fit fasts in between them. I will be fasting 68 hours from lunchtime Thursday 17th October till breakfast on Sunday 20th - does anyone want to join me for any or all of it?

My regular Age Concern meals will not happen between Christmas and New year - so, If I do not get invited out anywhere, I might do a longer fast then.

[Stoozie Administrator in reply to S11m]

I will certainly join you for as much as my diary allows

[Cosmo501 in reply to S11m]

I will join you too for part of it. I’m planning a 24 hour fast from this afternoon til tomorrow afternoon, and will be interested to try fasting for longer next time. Maybe from Thursday til Saturday morning. I like the philosophy of fasting just happening naturally, which is how it usually works for me, but I do very much enjoy planning something to challenge myself with the goal of hopefully gaining some benefit to my health and a boost to continued weight loss.

[Adaboo]

Oh yes, that might really help me try a 24hr one 😁

[HOBIEONE]

I was in Hospital last year in critical care. I had to have blood tests every 2hrs for 3 days. I did not think it was possible to not sleep for 3 days BUT I found out is is ! When I came home I slept like a baby. Thank you NHS.

[Vale57]

It sounds like a good idea, most people do better with support. I don't get chance to come on here so much these days, so it would not work with my fasts unfortunate. But I have recently downloaded 'Zero' which is a simple fasting app, which I am finding helpful. 👍

[Stoozie Administrator]

Would any of you fancy this coming Friday, til say 4/5pm from 4/5pm the previous day?

[Zest in reply to Stoozie]

Hi Stoozie

I can't do that one, as I'm out for a meal on Thursday evening, but I'll wait for another time, and will join in then.

Zest

[Cosmo501 in reply to Stoozie]

Yes, I'd like to give it a go. I've been trying to schedule in another 24 hour fast. It would be nice to have 'company'!

[Stoozie Administrator in reply to Cosmo501]

Thanks! Let's try it and see if we both find it motivating