Hello everyone
I’m new to the fasting lifestyle, having only heard of it about a month ago. I am adjusting quote well to alternate day water fasting,with 0 calorie intake. I am beginning to see good results and so I want to try to push myself to do longer fasts as I’m interested in healing some chronic health issues. I am supplementing with a multivitamin and magnesium supplements as I’m prone to headaches. But I’m really not able to do a longer fast. I know that I should slowly ease myself into longer fasts,but any tips or suggestions will be welcome
Newbie here. Need some suggestions about how to get past day 2-3
Welcome to our fasting community!
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I cured most of my metabolic diseases last year. After 4 months and 5 days into my custom treatment protocol that included elements of I.F., OMAD, Time Restricted Eating and Prolonged Water Fasting I was officially declared “medication free”.
Let me know if you have any questions as I’m here to help!
Congrats on your decision to pursue longer fasts. Since you are already successful with ADF, you can work to extend it just a bit.
On your eating day how many meals are you eating? Can you limit to two and narrow the eating window to 4-6 hours?
Are you eating sugar, processed foods, or alcohol? Those can all trigger cravings.
On fast days, are you also supplementing salt? What is the primary reason you can’t continue? Fatigue, cravings?
Hi Donna
On my eating days,I follow a ova lacto vegetarian diet, eating two meals a day and sometimes a snack too.
I’ve stopped consuming sugar some three months ago. I don’t drink alcohol. I’m quite the junk food aficionado,but I’m consciously trying to make better choices.
On fast days ,I am supplementing with himalyan pink salt too along with the multivitamin and magnesium.
The primary reason I can’t continue for longer than 2 days is fatigue,headache,nausea and cramps which I seem to get late at night or early in the morning.
I guess,I feel physically ill after about 48 hours.
I am guessing it’s probably because of carbohydrate withdrawal? I’m Indian and am used to a carbohydrate rich diet all my life and my body is having a hard time functioning without it.
I want to fast to cure myself of problems related to high insulin resistance. I have several family members with type 2 diabetes and I have PCOS. I deal with chronic fatigue on a daily basis and my immune system is broken too. Hopefully I am able to resolve these issues with water fasting,which is the only thing that has helped make a difference.
Chronic fatigue means your body is already stressed. Fasting is another, additional stressor. I think your body is saying no.
Carbs are also a way to get a quick energy boost. Have you done any research into adrenals?
Another possible reason for headaches is caffeine withdrawal if that is something you use.
Do you eat fermented foods or take a probiotic? That can help.
Sleep is also a priority. Are you able to get to bed a couple of hours after dark?
May I suggest that you adjust your diet to a lower carb one? Higher protein and fat will help as well. Everything I have heard about PCOS indicates that carbs are not your friends. Are you in peri-menopause or menopause?
There are plenty of resources online. Nowadays Keto is all the rage. You might take a look at Dr. Ken Berry’s YouTube channel. I think he also has one on PCOS.
Hope that helps!
Thank you so much, Donna for your inputs.
I think I will stick to ADF for now and maybe be very slow in transitioning to longer fasts. I am doing okay with fasting for upto 24 hours and actually feel light and great on shorter fasts.
I do drink a lot of coffee,so maybe the headache is due to caffeine withdrawal. I didn’t know about the importance of probiotics,and I will get one soon as possible.
I am also trying to eat better,by following a keto diet. I find my energy levels are better on days when I fast or avoid carbohydrates. I will look up Dr Ken Berry’s YouTube as suggested by you
Thank you so much
Here is a good place to start with some intro videos and some tips and tricks about getting started as well as easing into a water fasting!
Our channel is called Fast Forward to Health and you can take a look at the “water fasting” playlist below:
Link: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLK4BWudGAn8qnPIzC5BcVd_zrKKjMf4Dy