It is interesting isn’t it, MadMare – can’t wait for the book to dive into it and of course to do my own long fast for research. There are tests that can be done to determine if you’re insulin resistant but are very expensive so this is a much cheaper way of finding out! Congrats on 36hrs, that’s amazing and so is contemplating another one!
Migraine gone, Beegirl, but lingering headache so I’m putting it down to the lower dosage of my antidepressants as I slowly come off them. Hope the sting is better, I’ve had wasp and bee stings in the last few years when I was camping and hadn’t had any since I was a child. Forgot how much they hurt!!! 92 hours?? That’s amazing 👍
We have not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you are have any health related symptoms or concerns, you should contact your doctor who will be able to give you advice specific to your situation.
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Hi MM, you’re doing really well, those are great results, you must be pleased!
BeeGirl, that is amazing, 92 hours is very impressive. I’m sorry that you couldn’t take anything to help you get over damage from your unmentionable hobby, that would have made it much harder to tough out. Frankly I’d have likely given up on those grounds alone, so I salute you. I was going to ask if you experienced a boost in energy as you headed into day 4 – I’ve read about it but never got that far myself – but maybe this fast isn’t a fair test because you were a bit worn down by pain and lack of sleep.
(Random aside: I always think of you when I’m in my garden and there are bees about – though there aren’t many at this time of year, poor little things. As you may know, Australia has *heaps* of native bee species, though they are mostly solitary creatures and don’t do the hive thing. I’m in a cold part of the country so don’t see as wide a variety as further north. But even here we have blue banded bees – they are really distinctive, they literally have bands of metallic blue around their little tummies, it’s so pretty. And when I see them, for some reason I always think of you!! I truly cannot explain why. Maybe because the other week you had a post about how colourful you are? 😊)
Kafin, I probably shouldn’t say this but the fasting book is probably the one of Fung’s that I wouldn’t buy. I mean it’s really good, don’t get me wrong, but he has just been so generous in putting information on fasting protocols and such on the clinic site and on diet doctor, that there’s actually less new material in the book than I expected. Unlike, say, the Obesity one, which has *heaps* of stuff I hadn’t seen him cover before.
And while I would really like to go to Canada one day, for some reason admitting myself to a diet clinic isn’t top on my list of things to do once I get there! Weird huh? LOL
Have a grand day folks, Elky
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That’s helpful, Elky – I shall wait for the library and read it for free! I just want to get free testing across the board, America isn’t known for its free healthcare 😬 But yes, there are better things we could do in Canada! Xx
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Hi
Pride before the fall
Doing really well the a couple of friends we have not seen for ages popped round last night and persuaded me (I dont need much persuading) to have a glass of wine, which inevitably turned into 3/4 of a bottle!
One and half pounds gain this morning!! After my non fasting day on Tuesday I only gained 3/4 ib which I expected once I started to eat. I didnt eat as much yesterday as did on Tuesday so its all down to alcohol. Wont be doing that again.
On my third fast today and very hungry but I am going to do it!! -
Oh Madmare, I’ve had the identical experience with wine, too! 1.5lbs! It’s hard to accept, but that’s the ugly reality for
some of us! I sympathize, believe me 🙂 -
Oh Mad Mare, my scales always show similar gain after too much alcohol. But it’s gone as soon as it came. It ain’t fat gain 🙂
And I’m sure you had a great time!
For me the key to success after having too much alcohol is to stay away from carbs the next day. If I do, the gain doesn’t stick at all. -
Testimony to how different we all are, Madmare! I did a strict version of the Fast800 for 10 months to reach my goal, and
I only indulged in a winefest on 2 holidays. Each time, I picked up 1.5lbs, and it took an entire week to shift
it! Essentially, I wasted a week in each instance. Although I’ve been in maintenance for over 2 years, I STILL have to be
vigilant about “wine creep”. I can “get away with it” on the weekend, but if I allow this pleasant habit to follow me into the
next week, there will be a price to pay for such indulgences…Exactly why I have picked up a few lbs., which I am dedicating
july to rid myself of. I’m using a recipe of Birdy’s at the moment to reign it in. It is a concoction of grated ginger that has
been simmered with water, creating a very strong spicy brew. I combine it with sparking water, and it is quite lovely! -
Hi Allie
I have had exactly the same experience as you – if not worse. Of the 5lbs I lost last week I have put back 2.5 back on!
I had a disaster on my third fast. I was ravenous from the start and it didn’t get any better. By 24 h in I was feeling so dreadful, sick light headed that I had to have something to eat. I was really disappointed. I don’t know if I was trying to do too much going from no fasts to three in a week, I have always been a bit all or nothing. Of course it could be that the alcohol had messed up my fasting.
I am going to do two this week and then if all goes well three next week and avoid alcohol!! -
YES, Madmare! I know EXACTLY what you are talking about! We had the good fortune to live in California wine country
45 years ago, and the “habit” was born there. Because alcohol is dehydrating, I think our bodies cling on to what fluid we
have left! Since a lb of fat equals 3500 calories, and I think that amount of alcohol at one sitting would be the equivalent
of 6 bottles, it definitely defies logic. It just IS what it is! It simply reinforces the concept that all calories are not created
equal, and it truly saddens me to read here that the white stuff is on the agenda for some that are contemplating maintenance.
Such ideas fly in the face of all the education we have received here. Denial is a powerful force, however. You have never
given up, though, and I will be by your side, fighting “wine creep” every week. I have read here that the second glass of wine
is harder to resist than the first! Isn’t that the truth!?! -
So true Allie and no resistance at all to the third glass!! 😀
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Dont feel sadden if white carbs are on the maintenance agenda for some of us, it is not worth it. 😊 Each of us on this forum have their own lives, strategies, bodies and it’s no worth feeling sad about it.
It would be pretty depressing if everyone shared the same mind and body 😱
I say – horses for courses! 🐎 -
Louise the ‘white stuff’ is really only an issue for those with T2 or who are insulin resistant as it is so quickly digested into glucose. Of course there are other problems with refined carbs but for those wanting to lose weight by reducing carbs, once the goal had been reached, then they can be reintroduced to the individuals own tolerance/weight gain level. As you say horses for courses.
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I have no idea WHAT you are saying, LouiseK. Or why you believe it concerns you. Those of us that have known each other
for a long time speak freely here, and we look out for each other, share our lives and our experiences, and have seen many
successes and failures together. We are all here to learn together, and I only focus my attention on those newbies who
have a dedicated desire to change their lives permanently. Horses for courses is not an expression that I’m familiar with.
Sorry. -
Of course it concerns me since I just said I wanted to have white carbs once in maintenance 😉
Horses for courses means different strokes for different people. Probably an Australian idiom. 🐎🐎🐎 -
Louise, I have been doing 800/20 to reduce inflammation in my body due to arthritis and to also lose some weight to take strain off my joints. I have loved the success I have had so far – but the last couple of weeks I have been in a kinda maintaining mode as I battle a bad cold – and yesterday I had 3 Slices of BREAD!! (my 87y.o. Aunt made me sandwiches for lunch and I wasn’t going to not eat them😀). I didn’t get struck by lightning 😂😊😂 but my tummy is a bit bloated this morning. Today I am back on 800/20 and will be for the rest of the week. And in the next week or so I want to try the 24hr fast I postponed due to my cold. We will each find our own way.🌼🌺🌷❤
Hi Verano – yes we are all different and have many ways of doing this WOE. So each to their own – only we can decide how we each want to travel in maintenance and how our bodies adapt. 😊 -
Yes, MerryMelba! Maintenance, in my opinion, is the real challenge, and I think there are as many ways to approach it as people
on the forum. I will always be grateful for the advice of experienced folks who helped me to avoid the obvious pitfalls. Weight
loss and maintenance are two completely different skill sets…I truly hope that you are uplifted by whatever category applies to
you. 🙂 It’s all an adventure and a learning curve, and for me it has been life altering! I hope you’ve had the same experience.Allie
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Your wealth of experience and wise words always give us guidance! I agree – maintenance will be the challenge and it may depend on where we have come from (previous health issues, food cravings etc) as to how we each manage to maintain our discards and keep in good health – good gut, good muscles, no aches, happy food 😊😊 The great lessening of inflammation, and hence extra energy, has been life altering – and reminds me of my WHY (thanks JGwen)
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For sure, maintenance is the true challenge. It’s all too easy to drop weight by changing ones diet. Also all the excitement and uplifting spirit of changing shape.
Maintenance on the other hand is for life and a little less exciting 😅
I just read the Obesity Code and Dr Fung explains so well why people put back on all the weight. -
Morning everyone..as I read through the posts today my immediate thought is that long term success comes with a radical change of mindset. For me that means not “fearing ” food…and making choices for health ..above all else. Food has no power ….there are so many nutritious choices available which satisfy me and my cravings for carbage have disappeared. Do you know I never once turned to the dessert menu while on holiday ! I honestly was not tempted. The same with bread and the crispy flat cracker things they put on Italian tables….
I am not at target yet but I can’t imagine anything derailing me now . I am not holding myself up as an example…indeed we are all different but my experience shows that our attitudes towards food can change and I hope that can reassure anyone battling the carb and sugar demons. -
Thanks Wendy, great thoughts!
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Wendy welcome back!
I agree with you that our relationship with food does change over time and the desire for carb laden foods does diminish. I can’t really say that I ever had real ‘cravings’ and fortunately never had carb flu. I live quite happily without the ‘white stuff’ but do enjoy a very occasional piece of good sourdough dipped in a really good olive oil. That’s a real treat these days.
I was never a ‘dessert’ person really with only apple tart or pavlova taking my fancy on an odd occasion. My downfall was always cheese, which I still love, but that leads me to crisp breads! I have never been able to conquer my need for ‘crunch’. Ahh I guess we all have our demons!
Whilst my attitude to food has altered radically I find after three years that I do get bored with my food choices occasionally, but then I suppose most people do no matter which way they eat. -
Anyone keen to do a 36 hours fast with me this week? I am planning on starting Thursday after a dinner at the pub and breaking the fast on saturday morning with a nice bacon and eggs breakie 🙂
I’ve never done any longer than 24 hours so it should be interesting… -
I am up for another fast this week!
I am going to start around 9 pm Wednesday and finish 9 am on Friday so we can overlap and pass the baton on!
Allie I have done those calculations too and I am equally flummoxed, the maths doesn’t work but the scales don’t lie!
Though I would really like to believe it!
Finished my 36 h fast this morning – this one went well, at work yesterdat, rode my young horse last night- poo picked the field then went home and as it was a lovely night I wandered round watering the garden at 9:30, a cliche of a middle- aged Englishwoman- though middle-aged may be stretching it a bit.
Cup of herbal tea and bed at 10:30.
And the best bit 2.5 lbs lost so back to where I was last Thursday. I will be vigilant on what I eat – I expect a small rise once I start eating again but I am not having another big gain!!
Take care -
Hey fasters, what would you do?
I was planning to do a 24 hours fast today but broke it after 22hrs as I felt rubbish and was going to a dance class. I had a handful of almonds.
Now I feel awesome and could go to bed early – it’s 8pm. Would you have dinner or just push through it?
I’m a little hungry but could do without food 🤨 -
You may have stopped autophagy, but as I understand it if you didn’t spike insulin enough to bring you out of ketosis then as Dr Bikman refers to it – your body is still in a fasting state and there would still be benefits for continuing if you want to and feel up to it.
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Hi Louise. How did you get on last night? Did you continue your fast until the morning?
Merry -
Hey Merry, thanks for checking in. In the end my husband had prepared a dinner so I ate with him. I am really keen to try a 36-42 hours fast soon but can’t seem to find the right time.
Either I’m home with the kids and having to cook for them or I’m at work with peers socialisation over lunch and dinner. I’m way too timid to bring the spotlight on me by NOT eating. Anyway, next week the stars might aligned and I should be able to fit one in 🙂 -
Good to hear you are well! It is hard to fit in a fast – I agree! I have been wanting to try a 24hr one but hard to find a whole “free day” Hard when socialising with colleagues it seems sometimes that as long as I keep chatting etc people don’t really pay attention to what goes in my mouth. And I don’t mention this WOE! 😊😊😊
Lovely day for hanging out the washing – sunny and windy! -
That’s true, I never mention this WOE either, except to a couple of close friends. I’m 100% sure that my colleagues would notice though as it’s a sit down lunch and dinner, and if my plate came back to the kitchen untouched the waiters would ask about it lol.
The weather is weird hey! There’s actually been a warning from BOM about the wind. -
Anyone putting on weight while fasting? I’m at 40hrs fast and have put on 700gr
Im pretty sure it’s water retention as my rings feel tight but I’ve been taking sodium and drinking 3L per day so not sure what else to do? Would love to hear about similar experiences -
Hi Louise, no I haven’t actually gained while fasting, but I have repeatedly managed not to discard lol
I think you’re right, it’s got to be water weight. It would be pretty much impossible to put on that much fat – or indeed lose that much fat – over such a short period. I think the limit is about half a pound (0.2kg) a day of fat so I think you’re on the money with your water retention proposal.
It may just be your body adjusting to the new, longer fasting regime – a big learning for me in all this is how extremely tightly controlled this all is by hormones, so an adjustment to something new is certainly possible. Think how good you’ll feel when it finally goes whoosh!
Good luck, Elky
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I’ll ride it out and see what happens. It feels so easy not to eat at the moment, this is a mind blowing learning for me! I thought I would struggle with hunger so much…
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It’s amazing, isn’t it? I’d read so often that we eat as much out of habit as hunger, sometimes more so, and I thought “yeah, yeah, that’s a likely story” but it’s true. Glad it’s going so well for you 🙂
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How long would you aim to fast for? I struggle not to have a target in mind 😅🤣
Im at 48hrs and remember Dr Fung saying they never recommended doing 48hrs fast as 48hrs was the hardest point in the fast then it gets easier. So that if you reach that 48hrs point might as well keep going 🤨🧐🤓 -
I think it depends on how long you want to keep going. If you like targets, why not just add nice round numbers to where you are now? So add another 6 or 12 hours or something and see how you feel at that point? (Or if that takes you to the middle of the night, add 18 hours lol) Again it’s all highly variable depending on the individual, but I don’t usually find the second day is any different to the first day, that is, I haven’t experienced the hardest point effect that Fung talks about. That said, there have been some occasions where I felt truly terrible at 36 hours and stopped; and others where I’ve sailed past that without noticing. I think you really just have to base it on how you feel – sorry that’s not very helpful!
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Hi Louise, people tend to forget that 1ltr of water weighs 1 kg.
If you are drinking 3ltr of water a day, your weight will fluctuate depending where you are in your cycle of input and output. -
Oh yes I haven’t missed that fact Gwen, which is why I think it’s water retention 😉
I usually don’t retain water though unless I’m PMS – which I’m not – so I was wondering if I was missing doing something that made my body retain water. Maybe I need more sodium. -
66 hours of fasting and counting. Still haven’t decided when to stop. I feel well.
Weight was up 700gr on the first day and down 1.2kg on day 2. I’m sure most of it will come back in water weight so safe to say I shouldn’t fast just for weight benefits on the scale 😅
Hopefully centimetres will have gone. If not, it was/is an amazing experience to realise that I don’t actually NEED to eat every day! Ha! -
Hi Louise, How did you go with your long fast??
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Hey Elky, thanks for asking 🙂
I broke my fast after 72 hours. I could have easily kept going but had a team meeting over lunch the next day and didn’t want to break my fast then cause apparently you sometimes can get digestive issues??
I broke the fast with a couple of almonds then had a clean keto meal later, delicious.
Scales this morning are 400gr down so net it seems to be a loss of 900gr which I’m very pleased with. I feel great and will def do another 3 days fast soon. -
Hi Louise, I’m really pleased it was such a positive experience, complete with discard! And yes I think you were wise not to risk breaking it with a work lunch, that could have gone badly. Doesn’t bear thinking about it 🙁
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I’m thinking of fasting for 3 days until Friday night diner. Anyone fasting at the moment?
It’d be nice to have a buddy 😊 -
Hi Louise, I would have but I’m Egg Fasting (again). I’ll cheer you on from the sidelines though!!
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Thanks Elky!!
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I need to bring my own salt to work. I look like a weirdo cracking pink salt in my hand in the communal kitchen at work lol
I don’t want to have to explain myself to work colleagues 😅😅🙈😬 -
Is stock made of stock cube ok during a fast? My particular stock cube says 0.6gr per serving… 🤔
Or would this stop autophagy? -
Hi Louise, I don’t know exactly but I think it would stop autophagy – I’m sure I read that home made bone broth will stop it (because of the protein) so I’d probably play it safe and assume that one based on a stock cube will too. It seems that *anything* stops autophagy, from my reading.
But, that absolutely doesn’t have to stop your fast. I think you’ve read Fung too – remember he talks about recommending bone broth because it makes fasting more tolerable for people. So if it’s a choice between broth or stopping the fast, he’s pretty clear that the broth is worthwhile.
So I guess my answer is that I think the stock is ok during a fast, but I also think it’ll stop autophagy. Others may have different views though.
Hope this helps, Elky
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It does help Elky! For some reason I assumed the home made broth didn’t stop autophagy because Dr F said it was acceptable
But the way you put it is exactly right, it’s an ok choice if it’s that or stopping the fast altogether.
It answered my question and I’ll just have a peppermint tea 😅😁 -
Hi Louise, glad it helped, hope the peppermint tea hit the spot 🙂
And hope you remembered to bring your own salt to work so you don’t look like some strange salt junkie LOL
Good luck with the continuing fast!!
Elky
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Totally forgot to take my own salt. Will look like a junkie for another day 😅
fast is going well. As per my previous experience, I have no specific hunger feelings which is still surprising. I have stayed away from miso soup or industrial broth/stock and my fasting app tells me I have 55% of the 3 days, so over the hump! 🙂
39 hours and counting.
My scales were showing ridiculous numbers this morning. Might be the infamous woosh effect, might be something else. Will be interesting to see what happens by the end of the week. I think I might be back in the 60’s by then which I haven’t been in 3 years!! Super excited.