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MyFitnessPal Community

Thinking of fasting for a day...

DivaJadelyn

I went over my calories like double yesterday. I've just.. not been as strict with my nutrtition for the past couple weeks.. partially due to stress and partially due to food being delicious. either way, I made a choice and it's resulted in poor scale results and guilt. So, I'm thinking of fasting for today (JUST today) or saying to heck with it and beginning fresh with healthy nutrition and not letting my 'binges' happen again. Opinions?

Replies

Loulady

I don't see anything wrong with a random fasting day every now and again, but I wouldn't use it as a "punishment" for eating too much the day before.

DivaJadelyn

I don't see anything wrong with a random fasting day every now and again, but I wouldn't use it as a "punishment" for eating too much the day before.

Right, definitely not viewing it as a punishment but more of a trying to 'balance the scales' so to speak. Thanks for your opinion on the matter.

FireBrand80

How about just going 200-400 calories lower for the next few days?

DanaDark

I'm more inclined to say spread it out over the week instead of all at once.

DivaJadelyn

I'm more inclined to say spread it out over the week instead of all at once.

So your advice, like FireBrand, is lowering my daily intake by a few hundred for the next few days?

opuntia

I sometimes have a fasting day, because I find it enhances my health, but it's something I plan, rather than doing it to make up for eating too much. I find it's actually best to do a fasting day after a day when I've eaten quite healthy, natural foods, to ease my body into it. I might have a day of eating mostly fruit and veg before my fasting day. Also, I plan to have fast days on days when I don't have to work - when I can stay at home and rest - because when the body fasts, it uses the time to heal itself and that happens best when its resting. Also, you can feel a bit weak when you fast, so it's good to be able to rest.

On the other hand, if I overeat one day and feel really uncomfortably full as a result the following day, I might decide to eat considerably less than usual that day. Not a fast, but just small, simple, natural meals - mostly salad and fruit. Not to lose weight, but to feel better, because I don't feel good after overeating.

Huskeryogi

I sometimes have a fasting day, because I find it enhances my health, but it's something I plan, rather than doing it to make up for eating too much. I find it's actually best to do a fasting day after a day when I've eaten quite healthy, natural foods, to ease my body into it. I might have a day of eating mostly fruit and veg before my fasting day. Also, I plan to have fast days on days when I don't have to work - when I can stay at home and rest - because when the body fasts, it uses the time to heal itself and that happens best when its resting. Also, you can feel a bit weak when you fast, so it's good to be able to rest.

On the other hand, if I overeat one day and feel really uncomfortably full as a result the following day, I might decide to eat considerably less than usual that day. Not a fast, but just small, simple, natural meals - mostly salad and fruit. Not to lose weight, but to feel better, because I don't feel good after overeating.

I agree with this. There's nothing wrong with fasting for a day and sometimes I use it as a tool after a bad weekend, but usually not they day after. On a Monday after a bad weekend I'll try to stay in the 800-1200 calorie range and then maybe fast the following day (depending how bad the weekend was). Sometimes it feels good to just clean everything out for a day.

DivaJadelyn

I sometimes have a fasting day, because I find it enhances my health, but it's something I plan, rather than doing it to make up for eating too much. I find it's actually best to do a fasting day after a day when I've eaten quite healthy, natural foods, to ease my body into it. I might have a day of eating mostly fruit and veg before my fasting day. Also, I plan to have fast days on days when I don't have to work - when I can stay at home and rest - because when the body fasts, it uses the time to heal itself and that happens best when its resting. Also, you can feel a bit weak when you fast, so it's good to be able to rest.

On the other hand, if I overeat one day and feel really uncomfortably full as a result the following day, I might decide to eat considerably less than usual that day. Not a fast, but just small, simple, natural meals - mostly salad and fruit. Not to lose weight, but to feel better, because I don't feel good after overeating.

I agree with this. There's nothing wrong with fasting for a day and sometimes I use it as a tool after a bad weekend, but usually not they day after. On a Monday after a bad weekend I'll try to stay in the 800-1200 calorie range and then maybe fast the following day (depending how bad the weekend was). Sometimes it feels good to just clean everything out for a day.

That's what I was thinking, that kinda cleansing and beginning again might feel good. But curiosity, why do you not fast the day after? Do you feel it's airing on the side of punishment, or does it spike your cravings for junk food? Or is it simply a practicality that you won't do it day after.

On a side note, if I was going to fast today would be the day as I'm home, and not working at the restaurant where food scents can really get me going.

opuntia

That's what I was thinking, that kinda cleansing and beginning again might feel good. But curiosity, why do you not fast the day after? Do you feel it's airing on the side of punishment, or does it spike your cravings for junk food? Or is it simply a practicality that you won't do it day after.

For me, I don't fast the day after eating a lot of junk food, because it's a bit of a shock to the system, to go from one extreme to the other. I get horrible headaches, and feel irritable. I feel much better if I ease into a fast by having a day of eating simple, healthy foods the day before.

And also, all the books and articles I've read on fasting say that it is better for the body to ease into a fast like this, rather than having a fast straight after overeating.

DivaJadelyn

Thanks guys! Your input helped. I decided if I'm going to fast, easing into it is a good idea. Also, was feeling hunger pains and ignoring them felt as though I were punishing myself.. which is not ok. Also easing back off of the junk food, so I don't go into what feels like withdrawal, or denying myself.

I appreciate the thoughtful responses here.

DizzyLinds

I've fasted today after a bit of an indulgent weekend. I had my last meal the night before and have broken my fast with dinner. I even managed to do a really good workout! I have fasted twice before this and it has fef had an effect on how I feel and also on the scale.

lurkerling

I don't see anything wrong with a random fasting day every now and again, but I wouldn't use it as a "punishment" for eating too much the day before.

It's not my 'punishment,' but I do this. I suppose it's a modified fast. I drink loads of water, but if I do feel very hungry, I can eat as much fresh fruit as I want, which is a lot of water as well. I see it as more of a cleanse, not a fast for weight-loss reasons. Although I am used to doing this, I am a small girl with a small stomach.

EDIT: I forgot to mention too, that it does make me feel good. I usually have a shower either the night before or the morning of a 'cleansing' day, so it really feels like I'm starting fresh.