Fasting

amarie35

First of all let me say that I have been eating anything and everything under the sun since my miscarriage back in early January. I've gained almost all of the weight that I had previously lost, with the help of MFP, back. I guess since I couldn't have the baby that I SO wanted, I kinda let food compensate me for that. Which I know is bad but after having 3 kids and it being my first miscarriage, I was devestated and didn't know how to overcome it. So, I ate and ate and ate and have been eating pretty much nonstop since. =(

So, it being the last day of the month, I thought I would fast today and starting tomorrow, I will start the month off with exercising more and eating way less. For those of you who have fasted before, I have a few questions. How often should you fast? How many days at a time should a person fast? Once the hungry spell is over, does it come back? If so, what else can you drink, besides water, to help fill you up so you won't be as hungry?

Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated! :flowerforyou:

Angela

tara7302011

Sorry for your loss... I don't fast, just wanted to say sorry that happen to you..

mgreen10

you should prepare yourself and not do more than one day at first.. Practice by doing half a day first, then one day, and build up to it until you can do as many days as you feel you want.

The other thing peopel don't realize is that when you fast, you have to spend the same amount of time that you spent fasting, getting out of your fast. Meaning if you fast 2 days, then for the next two days you have to eat only very mild foods, and very little.

The first food you should eat is a boiled tomato with no skin for breakfast on your first day coming out of your fast. For lunch, chicken broth. for dinner, something equally mild such as boiled rice. the next day, add more food. if you eat a ton of food immediately, it will have negative effects.

I hope this helps, fasts can be a very good way of getting rid of toxins in your body. Make sure you drink a lot of water and tea, and don't do too much physical activity during your fast days.

kelseyhere

I am very sorry for you loss. The good thing is you have realized you were used food to help with your emotions. Sometimes just recognizing we are using food as a crutch is hard enough. But now that you've done that, you already on the oath to change.

I think fasting can be helpful and I do it from time to time, never for more than a day. If you search "calorie cycling" or "zig zagging" you'll find many interesting posts on the subject. To me when you're fasting the most important thing is to stay busy- pack your schedule with errands, workouts, visiting friends, etc. so you don't have time to think about food. I have found that hunger usually passes within 45 minutes, so I just have to fill that time until it's gone. Cleaning the house is another great way to stay busy and distracted.

Personally, I never fast for more than about 20 hours, and no more than 1-2 times a week. I'll stop eating around 10pm, then not eat the next day until 5 or 6pm. Some people go longer, but I don't see the benefit in that as it causes your body too much stress. If you have too much stress your body produces extra cortisol (the hormone that makes you store fat) so you'll be cancelling out the good effects.

To stay full I drink coffee, lots of coffee. But if you're not used to coffee or caffeine, I'd highly recommend that you don't do this as you'll get really jittery. If you're like me though and you're already on a 6 cup a day habit, go for it. Like you said water is the best option though. Some people might suggest Crystal Light packets, but that kind of thing doesn't work for me as it activates my sweet tooth (if though it's artificial sugars) and then I just want to eat and break the fast, where coffee does the opposite.

I have found that it can help me reduce my overall appetite. I tend to fast after I've been eating a lot continuously (like after the holidays or your current situation) to get used to eating less again. For me, it's like retraining my will power. I think your stomach also shrinks, so you get satisfied on smaller meals.

I'm no expert or nutritionist, these are simply things I've observed over the years about my own body, you have to experiment to get your own fasting formula right. I hope this helps and again, I am truly sorry for your loss I cannot imagine the emotions you must have gone through.

kelseyhere

mgreen10 has very good points too, I agree tthat you should work up to longer fasts, starting with maybe 1/2 day. She's also right that you need to be gentle on your stomach coming out of it, avoid high fat foods and eat slowly.

amarie35

Thank you all so much for the feedback. I really appreciate it. I've been keeping myself busy today w/ sleep and cleaning house. Now, I'm fixing to go to work where I'll be for the next 9 hours or so and I'm sure I can keep myself plenty busy there.

I will definately be eating little tomorrow though. I don't won't to have any negative effects on my body. I've been getting myself use to eating 3500+ calories a day and I SO need to get back use to eating 1800.

Again, thanks for all of the adive.

Have a great day!!!!!

NatashaAlexandra

I am going to start fasting too! I need to confuse my body a bit as I am completely used to eating around 1300-1500 and it's driving me insane! I don't understand how my body thinks so little calories is normal it's crazy

But I will most likely fast 1 day a week if I can to start off with, just to level my calories out a bit and confuse my body. I have fasted a few times before and found that lots of water (or coffee w/ no sugar or milk in it) really does help. I sometimes felt a bit too hungry when I done it the first time - my body was sending me signals all over the place. But if you make your mind focus on something else, be it work or socialising - you completely forget about food.
I know myself when I'm home alone and there is rubbish on the tv I just keep finding myself back in the kitchen drawer/fridge but keeping yourself occupied is the key.

The only downfall to fasting whilst keeping busy, is that you will run out of energy. If you ever feel a little dizzy or very sleepy - eat an apple. Great source of energy and the natural sugars will give you a boost and make you feel full.

Another thing to try might be a liquid fast day - make low calorie smoothies/shakes or even just fruit juice and drink one bottle for breakfast, one for lunch and one for dinner.

I think I'm going to make Wednesday my fast day, and maybe start off with an apple for breakfast and see how I get on for the rest of the day!

Hope you are well and good luck!