Fasting is easier than I thought \ stacker news ~health

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990 sats \ 24 comments \ @5centvalentine 14 Dec 2023 health

I am halfway through an 84 hour fast (2nd 84 hour fast in past 4 weeks) where I am only consuming water and black coffee. I start at night so going to bed right away to begin the fast jumpstarts it. Does anyone else find that fasting is way easier than they expected? Is it just that me being overweight makes it easier? Also appreciate if anyone has additional tips on longer fasts.

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324 sats \ 2 replies \ @needcreations_ 14 Dec 2023

yeah I'm finding 16 hour fast / 8 hour eating window every single day to be very easy. I can't do longer fasts because I take medication that must be consumed with food, otherwise I'd definitely try an 84 hour fast too

71 sats \ 1 reply \ @gmd 14 Dec 2023 freebie

16-8 seems ideal and I've been doing some variation of this since 2012 or so. Occasional 24h OMAD fasts. The main thing is keeping flexibility over dogma.

More than 24h I feel is like running a marathon. Feels like an achievement but I doubt there are any real health benefits that outweigh the pain.

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @Zepasta 15 Dec 2023

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293 sats \ 2 replies \ @DesertDave 14 Dec 2023

The more I do it, the easier it is. I think getting over the feelings of hunger is the hard part. And if he have fat to burn, our body know how to use it up. I think fasting is a great way to help our bodies cleanse and heal. Way to go. Keep it up.

44 sats \ 1 reply \ @5centvalentine OP 14 Dec 2023

Thanks for the encouragement! I'm really trying to re-establish better gut health. I am going to try cutting seed oils out and keeping sugars to a min. I have an autoimmune condition I'm hoping to fix. Will keep posted here...

0 sats \ 0 replies \ @DesertDave 14 Dec 2023

You can heal that for sure. Let that shit go. Fasting is the best way.

21 sats \ 0 replies \ @Signal312 17 Dec 2023

I usually had a pretty hard time, starting day 3. Even on day 2, I slowed down my walking pace. Usually day 4 was mostly resting.

I wasn't doing it for weight loss, though, and don't have any extra weight to lose. I think that may make a big difference.

281 sats \ 10 replies \ @k00b 14 Dec 2023

being overweight makes it easier

It definitely does imo. I had no issues doing 21 days consecutively many years ago after doing many 5-day and 10-days over the year prior.

Does anyone else find that fasting is way easier than they expected?

IIRC the first 48 hours are the hardest. I recall it feeling like there were metabolic phases I'd transition through every 3-5 days or so where it wouldn't really become harder or easier but different somehow (maybe different tissues getting catabolized).

71 sats \ 8 replies \ @5centvalentine OP 14 Dec 2023

21 days!! Man, that takes legit mental composure. Did you supplement anything for electrolytes/vitamins/minerals or how does one go so long?

71 sats \ 7 replies \ @k00b 14 Dec 2023 freebie

No supplementing other than drinking sodium/potassium salt water a few days.

71 sats \ 6 replies \ @5centvalentine OP 14 Dec 2023

thanks for the insight!

71 sats \ 5 replies \ @k00b 14 Dec 2023

I wouldn't call it insight :)

There are lots of people more knowledgeable about this kind of thing. I tend to wing stuff but there are lots of fasting nerds out there who have meaningful things to say.

281 sats \ 4 replies \ @5centvalentine OP 14 Dec 2023

::channeling the fasting nerds to come contribute to this thread::

0 sats \ 3 replies \ @benwehrman 14 Dec 2023

cc @jimmysong

I recall you talking about fasting on your podcast once, would love to hear your take

202 sats \ 2 replies \ @jimmysong 15 Dec 2023

Yea, it's a complete reset of a lot of things, especially your hormone system, particularly insulin, which helps with your metabolism.

The main tips I have are to wear a lot of clothes to bed because you'll get cold from losing your fat. I usually start needing more hot showers around day 4. Also, don't let yourself watch food videos. I found myself watching them one after another after day 7. Finally, try to work out during the fast, especially with weights. There's a lot of evidence that it triggers significant testosterone production.

Also, you'll have to generally move a little slower, especially from sitting and lying positions. Lightheadedness is normal, just take your time.

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71 sats \ 0 replies \ @Zepasta 15 Dec 2023

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21 sats \ 0 replies \ @antic 14 Dec 2023

I'm a lean build and I find it easy to fast... it takes a lot to get me hungry... maybe I just got used to it growing up poor. My wife can't handle even a 24 hour fast.

21 sats \ 2 replies \ @kdnolan 14 Dec 2023

When you do eat food again, make it something really small and easy to digest.. or it'll knock you around.

Haha I did 7 days once and then had a bowl of chips like an idiot... I was floored!

1 sat \ 1 reply \ @5centvalentine OP 14 Dec 2023

Yup, I learned that the hard way too on the last breaking of fast. Had 2 eggs and 2 slices of bacon. Floored is an understatement :)