Going on a 5-day fast. Advice?

pearlynhs
pearlynhs Posts: 1 Member
edited February 9 in Health and Weight Loss
Stating the middle of next week I'm going on a religious retreat. Think light yoga, meditation, the works. Activity levels will be pretty sedentary since it's going to be a lot of sitting down for quiet reflection etc. :laugh: For these 5 days, I'll also have to eat very lightly - an egg for breakfast, bread for lunch, no dinner. I'm afraid that netting around 500 calories is going to completely kill my metabolism, and when I start eating normally again I'll gain. I usually net around 1200 (I'm only 5", 105 lbs).

So my question is how should I go about returning to 'normal' eating habits without gaining back a ton of weight? Or am I just being paranoid and 5 days of semi-fasting really isn't going to affect me?

Replies

  • wheird
    wheird Posts: 7,963 Member
    Your metabolism will not "be killed". However, I would moderately increase my calories from the fasted levels back to normal over the course of a week. But that may not even be necessary.
  • mortuseon
    mortuseon Posts: 579 Member
    I really don't think 5 days is going to have much of an effect on your metabolism. You might lose your glycogen stores and regain them causing sudden weight change but overall the different pre and post retreat should be minimal. Have fun!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    Stating the middle of next week I'm going on a religious retreat. Think light yoga, meditation, the works. Activity levels will be pretty sedentary since it's going to be a lot of sitting down for quiet reflection etc. :laugh: For these 5 days, I'll also have to eat very lightly - an egg for breakfast, bread for lunch, no dinner. I'm afraid that netting around 500 calories is going to completely kill my metabolism, and when I start eating normally again I'll gain. I usually net around 1200 (I'm only 5", 105 lbs).

    So my question is how should I go about returning to 'normal' eating habits without gaining back a ton of weight? Or am I just being paranoid and 5 days of semi-fasting really isn't going to affect me?

    I understand that you are "fasting" due to your retreat, but isn't five days of eating 500 or less a bit drastic? Is it really necessary?

    As others have said, you will probably not kill your metabolism, but you will indeed lose weight and you are already very small. Yes, expect to gain that weight back, which is a good thing because you sound like your weight is right for your height.

    I would keep your calorie level to what you normally eat to maintain so that you will be able to keep your focus on your religious practices rather than your stomach.
  • Mr_Knight
    Mr_Knight Posts: 9,532 Member
    I'm afraid that netting around 500 calories is going to completely kill my metabolism, and when I start eating normally again I'll gain.

    You won't kill your metabolism. You most likely will gain a bit back when you come off the fast.

    Have fun!

    And don't worry about the ankle biters - absolutely nothing wrong with fasting for a few days, it's what the human body was designed to do.
  • missylectro
    missylectro Posts: 448 Member
    Drink lots of water. Good luck!
  • SLLRunner
    SLLRunner Posts: 12,942 Member
    I'm afraid that netting around 500 calories is going to completely kill my metabolism, and when I start eating normally again I'll gain.
    And don't worry about the ankle biters - absolutely nothing wrong with fasting for a few days, it's what the human body was designed to do.
    Ankle biters?
This discussion has been closed.

Categories