Fasting

[LeoTC]

I know, its counter to getting huge and swole. But I've felt like utter garbage for months, put on a (not so) good 15-20Lbs, and generally just feel slow.

Just totally drained and full of garbage at the same time. So prepping this weekend and going M-F to feel things out. Ideally I'd like to take that five days to fourteen, but realize that's probably not realistic the first time out.

I'm limiting myself to 3 liters of water a day with Sod/Pot. I'll keep using oil for magnesium.

Training will be pretty fundamental and relatively low intensity. Breaking myself back in and using the time in a more meditative fashion.

Anyone have any experience with fasting for extended periods?

Thoughts / Anecdotes?

 

[ergomaniac]

I know, its counter to getting huge and swole. But I've felt like utter garbage for months, put on a (not so) good 15-20Lbs, and generally just feel slow.

Just totally drained and full of garbage at the same time. So prepping this weekend and going M-F to feel things out. Ideally I'd like to take that five days to fourteen, but realize that's probably not realistic the first time out.

I'm limiting myself to 3 liters of water a day with Sod/Pot. I'll keep using oil for magnesium.

Training will be pretty fundamental and relatively low intensity. Breaking myself back in and using the time in a more meditative fashion.

Anyone have any experience with fasting for extended periods?

Thoughts / Anecdotes?

So, did you do it?
I've done some fasting. 3 days, or less, at a time. I've done 3 days a number of times.
I think it's counter intuitive, in the same way a de-load is.
5-14 days I'd want some kind of monitoring, just in case.
Intermittent fasting is also an option. Sometimes it's ok not to eat. It might even be good for you.
As for training, I'd keep it light, if at all. And get back to it when you're done fasting.

 

[LeoTC]

So, did you do it?
I've done some fasting. 3 days, or less, at a time. I've done 3 days a number of times.
I think it's counter intuitive, in the same way a de-load is.
5-14 days I'd want some kind of monitoring, just in case.
Intermittent fasting is also an option. Sometimes it's ok not to eat. It might even be good for you.
As for training, I'd keep it light, if at all. And get back to it when you're done fasting.

Went a full seven, dropped about 10lbs all told. Actually felt really good after the first couple days. Really clear headed actually.

Kept electrolytes in balance a home made mix, and actually only took in about 2 liters of water a day. Did a 1 quart salt water flush nightly.

Kept training heavier than I'd anticipated, way heavier. But seriously felt good and keeping the intensity up, supposedly, is more muscle sparing.

I dunno.

I'm giving it a month and then shooting for a 14 day run.

 

[ergomaniac]

Went a full seven, dropped about 10lbs all told. Actually felt really good after the first couple days. Really clear headed actually.

Kept electrolytes in balance a home made mix, and actually only took in about 2 liters of water a day. Did a 1 quart salt water flush nightly.

Kept training heavier than I'd anticipated, way heavier. But seriously felt good and keeping the intensity up, supposedly, is more muscle sparing.

I dunno.

I'm giving it a month and then shooting for a 14 day run.

Curious as to what was the first things you ate after 7 days of fasting.
I know I've steered clear of certain foods.

 

[LeoTC]

Curious as to what was the first things you ate after 7 days of fasting.
I know I've steered clear of certain foods.

Actually started with that Spicey V8, apples, carrots, and Greek yogurt. All easy to process and probiotic after so many flushes.

I've been slowly adding more protein back in since. Mostly fish and boiled eggs as I digest it most easily, staying heavy on the apples and veggies.

I feel stronger when I inhale a ton of meat, but I feel better when I limit it. Had been going hard on steak and chicken all summer. So I'll probably keep to this for most of the winter, supplementing with casein protein to hit my desired intake.

 

[ergomaniac]

Actually started with that Spicey V8, apples, carrots, and Greek yogurt. All easy to process and probiotic after so many flushes.

I've been slowly adding more protein back in since. Mostly fish and boiled eggs as I digest it most easily, staying heavy on the apples and veggies.

I feel stronger when I inhale a ton of meat, but I feel better when I limit it. Had been going hard on steak and chicken all summer. So I'll probably keep to this for most of the winter, supplementing with casein protein to hit my desired intake.

Aside from protein shakes, boiled fish, specifically whiting has been part of my "refeed"s. Easy to cook, easy on the stomach.

 

[Demondosage]

Once in awhile I think it's beneficial. But I would probably cave in easier after the fast than if I just kept a deficit for a more extended period of time. I think it's pretty person specific when it comes to this sort of thing. If you can do it and then go back to a conservative sort of diet then keep trying it. But if you discontinue and you're so hungry that you can't stand it, I would reevaluate it. I think the most important thing is to just be honest with yourself and formulate a game plan that works best for you. Just because a bunch of others have success with it (or even advise against it) at the end of the day you just have to go by what you know and have experienced from this sort of thing yourself

 

[ergomaniac]

Once in awhile I think it's beneficial. But I would probably cave in easier after the fast than if I just kept a deficit for a more extended period of time. I think it's pretty person specific when it comes to this sort of thing. If you can do it and then go back to a conservative sort of diet then keep trying it. But if you discontinue and you're so hungry that you can't stand it, I would reevaluate it. I think the most important thing is to just be honest with yourself and formulate a game plan that works best for you. Just because a bunch of others have success with it (or even advise against it) at the end of the day you just have to go by what you know and have experienced from this sort of thing yourself

Fasting has benefits other than just fat loss. But you're right, not everyone can do it, or maybe even should.
It's also a bit of a "mental" challenge. Especially if food is readily available.

 

[Endure]

Have done a couple/few 24 hour fasts just to reset a bit and rest the body some, nothing like several days above. I don't do it for fat loss, more of just a well being thing on occasion. I think one of the hardest parts is sleep due to elevated cortisol and hunger pangs. It seems to come in waves.

 

[ergomaniac]

I think this article is interesting

Lean mass recovers quicker after fasting than fat mass: animal study

3 day fast, or be slightly hungry for several weeks

 

[ergomaniac]

Have done a couple/few 24 hour fasts just to reset a bit and rest the body some, nothing like several days above. I don't do it for fat loss, more of just a well being thing on occasion. I think one of the hardest parts is sleep due to elevated cortisol and hunger pangs. It seems to come in waves.

Unsure about certain hormone levels, but going to bed hungry is never fun.

 

[movingiron88]

I do short fasts pretty frequently. Tge thing that I find interesting is the hunger I feel when I skip my first meal which is usually dinner. Then I go to bed, wake up in the morning and I'm not hungry at all. It really makes our addiction to food stand out to me. Once i get past that jump it is usually pretty easy for me if not enjoyable.

 

[LeoTC]

Once in awhile I think it's beneficial. But I would probably cave in easier after the fast than if I just kept a deficit for a more extended period of time. I think it's pretty person specific when it comes to this sort of thing. If you can do it and then go back to a conservative sort of diet then keep trying it. But if you discontinue and you're so hungry that you can't stand it, I would reevaluate it. I think the most important thing is to just be honest with yourself and formulate a game plan that works best for you. Just because a bunch of others have success with it (or even advise against it) at the end of the day you just have to go by what you know and have experienced from this sort of thing yourself

Less about dropping the weight than just wanting to clean out as it were. The drop in fat is just a nice side.

Surprisingly not hungry at all after a couple days. The real challenge was keeping my mind occupied to avoid grazing because of nervous energy / boredom. Energy levels were actually through the roof.

Definitely an interesting experience.

 

[Demondosage]

Less about dropping the weight than just wanting to clean out as it were. The drop in fat is just a nice side.

Surprisingly not hungry at all after a couple days. The real challenge was keeping my mind occupied to avoid grazing because of nervous energy / boredom. Energy levels were actually through the roof.

Definitely an interesting experience.

I'm with you on the health benefits of it. As a diabetic myself I wish I would have done more of tapering down the food intake at times, letting my system normalize. Rather than just pounding as much food as possible in this quest to be huge. Nobody ever told me I could outeat my pancreas one day. Keep going with this if it's working for you, I'm definitely with you on the health of it!

 

[movingiron88]

I'm with you on the health benefits of it. As a diabetic myself I wish I would have done more of tapering down the food intake at times, letting my system normalize. Rather than just pounding as much food as possible in this quest to be huge. Nobody ever told me I could outeat my pancreas one day. Keep going with this if it's working for you, I'm definitely with you on the health of it!

I get bi yearly bloods done for trt, hypothyroidism and hemochromatosis. So needless to say my bloodwork usually has markers. I did IF for a few months did bloodwork and it has been the best labs I've had in years. I'm not good but I'm reducing my meds slightly which is a step in the right direction. It really helps with insulin sensitivity and helps with diabetes. As @Demondosage said in our culture over eating can have negative consequences. I am a hard gainer and have eaten like an animal for the last 20 years. I never gave my gut a rest. I now see the error in my ways. I was so scared of losing that hard earned weight. Which I havent really lost since starting. The only thing I lost was water weight and some fat.

 

[ergomaniac]

Sometimes I wonder...
But right on time. I read this blog daily, especially Fridays.

Intermittent Fasting: How It Works, Reasons to Try It & Considerations for Athletes | Mark's Daily Apple

And on longer fasts, 3 days or more.
https://www.marksdailyapple.com/long-fasts-worth-the-risk/