3 ms·

I just completed a 3 day water-only fast, eating breakfast yesterday morning. The reason I fast is not like what is being described here, but more as a way of r

I just completed a 3 day water-only fast, eating breakfast yesterday morning. The reason I fast is not like what is being described here, but more as a way of reminding my body that hunger is not going to kill me and to be more mindful about what I eat. One comment on the article, on the third day of fasting, I did not feel great like Libin describes: "I woke up on the third day feeling better than I had in 20 years." I probably over-did it with exercise though, playing Ultimate that morning on a hot turf field, then cycling around town. I've done a 2-day fast prior, and that was much more tolerable. I will probably continue with those, about 4 times per year.

spraak 9y ago
Do you have a blog, or resources you you can link that helped you get there? I can't even make a 3 day day fast of caffeine... but I definitely see the benefits of fasting, so I'd like to try.
- srik 9y ago
  For me it really was more about the mental hurdles. I've done multiple 14 day water only fast and recently a 7 day fast a week ago. For me it's about learning all the many things we know so far that got me through and kept me fresh and energetic. For example - hydration and electrolytes are key, especially sodium(salt), potassium(Lite salt), magnesium citrate and possibly calcium. Knowing how the body loses what electrolytes during which phases is a big deal. Also knowing the risks is important e.g. Only so much potassium should be consumed at a time. And There is a thing called re feeding syndrome and edema. Refereeing properly is important to avoid something like this. I've noticed upto 3 days is not that big a deal once you've done at least one. Also if you mess up your refeeding after a 3 day fast it seems easier. Remember that your gut biome will change. Longer fasts will experience different effects that you might or might not be prepared for hence the reading up. One thing that made long fasts easier is by slipping into a fast after being in ketosis. That way I've always avoided the dreaded Keto flu. Know your purpose though definitely. If it's weight loss, then I've learnt a better combination to be Keto + intermittent fasting 23:1 and when possible 4:3(4days feasting and 3 days fasting) Water fasting has additional benefits like autophagy etc. but really I would not recommend to anyone whose not ready to take on some serious research and doesn't have an experimental mindset. One other thing that will take you by surprise is how much bored you'll get!! Resources - https://www.reddit.com/r/fasting/ https://www.reddit.com/r/fasting/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NaNQcDjUR97yfF3bNYqAmGldKvS7s_q245qRH0PH4rc/mobilebasic https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NaNQcDjUR97yfF3bNYqAmGld... http://a.co/hvVllDl http://a.co/hvVllDl
- williadc 9y ago
  I don't have anything I can point to. I also struggled to give up caffeine on my first couple tries. On my last attempt, I noticed that I stopped getting migraines, which gave me all the motivation I needed to stick with it. I only have a sample size of myself, so my advice may not be worth much, and it's definitely a cliche. What seems to work for me is to set a modest goal and don't get discouraged when I don't meet that goal the first time. Once I hit that goal, I stretch to something more ambitious. Sometimes you'll find you have goals that you don't really care about as much as you think. It's okay to set them aside and pursue the things that matter to you. Okay that's it for unwanted-advice time. :) Good luck with your goals!

spraak 9y ago

Do you have a blog, or resources you you can link that helped you get there? I can't even make a 3 day day fast of caffeine... but I definitely see the benefits of fasting, so I'd like to try.

srik 9y ago
For me it really was more about the mental hurdles. I've done multiple 14 day water only fast and recently a 7 day fast a week ago. For me it's about learning all the many things we know so far that got me through and kept me fresh and energetic. For example - hydration and electrolytes are key, especially sodium(salt), potassium(Lite salt), magnesium citrate and possibly calcium. Knowing how the body loses what electrolytes during which phases is a big deal. Also knowing the risks is important e.g. Only so much potassium should be consumed at a time. And There is a thing called re feeding syndrome and edema. Refereeing properly is important to avoid something like this. I've noticed upto 3 days is not that big a deal once you've done at least one. Also if you mess up your refeeding after a 3 day fast it seems easier. Remember that your gut biome will change. Longer fasts will experience different effects that you might or might not be prepared for hence the reading up. One thing that made long fasts easier is by slipping into a fast after being in ketosis. That way I've always avoided the dreaded Keto flu. Know your purpose though definitely. If it's weight loss, then I've learnt a better combination to be Keto + intermittent fasting 23:1 and when possible 4:3(4days feasting and 3 days fasting) Water fasting has additional benefits like autophagy etc. but really I would not recommend to anyone whose not ready to take on some serious research and doesn't have an experimental mindset. One other thing that will take you by surprise is how much bored you'll get!! Resources - https://www.reddit.com/r/fasting/ https://www.reddit.com/r/fasting/ https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NaNQcDjUR97yfF3bNYqAmGldKvS7s_q245qRH0PH4rc/mobilebasic https://docs.google.com/document/d/1NaNQcDjUR97yfF3bNYqAmGld... http://a.co/hvVllDl http://a.co/hvVllDl
williadc 9y ago
I don't have anything I can point to. I also struggled to give up caffeine on my first couple tries. On my last attempt, I noticed that I stopped getting migraines, which gave me all the motivation I needed to stick with it. I only have a sample size of myself, so my advice may not be worth much, and it's definitely a cliche. What seems to work for me is to set a modest goal and don't get discouraged when I don't meet that goal the first time. Once I hit that goal, I stretch to something more ambitious. Sometimes you'll find you have goals that you don't really care about as much as you think. It's okay to set them aside and pursue the things that matter to you. Okay that's it for unwanted-advice time. :) Good luck with your goals!