I.F. - SHOULD I GO FOR A 72HR FAST?

[Pink4eva]

Hi everyone, I will be due to complete a 48hr fast @1900hrs . Just wondering whether it is worth me carrying on fasting into tomorrow? As in what would be the possible benefits of taking the fast to 60hrs or 72hrs?

[Subtle_badger]

zerofasting.com/the-physiol...

[Pink4eva in reply to Subtle_badger]

Thank you Sb, am pondering!

[Subtle_badger in reply to Pink4eva]

I stopped doing the longer fasts in March, because fasting is a short term stress on the body, so could temporarily lower your immunity. The likelihood of meeting CV19 on any random day is much lower than it was then, but it's something to keep in mind.

It seems quite clear that, in the longer term, it will strengthen your immune system.

I've done a 60 hour fast and quite a few 36 hour ones in the last few weeks.

[Pink4eva in reply to Subtle_badger]

I think, on balance that I will do at least another 18hrs (after 1900hrs). Feeling fine at the moment, thanks for the information.

[amykp Visitor]

IMO the HARDEST fast of all is 48 hours. If you have made it that far, you should be very proud of yourself, and imo you should carry on because I think you might find it is actually easier after this :o)

[Pink4eva in reply to amykp]

Hi Amy, thank you for replying, I the end I fasted for 68hrs.I think I will try fasting every other day, just concerned that my overall calorie intake will be too low resulting in my metabolism may slowing down. What regime are you doing?

[amykp Visitor in reply to Pink4eva]

I generally just fast every day until at least noon-2:00, have coffee (with heavy cream) but don't eat a meal until dinner. I try to stop eating by eight at night. I guess it's my own version of IF.

I've done a few five day fasts and that was hard!

No, imo this will NOT slow your metabolism. Low calorie diets slow metabolism, apparently, but fasting will reset your insulin and decrease your overall appetite. Check out Jason Fung online. He does a really good job of explaining it.

One more thing--I eat very high fat/low carb. When I eat (dinner) I do not watch my calories or portions at all. I eat a huge meal and usually follow with a huge (keto) dessert. My point is, I don't think I am eating all that low calorie! (I've lost 60lbs)

[HerbiesDad 3kg in reply to amykp]

Sounds good,I want to lose a stone,and have started a ketogenic style diet,I say ketogenic style because I don’t want to waste the food I still have in the fridge/freezer.

Good on you BTW.

[amykp Visitor in reply to HerbiesDad]

Here is something my mom once told me: food is just as wasted down your stomach when you didn't need it as it is down the sink.

But of course, that's easy to say--I don't like tossing perfectly good food either. A lot of what you don't want to eat can be wrapped and frozen for guests. The problem is, it doesn't end. I get gifts: muffins, cakes, homemade bread, lasagna, once a huge tray of macaroni and cheese. You have to be able to deal.

It's hard, but I do not even touch it anymore...not even a bite. I find black and white hard-line rules work better (for me) than anything else.

[Pink4eva in reply to amykp]

Hi, Amy, I’m the same, usually find it very hard to leave anything on the plate, particularly when there is not enough to freeze. Am trying to reduce portion sizes. For anything sweet, I’m not touching it, when I can, I had a pack of six TUnnocks tea cakes last night, couldn’t just have I, am all or nothing.

[amykp Visitor in reply to Pink4eva]

Well, I guess it's why I prefer keto. And fasting. Maybe I can't have breakfast, or the cake, but when I do eat I can have bacon, as much as I want. And for dessert there's keto cake...as much as I want of that, too.

I'm terrible at portion control. It's why that kind of diet never worked for me.