The FastDay Forum

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Our Frequently Asked Questions topic will answer many of your fasting & weight loss questions!

If you're new and have a question or need some advice, please give us as much information as you can about your situation in order for us to be able to help you as best we can. For example, it's helpful to know your BMI/weight, how much you want to lose, any medical conditions which might affect your weight and (if you've started fasting already) how you do your fasts in terms of splitting up your calories, what you eat etc. Thanks!

11 posts Page 1 of 1
First day fasting, nervous
15 Apr 2013, 18:22
Hi there. Tomorrow is my first fast day and I'm feeling a bit nervous about how it's going to go :confused: I have ME and so I find that my energy levels (very very low) are very tied to eating. Most of the time I only have energy to do anything after I eat, so I'm a bit worried I'll just be stuck in bed all day. On the other hand, that can happen anyway, so perhaps it doesn't make much difference :smile:

Anyway... Any tips for my first fast day gratefully received. I have my meals roughly planned out, with a few calories to spare in case I get desperate!
Re: First day fasting, nervous
15 Apr 2013, 18:32
Hi Lizhuter,

The first fast day is a little hard, frankly, but you can handle it. The body is well adapted to fasting. All this business about eating three to six meals a day is nonsense. Our ancestors ate when food was available. Unfortunately, we live in an age where food is always available. Tell yourself you will be fine, and you will be. If you are eating, do remember to have protein early in the day as it will satiate your hunger for longer. I usually have scrambled egg whites of hard boiled eggs when I get real hungry.
Re: First day fasting, nervous
15 Apr 2013, 19:49
It is my second fast day tomorrow, the first was quite hard I wont deny it but I was so proud of myself for doing it so imagine that feeling. I didn't drink enough so had a headache the next day even when I ate breakfast and lunch so make sure you drink at least 2 litres, which is what I am going to do tomorrow. Good luck
Re: First day fasting, nervous
15 Apr 2013, 23:55
Thanks Rufus and Claire23, I will expect it to be tough then, but it's only one day, so I'm sure I can do it. I have had a headache every day for the last week anyway, so what's one more? But I will definitely make sure to drink a lot (must look up how many pints in a litre as I have pint glasses), and have painkillers on standby. Forewarned is forearmed!

Right, better go to sleep now, ready for tomorrow :sleepy:
Re: First day fasting, nervous
16 Apr 2013, 07:39
A litre of water's a pint and three quarters
two and a quarter pounds of jam weigh about a kilogram
a metre measures three foot three, it's longer than a yard you see
:)
Good luck for your first fast. That's good advice you've been given so far. I'll just add to take something for the pain if you get a worse headache and make sure you replace electrolytes if you're upping your fluid intake considerable. A rehydration drink (remember to include the calories) or a wee pinch of salt and sugar into some water.
:clover:
Re: First day fasting, nervous
16 Apr 2013, 07:59
The first few fasts aren't easy. There's no denying it and most people have had a few minor side effects, but the feeling of control is a great motivator and of course the fairly quick weight loss most people experience! You might feel a bit lacklustre - I spent most of the evenings on my first few fasts firmly planted on the sofa watching tv! But give it about a month and you will see amazing changes in energy levels. Fasting really gives you a boost and makes you feel energised! So don't be nervous and think about how great you will feel in a couple of weeks time - it is sooo worth it!!
Re: First day fasting, nervous
16 Apr 2013, 08:53
Hi, I'm having my first fast day today also.
SO I'm excited how will this day go as well :?: :grin:
Hope you will be fine, I wish you strength!!! :like: :heart:
Re: First day fasting, nervous
16 Apr 2013, 09:43
Hi Lizchuter,
Hope your first day is going well. It is hard, try & keep occupied,it helps. And once your body realises nothing bad is going to happen if you eat less,it gets much easier.
I also have health problems & I suffer from chronic pain but this WOE has really increased my energy levels which I was not expecting. People have commented on that more than the weight loss although now I've lost 15lbs people are starting to notice - finally!
Still get tired at end of a fast day but I just go to bed early on these days - sometimes very early.
As others have said drink plenty of fluids & find what eating pattern suits you. If you're finding it hard perhaps starting with 24hour fast : 2pm to 2pm or 7pm to 7pm instead of 36 hours maybe easier - weight loss might not be as quick but it maybe more doable. That's the great thing about this WOE - it's really flexible - you're in charge. I started off by spreading my 500 cals through the day then slowly progressed to keeping most for evening meal & supper.
Good luck, look forward to hearing of your successes.
Re: First day fasting, nervous
16 Apr 2013, 16:02
Thanks everyone :smile: It's going ok so far, though I got up very, very late. I am feeling very weak and shakey, and have the slight headache that I've had continuously for the last week, but I often feel this bad anyway. I am going to break my fast in about half an hour with a salad, then I am saving the rest of my calories for an hour or so before bed in the hope that I will then be able to sleep. Looking forward to eating normally tomorrow!

Jinta, I hope your first fast day is going well too :clover:
Re: First day fasting, nervous
20 Apr 2013, 10:17
Thanks Lizchuter, the first day went well and the second fast day even better.
How about your headache? I have them slight at the end of the fast day, but not irritating. I went early to bed ;-)
hope you doiing fine!
Re: First day fasting, nervous
20 Apr 2013, 17:01
Hope your first day was completed successfully and you discovered that it wasn't as hard as you thought. I just started the 5:2 Diet a few weeks ago and have found it easy to do, so far. I've lost a few pounds which will hopefully continue. The one good thing, so far, is that my lost seems to be stable, not fluctuating +/- as my weight has done in the past. Good luck to you.
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