Is it OK to fast for one day?

mmatusevici1
mmatusevici1 Posts: 11 Member
edited November 17 in Food and Nutrition
Hello, i was wondering if water fasting for one day is not harmful for health? I was thinking to give a short period of rest for digestive organs, and an opportunity for me to meet my weekly calories goal since I am a bit over my goal this week?
«1345

Replies

  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    One day won't hurt. I pretty much did that during my colonoscopy prep since I'm a vegetarian and jello wasn't an option for me and I just drank sugar free ginger ale and water the day before. Well, and my prep.

    HOWEVER... you don't need to "rest" your organs or anything like that.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    Why? :huh:
  • sheldonklein
    sheldonklein Posts: 854 Member
    Anything is OK for 1 day. It won't accomplish anything, but it won't harm you.
  • mmatusevici1
    mmatusevici1 Posts: 11 Member
    randomtai wrote: »
    Why? :huh:

    I am over my weekly goal for about ~1400kcal, so I was thinking of fasting for one day to meet my weekly goal
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    randomtai wrote: »
    Why? :huh:

    I am over my weekly goal for about ~1400kcal, so I was thinking of fasting for one day to meet my weekly goal

    That's a disordered way of thinking.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    randomtai wrote: »
    randomtai wrote: »
    Why? :huh:

    I am over my weekly goal for about ~1400kcal, so I was thinking of fasting for one day to meet my weekly goal

    That's a disordered way of thinking.

    agree….

    OP - just eat normally for the day and then get back on track the following week ...
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,230 Member
    "Water fast" - the new name for starving. Let's call it what it is, hmm?

    So is it ok to starve yourself for a day to get back under calorie goal for the week? Well, it won't do you any harm, physically. But is that really where you want to go? "I've overeaten, so I'll just not eat for a day" can quickly become "It's ok, I can overeat, then just not eat for a day".

    I personally, wouldnt. I'd eat light, but I'd cop being over a bit and the results. I think starving for a day after going over goal is a massive slippery slope which can lead to disordered thinking and eating. Keep in mind, 1400 over for the week is likely still much under maintenance and will still result in a loss (if that's where your goals are set).
  • PeachyCarol
    PeachyCarol Posts: 8,029 Member
    "Water fast" - the new name for starving. Let's call it what it is, hmm?

    So is it ok to starve yourself for a day to get back under calorie goal for the week? Well, it won't do you any harm, physically. But is that really where you want to go? "I've overeaten, so I'll just not eat for a day" can quickly become "It's ok, I can overeat, then just not eat for a day".

    I personally, wouldnt. I'd eat light, but I'd cop being over a bit and the results. I think starving for a day after going over goal is a massive slippery slope which can lead to disordered thinking and eating. Keep in mind, 1400 over for the week is likely still much under maintenance and will still result in a loss (if that's where your goals are set).

    ^This.

  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    edited April 2015
    Bonkers, its really not a sensible thing to do. water is your friend, it cna help you feel full, it enables your body to work efficiently, it has zero calories.

    Look up dehydration.

    Will you also be going on an oxygen fast?
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    edited April 2015
    You will still live, but there is no good reason to do this. Also, organs do not need a rest.
    Start the next day with your regular calories for the day.
  • ndj1979
    ndj1979 Posts: 29,136 Member
    999tigger wrote: »
    Bonkers, its really not a sensible thing to do. water is your friend, it cna help you feel full, it enables your body to work efficiently, it has zero calories.

    Look up dehydration.

    Will you also be going on an oxygen fast?

    I think OP means she is just going to drink water for a day and not eat solid foods…

    but I could be wrong...
  • DeFYneME
    DeFYneME Posts: 97 Member
    Why? just eat food and workout!!! food was meant to enjoy ( in its limits) and the body is meant to be taken care of! water is essential but doesn't replace food!
  • DeFYneME
    DeFYneME Posts: 97 Member
    If you're over your weekly goal, add an extra 10-15 minutes to your workout. don't starve yourself one day to then overeat the next!
  • RodaRose
    RodaRose Posts: 9,562 Member
    First: Increase your daily calories and lower your weight loss goals.
    Second: Do not do feast or famine -- it is disordered. Try to be moderate. Instead of kind of punishing yourself for going over some relatively "random" number, nourish your body with calories.
  • snickerscharlie
    snickerscharlie Posts: 8,578 Member
    ndj1979 wrote: »
    999tigger wrote: »
    Bonkers, its really not a sensible thing to do. water is your friend, it cna help you feel full, it enables your body to work efficiently, it has zero calories.

    Look up dehydration.

    Will you also be going on an oxygen fast?

    I think OP means she is just going to drink water for a day and not eat solid foods…

    but I could be wrong...

    That's what I thought, too, but water *does* have weight so idk...
  • Unknown
    edited April 2015
    This content has been removed.
  • evivahealth
    evivahealth Posts: 571 Member
    edited April 2015
    Like most people have said, just get back on the horse and make today a little bit better. Accept that you've eaten more than you wanted to, no guilt, no punishment, just accept it, move on and make today better.
  • RoxieDawn
    RoxieDawn Posts: 15,488 Member
    Water fast if you feel you must... But as you can see from the other posts, this is totally not necessary.

    And BTW this is not a water fast. It it basically a 24 hour fast with no food (calories) and you can pick back up where you left off.. Totally not necessary though..

  • qpmomma1
    qpmomma1 Posts: 220 Member
    edited April 2015
    I used to fast from food once a week for religious reasons. It won't hurt you.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    edited April 2015
    How much do you have MFP set to lose per week?

    If you're set at one pound per week, your "goal" includes a 3500 calorie deficit built in ... so if you're 1400 cals above that goal, you still have a 2100 calorie deficit for the week.
  • earlnabby
    earlnabby Posts: 8,171 Member
    edited April 2015
    A one day water only fast will do no harm to most people. It is not advised for pregnant women and those with some medical issues, especially electrolyte imbalances.

    Having said that, there is nothing it can do for your body that eating at a deficit also does. It can do some things in your mind which is why fasts are done for spiritual reasons. Perhaps the first day to give your brain a starting point for a new way of eating but unless you plan on spending the time you are not eating in meditation or praying there is no reason for it.

    I f you really want to make up those 1400 calories, go for an extra walk every day for a week, at whatever distance you need to burn off 200 calories.
  • wizzybeth
    wizzybeth Posts: 3,578 Member
    My husband fasts occasionally for religious purposes.
  • MalineVD
    MalineVD Posts: 649 Member
    How about exercise your *kitten* off to burn 1400 cal?
  • Alatariel75
    Alatariel75 Posts: 18,230 Member
    edited April 2015
    qpmomma1 wrote: »
    I used to fast from food once a week for religious reasons. It won't hurt you.
    wizzybeth wrote: »
    My husband fasts occasionally for religious purposes.

    This is completely different from starting a cycle of "I'm over my calories for the week, so I won't eat for a day". Please consider that before responding like this.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    MalineVD wrote: »
    How about exercise your *kitten* off to burn 1400 cal?

    Why not suggest exercise bulimia?
  • kmsoucy457
    kmsoucy457 Posts: 237 Member
    Sound advice up there. But whatever you decide to do, don't fast AND exercise in the same day... I know I'd faint.
  • LolBroScience
    LolBroScience Posts: 4,537 Member
    I assume your weekly goal already takes into consideration the caloric deficit? If so, are you running a 500 cal deficit/day or what?
  • MalineVD
    MalineVD Posts: 649 Member
    MalineVD wrote: »
    How about exercise your *kitten* off to burn 1400 cal?

    Why not suggest exercise bulimia?

    That's absolutely not what I mean. But if you overeat, why not compensate with excersise?
    Exercise bulimia is to burn every single calorie you consume. I'm just saying there's nothing wrong to compensate the cal you ate over your daily goal.
  • brianpperkins
    brianpperkins Posts: 6,124 Member
    MalineVD wrote: »
    MalineVD wrote: »
    How about exercise your *kitten* off to burn 1400 cal?

    Why not suggest exercise bulimia?

    That's absolutely not what I mean. But if you overeat, why not compensate with excersise?
    Exercise bulimia is to burn every single calorie you consume. I'm just saying there's nothing wrong to compensate the cal you ate over your daily goal.

    You didn't even bother to ask her if she is over or under maintenance ... you don't know if her goal is even healthy for what she has to lose ... just go bust her butt to burn off what might not even be a surplus. Ignorance based advice.
  • randomtai
    randomtai Posts: 9,003 Member
    MalineVD wrote: »
    MalineVD wrote: »
    How about exercise your *kitten* off to burn 1400 cal?

    Why not suggest exercise bulimia?

    That's absolutely not what I mean. But if you overeat, why not compensate with excersise?
    Exercise bulimia is to burn every single calorie you consume. I'm just saying there's nothing wrong to compensate the cal you ate over your daily goal.

    You didn't even bother to ask her if she is over or under maintenance ... you don't know if her goal is even healthy for what she has to lose ... just go bust her butt to burn off what might not even be a surplus. Ignorance based advice.

    Truth.
This discussion has been closed.