The FastDay Forum

Yesterday I completed my #6 fast day and was around 550-600 cals. I was totally fine until around 2pm, when I had lo-cal toast and laughing cow cheese (80 cal) because I was starting to get grouchy. Went to drinks with coworkers (I had water) and about 4 French fries (50 cal?). Then got home and made sausages (360 cal), a very small serving of beans (50 cals) and some carrots (50 cals?). I felt awful all afternoon/evening. Grouchy, heads he, exhausted. I had 6 liters of water yesterday (plus a few glasses at the bar with friends).

Those of you who have been doing this a while...when does the yucky feeling stop? It's not so terrible that I can't handle it, but I really don't like the way I feel in the afternoons. Will this go away?

Help!

Oh...good news is down another .6 pounds!

I'm not sure that I'd describe the feeling as "yucky", but certainly after about 2-3 weeks the fast days get easier. Though that might be after experimenting with what works for you - small meals, no breakfast ect.

6 litres of water sounds like a lot, though - is that what you'd normally consume?

I am a huge water drinker...I have a 1 liter bottle at my desk that I literally fill every hour somedays. I just like cold water (second favorite only to cold white wine!). So 6 liters is pretty standard for me.

I haven't experienced any yucky feeling but 7 litres of water is too much. It will mess up with your electrolytes and you might even faint...

[carorees]

Hmm, I wonder if you really are drinking too much? You can get into a low salt situation if you drink a huge amount with no food coming in so I would suggest something salty (I know the cheese would have some salt but perhaps not enough). I usually have a cup of vegetable stock at lunchtime which really helps.

I think that the yucky symptoms are caused by your body being reluctant to start burning fat and so running out of fuel (it keeps hoping you'll send some high sugar stuff its way so it doesn't have to start shifting the fat!). As you do more fasts and force your body to use the fat up, it gets better at shifting into fat-burning mode and the symptoms you are experiencing clear up. I find that doing some exercise mid/late afternoon just when those grotty feelings start seems to help. I think it forces the body to start burning fat if it was being a bit reluctant!

You can definitely drink too much. Even here in Australia - people who over-compensate when out bush walking have been known to get into difficulties by drinking too much. It is unlikely you would do any damage if it takes all day to consume but it does play with your salt and electrolytes so maybe have a think about it. It may be causing the 'yuck' factor.

During heat waves, many people end up in hospitals from drinking too much water. They say "drink water" but some take it too seriously and they mess up with their bodies...

Oops...I tried to reply but messed it up I think.

Please don't be concerned with my water consumption. I've discussed it with a dozen doctors over the years and its not a problem. If I suddenly drank this much after being a 1/2 liter a day drinker, it might be an issue.

Maybe I will do a little salt and pepper on the cheese toast and see if I noticed a difference

Thanks all!

Were you fasting over the years? If you drink that much and have an empty stomach, it's different. Your electrolytes will not like that.