Fasting

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dh7474
dh7474 Posts: 60 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
What do you think about fasting for a few days ?
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  • StealthHealth
    StealthHealth Posts: 2,417 Member
    edited April 2017
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    In a carefully controlled manner, I think fasting can be a useful tool. I fast until noon on most days and I have used longer fasts in the past.

    For a couple of days? I'm less keen unless someone has quite a bit of experience with fasting for shorter periods - I think the chances of a massive binge at the end of the fast is quite high.

    Approach with caution and some research.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
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    I have fasted 1-3 days for various reasons in the past, some of them were dumb. Sometimes it's warranted if it's a part of your strategy and not just a punishment protocol, other times it's useless or even harmful. Any longer than that without supervision is also ill advised (ended up in the hospital as a teen after a 2 week fast).
  • lynjoywal
    lynjoywal Posts: 3 Member
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    I do a 500 calorie fast 2days per week. This was what really started my weight loss. Before that I was on 1200 calories per day and was losing nothing despite exercising - GP suggested (after checking my food diary) trying 800 calories but I thought if I can do 800, I can do 500 a couple of times per week. It's working a treat.
  • Ironandwine69
    Ironandwine69 Posts: 2,432 Member
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    I fast for 24 hours twice a week. I feel fine. But if I fast for longer I feel weak and light headed. My workouts suffer too.
    I would not fast for a few days at a time.
  • amtyrell
    amtyrell Posts: 1,449 Member
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    I think success requires doing something for the rest of your life. Fasting for a few days is the same as saying "what do you think of starvation for a few days" Bad idea
  • LessCookiess
    LessCookiess Posts: 538 Member
    edited April 2017
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    Are you going to eat at some point in the day? Because fasting is not a strange concept muslims have been doing this for centuries! And other religions as well for religious reasons.
  • Ironandwine69
    Ironandwine69 Posts: 2,432 Member
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    amtyrell wrote: »
    I think success requires doing something for the rest of your life. Fasting for a few days is the same as saying "what do you think of starvation for a few days" Bad idea

    Nobody starved from not eating for a few days. Have you ever been sick and not eaten for a few days? You still survived.
    I wouldn't do it on purpose for weight loss though.
  • amusedmonkey
    amusedmonkey Posts: 10,330 Member
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    amtyrell wrote: »
    I think success requires doing something for the rest of your life. Fasting for a few days is the same as saying "what do you think of starvation for a few days" Bad idea

    It can be part of a sustainable overall weight loss strategy for some, nothing scary about that as long as it's short duration and accompanied by the right mindset. Not eating for a couple of days because you feel guilty, followed by binging, or want to crash diet without any supplemental sustainable changes is not effective, but taking a couple of days off food a week and redistributing those calories among the rest of the days can make dieting easier for some. Using fasting as a quick damage control strategy every now and then without approaching it from a disordered place is another useful tool. The idea of fasting is only as bad or as good as the person's overall plan is.
  • JohnnyLowCarb
    JohnnyLowCarb Posts: 418 Member
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    Anyone who says that fasting is a bad idea and you must eat throughout the day with snacks simply does not understand how the body works, we all fast everyday. Well night. During a fast is the only time for some people to tap into the fat reserves. So for weight loss intermittent fasting is a great tool. But man is it controversial
  • trigden1991
    trigden1991 Posts: 4,658 Member
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    TimothyFish wrote: »
    As an act of worship, I think it is great. As a weight loss strategy, I don't think it gains you much.

    I'd counter that and argue that 2 days of fasting, nets you a deficit that is twice that of your maintenance.
  • toxikon
    toxikon Posts: 2,384 Member
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    There's some interesting science out there on short-term water fasts. They can help your body temporarily become better at getting rid of old cells (called autophagy). And that's a good thing.

    I'm curious to see how the science develops further over the coming decades. But for now it's promising - and a 3 day water fast every month or two wouldn't hurt. I've done one 3-day water fast and it was an interesting challenge.
  • Bob314159
    Bob314159 Posts: 1,178 Member
    edited April 2017
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    I've fasted for 3 days - water only. I did it for "toxic removal" - which I now think is nonsense.

    Did appreciate the amazing new taste of food at the end.

    I did not do it for weight loss - and a week later my weight was the same.

    I was warned of headaches and the inability to work full time, but had no problems
  • endlessfall16
    endlessfall16 Posts: 932 Member
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    TimothyFish wrote: »
    As a weight loss strategy, I don't think it gains you much.

    B.S.

    My whole wt control approach is based on fasting and light eating which affords me not to miss out a single eating out with friends and family, and I don't eat superficially. I get the most out of my eating and my money. I also love buffets.

    I'm stronger and higher stamina than most of my peers in the workout circle and I only sleep 5-7 hours a day. When I can get 8, 9 hours of sleep, I become even more hyperactive and alert.

  • Theo166
    Theo166 Posts: 2,564 Member
    edited April 2017
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    I'm planning on starting IF when I'm closer to goal weight. I'm hoping it's a strategy that can keep me at goal weight while on maintenance. In addition to weight control, I'm interested in the benefits for health/longevity.
  • SCoil123
    SCoil123 Posts: 2,108 Member
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    I did IF on the 16:8 schedule and liked it a lot. I recently only switched my eating to support my new workout regimine.
  • JohnnyLowCarb
    JohnnyLowCarb Posts: 418 Member
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    I too do a 6 feeding 18 non-feeding schedule. I like breakfast so I eat at 7am and eat until 1pm. Many seem to prefer to skip breakfast. Whatever works for you. However, the benefit of IF is you give your body a chance to fully digest food, then get into using fat stores for fuel once your insulin levels drop. We all fast, so anyone who is against it must never sleep or get up every 2 hours to eat. lol. So fasting is a way to kick start the fat burning and couple it with well timed exercise and you can really start to see some success.
  • JohnnyLowCarb
    JohnnyLowCarb Posts: 418 Member
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    amtyrell wrote: »
    I think success requires doing something for the rest of your life. Fasting for a few days is the same as saying "what do you think of starvation for a few days" Bad idea

    Yes, starving is the only way to lose weight...hold on...I am not saying go a month without food and water starving. Calorie deficit no matter how and when you do it is starving. If your definition of starving is to deprive the body of calories that are required to maintain your current wait, then yes starving a little for days, weeks, months, years is how you are going to reach your weight goals. I said this was a very controversial subject.
  • Geocitiesuser
    Geocitiesuser Posts: 1,429 Member
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    I like to fast one day a week (500 calories for the day) but it doesn't always work if I have prior engagements because I get to hAngry.
  • jaroby
    jaroby Posts: 152 Member
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    Go search YouTube for videos featuring Dr. Fung. He's and MD who re educated himself on what food does in the body. He's got 2 books out contains the science behind IF. Obesity Code and The Conplete Guide to Fasting. He now treats obese and type 2 diabetic patients through IF. Many patients come off their meds entirely. There's actually quite a lot of research out there about the benefits of giving your body a *longer than "normal"* break from digestion. Two benefits include lower insulin levels and an increase in sensitivity to insulin. Also, most people who IF eat the same amount of calories as before, just in a more condensed time frame. (Unless they decide to do a block fast which would be fasting for 24-36 hrs) So IF is truly NOT starvation. Again, this is to give the body a true rest from digestion. However, this will not be for everyone! But if it seems to fit your lifestyle, great!

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