Time for our inaugural First Sunday Fast?

[Subtle_badger]

We discussed a while ago group fasting on a monthly basis, but Covid-19 got in the way.

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

I think it's time to start it up again. Who is up to start a fast >24 hours after you last meal on Sunday 5th July?

[RedUnicorn IF16]

I find fasting at work harder- I would prefer to join in on a weekend fast. I’m going to go for 24 hours today. I last ate yesterday evening, I did a 24 hour fast a couple of weeks ago but I’m going to try to go for longer if I can as eating later on in the evening isn’t great.

Also probably a ‘ dirty’ fast as I have had aching legs recently so might need some bouillon to replace salts.

I’m a bit fed up as this week on my IF and LCHF I’ve gained .75 pound - might have overdone the protein...

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to RedUnicorn]

I take a heaped teaspoon of pink Himalayan salt in me green tea every morning.

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

it's meant to be open, and not prescriptive. If you want to do it, but start on Friday, please do. I would be happy to share and support that experience with you.

[RedUnicorn IF16 in reply to Subtle_badger]

Thanks! I managed 24 hours on Sunday. Hoping to do a bit longer Friday-Saturday.

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

Hi S_b, great idea, that time and date are great for me. I am 42 hrs into a fast at the moment, not sure how long I am going to continue it for. I work most weekends and find it easier to fast at this time.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

I'm not sure doing two longer fasts that close together is a good thing. You have to give your body time to recover.

How did the fast go?

[AnnieW55]

Good timing. I’m in. I did my first 24hr fast in ages last week and will be starting another around 5pm today. 24hrs from Sunday teatime will be my regular from now on. I need to watch my bone health so longer fasts are out for now while I do more research.

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs in reply to AnnieW55]

Hi Annie, is it possible that longer fasts may affect bone health then?

[AnnieW55 in reply to Pink4eva]

I’m not sure which is why I need to look into it.

I never considered bone health until I found out I had osteopaenia shortly before I broke my hip. I’ve not been ready to do more than 18/6 Since then but am beginning to miss my longer fasts now.

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

ok, I am 57 and on HRT, I will try to does some reading as well, thank you for highlighting it. Please let me know if you find any good info. Thank you.

[AnnieW55 in reply to Pink4eva]

Not to scare you but just to give a heads up, as we age we lose some of the strength and density of our bones. It affects everyone but women more so due to menopause. Making sure we eat a good diet and doing weight bearing and strengthening exercises is a must. I’d never heard of osteopaenia or gave osteoporosis a thought until I broke my hip. This is one reason I won’t go totally OMAD as I want to ensure I get my nutrients without resorting to too many supplements or medication.

I’ve not found much info on fasting and bones yet and that

I have is fasting for obese people which says it’s ok. Not sure how the results relate to non-obese folk.

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

Yes... I was thinking I would do a 68-hour fast, so I will join you.

[AnnieW55]

26hrs done with no bother. I did have a coffee with 1tsp of double cream at lunchtime though so it wasn’t just a water fast. I could have gone longer as I really wasn’t hungry but my husband had made dinner and I wasn’t going to turn that down, that and my k2 supplement is taken with food.

[PurpleRaine]

I did a 72hr fast in the middle of March and am going to join you on Sunday - not sure how long for this time but definitely 24hrs.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

I thought we could use this discussion to share our plans, and then our progress. Also we can cheer each other along.

I was planning a several day fast, but my eating this week has been a bit spotty, so have reined that in to 36 hours. Making it a water fast as I have never done that before. Set a maximum in advance, so I don't get competitive with myself or anyone else.

My fasting plan:

Start time: after evening/afternoon meal Sunday

Type: water fast. Just tap water and sea salt.

Minimum time: 36 hours

Stretch goal: 60 hours

Maximum: 72 hours.

[AnnieW55]

My plan is a 24hr water fast and I will only go over by a couple of hours at most but will do another one later in the week.

[Sheperdess]

I’ll try for a 24hr water fast this time but I’m on holiday (at home, of course) so I don’t want the OH to worry as he already thinks LCHF is strange 😂 He is glad to see I’m losing weight though, for my sake. 👍

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

Welcome aboard!

Yeah, not eating is exactly what makes loved ones worry!

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Has anyone started a weekend fast?

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

Hi, currently I last ate at 1915hrs yesterday, not sure if I am going to eat today. I had 4 days off plan this week so could really do with some fasting days. I was back on LCHF yesterday.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

Thanks for the update! how are you feeling?

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

I’m feeling fine, had some full fat Greek yogurt and a hand full of blueberries a short time ago.

[RedUnicorn IF16]

Yesterday I fasted - managed 20 hours after binge on Friday night. Might have lasted longer but I was hung over Sat am and I didn’t want to feel deprived after what had happened on Friday.

Good luck to everyone else.

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

20 is a good fast. You will have gone into ketosis, lowered your insulin and almost certainly had 8 or so hours of autophagy.

👍

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

Fast start time around 1700hrs or when others are starting

Water, sea salt and ACV fast

Minimum fast time 24hrs

Max 48hrs

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

Just start your clock when it suits you. Staggered starts are fine.

Thanks for the reminder about ACV, I will include that in mine too.

I'm going to stretch my water fast rules a little, because I bought a bunch of mint yesterday for cooking, and I don't want it to go to waste. I will allow myself mint leaves in cold water, and fresh mint tea. No caffeine, or anything else.

[AnnieW55]

Just finished Sunday lunch (timing not my thing). So 20mins in and I’m full. Looking at 26hrs this time.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to AnnieW55]

Good luck.

I can do better (worse?) on timing...

I hadn't decided whether I would start fasting after lunch or dinner, but it's 4.45pm and I haven't had lunch yet! I had two lattes this afternoon, so I am have not actually fasted since breakfast.

I will make myself a big arse chicken salad now, and start fasting around 6pm.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Note: I have found the Zero app quite useful for the longer fasts. It alerts you when you hit your goal, and shows you elapsed time, and what your body will be doing. Eg when you start, it says "anabolic" because with a tum full of food, you will be building muscle and storing fat etc.

You can read about that here zerofasting.com/the-physiol...

[PurpleRaine]

Hi. Just finished off Greek yogurt and strawberries and am all set. When I've done fasts before I just drank water. Do you normally add sea salt and cider vinegar to the water? Quite looking forward to it - virtually no washing up 😊.

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

Welcome aboard.

Insulin retains salt. When you fast, your insulin drops, so your body releases salt. Whether or not your need to add it to your water depends on your body, but I definitely need it. I get screaming cramps at 3am even when I take it. I normally fast with coffee, and I now find black coffee tastes off if I don't add salt. I am officially weird!

ACV seems to be a superfood. I am taking it because maybe it's good for me. If you decide to try it, mix a tablespoon or two in a glass of water, undiluted is harsh, and may attack your teeth!

[AnnieW55 in reply to PurpleRaine]

That’s the bit I like, no washing up.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Anyone, please use this discussion to share your experience (or start a new one). I recorded my feelings on my first multiday fast, and am finding it useful and interesting to review. You may like to find you have a recording after you complete.

healthunlocked.com/fasting-...

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

My fast report:

I "started" at 6pm,then at 10pm decided I hadn't eaten enough protein. Hence late night chicken supper, and restarting the clock at 10.30 😯, so I am not yet 12 hours in.

Not having coffee is odd. I feel fine, but I miss my morning rituals. I had a cup of warm water with salt and vinegar. It is not the same!

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20]

I plan a 72-hour fast.

Normally I have been doing 68-hour fasts, extending my 20 hour daily IF by two days, between scheduled meals - but they are not now happening due to Covid.

I will be fasting from early lunch on Sunday to late lunch on Wednesday.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to S11m]

So you are a day into it? how is it going so far?

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to Subtle_badger]

I am 46 hours in - feeling fine.

Rain is forecast - but I am thinking about doing a 5 mile, 8 km walk, with 180m of ascent. I would need to take it slowly - so an early start, and not having to fit my day around lunch will help.

I do not need to lose weight - but I have lost 4 pounds so far!

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to S11m]

Goddamn men! i hate the way some men can just lose weight easily.

I am only 1/2kg down from yesterday, and still 300g up from my Friday weigh-in. 1 cm off the waist from yesterday morning, so that's something, but still above previous low.

Glad you are doing well. Enjoy your walk. I may follow your example this afternoon, if just to get away from the chicken in the fridge.

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to Subtle_badger]

The walk was ten miles or 16km, with 235m of elevation gain, including walking into town to do my weekly food shop. there were a few spots of rain on the walk - and I took an umbrella shopping.

For a 71-year-old, who was disabled for five years, this seemed quite a walk 48 hours into a 72 hour fast, and I think I now feel slightly hypoglycaemic. I like to do that walk in sunny weather for landscape photography - I did take a camera with me and got some pictures.

Tomorrow morning I am collecting PPE from the county hospital and delivering it to the local hospital... I will break my fast with a carton of yoghurt sometime after I get back - and then I hope to have an all-day breakfast at the cafe.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to S11m]

Very good. I will be breaking my water fast first thing tomorrow (broth and/or coffee) and my total fast right on the 60 hour mark. I am running on empty this time...

[Sheperdess]

I’ve nearly finished my 24 hour fast. Getting a little hungry now but I have my Pilates class for an hour first, then I’ll cook dinner 🥘 Didn’t stick to my plan for water only. I had black coffee, ACV and salted water but I did quite enjoy it all. Maybe I’ll be able to cope with a longer fast next month 😊I hope you are all doing well with your chosen fasts.

[AnnieW55]

26hrs done as planned. No real difficulties to report although stomach grumbled about 2pm so went for a walk.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Tuesday morning update:

Feeling much better this morning. Now about 34 hours in, and feeling more confident about making the 60 hours. Not at all hungry at the moment. Slept like a baby. Still on water, salt and a couple of tablespoons cider vinegar. Will add in other stuff (stock, coffee, pickle juice) before abandoning fast, but right now I feel confident making it through the day on just salt and water. The salt feels very important, as I am drinking quite a lot of water, and would worry I was leaching electrolytes from my body. Blood pressure is excellent, so no worries there.

72 hours is off the table, because of my late start. I don't want to break the fast just before bed. May push past 62 just to get an updated badge!

[Sheperdess in reply to Subtle_badger]

Sounds like you’ve got it nailed 😁 I feel a real wimp compared to several people on here doing the longer fasts. My previous attempts in my 20’s left me ravenously hungry and I was just drinking water and lemon juice. I’m sure it’ll be different now I’m on LCHF/IF but I’m going to try several more 24-hour fasts before going for longer.

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

Yeah, take your time. I had been doing LCHF IF for about 3 months before I attempted my first multiday fast. You need to adapt your body, and train your mind. Oh, and the trick that worked for me on my first long fast was taking food I could eat on my plan, and promising myself I could eat it half an hour after I really wanted to. The hunger never lasted that half hour, so carried the snack for 2 days.

Yesterday was unduly difficult. I was feeling hunger before I would have eaten on a normal day. But I managed to white knuckle through it, and today has been easier. Well, not easier - just easy. I feel about the same as I feel any midday.

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

Hi S_b, glad your fast is going so well. Unfortunately I dropped out yesterday morning, someone brought in cake at work. So I had a planned binge on chocolate, ice-cream, cereal. Feeling like s**t today, have taken laxatives to purge then starting ‘again’ on LCHF with IF.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

🤗

Are you in counselling? That's not a healthy way of eating. I'm a little worried about you.

But I am not saying I am better. I was at home yesterday, and went through the cupboards. Found a packet of instant lasagne that was 4 years out of day. Soaked it in water to soften it for the birds. When I looked at this limp pasta later it was all I could do not to eat some. Expired, cold, unpleasant, I wanted to eat it. I don't know if I could have resisted cake./

You need to find a way of separating yourself from temptation. That's very hard, in an office. I hate Krispy Creme donuts, but at 4pm when there are 3 in a box in the break room, it's hard not to eat one.

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs]

Thanks for your concern, I am not having counselling, I have had this pattern of eating for a long time. I did go 35 days without binging when I joined this site and started following LCHF. Just need to get back on track again, I know I can do it. Thanks again for your support.😊

[AnnieW55 in reply to Pink4eva]

Thanks for replying to Subtle_badger as I too was a little worried about your post. Do you use laxatives very often? If you do can you work on accepting your “binge” (it didn’t look that bad as binges go) and move on without them? They really aren’t good for you like that - and may have helped towards feeling below par.

You’ve had a good run of not binging, it may get better or the binges smaller Until they fade, that’s pretty much what happened to me, as you get more used to this way of eating. Getting back on track quickly is always a good move.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

I got that. Hence asking if you were in counselling.

I think you might be addicted to carbs. I started LCHF/IF on around the 10th of December, then pigged out on carbs on Christmas day, and was able to get straight back the next day. If you still binge on carbs after 35 days, it maybe your head and not your body that is demanding them. Have you seen or read anything by Bitten Jonnson?

[Pink4eva ADF 72hrs in reply to Subtle_badger]

Hi S_b, no I haven’t, I will look up the name. I knew my birthday would be difficult. I also need to carry on reading the No Binge book. I only gained 1/2 lb this week, so glad, I had been expecting a lot more. I had a very low carb day yesterday, so feeling positive to get back on track. Thanks for your help.

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Pink4eva]

You are doing great. We all need to find a way to deal with celebrations. Food is too important in our society to forego. I am lucky, I can overindulge for a day.** If you have only put on half a pound, that's amazing. You could do that several times a year (eg your birthday, boyfriend's, Christmas) without derailing.

youtu.be/1wx39iQADs8(Not working as expected?)

**I haven't had many temptations since March, so we will see how I go when presented with cake 🎂 again.

[PurpleRaine]

I managed 24 hours with just water. I was surprised and thought I'd manage longer because I did 76 hours earlier this year and the same a couple of years ago. I think it might be lockdown with less going on. Will have another go at it next month. I am mostly doing 16/8 IF.

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

24 hours is good.

I can't imagine 76 hours. I am 58 1/2 now, and really watching the clock tick down....

[PurpleRaine in reply to Subtle_badger]

Well done on 58.5 - are you going for 60? Almost there.

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

13 minutes to go...not that I'm counting. 😵

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

Fast broken at 60 hours and 14 seconds (or something!). Just some broth and a black coffee for now. Proper food when I see how my tummy is.

I also climbed my stairs 30 times this morning (360 steps) just to see if I could. I could, but just! 😰

[Cosmo501]

Wow! Well done! I've just read through the thread to catch up to date. .. and the stairs too??.. that's just fantastic!! xx

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to Cosmo501]

The stairs were just because S11m was running a mercy mission this morning before breaking his longer fast. I felt I had to prove...something?😂 Maybe my brain was missing it's glycogen.

[Cosmo501 in reply to Subtle_badger]

😂😂

[S11m Volunteer 70lb IF20 in reply to Subtle_badger]

Today went to plan - 1.5 litres of green tea with a teaspoon of Himalayan salt before the PPE run, 500ml of Yoghurt to break the 72-hour fast, and a 5km walk, before an all-day breakfast, (avoiding much carbohydrate)... and back home for the Waitrose delivery of the muesli the local Co-op no longer stocks.

Then I was hungry, so I had an orange, a banana and more yoghurt... so... I am on track for my normal 20-hour daily fast till 10:00ish tomorrow.

I felt great this morning - even though I had the "enhanced mental clarity" fasting is supposed to give you.

When I needed to lose weight I only lost about a pound a day when I fasted, but, this time I have lost 7lb!

My magic app tells me I burnt 3,314 Kcals yesterday - but that is less than one pound of fat. You lose gut-fill and fluid (but I drank over three litres yesterday) ... I like to think that some of the fluid I lost was from peripheral oedema in my feet and ankles - I can now almost see the tendons on the top of my foot!

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to S11m]

Well done. You are very good at this 💪

Glad you mentioned calorie burn. According to my app, I have burnt less than 4000kcal, over two days, so I would expect fat loss of maybe 1/2 kg. That makes me feel better with my loss of just over a kg, which I was initially disappointed with.

My regular weigh in is Friday, so we will see what that settles down to.

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

I am down 1.9kg since last Friday! I lied to my weigh in group, as I think that number might worry them. 😁 It's definitely not just fat, but some of it is.

I am probably at or below my goal weight. I will focus on building muscle now. Fasting will be part of my life, though. Until the inevitable new research tells me it will kill me 🤪

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs]

I think S11m might be the only one still fasting. Anyone else?

I think this was a success. I know when I was walking about the supermarket yesterday, filling my basket with cheeses (and returning a chorizo ring to the shelf), the only thing that stopped me from snacking is I would have to confess it here. 😁

Shall we do it again, starting Sunday 2/8 or the Friday before for those that prefer a weekend fast?

I hope OilpainterUS is OK. I sent her a message a while ago, but no reply.

[AnnieW55]

I started at 6pm today, so it will be a 24hr fast with another 1 or 2 (Tue and/or Thurs) husband ‘s “help/unintentional sabotage “ depending!

[Subtle_badger 16Kg IF 72hrs in reply to AnnieW55]

Food is love.

Enjoy your fast.

Plenty of salt and water helps me through.