Good way to start IF

nvmomketo

There is another thread about LCHF and IF but I didn't want to hijack it with my questions.

How long of a fast must you do before it is considered an IF?

If you consume fats, like in BPC, are you still in a fast?

What is good way to start IF? Jump in? Ease in?

I intended to do the July IF challenge but I don't feel like now is the time. I'm still getting used to keto and don't want to change too much at once. I do want to try IF in the future.

Thanks.

toadqueen

I am not an expert, so I am replying based on my experience and research.

I define an IF as alternating periods between eating and fasting on a regular schedule.

My fasts are just water fasts. I do not drink coffee or I would consider BPC. It is coffee and oil and butter - yum to the latter. I think it is supposed to give the drinker a boost of energy. Maybe I could have some ghee or schmaltz instead.

I like to schedule my fasts and just dive in. Others prefer to ease in.

It is good to wait until you are comfortable. I have fasted lots and it really benefits me.

CoconuttyMummy

I did my 1st water fast today - it panned out to a 22 hour fast and, surprisingly, felt great. Its taken me a while to get here though - i had to work up to it, and would no way have managed it in the 1st 6 weeks of going keto.

I worked my way up to IFing by starting with a BPC with a raw egg for breakfast (NOT a fast at all, but it reduced my calories and eased me into going for longer periods of time without solid food. This allowed me to do away with lunch).

I then started Bulletproof Fasting (straight BPC - 1 tbsp grass-fed butter, 1 tbsp MCT Oil/Coconut Oil), beginning at around 14 hrs and stretching it out as much as i could tolerate each day until i reached around 22 hrs on 1 BPC.

After 2-3 weeks of of playing with BP fasts i finally felt ready and able to complete a 'proper' fast today. Yay! It felt so good, i was shocked

There seems to be a huge difference in opinion regards whether 'Bulletproof Fasting' is truly fasting at all. Dave Asprey, who wrote the book "Bulletproof Fast" and designed BPC and its associated brand-name products, states that consuming just fats (no protein, no carbs) keeps the body, essentially, in a fasting state. Others stand by the traditional understanding of a fast and state that as soon as you intake any calories, fat or otherwise, you effectively end your fast. To me, the latter has always made more sense, but after reading The Bulletproof Fast book i was drawn into Dave Asprey's claims. Since then ive heard such varied views - some wholehearted supporters and many disbelievers of Dave Aspreys claims. I personally have no idea who is right. Although i will say i actually felt better on a traditional water fast than a bulletproof fast - more satiated, more energy, better mood. I was actually shocked how good i felt. I didnt even feel hungry after 22 hrs. Sure, i could fancy something to eat, but if i wasnt cooking for my family i could have easily gone several more hours without food.

As today was my 1st water fast i have no stats yet to gauge its success. I weigh myself daily with a body composition scale, so i'll see any changes tomorrow morning, but obviously 1 day isnt really enough to ascertain anything solid, so i'll keep up the water fasts regularly now and see what the scale says in a week or two.

Basically id definitely recommend giving a water fast a go, but you might find it easier to ease into it with a few Bulletproof Fasts 1st.. and only when you feel your body has become accustomed to the keto diet.

Jbarnes1210

I fasted today for the first time, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I drank BPC when I first woke up, then fasted from 7am to 7pm, just drinking water. I was at work, so it was easy to keep my mind off eating. I might try to add on a couple more hours next time.

sweetteadrinker2

I've extended my late afternoon-night natural fast by up to 8 hours(4 in the afternoon)about once per week only drinking broth, tea and water. I dont drink BPC because I really havent been in the mood, but would still consider it a fast if I had one to sip on, might help me extend the fast through the family dinner.

DittoDan

CoconuttyMummy wrote: »

I did my 1st water fast today - it panned out to a 22 hour fast and, surprisingly, felt great. Its taken me a while to get here though - i had to work up to it, and would no way have managed it in the 1st 6 weeks of going keto.
<snip> Although i will say i actually felt better on a traditional water fast than a bulletproof fast - more satiated, more energy, better mood. I was actually shocked how good i felt. I didnt even feel hungry after 22 hrs. Sure, i could fancy something to eat, but if i wasnt cooking for my family i could have easily gone several more hours without food.

<snip>

Basically id definitely recommend giving a water fast a go, but you might find it easier to ease into it with a few Bulletproof Fasts 1st.. and only when you feel your body has become accustomed to the keto diet.

Jbarnes1210 wrote: »

I fasted today for the first time, and it wasn't as bad as I thought it would be. I drank BPC when I first woke up, then fasted from 7am to 7pm, just drinking water. I was at work, so it was easy to keep my mind off eating. I might try to add on a couple more hours next time.

YAHOOO! What have I always said forever about IF? Its always harder to do the fast "in-your-mind" that the actual fast itself. Your brain still thinks you're a carb eater and says to you, "Don't you dare do it, you'll die of starvation!" But about 16 to 20 hours into the fast, you'll say, "Body ~ you lied to me, this isn't so bad after all, as a matter of fact, I feel great!"

Even if you don't lose ANY weight a fast is a healthy thing to do. Just google it, you'll find research after research that says how wonderful it is for the body.

Exercise is one tool and fasting is another. I prefer fasting, I don't have time for Gym exercising or walking, jogging. I gave up on THAT type of exercising because it injures my body and its unsustainable, boring. Just like I have given up on LOW fat diets, I now only exercise if it meets these two criteria: it has to be fun or it has to be work. Otherwise I'm not doing it. By work, I mean, painting, raking leaves, mowing, building something, chainsawing, gardening, clearing brush. By fun I mean: volley ball, ATV riding, basketball, etc.

I hope this helps,
Dan the Man from Michigan
Keto / IF / Sedentary
92 pounds down, 32 to go.

My Blog: Intermittent Water Fasting & Keto
Features of a successful therapeutic fast of 382 days' duration
Blog #9 Fasting, Diabetic ~ Glucose/Sugar Levels