Suggestions of timings for a regular longer fast, with a support thread

[Stoozie]

Hi all.

Following the success of OilpainterUS 's great idea for a support thread for longer fasts, Subtle_badger has mentioned the idea of us beginning on the first Sunday of each month, after supper, and seeing how people go from there?

If you could respond saying if you are interested, and if that date works for you/suggested alternatives, we'd be very grateful.

As a personal anecdote, I am sure I would not have achieved a 48hr fast without the support that Subtle_Badger, S11m , Nugger and Cosmo501 gave on the previous thread. So I do heartily recommend it

[Cosmo501]

Great idea. I’d be up for it! I really found it beneficial to have all your support!

[Stoozie Administrator]

Just tagging Hidden in case she would also like to join us

If anyone can think of other members I haven't tagged who might be interested, do please say. And if anyone wants to mention the fast on other sub-forums of HU, do feel free

[Hidden in reply to Stoozie]

Many thanks as I’m

still

catching up along with these “terms I’m also “ learning tagging in the forums 💼?’“ and in

the middle of Babysitting ! See you in a bit too!

[Stoozie Administrator in reply to Hidden]

Glad you found us Liz888

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Thanks Stoozie

I picked Sunday as it won't generally interfere with your socialising on the weekend, and a Sunday evening is probably a better time for most people than a Monday to put together a carefully crafted last supper. And I can attest, a boozy and late meal on Sunday doesn't make fasting impossible, so if that happens, it can be worked around.

I thought May Bank Holiday may interfere, but that's moved this yeah!

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Can I repeat my appeal for a safe space in the support thread? I did not join the last fast because I was not following the prescriptions given in that thread, as I could not get assurances that I wouldn't be judged for my approach, I started my own discussion.

This will work best if we have many participants. If that happens, we will have many different methodologies and approaches. We need the support threads to be just that: share your successes and hardships; celebrate the successes and commiserate the troubles of others; offer tricks that might help someone through a hard times; tell someone if you think it is time they stopped or called their doctor (I hope that doesn't happen).

If someone wants to use the thread to support themselves through a FMD or a fat fast or going very low calorie for a few days, or is being less strict than more experience faster, I think we should welcome them (unless they are talking so much about food it will derail the others!) Why not welcome them, and accept that their goals do not have to be the same as your goals?

I would just like to see the support thread never having a post saying "that's not a fast", "you aren't doing it properly" or "I won!!" 🤨

[OilpainterUS in reply to Subtle_badger]

Subtle_badger, I found your posting delightful in the long fast thread! You were inspiring! Well done!

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

I plan my fasts around scheduled meals - so I will be fasting from Thursday 27th March to Sunday 29th - but, as last time, I intend to make notes and then relate my experiences when the rest of you are at the same stages.

[Stoozie Administrator in reply to S11m]

Thanks S11m it will be great to have you with us

[Stoozie Administrator]

I am feeling a bit nervous as I realise the next fast is when I have 4 sons age 10 and under home all day on school holidays! This will take some clever planning. Wish me luck.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Stoozie]

You might want to do what I did with the last one: time shift it to a date that works better for you, maybe starting on the previous Tuesday evening - that gives you up to 72 hours if you want to have Friday supper with the kids.

Alternatively, we can move the whole fast. I only suggested the start of the month because it's what we happened to do for the first one, and it's easy to remember. I am not married to it.

[Stoozie Administrator in reply to Subtle_badger]

Both excellent suggestions. I'll see how many takers we get for the dates you suggested and decide from there

[Sheperdess]

I think that’s a good recommendation. I’m yet to start fasts this year and plan my first in a few weeks for practical reasons. If it does go well I’d like to join the First Sunday Fasters please 😊

[Stoozie Administrator in reply to Sheperdess]

Welcome It will be lovely to have your company.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Sheperdess]

First Sunday Fasters. That's a good name.

Sorry Stoozie we can't change the date, the name is too good. I'm already designing the t-shirts

😁

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Subtle_badger]

Well, First Friday Fasters would be even better, but only weird people fast over a weekend.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

bellatakescharge

[OilpainterUS]

Great work! This has the making of a lovely group!

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Thanks everyone for the support in our March fasts. I was really looking forward to the next one.

I have decided not to do another elongated fast until our current crisis is resolved, or at least greatly lessened. A bit of a google search suggests that fasting can raise cortisol and is obviously a short term stress on the body; it also causes me insomnia, which also raises cortisol. Raised cortisol is associated with lowered immunity, which is not something I want to risk with such a virulent disease around me. I will continue with my current daily IF, because I seem to be thriving with that, so do not see any reason to change it. I will not go to bed without eating again.

For the same reasons I will not actively support other fasters. Those of you who are practiced fasters already know whether it's something you feel comfortable doing and don't need my input, and I believe newbies like me should not experiment with putting their body under stress while they can reasonably expect their immune systems to be seriously challenged.

In my opinion we should put this on hold for now.

(Oh, if anyone publicly fasts on here, I will be cheering you on, but quietly. Go team!)

[Hidden in reply to Subtle_badger]

Hello Subtle_badger this is very sensible and intelligent advice so thanks you for posting it and please think about these very wise words folks as these are unknown times and we have to keep ourselves as strong and healthy as possible.

Thank you for saying this Subtle_badger.

Jerry.