The FastDay Forum

Ok. I'm doing it. Fasting for as long as I can tomorrow...which probably means 18 hours....7 pm to 1 pm. I don't feel ready to tackle the 24 hr fast yet. I have managed to fast for 4 days (5:2, Mon & Thurs, only 12-18 hrs though), but then I couldn't motivate myself to do the 5th one. Thought I would the next day, but still didn't have the motivation. So now tomorrow is Monday and I want to get back on track. I don't know why I feel so much fear about it. I actually feel good when I am fasting, but then a point comes when this fear overcomes my intentions. Anyway, I wanted to put it out there that I intend to give fasting a good shot tomorrow.

Hi @cms. You have done well so far so there's no reason why you can't keep going. This time of year can be hard so don't stress it. I've fasted most of today but am sitting here with a gin and tonic now. My excuse is that we are off to visit the family for Christmas tomorrow so it feels like it holidays now.
Don't fear fasting, embrace it, it's just a day, what can happen??? Anyway visit the fasting today thread, often helps me get through the day (a bit quiet there today though).
Good luck.

@cms I have been at this for a while. I think it is best to have fixed fasting days ( with a little flexibility if circumstances demand it ) so then you don't have to decide if you are going to fast it's just ' It's Monday so I'm fasting ' Done deal

Hi cms, the fear is natural but will disappear with time when your body realises that you won't starve if you don't put food into yourself as soon as there is a feeling of hunger (real or perceived). Good luck and I agree with previous post, not to overdo it. Start gently with a couple of days a week and maybe slightly higher cals (800?) reducing it as time goes on.

@cms I have been at this for a while. I think it is best to have fixed fasting days ( with a little flexibility if circumstances demand it ) so then you don't have to decide if you are going to fast it's just ' It's Monday so I'm fasting '

I'm with @Lil on this - having fixed days has worked for me since 2011 precisely because I never have to think about it or make a conscious decision.

And, always remember that this is progress, not perfection, and you will manage the fasts as you learn that you can trust the process. Good Luck!

Haha yes but what if your fast day happens to be on a THURSDAY this week Definitely not fasting! Have kind of decided to have an easy fasting week. Be better at eating Mon and Wed instead of being a strict 500 cals. When can you be easy on yourself than on Xmas week??

[carieoates]

Yes fix your fast days and then drop them if a special occasion......like Xmas day.

My light days are Monday and Thursday since April 24; I haven't missed one. I have modified a couple of times (most recently for Thanksgiving) and will again this week for Christmas, since we have a family dinner at my sister's house. I'll fast on Friday (as well as today) this week. I really feel that having it on the same days every week helps a lot; plus, I have a little paper journal and when I get up on a light day, I write it down in the book: "Mon Dec 22--Light day #69"--so I've made a declaration/commitment which is harder to back out of than a vague "I think I'll fast today?" Even not during foodie holidays, it's the nature of life that every day can become an exception, if you let it.

Thanks to all of you who responded. I made it until 1:30 pm, which was 18.5 hrs of no food. Not that that is so impressive, but I am happy with myself because I ended up being around a lot of yummy looking food all morning. It is amazing how much easier it is now--no headache, and really pretty easy. Once the holidays are over and schedules return, I hope to be able to go all day with just a light dinner at the end. Happy Holidays!