The FastDay Forum

I'm aiming for a complete 36 hour liquid fast - started about three hours ago.

I need this since my waistline has crept up by about 2-3 inches after a particularly indulgent weekend.

Might have to do a 24 hour fast on Wednesday.

I've had this theory for a while, now, that our forebears, in the normal course of events, would have feasted every now and again, as well as fasted. So we should over-indulge on occasion, and not feel guilty about it.

This is obviously easier if you're maintaining (which I am), than if you're trying to lose weight.

So how does a 36 hour liquid fast work?

I'm completely new to this. Today is my first fast day, eat last night around 6:30pm and am now sipping some water, considering when to eat today.

Im back after 4 weeks holiday. I did liquid fast every Monday with usual ease while away, but found the later in the week one more difficult. Always something fun going on with food involved. So I just did a half fast, missing breakfast and lunch, and breaking fast with a dinner which I didn't stress over what I ate and drunk (ie it was probably over the 500 calories, but I didn't even vaguely worry or try and keep it under.) This worked really well for maintenance - I weighed exactly the same getting back as I did going. I also did very little exercise when away - well, just idle walking about and a couple of tabata/HIT sessions. So I'm happy that when I reach my goal weight, 1-1 1/2 half fasts a week will be perfect for easy maintenance.

And now... back to 2 liquid fasts a week. Will go for a nice long walk later with the dog, and then work up a sweat playing indoor soccer tonight.

Pamelasockgirl, liquid fasting is something some of us fell into doing when we realised that eating on our fast days seemed to make us hungrier. I was only eating in the evening anyway, just a small dinner, and when I realised I was hungrier after eating it, I just skipped it. So I only drink green tea, herb tea, rooibos or crio bru and water on fast days. It means it's a 36 hour fast all up (dinner night before, then no food all fast day, then breakfast the next day 36 hours after last eating.) There are no rules though, some people have soup or juice or smoothies (up to their 500 calorie allowance).

Hi Pamela

A 36 hour liquid fast generally begins after the last meal of the day - Sunday in my case. On the Monday I shall just drink no-cal drinks - alternating between warm and cold water, powdered coffee and filter coffee. No calories of any sort.

Then on Tuesday morning I shall have a normal day's eating, beginning with a small breakfast.

The reasons for this are two-fold:
Many people find it easier to go without food, since the appetite isn't kick-started, and hunger just does not arise. If it does, a drink or a distraction of some sort will keep it at bay.
Secondly, there is quite a lot of research that says the longer you fast, the more health benefits accrue.

But most people work up to this gradually, after doing the 5:2 with three small meals, then skipping breakfast and lunch and using all their calories up at dinner time.

So if this is your first fast, I'd see how long you can last before hunger strikes - if it doesn't, you can do your 24 hours and eat your 500 calories in the evening meal. If you do get hungry, then have your three small meals.

HTH!

Good luck! B&W

Just seen your post, KataMac - but thought I'd post this anyway!

I did a reply to your post Breadandwine at pretty much the same time you posted this but it seems to be AWOL. Just said I totally agree with you about us being adapted to feasting sometimes. I think it's fast/feast not just on a weekly basis, but even seasonally. Think it's one of the problems we have living in the abundance we live in now. We do too much feasting and not enough fasting. Doesn't mean we need to get rid of the feasting part though - but we do need to add back in the fasting.

Thanks guys, I will give it a go today and see what time I can get to without food, is lemon juice in hot water ok to drink?

Good morning, cold and wet here in Tasmania but liquid fasting today again, hoping for another good Monday. (Well cold is relative, not like the cold that I remember growing up with in Berkshire many years ago, our winter is like a cold autumn in UK really)

Hi Pamela, I'm quite new to liquid fasting but was doing 5:2 for three months before trying this out. I tend to agree with Breadandwine about working up to this gradually because for me personally I wasn't ready for liquid fasting till now. Started fasting with tea with milk (now that is hard to give up!) and water etc. during the day and then a small meal at night and this has worked for me. Steady weight loss and feeling good. Now I'm trying liquid fast only because I've sort of plateaued a bit and feel okay not eating anything for a day. My OH needs his breakfast on a fast day though so he splits his calories between a protein rich but low calorie breakfast and small meal in the evening. I can't see him going to liquid fasting ever!

Anyway, hope your fast/repair day goes well; as others have told me - it is your choice, do what you feel within the guidelines and suit yourself so that you can make this WoE sustainable.

Cheers
Judith

Hi B&W, KataMac and Judio; I'm joining you again today for my Monday water fast. Had a wonderful feast day yesterday (dinner at an Italian restaurant and Lindt chocolate) so feels particularly good to be fasting today. Last week I ended up doing two liquid fasts but this week I'm planning on just this one, with a 'regular' fast day on Thursday.

Welcome Pamela; I would agree with what's already been said, it's best to see how you go and work your way up to a liquid fast. It definitely isn't for everyone so listen to your body.

Have a good day everyone!

I'm in with my regular Monday liquid fast, first time for my husband though, he's a bit stuck so wants to try a liquid fast as well. Hopefully give him a kick start for this week.

Count me in today. I find liquid fasting is becoming easier and notice that I am not so irritable at missing my beloved breakfast. It was fleeting really but I did notice it. Usually I am at work when I am on a liquid only fast so will be interesting to see if I feel any different while at home and at my Dad's home in Liverpool. I have two restaurant meals planned while I am away and a lunch with a friend so it may be tougher this week.

Hi all
Iam in today; I also agree about feasting every now and then B&W, reason I tend to have one most weekends and holidays
How do find your maintenance B&W. I am now in that region ( plus or minus 4 lbs of my ideal weight). My plan is very simple if my previous weeks weight is 2 lb or more above ideal then carry on with two 36hrs liquid fasts; if around ideal do one 36hr fast; if 2lb below then no fasts that week. I will see how well it works.

Good luck to the first time fasters. I would not do a 36hr fast for the first time. Many of us took months to ease into this type of fasting. Try and regard this as an experiment; a bit of fun.

It looks like another hot day here.

Iam off to work soon; hope you all have a good day

Morning all. I'm in today. Looking forward to recovering from an indulgent weekend.

Will be getting through a few liters of water today I expect. I've got ice in the freezer in anticipation

Good luck everyone today

I'm in. Didnt think I would try it again but I've changed my mind. Good luck all.

9pm, and I'm on the home straight. Did have a brief "aw, wish I wasn't fasting today" moment when some of my indoor soccer team had a beer after the game. Might have to sometimes fast Tues instead of Mon so I can have an after game drink occasionally - seems a bit silly just for one beer. No way would I break fast with a beer straight after running around... even if it would still have me under 500 calories for the day.