Week Long Water Fast - Good idea or bad idea?

heytherelameman

I did a water fast for about an hour and a half and it was terrible.

omg lol

Iwishyouwell

I fast regularly for spirit, mind, and body. I did a 28 day water-only fast in my mid 20's that cured my chronic eczema rashes, which haven't returned since. There are a lot of health benefits to fasting, as well as a plethora of ignorance and misinformation.

This isn't the place to ask about fasting. Most people here haven't any clue whatsoever about the process, nor how the human body (positively) reacts during a proper fast. For most fasting=starvation, and they couldn't tell you the difference between the two. There are thankfully a lot of resources on the web that are pro-fasting for health on all levels, and I'd recommend you search them out. Good luck!

So she should drink nothing but water for 7 days?
I'm so glad I have a healthy relationship with food.

Human beings have fasted for thousands of years. Millions fast regularly across this planet for various reasons. Do not assume that your Westernized idea about food, and fasting, are the correct answer, or that every faster has a bad relationship with food. Plenty of people fast for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with food.

The OP could be fasting for bad reasons, or not, I have no clue. What I do know is that she'll not find much real, accurate information about the process here. That's the bottom line. Hopefully she'll search and find some information from fasting practitioners that will educate her on proper fasting, or warn her against fasting if she's ill equipped or not doing it from the proper place.

RCottonRPh

So you want to starve and exhaust yourself and would like the blessing of MFP? Not getting it from me! Food=energy. Your body needs energy. If you want to detox, stop eating junk and eat real food...enough to keep you alive and well.

EDesq

I do it all the time. I do 2 days a week...it's NO Big Deal. Of course Fasting is good for you; the only people who think otherwise also believe that you will STARVE if you miss a meal.

Sometimes I will start a Fruit Fast and it will progress to a Juice Fast and then to a Water Fast. Each progression simply means a deeper detox. You don't ask anyone's permission to take care of your Health because THIS is going to be trial and error, You will have to do what fits YOU best, your Body will tell you once you get to a point that you actually Listen to it. Also, don't ANNOUNCE to people that you are Fasting of any kind...go about your business, if offered food just politely decline. Fasting is NOT for Heroes, it's about Humility. Oh, if you are Fasting just to lose weight, w/o doubt in the end it will fail...you might Force yourself through the Fast BUT you will regain the weight. Fasting is NOT a quick fix, it is a long term/life long Spiritual and Health protocol. In the USA we want everything to be a quick fix and fad.

LJSmith1989

I fast regularly for spirit, mind, and body. I did a 28 day water-only fast in my mid 20's that cured my chronic eczema rashes, which haven't returned since. There are a lot of health benefits to fasting, as well as a plethora of ignorance and misinformation.

This isn't the place to ask about fasting. Most people here haven't any clue whatsoever about the process, nor how the human body (positively) reacts during a proper fast. For most fasting=starvation, and they couldn't tell you the difference between the two. There are thankfully a lot of resources on the web that are pro-fasting for health on all levels, and I'd recommend you search them out. Good luck!

So she should drink nothing but water for 7 days?
I'm so glad I have a healthy relationship with food.

Human beings have fasted for thousands of years. Millions fast regularly across this planet for various reasons. Do not assume that your Westernized idea about food, and fasting, are the correct answer, or that every faster has a bad relationship with food. Plenty of people fast for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with food.

The OP could be fasting for bad reasons, or not, I have no clue. What I do know is that she'll not find much real, accurate information about the process here. That's the bottom line. Hopefully she'll search and find some information from fasting practitioners that will educate her on proper fasting, or warn her against fasting if she's ill equipped or not doing it from the proper place.

Yeah thousands of years, the affects and the how to are passed through the generations (e.g ramadam)

This girl is talking about starvation for 7 days consuming vast amounts of water.

I don't assume my westernised food ideas are correct, I am however safe in the assumption that what I do is 10x healthier than crap like this.

Acg67

I've fasted for 3 days and it wasn't that big of a deal probably because I was already eating low carb and going in and out of ketosis to begin with. There was weight loss, of course, but really not too much more than what I was already losing. I still fast occasionally when it feels easy to but I really wouldn't recommend such an extreme fast -- 7 days is a long time! -- in the hopes you'll lose a ton of weight. It's just not going to happen.

Here's a series of articles on fasting from Mark's Daily Apple that you might be interested in:

http://www.marksdailyapple.com/fasting-weight-loss/#axzz2Xupgr3yp

Lol Sisson, and water fasting =/= intermittent fasting

JoRocka

I did a water fast for about an hour and a half and it was terrible.

best answer here.

I concur.

arains89

I did a water fast for about an hour and a half and it was terrible.

^^ This!

Iwishyouwell

I fast regularly for spirit, mind, and body. I did a 28 day water-only fast in my mid 20's that cured my chronic eczema rashes, which haven't returned since. There are a lot of health benefits to fasting, as well as a plethora of ignorance and misinformation.

This isn't the place to ask about fasting. Most people here haven't any clue whatsoever about the process, nor how the human body (positively) reacts during a proper fast. For most fasting=starvation, and they couldn't tell you the difference between the two. There are thankfully a lot of resources on the web that are pro-fasting for health on all levels, and I'd recommend you search them out. Good luck!

So she should drink nothing but water for 7 days?
I'm so glad I have a healthy relationship with food.

Human beings have fasted for thousands of years. Millions fast regularly across this planet for various reasons. Do not assume that your Westernized idea about food, and fasting, are the correct answer, or that every faster has a bad relationship with food. Plenty of people fast for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with food.

The OP could be fasting for bad reasons, or not, I have no clue. What I do know is that she'll not find much real, accurate information about the process here. That's the bottom line. Hopefully she'll search and find some information from fasting practitioners that will educate her on proper fasting, or warn her against fasting if she's ill equipped or not doing it from the proper place.

Yeah thousands of years, the affects and the how to are passed through the generations (e.g ramadam)

This girl is talking about starvation for 7 days consuming vast amounts of water.

I don't assume my westernised food ideas are correct, I am however safe in the assumption that what I do is 10x healthier than crap like this.

I am not really going to debate the merits of fasting with you, or anybody here. I am somebody who fasts, am well educated on the matter, and have reaped wonderful benefits from both long term fasting and IFing. That's all that matters to me.

As far as the OP, like I've said twice, it's best she seek out competent counsel from people who are well educated and versed in this matter. THIS board is not that place.

Pangea250

Bad idea. But you're going to argue about how great it is and everyone here is wrong for saying it is a bad idea. So just go ahead and do it.

slvrdrgn33

I've done it for a day, But a week is far too long. You body will go into starvation mode and it will cause your metabolism to slow down. You body needs calories to function. But it is capable of going 1 day without food. That will not be harmful to it.

nuttynanners

Personally, I would never attempt a fast any more than 24-48 hours. I think fasting can have positive effects but I think 7 days might actually create a negative relationship between you and the food you eat, not to mention deprive you of energy and focus you might need for daily tasks.

Out of curiosity, what do you hope to get out of a 7 day fast and what gave you this idea? I'm not here to judge, but this seems like a pretty big decision...

LJSmith1989

I fast regularly for spirit, mind, and body. I did a 28 day water-only fast in my mid 20's that cured my chronic eczema rashes, which haven't returned since. There are a lot of health benefits to fasting, as well as a plethora of ignorance and misinformation.

This isn't the place to ask about fasting. Most people here haven't any clue whatsoever about the process, nor how the human body (positively) reacts during a proper fast. For most fasting=starvation, and they couldn't tell you the difference between the two. There are thankfully a lot of resources on the web that are pro-fasting for health on all levels, and I'd recommend you search them out. Good luck!

So she should drink nothing but water for 7 days?
I'm so glad I have a healthy relationship with food.

Human beings have fasted for thousands of years. Millions fast regularly across this planet for various reasons. Do not assume that your Westernized idea about food, and fasting, are the correct answer, or that every faster has a bad relationship with food. Plenty of people fast for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with food.

The OP could be fasting for bad reasons, or not, I have no clue. What I do know is that she'll not find much real, accurate information about the process here. That's the bottom line. Hopefully she'll search and find some information from fasting practitioners that will educate her on proper fasting, or warn her against fasting if she's ill equipped or not doing it from the proper place.

Yeah thousands of years, the affects and the how to are passed through the generations (e.g ramadam)

This girl is talking about starvation for 7 days consuming vast amounts of water.

I don't assume my westernised food ideas are correct, I am however safe in the assumption that what I do is 10x healthier than crap like this.

I am not really going to debate the merits of fasting with you, or anybody here. I am somebody who fasts, am well educated on the matter, and have reaped wonderful benefits from both long term fasting and IFing. That's all that matters to me.

As far as the OP, like I've said twice, it's best she seek out competent counsel from people who are well educated and versed in this matter. THIS board is not that place.

Thats good. Bordom was setting in.

wareagle8706

I fast regularly for spirit, mind, and body. I did a 28 day water-only fast in my mid 20's that cured my chronic eczema rashes, which haven't returned since. There are a lot of health benefits to fasting, as well as a plethora of ignorance and misinformation.

This isn't the place to ask about fasting. Most people here haven't any clue whatsoever about the process, nor how the human body (positively) reacts during a proper fast. For most fasting=starvation, and they couldn't tell you the difference between the two. There are thankfully a lot of resources on the web that are pro-fasting for health on all levels, and I'd recommend you search them out. Good luck!

So she should drink nothing but water for 7 days?
I'm so glad I have a healthy relationship with food.

Human beings have fasted for thousands of years. Millions fast regularly across this planet for various reasons. Do not assume that your Westernized idea about food, and fasting, are the correct answer, or that every faster has a bad relationship with food. Plenty of people fast for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with food.

The OP could be fasting for bad reasons, or not, I have no clue. What I do know is that she'll not find much real, accurate information about the process here. That's the bottom line. Hopefully she'll search and find some information from fasting practitioners that will educate her on proper fasting, or warn her against fasting if she's ill equipped or not doing it from the proper place.

I personally don't think that our bodies determine whether or not to starve to death on whether the fast is for "good reasons" or "bad reasons." If you only drink water for an extended period of time, you will get hyponutremia, you'll be malnourished and then you will die. That is a fact.

blisterpeanuts

To the op: A 24-hour fast every few months is no big deal. 7 days sounds extreme. There are lots of threads here on fasting, look'em up.

My theory is that primitive humans didn't eat 3 square meals a day. Probably they went for hours or days without eating anything, then binged and gorged when they did find food, to hold them until the next meal. Once we settled down to raise animals and grow crops, food became a more regular thing. But even then, there could be dry spells and bad crops and people would go hungry for days, eating bark or leather or whatever they could get.

Fasting is natural. Constant access to food is relatively recent and not necessarily healthy. Anyway - be careful, whatever you decide.

wareagle8706

I am not really going to debate the merits of fasting with you, or anybody here. I am somebody who fasts, am well educated on the matter, and have reaped wonderful benefits from both long term fasting and IFing. That's all that matters to me.

As far as the OP, like I've said twice, it's best she seek out competent counsel from people who are well educated and versed in this matter. THIS board is not that place.

They may be well educated and versed in the subject matter, but that doesn't make them competent.

lauren3101

My prediction:

On Day 1 you will be hungry.
On Day 2 you will be very hungry.
By Day 3 you will be irritable, light headed, tired, and headachy. Oh, and hungry.
On Day 4 (if you've lasted that long) you will eat everything in sight and gain back all the water weight you've lost.

NathanFronk

My prediction:

On Day 1 you will be hungry.
On Day 1.2 you will be very hungry.
By Day 1.5 you will be irritable, light headed, tired, and headachy. Oh, and hungry.
On Day 1.7 (if you've lasted that long) you will eat everything in sight and gain back all the water weight you've lost.

This

RGv2

I mean, waters like really good for you...I don't see a problem here. Let me know how it goes!

There your an idiot. Please do report this, by all means.

plynn54

I really don't see how starving yourself for a week could go wrong

LJSmith1989

I mean, waters like really good for you...I don't see a problem here. Let me know how it goes!

There your an idiot. Please do report this, by all means.

Ah Big Bang

Showcase_Brodown

Generally anything with term "detox" raises a red BS flag in my head.

There can be health benefits to fasts, but usually for a much shorter period.

Why are you concerned about your water weight?

Basically I will agree with almost everyone who has already posted and tell you that this isn't a very good idea. Look for a sustainable strategy that you can use for the rest of your life.

allisonrinkel

I mean, waters like really good for you...I don't see a problem here. Let me know how it goes!

Good gravy.
There IS a problem here!!

Mr_Bad_Example

Hi folks,

Just wondered if any of you might have water fasted in the past and if so, how was it for you? Was it worth it?

I'm considering going on a week long water fast to help me detox my body and hopefully shed some excess water weight.

Any advice would be appreciated

Seems about as legit as doing this...

RGv2

I mean, waters like really good for you...I don't see a problem here. Let me know how it goes!

Good gravy.
There IS a problem here!!

Hexahedra

To the op: A 24-hour fast every few months is no big deal. 7 days sounds extreme. There are lots of threads here on fasting, look'em up.

My theory is that primitive humans didn't eat 3 square meals a day. Probably they went for hours or days without eating anything, then binged and gorged when they did find food, to hold them until the next meal. Once we settled down to raise animals and grow crops, food became a more regular thing. But even then, there could be dry spells and bad crops and people would go hungry for days, eating bark or leather or whatever they could get.

Fasting is natural. Constant access to food is relatively recent and not necessarily healthy. Anyway - be careful, whatever you decide.

Constant access to food is 'not necessarily healthy' while intermittent starvation is? People in prehistoric times have shorter average lifespans. I can say that starve-engorge cycle is 'not necessarily healthy' either.

I think water fasting for a week is not likely to kill you or harm you tremendously. But, since it doesn't provide any benefit that can't be gained through other (safer) ways, it's not a great idea.

britttttx3

That sounds horrible:/

Iwishyouwell

I fast regularly for spirit, mind, and body. I did a 28 day water-only fast in my mid 20's that cured my chronic eczema rashes, which haven't returned since. There are a lot of health benefits to fasting, as well as a plethora of ignorance and misinformation.

This isn't the place to ask about fasting. Most people here haven't any clue whatsoever about the process, nor how the human body (positively) reacts during a proper fast. For most fasting=starvation, and they couldn't tell you the difference between the two. There are thankfully a lot of resources on the web that are pro-fasting for health on all levels, and I'd recommend you search them out. Good luck!

So she should drink nothing but water for 7 days?
I'm so glad I have a healthy relationship with food.

Human beings have fasted for thousands of years. Millions fast regularly across this planet for various reasons. Do not assume that your Westernized idea about food, and fasting, are the correct answer, or that every faster has a bad relationship with food. Plenty of people fast for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with food.

The OP could be fasting for bad reasons, or not, I have no clue. What I do know is that she'll not find much real, accurate information about the process here. That's the bottom line. Hopefully she'll search and find some information from fasting practitioners that will educate her on proper fasting, or warn her against fasting if she's ill equipped or not doing it from the proper place.

I personally don't think that our bodies determine whether or not to starve to death on whether the fast is for "good reasons" or "bad reasons." If you only drink water for an extended period of time, you will get hyponutremia, you'll be malnourished and then you will die. That is a fact.

Yes, if you fast to the point of tapping out all your fat reserves and/or deplete all your bodies stored vitamins, electrolytes, and nutrients you will indeed perish after you body begins eating away at crucial muscle, like the heart.

Now since you're apparently well educated on this process, care to specify at what point death happens?

LJSmith1989

I fast regularly for spirit, mind, and body. I did a 28 day water-only fast in my mid 20's that cured my chronic eczema rashes, which haven't returned since. There are a lot of health benefits to fasting, as well as a plethora of ignorance and misinformation.

This isn't the place to ask about fasting. Most people here haven't any clue whatsoever about the process, nor how the human body (positively) reacts during a proper fast. For most fasting=starvation, and they couldn't tell you the difference between the two. There are thankfully a lot of resources on the web that are pro-fasting for health on all levels, and I'd recommend you search them out. Good luck!

So she should drink nothing but water for 7 days?
I'm so glad I have a healthy relationship with food.

Human beings have fasted for thousands of years. Millions fast regularly across this planet for various reasons. Do not assume that your Westernized idea about food, and fasting, are the correct answer, or that every faster has a bad relationship with food. Plenty of people fast for reasons that have nothing whatsoever to do with food.

The OP could be fasting for bad reasons, or not, I have no clue. What I do know is that she'll not find much real, accurate information about the process here. That's the bottom line. Hopefully she'll search and find some information from fasting practitioners that will educate her on proper fasting, or warn her against fasting if she's ill equipped or not doing it from the proper place.

I personally don't think that our bodies determine whether or not to starve to death on whether the fast is for "good reasons" or "bad reasons." If you only drink water for an extended period of time, you will get hyponutremia, you'll be malnourished and then you will die. That is a fact.

Yes, if you fast to the point of tapping out all your fat reserves and/or deplete all your bodies stored vitamins, electrolytes, and nutrients you will indeed perish after you body begins eating away at crucial muscle, like the heart.

Now since you're apparently well educated on this process, care to specify at what point death happens?

Ummm you just answered it in your first paragraph... LOL

babydiego87