Has any one of you ever tried fasting? Anything I should consider?

[EllaNella]

I want to do a 7 day fast at the end of June. Anything i should consider?

[zeitgeist057]

Yes, though I don't recall fasting for 7 days. I typically fast most days, the exceptions are when I am eating with others, I join in if we go to a restaurant or have a BBQ or something, I won't abstain around others usually.

I eat very little at home, because I work in a residential setting, and there is a house full of food I work at. So I wake up, don't eat, wait until I am at work to eat, then when I am back home I return to not eating status. Sometimes I work 16 hour shifts, others just 8 hours, so I am fasting for somewhere around 17-20 hours a day on work days.

I also occasionally don't eat for 24-48 hours, just water and sometimes juice.

If you are fasting for 7 days, and don't usually fast (like you usually eat three meals a day, around 2K kilocalories, etc), then I would prepare your stomach for this by actually eating less the week before. Your body develops habits, such as releasing gastric acid at periods of the day when you usually eat, if you eat habitually at certain times. So if you just start fasting out of the blue, your stomach is going to be releasing acid and grinding and it's going to be somewhat uncomfortable for you. What most people describe as "hunger" or "stomach growling".

Drink plenty of water, at least 1.5 L, and up to 5 L a day, every day. I would encourage you to also have some juice or tea, unless you are specifically trying to have a zero calorie intake.

For health, I believe it is better to fast the way I do, on a less extreme but more regular and sustainable basis. Doing a "feast and famine" routine can actually knock your metabolism out of whack and cause it to slow down and hoard (stack on fat) for times of famine.

[HighlyVolatile]

Consider not doing it if it's for weight loss because most of that weight loss will be in the form of all the types of weight you shouldn't want to lose like muscle and water.

Habitual water fasting people suck to be blunt. Their elastic bodies shrink and expand, shrink and expand, and in the long run, they're working towards the frailest human beings.

If you wanna reset your habits then one day should be sufficient, two days tops. If you want to simulate what it's like to live in famine conditions without food for a whole week, then okay, I can't argue with that. But I would argue if you want to come out looking like a middle-upper class fit person in the end through it.

[Secret6620]

I try to fast at least once a month. I do water fasting. My longest water fast was 14 days.

Just consider that there will be lots of pain.

Your body with go through withdrawals if you have a high amount of sugar or caffeine in the diet. Be patient and don't give up.

I do active fasting, so I exercise while water fasting to really push the limits and help with detox.

Good luck!

[Secret6620]

Yay! Most helpful girl!

[Flower7]

7 days is too long for a fast, if you’re talking about fasting for the full 24 hours of each of those days. Intermittent fasting would be fine, where you only eat during a short time period of each day.

[Jabberjaw]

Add sodium salt, potassium salt, and magnesium salt to your water. One so you're not just pissing all day, but also to keep the electrolytes for energy and stave off hunger.

I've done a straight up 72 hour fast after never having fasted like that in my life and it surprisingly felt easy. All I did was add those salts to my water and sipped on it throughout the day.

Only thing I would say is just be sure you are sipping on it and not chugging it, and when you break the fast at the end do a small meal because your body has to adjust to eating again.

My dumbass ate a big meal and it was amazing, until it wasn't just 20 min later. Had a huge stomach ache because my body wasn't ready for that much food. Felt sick. So take it easy adding food back in

[Jabberjaw]

People tell you to take it easy when you start eating again but they under sell it. Seriously. You will make yourself sick if you do not lol. Take it easy. Small snack/meal. Wait an hour or two then eat a bigger meal and eat slow

[malwins]

I am now at 24 of 72 days

[malwins]

Hours

[Jabberjaw]

@malwins 👌 you got this

[HopefulGuy94]

Yeap , I have. U have to ingest sth that makes you or your stomach feel like you are full not even hungry. The dairy products and especially chicken egg are really helpful for that try to drink water before it cuz we will be losing it during the daytime which arises from sweating in short it is dehydration therefor we wil start losing minerals and this makes us feel thirsty. At fist , if it is your very first time try to fast at a particular time of a day like the afternoon depending on u. Last but not least , if u have a disease , illness , sickness in particular chronic ones u may take risk by fasting , just keep this in mind. May the God accept our prayers and ease our worries , ma'am 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[jahaims]

If you haven't fasted before I wouldn't start with 7 days. I fast and eat one meal at 7pm every day and once a month I do a 3 day fast. If you don't have a specific goal (other than weight loss) fasting might not be good for you. You should know the ins and outs of it. If you fast for 7 days then start eating again you can't just go back to eating normal. Your body is starving so when you ingest calories again for the first time your body will store more than normal as fat reserves so it can last longer the next time you are starving. If you don't know what you are doing your body will also start to consume your muscles for energy.

[NathanDavis]

nope... I can't afford it

not only I am 200 pounds and I need the fuel... but I also had some sort of eating disorders during my youth due to mental challenges and I would barely eat some days, and that really messed up my stomach and intestines so nowadays, I have to be very careful with both my diet and schedules, otherwise... it would trigger all kinds of complications again in my system

[Andres77]

Day 2 and 3 are the hardest.
Lots of water, with a little lemon helps.
And when you're done don't go eat a lot. Ease into it with a salad and fruit, a little bit every few hours.
If you drink milk drink small amounts.
This is what I did... I drank too much milk 1 pint at once. I felt sick.
Everyone is a little different.
You'll feel light, good luck.

[Andres77]

And gummy vitamins are easier to take than swallowing a vitamin on an empty stomach. And it still counts during a fast.

[prosaic1]

You better check to see if you 're genetically predisposed to diabetes. I was perfectly healthy until I went on an Atkins diet. Sure enough, messing with my glucose level wasn't the smartest move. If you're going to try the Atkins diet just be sure your not even pre-diabetic. Hyperglycemia vs. Hypoglycemia.

[AJLMJCMLSR]

Try a fast of smaller plates at either a less or one extra time frame with a discipline like...

1. A serving of veg
2. A protein
3. Fruit

Those 3 need to be on a plate or bowl 2 or 3 times a day. Then have a sensible snack with lots of water/lemon water.

My cousin did the full plan but just all veggies.

[WindAtMyBack]

I've done it, sort of. I knew people who got pretty serious about it. Years later they regretted it. Fasting is just plain stupid. There is no reason to fast. If you have read anything about how fasting is good for you, then stop reading it. It's nothing but a bunch of pseudoscience with no merit whatsoever.

Just eat a healthy diet and get exercise. You should never ever need to fast. You do harm to your body by fasting, with no benefit.

[sab_sal]

My only advice is don't do it for the wrong reasons. I was rlly close to getting an eating disorder bc of my obsession with fasting and my body image

[EllaNella]

i'm doing it for health reasons

[sab_sal]

That's what I told myself too. Just be careful bc it's easy to overdo it

[Anonymous]

How unhealthy it is to do that. Really bad for you. Research it.

Also you might end up with the opposite results of what you're looking for, because your body will go into starvation mode, so when you do eat, your body will STORE the fat, instead of burning it, as a survival mode will kick in.

[Whatever2929292]

I have done it before. Many times part of praying and stuff like that for me. Many times it helps God answer prayers it also can sometimes have health benefits.

[EmbraceThePain]

Yeah, but nothing close to seven days.
Why do you want to fast for seven days?

[EllaNella]

it just seems like a challenging but doable time. fasting has many neuroligical benefits and i want to improve on my self-discipline

[EmbraceThePain]

But, it’s 7 days…. That’s long.

Why not try for a day or so.

[EllaNella]

i already did one day, my max was 4 days a few years ago. it wouldn't be a challenge if i didn't do more this time

[EmbraceThePain]

So, how do you fast specifically?

[jshm2]

Depends what type of fasting you're doing.

Not all are suitable, so best speak to a nutritionist

[Freyke]

One day to see what it was like. I was seeing food everywhere by 10 pm and then I couldn't eat any, it was strange. But shoutout to the muslims who do it for 1 month straight.

[Zweihander9005]

7 days seems extreme. I’m sure you can get whatever health benefit you’re trying to get off it from something else.

[TenkRealist]

Have you fasted before? What kind of fast? Completely from food?

[OddBeMe]

Juice fasts. Which suck ass.

Id talk to a doctor. At least start with a weekend fast first. I usually do 3-4 days and can barely get through it.

[KingofCups]

7 day consecutive fast. That's pretty hardcore.. I'd start with 3 or 4 days. Longer fasts you can definitely pass out if you're not prepared for it.

[EllaNella]

i already did 3 to 4 days a few years ago, not on purpose but i do know how it is to not eat for a longer amount of time. i just want to do the real deal for the health benefits this time

[KingofCups]

@EllaNella Go for it. It's a great spiritual practice.

[Sarahslater3738]

I did one and lost 20 pounds last year but I gained it all back with interest lol

[AmeerX]

I think all Muslims of age Fast at least some part of their life for a month or few days from dawn till dusk

[SlickRick24]

I don’t think you should deprive yourself. You will just be miserable life is to precious. Enjoy those June days don’t bother with fasting!

[moonpie89]

I have every year for 30 days. From sun up til sun down.

[EllaNella]

i'm not going to eat anything at night either

[Danny_dan92]

Make sure you take vitamins and minerals and drink water

[driven159]

try it for only a couple first to make sure it doesn't cause some sugar imbalance

[jimmy2]

He a easy way before the fast eat meat three days before you do fine

[EllaNella]

i don't eat meat at all. is it just about protein?

[frametenno]

The reason for your fast is the singular most important thing. Why are you fasting and remember the importance of it

[hIopinionated_]

Don’t starve yourselves. A man died doing that

[EllaNella]

fasting can be done safely and has various health benefits

[On_cloud_wine]

No I think it’s dumb.

[Agape93]

No. Some days I just don't eat

[siseñor]

same

[Agape93]

You doing OK?

[siseñor]

for the most part i guess, are you?

[Agape93]

Haven't been ok in years without medication.

Might I ask you something personal? Nothing sexual I assure you, it's medical

[siseñor]

I'm sorry to hear that, i hope things get better for you - & sure

[Agape93]

Thanks

Do you have depression, anxiety or ptsd?

[siseñor]

i'm not currently diagnosed because i left therapy but they thought i had anxiety, why do you ask?

[Agape93]

Sometimes people with anxiety will forgo food, especially in a longer episode

[siseñor]

that makes sense

[Agape93]

Im here if you need to talk

[siseñor]

ah i really appreciate that, thank you C:

[Agape93]

Anytime 😊

[Christian65]

You just missed ramadan 😂

[Zolly99999]

First question is why?

[CT_CD]

I’m on month 7 of a 1 year fast.

[Xtendable]

Hydrate and supplement

[sibu11]

It will be real test of your character

[EllaNella]

that's the plan

[sibu11]

If you succeed then what will happen?

[Abdulwahh]

Im muslim we fast every year

[Nahid1707]

Good Luck and enjoy