Water fasting motivation
MacyNati
Posts: 9 Member
Currently on day 2 of my first water fast ever. My goal is 14 days. Looking for others also doing a water fast for support and motivation. What has your experience with water fasting been like?
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Replies
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While short-term water fasts are relatively harmless and may, at times be necessary (e.g. clear fluids before surgery, and usually after a certain point no fluids but water), prolonged ones are dangerous without medical supervision.
From https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/water-fasting
Most water fasts last between 24 to 72 hours. You should not follow a water fast for longer than this without medical supervision.
(Click the link I posted at the top to check the footnoted sources).Dangers and Risks of Water Fasting
Although water fasting may have some benefits, it comes with health risks.
Here are a few dangers and risks of water fasting.
You May Lose the Wrong Type of Weight
Because a water fast restricts calories, you will lose a lot of weight quickly.
In fact, research shows that you may lose up to 2 pounds (0.9 kg) each day of the 24- to 72-hour water fast (7).
Unfortunately, a lot of the weight you lose may come from water, carbs and even muscle mass.
You May Become Dehydrated
Although it sounds strange, a water fast could make you dehydrated. This is because roughly 20 to 30% of your daily water intake comes from the foods you eat (31).
If you’re drinking the same amount of water but not eating foods, then you might not be getting enough water.
Symptoms of dehydration include dizziness, nausea, headaches, constipation, low blood pressure and low productivity. To avoid dehydration, you may need to drink more than usual (32).
You May Suffer From Orthostatic Hypotension
Orthostatic hypotension is common among people who water fast (33).
It is defined as a drop in blood pressure that happens when you suddenly stand up, and can leave you dizzy, lightheaded and at risk of fainting (7, 33, 34).
If you suffer from orthostatic hypotension while fasting, then you may need to avoid driving or operating heavy machinery. The dizziness and risk of fainting could lead to an accident.
If you experience these symptoms during a water fast, then this fast may not suit you.
Water Fasting May Worsen Several Medical Conditions
Although a water fast is relatively short, there are a few conditions that may be aggravated by water fasting.
People with the following medical conditions should not water fast without first seeking advice from their doctor:
Gout: Water fasting may increase uric acid production, a risk factor for gout attacks (7, 35).
Diabetes: Fasting may increase the risk of adverse side effects in type 1 and type 2 diabetes (36).
Chronic kidney disease: Water fasting may cause further damage to the kidneys in people with chronic kidney disease (37).
Eating disorders: There is some evidence that fasting may encourage eating disorders like bulimia, especially in teenagers (38).
Heartburn: Fasting may trigger heartburn, as your body may continue to make lots of stomach acid without any food to digest (39).
Summary:
Although water fasting may have some health benefits, it also comes with many risks and dangers. For example, water fasting could make you prone to muscle loss, dehydration, blood pressure changes and a variety of other health conditions.
In other words, OP, a 14-day water fast is extremely unwise.6 -
If you are doing this for religious purposes, I would hope you got clearance from a doctor and are aware of symptoms to watch out for so that you don't hurt yourself.
Otherwise, please reconsider, your body needs fuel to function.3 -
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Day 3 is always the worst.
Somewhere in days 5 or 6 you'll start getting bad heartburn. Once this passes it means your body is not producing acid anymore. The fast gets much easier but great care needs to be taken when coming off the fast to not get sick.
See a doctor regularly and dont plan on going to work if you really are going to do this.
If you think it's the best way to lose weight... it's not.7 -
@estherdragonbat @kimny72 @quiksylver296
Thank you for your insight and information. I have done a considerable amount of research and know the pros, cons, benefits, and risks of participating in a water fast. I would like to keep my motives private, so whether it is for weight loss or religious reasons does not concern anyone but myself. I appreciate the information you've shared, but this post is for support and motivation. Please keep it like that.6 -
Check out the Facebook group water fasting for weight loss. They are a very knowledgeable and supportive group.2
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@CryingBlue
Thank you, but unfortunately I do not have any social media.0 -
@estherdragonbat @kimny72 @quiksylver296
Thank you for your insight and information. I have done a considerable amount of research and know the pros, cons, benefits, and risks of participating in a water fast. I would like to keep my motives private, so whether it is for weight loss or religious reasons does not concern anyone but myself. I appreciate the information you've shared, but this post is for support and motivation. Please keep it like that.
And this site doesn't allow VLCD, of which this is the most extreme example.6 -
@quiksylver296
I'm not here telling anyone else to participate in this diet. Simply asking for those who have already participated in it for advice.0 -
@quiksylver296
I'm not here telling anyone else to participate in this diet. Simply asking for those who have already participated in it for advice.
You're getting advice. You just don't like it.8 -
@quiksylver296 Would you like people discouraging you from your goals? I have medical supervision. I have valid reasons. Please take your two cents elsewhere.7
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@quiksylver296 Would you like people discouraging you from your goals? I have medical supervision. I have valid reasons. Please take your two cents elsewhere.
It's a public thread. You threw it out there for public input. I can't imagine any actual doctor in the world advising someone to consume only water for 14 days. I call BS.10 -
@quiksylver296 you don't know me or the state of my health. STOP.3
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@quiksylver296 you don't know me or the state of my health. STOP.
I know that zero calories for 14 days isn't healthy or advisable.5 -
14 day water fast is extremely dangerous...2
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@quiksylver296 Would you like people discouraging you from your goals? I have medical supervision. I have valid reasons. Please take your two cents elsewhere.
From what I've researched if you are being "medically" supervised you should be in an appropriate center where they can monitor you and answer your questions. Never heard of an MD/DO/PA/NP recommending this on an out patient basis.3 -
@quiksylver296 Would you like people discouraging you from your goals? I have medical supervision. I have valid reasons. Please take your two cents elsewhere.
Nobody needs to know you or the state of your health to know that zero food in 14 days is not remotely healthy and is dangerous.6 -
I don't know how many times I need to repeat myself. I understand the risks. I have valid reasons. I am under medical supervision (and this WAS recommended to me by a professional.) This is solely for the purpose of motivation and I am appalled that so many cannot respect that. If you are against this, leave.5
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I nearly crashed into a concrete overpass water fasting. I was two days in and almost died. It was for a college course I was taking. The college professor was nuts.4
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I don't know how many times I need to repeat myself. I understand the risks. I have valid reasons. I am under medical supervision (and this WAS recommended to me by a professional.) This is solely for the purpose of motivation and I am appalled that so many cannot respect that. If you are against this, leave.
Your last question is "What was YOUR experience?"1 -
I don't know how many times I need to repeat myself. I understand the risks. I have valid reasons. I am under medical supervision (and this WAS recommended to me by a professional.) This is solely for the purpose of motivation and I am appalled that so many cannot respect that. If you are against this, leave.
There are a lot of people who say they are "professionals", but do your due diligence and research the safety. Just because someone calls themselves a "professional" doesn't mean what they are recommending is safe. I've seen "professionals" recommend other diets only because they make a profit.3 -
I had to do a liquid diet for 2 days for a medical test and I thought I was going to starve to death. I cant imagine one week of just water let alone 2. aside from religious reasons I cant see why there would be a need of any kind for a 14 day water fast. whether its for health or weight loss. not to mention the issues that can arise from doing so.2
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