Waterfasting - schedule for March

[FastGirlForHealth]

This is my first time here. I first thought I would do a OMAD to prepare myself.
But I want to show myself how actually strong I am and I have chosen for another approach.
I would like to end with a 7 day water fast at the end of March. And I will built it up by starting with a 3 day waterfast (from 2nd 'till 4th of March), refeed the rest of the week but will try to stay in keto (so no carbs, no refined sugars or processed foods and no alcohol).
Then I will start again with a waterfast for 4 days from 9th until 12th of March, refeed myself and try to stay as much as possible in keto.
A new fasting week starts from Monday 16th of March until the end of the week, so that I will have fasted for 5 days. Refeed and doing my last week of fasting for the full 7 days.
That will be my plan. I hope I can pull this through. I don’t have to work or anything so I can fully prepare on my fasting, if I am not feeling energetic, I can lie down.

The only thing that I don’t know how am I going to react on that is my menstrual cycle. That’s why I have chosen for this kind of approach to let my body practice before the big run.

Sincerely

Ilse
32 from Belgium

[Freedumb]

Welcome to the forum and good luck !

[FastGirlForHealth]

I have just survived my first 24 hours fast! I thought at first I was going to do OMAD, but I feel so strong.
I did have some hunger cravings, but that was probably from cleaning the house.
I had so much energy, I did more than I expected.
I reduced the cravings by drinking more water, black and green tea. I also used potassium and sodium in my water. Those really helped me with the headaches and slight dizziness.

Since I survived my first day, I truly am a survivor.

Signed,

Ilse

[Freedumb]

Good going!

[FastGirlForHealth]

This is my second day of fasting and I am already in ketosis. That surprised me because last weekend I drank lots of alcohol and my last meal on Sunday was not very keto-proof.
I am so happy about it.
Because I made a plan for myself to slightly increase the water fasting days, I will end my fast tomorrow at 7 pm. Then I will have fasted for 72 hours. My next fast will be on Monday 9th and will do this for 4 days. This makes it psychologically less harder for me.
My goal is to end with 7 days at the end of March.

On my refeeding days I would like to stay as much in ketosis as I want. That’s why I think OMAD is a good idea and no carbs (unless from the vegetables I eat), good fats and proteins

Today I am stronger!

Ilse

[Compdude]

I’d suggest carbs with fibers as you need that to keep your gut biome healthy. Bright color fruits and veggies.

[FastGirlForHealth]

Today was my first refeeding day. Yesterday was a bit hectic, I broke my fast a bit earlier than expected. my blood glucose levels were low and I did not want to get into hypoglycemia. I was also very irritated, felt weird and couldn’t think straight. Ketone-levels were high enough though. Did I panic too soon? Was it ok to eat a bit earlier? I just listened to my body, which I rarely do.

I prepared myself, I made my food already for the rest of the week. Makes it easier for me not to buy something bad or high in fat and carbs.
I made a green salad, with smoked salmon, cooked egg yolk and shrimps, cucumber, green pepper and zucchini. Topped with some extra vierge olive oil, chopped almonds and some herbs of choice. I also made greek yoghurt with avocado and basically the same ingredients as I did in my salad without the olive oil. That last one was so it! And I had no troubles with my stomache, It did not hurt or anything. I do feel that my stomache says it has enough earlier than before the fasting. I really think I reprogrammed my gut and my brain to feel more full immediately due to fasting.

My next fasting start schedule will be Sunday 8th at 7 pm.

[FastGirlForHealth]

Tomorrow I will start a new fasting period. This time I will do better than last week, at least 90 hours or even the full 4 days or 96 hours.
The refeeding days went well, I was fully prepared and when I went to my parents for diner this evening, I even said a small peace of bread and not two or three as I usually do.
I still am in keto, which is so good. I think that’s why I don’t feel so hungry.
Plus, I have a puppy, she makes me forget that I do have to eat. So, I think these 4 days will go well. I am just a bit concerned about my blood glucose. It tends to drop quickly. I also noticed I can’t drink coffee because it raises my blood sugar.
Question is, if I do take coffee, will it brake my fast? Technically yes, but is it signifant? I do these fast mainly for fat loss.

[Compdude]

I ran this by my endocrinologist and did research. Technically it does. However, the benefits your accrue more than offset that fact. As long as you have it black or with organic stevia you are good to go.

Personally, when I was working on becoming “medication free” I avoided coffee and only drank coffee. But now that I achieved that goal and my new goal is 6-pack abs, I’m having coffee with stevia and herbal tea during my 21-day fasts.

[FastGirlForHealth]

Unfortunately I had to stop my fast due to my menstrual cycle. Because of the fasting of last week I think my cycle came earlier than expected (about 4 days). Since I also have autism and very highly sensitive, I did not want to raise my cortisol levels higher than needed. I also have a puppy and she’s keeping me busy, even at night. I did not have a good night sleep since last week (I have to get up every 2 to 3 hours). So this week is all about eating the right foods accourding to my cortisol, trying to relax and just sit it out. Take some time to let the puppy know me and adapt to me. This is not a failure for me, now I know I can’t fast during that time.
Restart was planned this Sunday evening 7 pm. I can’t start earlier, since I always go for diner at my parents during weekends. They don’t know I’m doing WF and IF and they wouldn’t understand anyway.

[Compdude]

Good decision. That’s a lot of stress on top of the stress of fasting. It will allow you to plan for your next fast better.