Fasting Connection - Forum

Subject: Re: trouble breathing - by: Renee

Thu, 17 May 2012 07:14:50 +0000

I'm actually having this problem as well. I do have asthma, but throat is not swollen. I feel as if something is putting pressure on my chest so it won't expand.

Subject: My Doctor vs My Professor re Muscle Loss - by: Renee

Thu, 17 May 2012 06:57:37 +0000

Hi there!

My doctor told me that I should not "starve myself" (water fast) because I would lose all the muscle I worked so hard to gain, my body would eat my heart and I'd die. I mentioned to my doctor that my Biochem professor taught our class that in the case of starvation, the body consumes fat first, then only after that is gone, protein from muscle and vital organs. He disagreed and told me that he has a medical degree and knows better than me about health.

Who is correct, my doctor (md) or my professor (phd)?

Subject: I'm on day 16 of a water fast, what to expect next? - by: veganman

Thu, 17 May 2012 00:23:44 +0000

Fasters,

I'm on day-16 of my 50-days water fast journey, I'm updating my blog with my daily weight and pictures at 1200hours.com and I was wondering, what should I expect in the next few days/weeks?

This seems easier than I had anticipated.

Let me know,
Veganman

Subject: Another reason for fasting - Reset your Sleep Cycle - by: LisaSchaeffer

Wed, 16 May 2012 15:55:57 +0000

My son did his first fast after reading this article:

www.wisebread.com/how-to-naturally-reset...leep-cycle-overnight

It's a quick read. Basically your body uses light to determine your sleep cycle, but there is another biological clock that over rides it: your food cycle. If you want to change your sleeping habits, begin a fast 12-16 hours before you want your new waking time to be.

Just another reason to advocate for fasting.

Subject: Water Fast Begins Tomorrow - anyone want in? - by: wsdrradiogirl

Wed, 16 May 2012 14:46:09 +0000

Hi All,

I'm beginning a water fast tomorrow; planning on 14 days, but may extend, depending on how I feel. I'm going to do a little experiment and see if I'm able to continue to exercise as close to my normal intensity as possible (without sweating too much out).

Anyone else interested in doing the fast (you don't need to exercise lol)?

Subject: Re: Has anybody tried oxygen cocktail fast? Need help ASAP - by: LisaSchaeffer

Tue, 15 May 2012 19:42:08 +0000

Because it's a money maker. :o)

Subject: Re: Has anybody tried oxygen cocktail fast? Need help ASAP - by: The Fast Doctor

Tue, 15 May 2012 18:21:54 +0000

Of course I have no idea why people call something an "oxygen cocktail" other than for marketing purposes. ALL the oxygen that can be dissolved in 10 litres of water is less than what you breathe in in one decent deep breath. Plus, your lungs are designed to absorb oxygen. Your gut is not. Most of what you drink is released and burped out, often subconsciously. Thus any effect you experience is likely mind over matter.

André

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Tue, 15 May 2012 17:37:39 +0000

Have a great trip, Chelsea Girl. I shall miss your perky posts if you can't get to a computer. Enjoy looking fabulous!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Tue, 15 May 2012 16:44:35 +0000

Liiiiiiisaa we are packed, waiting for the taxi to Heathrow now, yipiiiiiiiiiii!!

Keep us posted on your fasting experience!!

IF we don't speak sooner, happy birthdaaaaaaaaaaay

Subject: Re: Has anybody tried oxygen cocktail fast? Need help ASAP - by: Sabrina

Tue, 15 May 2012 15:06:10 +0000

Hi Lenchik,

I am surprised no one here has tried oxygen cocktails. When I was in Russia 6 years ago I went to a health resort in Siberia. I have to admit that health resorts are very different there. They mostly use alternative medicine instead of drugs. Among many things I did mud baths for the arthritis (which btw gave me great results!) and I drank oxygen cocktails twice a day.
They tasted like sweet foam. After drinking one I felt like I just had a meal , but I basically has 1/4 of a glass of juice and load of oxygen. You know how they say it gives you energy. So I would feel it sometimes ( usually in the morning), but not all the time. But 1 thing I know is that they are very filling and satisfying.

So if you are thinking or making them at home, it might be a great tool to help you loose weight somewhat easy.

If you do that, keep us posted on your experience. I'd like to know.

Good luck.

Subject: Re: 60 Day Juice Fast - by: Sabrina

Tue, 15 May 2012 14:52:21 +0000

Hey Box,

I am happy for you that you are doing it. It's a great thing! And it feels great when you know you've accomplished a 30-day juice fast.

Just one suggestion. When I am on a juice fast, those days when I really want to eat ( usually the first few days) I drink a half a glass of celery juice straight up. For some reason only celery juice kills my cravings.

Good luck with the fast!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Tue, 15 May 2012 07:46:56 +0000

hahaha the miracle of fasting, keeps you forever young!! what a hero, you have a disciple here!!

the book about food addiction is brilliant.. spot on... tells you exacty how to deal with it, loving it. She is a doctor that has been treating patients with food addictions for ever, she really knows how to get it under control.

I am packing, OMG!!! leaving in 9 hours for the airport!!

Going for a spin class now, my last workout in 2 weeks, aiiiiiiiiii

Let's keep in touch Lisa!! I am sooooo going to follow your steps with IF!!

Love,

Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Mon, 14 May 2012 11:43:22 +0000

Chelsea, my two sisters, my daughter and my niece had a fun girls' day in New York City and my sister was showing the photos to some guys she knows. They said I looked younger than my daughter and that I was "Hot". How's that for someone just about to turn 44. My daughter is 16 but she looks 22. LOL. Needless to say, I didn't share that with my daughter, but it sure made me feel good.

That book looks great! I put it on my wish list. I just spend a bunch of money buying a juice extractor, a spiralizer, a dehydrator, and a raw desserts cookbook. But the reviews of this book were awesome. I looked it up at my library, they don't have it anywhere in Pennsylvania. Right now I'm overloaded with books, so when I have more time, I'll get it. It's not expensive. But I do agree, it sounds perfect for after fasting.

Oh, and I have on several occasions been mistaken for a sibling of my children LOL
Take care.

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Mon, 14 May 2012 07:56:14 +0000

Lisa!! I got this book, it's briiiiiilliant!!!!!! perfect for after fasting!!! www.amazon.co.uk/Eating-Less-Say-Goodbye...336982097&sr=8-5

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Sun, 13 May 2012 19:49:58 +0000

wow Lisaaaaaaaaaa 6 days!! and with energy! amazing...! I never fasted for so long! and well done on doing it during Mother's day!

So nice to hear about your sis! I've never read much about a raw diet, may buy a book on that at the airport.

With this fasting you are doing instead of celebrating one year + you should celebrate having substracted one year - the age reversing effects of your fasts must be keeping you so young! Think of that on 19th May!

I will keep checking your posts the next few days, I learn so much from you! Will def try intermittent fasting, 36 hs once or twice a week.

Enjoy mother's day (though at this point you might physically look more like a sister to your children!)

Love

Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:56:44 +0000

Oh, and congrats on the Uk size 6. Awesome!!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:54:50 +0000

Your boot camp instructor probably has no experience with fasting, therefore, your rapid weight loss is alarming. But since you're happy with your body, there is no reason you shouldn't stop fasting if you want to. I shall miss your energetic posts though. Please stick around. And, yes, do consider doing IF. It is wonderful for keeping off the weight caused by fasting. I may consider the zero cal if I find that I can run with it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention. I saved the link for future reference.

Anyway, DAY 6!!! I'm on day six on pure water! I feel so energetic, I have hardly needed much sleep the past couple days, probably less than 4 hours but I'm not tired! I love that. Much more ME time! Great news, my sister, the awesome raw foodist is coming to visit for two weeks. She's arriving on my birthday (May 19) and she's going to help me shop for raw food. I'm so excited. She is such a great influence on me. I always want to better myself when she's around. She'll help me not to overeat when my fast ends. We're going to have a picnic at my house on Memorial Day with all my family and we're going to serve raw food ( plus regular stuff, I can't deprive my husband and others) I'm so excited.

Subject: Re: Fasting Can Help Protect Against Brain Diseases - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:44:54 +0000

Terrific article! Thanks David. Although I did cringe when I saw the word starving, it is wonderful that someone is studying the effects of fasting. Anything to make fasting seem more "normal" is wonderful in my opinion. Another reason to make fasting a regular part of your life!

Subject: Fasting Can Help Protect Against Brain Diseases - by: David

Sun, 13 May 2012 13:26:07 +0000

This article was sent to me by Gina Shaw.

Here's an interesting article which appeared recently in The Guardian
newspaper: Saturday 18 February 2012 20.36 GMT

Fasting Can Help Protect Against Brain Diseases, Scientists Say
----------------------------------------------------------
---------------

Claim that giving up almost all food for one or two days a week can
counteract impact of Alzheimer's and Parkinson's

Fasting for regular periods could help protect the brain against
degenerative illnesses, according to US scientists.

Researchers at the National Institute on Ageing in Baltimore said they
had found evidence which shows that periods of stopping virtually all
food intake for one or two days a week could protect the brain against
some of the worst effects of Alzheimer's, Parkinson's and other
ailments.

"Reducing your calorie intake could help your brain, but doing so by
cutting your intake of food is not likely to be the best method of
triggering this protection. It is likely to be better to go on
intermittent bouts of fasting, in which you eat hardly anything at all,
and then have periods when you eat as much as you want," said Professor
Mark Mattson, head of the institute's laboratory of neurosciences.

"In other words, timing appears to be a crucial element to this
process," Mattson told the annual meeting of the American Association
for the Advancement of Science in Vancouver.

Cutting daily food intake to around 500 calories – which amounts to
little more than a few vegetables and some tea – for two days out of
seven had clear beneficial effects in their studies, claimed Mattson,
who is also professor of neuroscience at the Johns Hopkins University
School of Medicine in Baltimore.

Scientists have known for some time that a low-calorie diet is a recipe
for longer life. Rats and mice reared on restricted amounts of food
increase their lifespan by up to 40%. A similar effect has been noted
in humans. But Mattson and his team have taken this notion further.
They argue that starving yourself occasionally can stave off not just
ill-health and early death but delay the onset of conditions affecting
the brain, including strokes. "Our animal experiments clearly suggest
this," said Mattson.

He and his colleagues have also worked out a specific mechanism by
which the growth of neurones in the brain could be affected by reduced
energy intakes. Amounts of two cellular messaging chemicals are boosted
when calorie intake is sharply reduced, said Mattson. These chemical
messengers play an important role in boosting the growth of neurones in
the brain, a process that would counteract the impact of Alzheimer's
and Parkinson's.

"The cells of the brain are put under mild stress that is analogous to
the effects of exercise on muscle cells," said Mattson. "The overall
effect is beneficial."

The link between reductions in energy intake and the boosting of cell
growth in the brain might seem an unlikely one, but Mattson insisted
that there were sound evolutionary reasons for believing it to be the
case. "When resources became scarce, our ancestors would have had to
scrounge for food," said Mattson. "Those whose brains responded best –
who remembered where promising sources could be found or recalled how
to avoid predators — would have been the ones who got the food. Thus a
mechanism linking periods of starvation to neural growth would have
evolved."

This model has been worked out using studies of fasting on humans and
the resulting impact on their general health – even sufferers from
asthma have shown benefits, said Mattson – and from experiments on the
impact on the brains of animals affected by the rodent equivalent of
Alzheimer's and Parkinson's. Now Mattson's team is preparing to study
the impact of fasting on the brain by using MRI scans and other
techniques.

If this final link can be established, Mattson said that a person could
optimise his or her brain function by subjecting themselves to bouts of
"intermittent energy restriction". In other words, they could cut their
food intake to a bare minimum for two days a week, while indulging for
the other five. "We have found that from a psychological point of view
that works quite well. You can put up with having hardly any food for a
day if you know that for the next five you can eat what you want."

www.guardian.co.uk/society/2012/feb/18/f...-diseases-scientists

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Sun, 13 May 2012 07:59:34 +0000

OMG so many typos!! I am going to my spin and body pump classes, I am in a rush!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Sun, 13 May 2012 07:58:40 +0000

Fantastic bargains, Lisa! wow!!

I have been shopping ALL afternoon yesterday... shop until you drop, literally... for the wedding events and the holidays. It was fun. I couldn't believe I fit in size 6 in the UK (which s the smalles one you can get, size 4 doesn't exist).

I am ultra skinny now, so I designed a plan to maintain, so no more fasting for now My boot camp instructor told me yesterday "you are shrinking too quickly". He then gave me tips to maintain my new bod!

I may tray intermittent fasting to adjust things here and there.

HAPPY MOTHERS DAY!!!!

Subject: Imagine if fasting was considered normal - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sat, 12 May 2012 01:53:23 +0000

If fasting was considered normal, people would be more accepting of it and we wouldn't have to make excuses for avoiding socializing. We could just say, Oh, I'm fasting. And people would try to help you. They would try to keep food away from you and help you. You could go to the doctor and he would recommend fasting for most ailments first before another treatment and fasting would be covered by insurance or socialized medicine. Wouldn't it be neat if there were certain days of the week or weeks of the year that were fasting days and everyone could support each other in their fasts.

I really believe the more people know about fasting and the more it is considered normal, the easier it would be.

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sat, 12 May 2012 01:30:23 +0000

Don't worry. I did the same thing when I got my period mid fast. Hey, you got me to 4 days. Plus if you jump back in, we'll be fasting together. I just went shopping. Bought a pair of jeans for $5 in size 0. (I only buy zeros now, even if they are actually 1s in disguise LOL) They fit so perfectly. The legs are close, but not skinny, which is what I want. I have a hard time with flares because since my legs are short, they drag behind me...I have 3 pairs of flares and one pair of skinny....super skinny, peel them off kind of jeans, all in zeros. My straight leg size zeros are super tight and very low riders so I need to get rid of some fat first LOL. I like to wear jeans because they keep you honest. As soon as they start to get snug, time to do a fast! LOL. Now, I'd love to eat in such a way that I don't need to fast, but I still have to get over some food addictions first, so thank goodness I found fasting. Feel better and jump back in when you can.

I don't know if this would work with the zero calorie diet, but I would think that if you feel you need to eat something and want to continue fasting, an egg would probably be good because it's zero carbs. But veggies are probably not enough carbs to take you out of ketosis. Usually if I eat something, I have to break the fast, and then maybe start over the next day or even give myself a day to eat and go back to fasting.

Oh, I just remembered, the reason I wanted to tell you about my shopping, not just to brag about size 0 But to tell you, my son took my car to work but my daughter and I decided to get out of the house, so we walked to where my son works which is 1.85 miles, picked up the car, and then shopped (which is light exercise) for a couple hours. Oh, and the sales were amazing. My daughter got yoga pants for 2 bucks, a purse for 10 and I got a beautiful necklace with a three inch silver butterfly studded with black gemstones for $3.

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Fri, 11 May 2012 07:23:45 +0000

Hi Lisa, the cramp got so bad and persistent I had to take ibuprofen at night, hence ate something (mainly veggies). What I will do is continue fasting for 4 days and 1/5 from today until my trip. oh well. It's life, the key is to adapt... and persist!

Well done you so far, what an inspiration you are!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Fri, 11 May 2012 02:13:09 +0000

Bummer the period while fasting. Well you do still have tons of energy. I generally don't exercise while fasting. Or if I do, it's with much less intensity than I normally can perform.

Hey, I made it through day 3. My headache, I noticed at around 9pm is gone! Now I feel much more positive that I can do the rest of the fast. Only 1 week to go! I wasn't tempted at all to eat, although I confess I sniffed a doughnut that was sitting on the table. I could smell the sugar. But I did not have a compulsion to eat it. My daughter has a friend over and they are having a carb fest in the family room, but they have promised to keep the food away from me. I did have a feeling of hunger while I was shampooing a client while leaning over the sink. But it passed quickly.

Anyway, day 3 went well. On to day 4!!!! almost halfway there.

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Thu, 10 May 2012 18:14:43 +0000

Hi Lisa! Your Ketosis arrived, yeiii! I have to find out where to buy those strips you mention. Any brand you can recommend?

I don’t know how you do it on water only but I find it quite amazing! But you do have to try the zero cal liquid diet sometime later this year, the fat loss is crazy! The herbal teas, mate and morning coffee keep me going. My husband is complaining about my bad breath, sugar free mint chewing gum and all! Oh well… I also got my period this morning… bizarre! I have had the most painful cramps since I woke up but refuse to take an ibuprofen, so I am now having some dandelion tea with a pinch of cinnamon, which has anti-inflammatory effects. I have loads of energy though, so I am going to a spin class tonight. That should help with the cramps too. Gosh, we girls don’t have it easy….

Mother’s Day this weekend! What a nice idea, a hike! The minerals in the fresh air will revitalise you. I will go to the steam room at the gym tomorrow and this weekend. Will alternate a few mins of that with cold showers to help the elimination process.

I read that one of the Victoria Secret models (Adriana Lima) leaked that they do a zero cal liquid diet for 9 days before each show, to get ripped. They also do strength training each of those days with a personal trainer. And they stop drinking all liquids the night before the show, to dehydrate and look even more ripped. That’s a bit too extreme I must say, but it shows that our bodies are able to do it.

www.nydailynews.com/life-style/adriana-l...ing-article-1.977508

Lisa, let’s practice our runway walk for next week!!

Subject: Re: A few questions about water fasting and my attempt despite working with food. Day 1 started today. - by: LisaSchaeffer

Thu, 10 May 2012 13:11:48 +0000

Hey PartickJames,
Sorry this is late reply. I know what you mean about the headache...it's awful how it goes away when you eat. But it must be some sort of detox symptom and the reason it goes away is that you have stopped the detox.

I am on my third day of a water fast and had a headache all night. This morning I did the 5 step detox cycle.

Here is what I put on my blog:
This morning, I remembered about the 5 step elimination cycle recommended on this website, so I did one. I will do another cycle after I am done here. Here is what I did:
Step 1. I walked up and down my steps to elevate my heart rate.
Step 2. While my heart rate was still elevated, I used a towel to do some body brushing, starting from my feet and working towards my heart, then the arms, then the back and belly.
Step 3. The shower was preheated at this time and I jumped in. While in the shower, I repeated step 2 with an exfoliating puff.
Step 4. I turned the shower to cold, which, surprisingly, felt quite good.
Step 5. I climbed back into bed

I'm going to do another cycle as soon as I'm done on Fasting Connection. I really believe it helps. My headache is not as bad.

Oh, someone else gave me a method that works pretty good to relax the facial muscles:
Open your eyes as wide as you can and stick your tongue out as far as you can 10 times, Then stick your tongue straight up, straight down and to each side, 10 times each. It helps with the headache and in some cases takes it away.

Another thing is to take vicks or some other menthol based pain cream and put some on your temples or at the base of your neck. You have to experiment with what works for you. I use a certain conditioner we have at work, and it works as long as the conditioner stays moist, then I reapply.

Another thing Joel Fuhrman recommends in his book Fasting and Eating for health is a headband with heavy coins placed in certain spots. I haven't tried that one, but it sounds better than taking pain meds. I did once try to take advil while fasting and it made my stomach ache and I felt like I was going to vomit. yeah, your headache is gone but you're gonna throw up LOL hope that helps. Do try fasting again. The detox symptoms get less and less as your experience with fasting improves. Also, you can try slowing the detox using a juice feast or a juice fast. Don't give up on fasting. It is so worth the benefits. Hope that helps.

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:59:58 +0000

Hey Chelsea Girl! We made it to day 3. Sorry to hear your yoga class got canceled. Bummer. I'm amazed that you have such energy. I confess I don't do any exercise while I"m fasting. The weight drops off so now I'm convinced that food matters much more than exercise. But I still love running and I have signed up for a half marathon, my first race in a while so after the fast, I'm going to begin training in earnest.

Still have a headache But I will get through. I'm going to assume it is detox and just treat it as such. I was thinking about having a cup of black coffee to eliminate it, but I've changed my mind. I want this to be a pure water fast and I can wait for any thing else. Nothing against the zero calorie diet, I just know I can do 10 days on water and I'm going to do it.

I'm in ketosis with dark dark purple! 80 ml/Dl Yay. Burn that fat baby! I only lost half a pound today, but I did drink 12 oz of water before weighing myself. I did that on purpose...when my weight gets lower, my motivation to fast also goes down.

Other than the headache, I'm feeling pretty good. I've lost 2 inches from my measurements, one full inch from my waist. Awesome!!!!

One more difficult day to go through, then it gets easier!!! Yay!

We can do this!! I'm so glad we're fasting together! keep it up!

Subject: Re: How much water to drink while fasting? - by: LisaSchaeffer

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:50:42 +0000

Hey superhuman, welcome back. I haven't seen you on here for a while. Are you currently water fasting? I wonder the same thing often and I'm glad you asked the question. I'm doing a 10 day water fast.

Subject: Re: 60 Day Juice Fast - by: LisaSchaeffer

Thu, 10 May 2012 12:48:14 +0000

I don't know how it works with juice fasting, since you don't get into ketosis. Ketosis is where your body switches over to burning fat. But with juice fasting, you're giving your body a break from digestion work as well as giving your self nutrients and enzymes. I would suggest that if you can, remove temptation from your house. Make sure you have only fruits and veggies around. I would imagine you could also blend nuts with water to make nut milk and still use it for a juice fast, although I recommend straining off the pulp to prevent digestive work. It might make you more satisfied. If you have a family or a partner who is not juicing with you, perhaps you could just keep your produce in one section of the kitchen or fridge, so you won't be tempted with food. Remember, these are just cravings, not hunger, since you are taking care of your hunger with juice. You have had many years of eating, it will take some time before your body realizes that the juice is all it's getting.

Question for you. What kind of juicer are you using, or do you recommend? I may be purchasing one.

Subject: Re: 60 Day Juice Fast - by: b0x

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:47:49 +0000

I'm just wondering how long my body is going to fight me and try to convince me to eat. I wake up every morning thinking about all the amazing breakfast foods and have to smack myself out of it. I literally feel in a cloud. I feel sluggish and really just feel like drinking water today.

Is that ok? I mean I will try to drink something but it just feels like that kind of day

Subject: Re: How much water to drink while fasting? - by: superhuman

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:12:07 +0000

as always, thanx a ton

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:09:39 +0000

Hi Lisa! Thanks for the great tips!!

Good you have to work today, the day goes faster that way!

Just came back from work, off to a 1 and 1/2 hs yoga class in a bit. I am 1.3 kg (3 lbs) lighter than yesterday same time! yeiii! Seeing the drop keeps me motivated, plus doing this together makes it easier!

Have loads of energy today. I am still my usual self, in terms of speed and motion.

Feeling hungry though! Well, hunger is our companion when fasting... I keep salivating when people eat food around me, OMG!

Oh well, I will eat at the end of the fast, I keep telling myelf. In fact, I will eat all my life!

We are getting closer to day 3 (Thursday)...

We can do it Lisa!!!!

Have a lovely evening.

Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: How much water to drink while fasting? - by: The Fast Doctor

Wed, 09 May 2012 18:08:19 +0000

My advice is that you listen to your biofeedback. In long fasts there appears days when you need a lot and days when you really need none. We place water and fountains all over to remind people to consider drinking some water and advise them to taste it from time to time to give the body an opportunity to confirm to the mind whether you need some or not.

The climate, your activity level, the level of toxins in your fats (once you are fully catabolic) and many other factors play a role. Thus one day you may need up to 5 litres and another day you may need nothing at all.

We clinically observe criteria such as pulse rate and pulse pressure (The difference between systolic and diastolic), urine tests and sometimes blood tests to evaluate your hydration state and we can still not be absolutely sure.. but the advice is if you are unsure, rather have some water.

Apologies to be vague but this is one of those questions..

André

Subject: How much water to drink while fasting? - by: superhuman

Wed, 09 May 2012 17:48:51 +0000

Hello

I know there is alot of different opinions about how much water to drink while doing long water fasts.

How much do you advice drinking each day?

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:09:54 +0000

Hey Chelsea Girl! Yea! We made it to day 2! Yeah, the headache isn't too bad right now. It's very mild, so nothing that is going to stop me. Monday, I had one and I ended up breaking my fast. But so far, I'm okay with it.

Cleaning the gut. The fasting Doctor doesn't recommend anything except in cases of diahreah, and then he recommends something that I'm not sure is available in the US. I think it's called Colon Cleanse or something.

Personally, I'll do an enema if I feel the need, but you can also use a glycerin suppository. That works pretty well and quickly. Not as good of a clean out as an enema. I do the enema as instructed in "How and When to Be Your Own Doctor" by Isabel something. You can google it. You can read it free on the online library Soil and Earth. She has a section on colon cleansing. I may do one if I still have this headache tomorrow morning. Believe it or not, you can treat certain ailments with enemas. But I can see the fasting doctor's point about the colon being a one way street LOL. On my last 10 day fast, I didn't do any enemas but I did do one glycerin suppository on about the 3rd day. I drank a lot of water on that fast, and I think that helps.

I'm off to work as well. I skipped my running date and enjoyed sleeping until 7:30am. Glorious! Have a great day!

PS it is much easier to fast with someone else because you feel a little more obligated to fast for them. So I'm glad we're fasting together.

Subject: Re: 60 Day Juice Fast - by: LisaSchaeffer

Wed, 09 May 2012 16:01:44 +0000

Hey bOx, welcome and good luck with your juice fast. A juice fast is a great way to slow down the detox of your body so it's not so difficult. I don't have a juicer, so I can't currently do something like that. Do you have any juicing recipes? I think it is so important that you have juices that you love to help you get through. I know I was doing a raw food diet (not the same, but it fits) and the one day everything I made tasted yucky and I ended up eating cooked food just to take the nasty taste out of my mouth. If I were doing a juice fast, I'd make sure I had tons of oranges so I could have fresh squeezed OJ several times a day. There are different oranges that are better for juicing than others (I do have a citrus juicer so I have some experience with this!) When I buy oranges to eat, I usually love navals, but they are not very juicy. Temple oranges are great for juicing. Don't forget to roll each orange while pressing it with the palm of your hand. It makes it easier to juice.

I had a recipe for "green lemonade" that was a little bitter for me, but I think it was because the apples I bought had no flavor and I think the optional ginger should have been left out. I also added agave to it because it was yucky. But maybe you could tweak it and you'd like it:

a head of celery or kale
1-2 apples for sweetness (hence, my unfortunate yucky apples)
3-5 leaves romaine
1 organic lemon (mine wasn't organic) leave the skin on (I tried it both with peeling and without)
1" chunk or ginger (optional--beware!)

I think that was it. I also made mine in a high speed blender and then used a sieve to remove the pulp. Mine also had water, to blend. Add each item in the order written. It's supposed to be a great morning drink.

Anyway, best of luck with juicing. Please keep us informed. Oh, and if you are unable to do 60 days in one shot, consider doing some shorter fasts once per week to build up. I'm currently doing a 10 day water fast. I'm on day 2. Read my blog, if you get the chance. Keep posting, even if you aren't able to get to 60 days. It's a very understanding group here. Many of us try and start over many times. Also, read old blogs. Bestestbetsy has done a couple 21 or 30 day water fasts. I blogged my last 10 day water fast and that ended Feb 1 of this year. When you get the urge to quit, come back here and read for inspiration. Also, look up the topic "Zero Calorie Diet" for another alternative to a strict water fast.

Subject: 60 Day Juice Fast - by: b0x

Wed, 09 May 2012 06:57:36 +0000

So I don't really know what to say. This is my first fast. It is incredibly hard. I am on day two. The first day all I did was think about all the foods I could make. Day two has been a tad bit easier but it's also been really hard as well. All day just seems like it will not move on. Cool thing is I lost 7 pounds in one week. Not sure how much of it was the first day but I wen't from 322 to 315 so I'm happy. I am determined to get used to the juices. I naturally like fruits and vegetables anyways but it's the grainy pulp or the kind of slimy texture I am having a little trouble getting used to. I came here for a little bit of support and maybe if there aren't any other out there that are going through the same issues as me. Sorry if this first post is a little scatter brained. I do feel as if there is a slight fog over my brain allowing it to function

I will keep you posted for sure if people are interested.

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Wed, 09 May 2012 06:31:11 +0000

Hi Lisa, and good morning FASTING DAY 2 - Wednesday!! Yeiii Dinner time has been the hardest for me, but I made it, yeiii

I am hoping your headache goes away! But it must be a sign of detoxing... our head hurts when the blood vessels in there contract. Can be stress! So just relax and visualise your blood vessels diluting and releasing the tension...

By the way, do you have any tips to "clean up" my gut? I have never done a colonic or enema in my life and don't plan to either!

Off to work now, and afterwards a yoga session.

Speak later!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Wed, 09 May 2012 01:32:48 +0000

I know what you mean about pure vanity. I'm fasting for the same reasons. I'm thin and healthy, but I want to tweak it, you know? Yes, a wedding in which photos will be taken is quite important to look your best. And fasting is a quick way to get there.

I've been running for about 7 years and I've never been able to get this lean, even running marathons. But I can do a fast for 5-10 days and the fat just melts away. Literally. But I think that is because I have been fasting and I don't have a lot of fat on me, and I truly believe it's because the fat is "younger" that it comes off so easy.

Anyway, day 1 is pretty much over, if you are going by 24 hour days. I didn't really have too much trouble and I just sort of relaxed a bit today. I did some laundry, did some light cleaning and drank a lot of water, probably at least a gallon. I just canceled my running appointment tomorrow for 6am because I feel a slight headache and I'm really hoping that it goes away before I have to work.

Anyway, I'm going to bed now and will wake up to day 2. Glad we're in this together.

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Tue, 08 May 2012 21:32:19 +0000

Hi Lisa!! I agree with you, it's not just about one dress... it's about 3 dresses..!! LOL kidding... well, it is my little brother's wedding in 2 and 1/2 weeks my entire family will be there (250 relatives + friends), and these are the types of pictures that are passed onto the next generations... really need to look at my best! So I have 3 dresses for the various events, and I can't wait. I am generally fit, so this is just pure vanity. It would be great to maintain the weight afterwards though!

I am so glad you are also fasting these days, I need all the support I can get. I was supposed to shed the weight off gradually in a period of 8 weeks, and even though I tried and ate super healthy and tried to limit my cals to 1500 a day, it didn’t work. I barely lost a couple of pounds. Reason why I am resorting to this more extreme method.

I burned 450 cals at the spinning class today, hopefully that will help deplete my glucose faster so I go into Ketosis sooner… Today my friends told me they can't believe how skinny I got in such a short period of time... I blame it on "work stress"... I don't feel like sharing that I am fasting, they will def' try to talk me out of it!! "Oh, you don't need it", "You already are so slim", etc. Again, I don't have body issues or eating disorders... this is a one-off for me. Although I am tempted to give it a go at the once a week fasting day for weight maintenance.

Just prepared dinner for my hubbie. He knows I am in the “broth” diet he calls it. Hahaha Bless him. He is supportive of me doing anything that makes me feel/look good. Thank goodness! And he knows the pressure is on for this wedding! Even my mom is on the broth diet now, we are all getting ready for the BIG day!

So far so good, but I do feel ravenous… no surprise there, I have been exercising every day! I am going to have my one cup of Oxo cube now… seems like a real treat. Really need it to replenish my electrolytes, I have a busy day at work tomorrow (lots of meetings and running around, need the strength).

Wearing my super tight around the waist trousers now, to stop the tummy growling a bit!

Speak soon, good luck with the rest of the day!!

Love
Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Stop eating for 36 hours per week Great Article! - by: David

Tue, 08 May 2012 20:30:30 +0000

Nice one gsonik65

Subject: Re: Stop eating for 36 hours per week Great Article! - by: gsonik65

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:37:18 +0000

Try this one

profiles.google.com/11215103051756493851...513/buzz/94coPZx8EMN

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: LisaSchaeffer

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:19:17 +0000

Hey Chelsea,
I plan to continue intermittent fasting forever. It has been the best thing for me to maintain my weight while still getting to enjoy food with friends, my family, my husband, etc. I enjoy the break from eating it gives and with the shorter fasts, it is easier to stick to.

I'm just starting a 10 day water fast. Today is day 1. So far it is easy LOL. I just made stuffed shells for my family and while it smells good, I'm not really tempted. I wanted to use up the tofu that was in the fridge, since I won't be eating it, hence the cooking. I use tofu in place of ricotta in lasagna and stuffed shells. I do use mozzarella cheese, so it's not vegan LOL.

What I found discouraging about that video is that fructose is the main sugar in fruit and it is in agave, honey as well as refined sugar. I just feel that a life without sweetness is not worth living, in my opinion. I need sweet things. So while I get that you have to be careful about things, I think if you get sweetness from bananas and from dates, they will also come with all sorts of other goodies that haven't been discovered yet. So if anyone ever tells me I can't have fruit, I don't listen to whatever else they say. Now, I can avoid fruit and, well everything, for short periods of time, from fasting, and I can deal with that. I can also avoid white sugar if I can use agave or honey in my tea, but if you tell me I have to use stevia I'm going to argue that it's just another concentrated sweetener, plus it has a yucky after taste. So I'll still have sweet things, just not all the time.

I don't just want to look great in a dress at one event, I want to look great all the time. And for me, I need some amount of fasting to have that.

All this being said, I recognize that maybe 3 years from now, I'll have a different opinion and I like that growth process. As a matter of fact, just weeks ago I was telling my mom that I could never go raw, and here I am making an attempt, interrupted by this 10 day fast, but still an attempt. So I know I may eat these words later, but for now, at this point in my life, that is where I am at. LOL. Crazy, huh? I know, I know. My dad died of alcoholism and my mom is taking the slow suicide route of obesity. I plan to stay far away from either!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:17:53 +0000

OMG, Lisa, I will join you!!!!!! Just got back from work and read your post. I attempeted to start my fast yesterday and ended up breaking it at 9.30 pm LoL I wasn't serious but today I am committed!

If I have a companion it will be sooooooooooo much easier, you are a blessing as I really want to do it. So yes, Today is my START DAY, 8th May. I will do it with you for at least 7 and 1/5 days (I am travelling abroad on day 8), yeiiiiiiii!!

Just had a weigh in and will take measurements after the gym (going for a spin class now).

Speak later, how exciting!!!

Subject: Re: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: Chelsea Girl

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:16:58 +0000

OMG, Lisa, I will join you!!!!!! Just got back from work and read your post. I attempedted to start my fast yesterday and ended up breaking it at 9.30 pm LoL I wasn't serious but today I am committed!

If I have a companion it will be sooooooooooo much easier, you are a blessing as I really want to do it. So yes, Today is my START DAY, 8th May. I will do it with you for at least 7 and 1/5 days (I am travelling abroad on day 8), yeiiiiiiii!!

Just had a weigh in and will take measurements after the gym (going for a spin class now).

Speak later, how exciting!!!

Subject: Starting 10 Day Water Fast May 8-May 17, 2012 - by: LisaSchaeffer

Tue, 08 May 2012 18:06:16 +0000

Hi Everyone! I'm starting a water fast for 10 days. Anyone want to join in and share encouragement? Here is how I am motivating myself: I wrote a list of 35!!! reasons why a fast will benefit me; I put into my cell phone calender each fasting day, allowing the phone to give me gentle reminders; I weighed myself, I measured my waist, hips, thighs and upper arms, added the total measurements for a starting total; I'm also going to take photos of my body, before, during and at the end of the fast so I have a visual record of the changes; I'm going to keep a diary in WordPerfect with those photos, ongoing weights and measurements, as well as any thoughts, feelings or challenges about the fast. I'm also going to stay close to Fasting Connection and the great encouragement I receive here. This will be my second 10 day water fast this year, the last one ended on Feb 1, 2012. I've been doing intermittent fasting but have been unable to motivate myself to go longer. This month, I was attempting a Raw Food 30 day trial. I was pretty successful eating raw until dinner, but I was still eating too much food. Plus, if during the day, my raw recipe experiments went bad (Horrible green lemonade, for example) I found myself craving cooked foods and familiar foods to make it better. I just need a break from it all. Plus my weight has crept up during this raw food thing. Only I could gain weight on raw LOL. Anyway, I need a break from trying to figure out what I want to eat for the rest of my life. I need a break from buying ridiculously expensive ingredients only to throw the whole concoction away when it didn't taste like brownies or whatever. I am running out of grocery money and I figure I either have to go back to cooked food or go on a fast. LOL That's not the only reason, obviously. Here are a few that I wrote down:
1. Weight back down to 100 lbs
2. Nice Flat Belly
4. Save money on food
5. Save time
6. Take a break from food issues
13. Cleanse residual caffeine from my body
14. Kick salt and sugar habit
18. Re-hydrate my body-have not been drinking water like I should
19. More time to read
23. Feel more creative
24. Feel more energetic
26. Reduce waist and thigh fat
28. Will be able to be an encouragement to others wanting to fast
29. Great way to postpone deciding on a healthy eating habit/lifestyle.
35. Ultimate in healthy body, mind and spirit.

My weight this morning was 113.5 (alarming, as I have been using Intermittent Fasting to maintain between 106 and 108)
My Measurements were:
Waist 27
Hips 36
Thighs 19 3/4 inches each
Arms, left 10 inches right 10 1/4 inches
Total: 122.75. (Up 4 " from my previous fasts)

The good thing is that the fat I have accumulated has not been on my body for very long and much of it is bloating and water weight due to eating salty foods and not properly hydrating myself. I know from experience that my weight and measurements will drop quickly. Unfortunately, my motivation goes down along with that, but I'm hoping I'm far enough along in my fasting that I'll feel good fasting and will be able to continue the full 10 days. I have no desire to go farther than 10 days, as I'll probably be under 100 lbs by then and don't want to deal with all the naysayers at work who think I shouldn't fast.

I attempted a 36 hour fast yesterday, but had such a headache that I started eating so I could take something for the pain. I don't think it was a detox symptom because the headache began the night before after dinner. I have not had any refined sugars in the last week or so, nor have I consumed caffeine or white flour. I have off work today, which usually in my experience has been the worst one for feeling awful, so hopefully I'll get any of that out of the way. I've been drinking liberally today. My last 10 day fast, I had been reading books by Ferrydoon Batmanjeligh who was an advocate of treating various ailments by rehydrating the body. I felt so good on that fast, that I'm going to follow the same format. Once you begin drinking water, your body wakes up your thirst mechanism and calls for water. I find that when I'm drinking properly, my tap water (from a well) tastes wonderfully refreshing.

Thanks for reading. Please give me any encouragement you can, and join me if the time is right for you to fast!

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Mon, 07 May 2012 17:26:09 +0000

hahahaha LoL looks like he has been around for a while!

Are you fasting today?!

I am!! Today is my first day not as easy as last week's! Especially since it is a bank holiday in the UK today... not as busy / distracted when at work (!) Been out and about today, trying to keep busy. Started off with a morning spinning class (burned 500 cals in the Keizer).

And this is it for this year I reckon, no more fasting... the only reason I am doing it is to look great in a dress I have my eyes on for a family event.

Lisa, are you planning to continue on your intermittent fasting for a while? How are you finding it so far?

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: LisaSchaeffer

Mon, 07 May 2012 15:21:55 +0000

I watched that video a while ago. I knew that guy looked familiar! LOL

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Mon, 07 May 2012 12:19:42 +0000

Hi Lisa!! There's a difference between glucose and fructose. Glucose (e.g. rice, oats) is stored in the liver and muscles for later use, whereas fructose (e.g. fruit juice, honey, maple syrup, high fructose corn syrup - used on most packaged foods, including diet yoghurt, cereals, shelf bread, sauces, etc.) goes into the fat cells straight away. A bit scary! My personal trainer told me to stop eating fruits (whole, dry or juices) whenever I want to drop fat percentages and increase lean body mass.

This video explains the this beautifully. The first 3 mins are a good summary, and then from minute 45 it gets more specific:

Subject: Re: Has anybody tried oxygen cocktail fast? Need help ASAP - by: lenchik

Sun, 06 May 2012 23:13:49 +0000

Woohoo!!! I finally did 1 day of water fasting!!! very happy about it!) I am going to try to fast for as long as I can without setting a date. We'll see how it works:-)

Subject: Re: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: David

Sun, 06 May 2012 22:30:08 +0000

Dimitri so this British weather has got to you then

My take on this topic is twofold. Firstly I find that cabin air is fairly toxic in that I doubt they get a sufficient mix of oxygen in the air they supply and furthermore there are always residual kerosine fumes. At least I seem to be able to detect them. So one thing I noticed is that if I drink more water when I fly or avoid eating the usual food on offer I tend not to get restless legs or be as fatigued at destination. So fasting would in my view be a considerable benefit. On the flip side, I feel that travelling can be quite stressful and in my view optimal fasting is carried out while in a relaxed, quiet environment. Wishing you a safe flight and hope you will still be connected so we can keep up with your progress.

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sun, 06 May 2012 18:31:59 +0000

Hey Chelsea Girl,
Thanks for posting that video play list. Very interesting...and hopelessness inspiring, I must say. A good reason to avoid sugar. I wonder if that applies to all sugars, such as agave or date sugar.

Subject: Re: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: Dimitri

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:31:43 +0000

The Fast Doctor wrote:

There's cosmic radiation all over, dear Dimitri, and a few grams of air does not filter that too much.

But your immune system is STRONGER when you fast: I always fast when I have been in contact with someone carrying a serious disease. Then the immune system, of which up to 40% is fighting antigens in your diet when you eat, can concentrate on preventing the germs you have been exposed to from getting a foothold.

Fruit juice is an excellent rescue yes, or even a bit of honey.. which is of course also a universal surface active "antibiotic" with no side effects.

Some airports have listened to thinking people, and sometimes you can get really fresh juices or fruit at these..

André

Thank you for clearing those points up. I now feel pretty confident to fly tomorrow

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Sun, 06 May 2012 16:20:22 +0000

@ Lisa – Nice to read you again. Last week I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of fasting. The drinks allowed and herbal teas helped “bury” the detox symptoms. However, I felt the whole detox stuff at night and when waking up. I haven’t checked ketones, probably next time I plan another regime like this one. But I would say I was not afraid of hunger. In fact, for us fasters, hunger is our choice. We choose it and embrace it when we decide to fast. There’s no way to avoid hunger when fasting. You know you will feel it and you embrace it. The good news is that each time it kicked in, it only lasted for about 10/15 mins. Each time I felt some form of hunger, it only reminded me that I was fasting and I felt great for it.

@ Newbie! Glad to hear my posts helped. What’s your goal for the fasting? What kind of fasting are you undertaking/going to undertake?
Never heard about having a high fat meal before fasting. I don’t think that’s healthy, even when you are not fasting. But if the fats come from oily fish, eggs, nuts and avocado, that shouldn’t be a problem – these are the types of essential fats we don’t use for energy and/or store. Besides, they are contained in natural foods with fibre and/or protein that complement the fats absorption and usage in our bodies.

What does your diet consist of generally? What types of foods do you eat?

If it helps, before starting a fast I eat plenty of high fibre foods, they act like a broom inside your gut, brushing away all the unwanted waste. Fibre makes you feel “cleaner”.

Regarding your fears making you give up on your fast, I think it just your body’s mind (subconscious) shouting at your frontal lobe (conscious mind): hey, you are changing something down here, where’s my daily dose of X chemicals, go back to normal! And that’s how we talk ourselves out of greatness. I am reading Joe Dispenza now, what a genius. He is a neuroscientist that specialises in change and illustrates this. Highly recommends his latest book. In essence, he explains our subconscious will always try to sabotage our efforts to change, but if we create an action plan, and rehearse it in our minds, we will be prepared when it happens again, and we will know exactly how to overcome our internal resistance to change. This is high level, but it applies to everything in life. From changing an attitude, to changing a habit, to mastering a new skill, to becoming a more evolved version of yourself, to fasting for a few days. There’s this other book you can read: Feel the fear and do it anyway!

Good luck and keep us posted on your fast! Tracking progress and blogging helps.

Tomorrow (Monday) I am planning to commence PART II of my fast. Looking forward to it!! Don’t know if I will do it for 4 and 1/5 days or 5 days. Need to think about that.

For those that are curious, I have been eating healthy this weekend, regaining energy in my muscles so I can go on with my active fasting this coming week. I normally eat quite healthy, so I don’t obsess with what I should or should not eat. I have also been to my bootcamp class yesterday (so much fun) and today spinning and body pump. In 10 days we are going away on holidays for a couple of weeks, so I won’t be exercising that much. Making the most of it now whilst I can!

Today I bumped into this playlist, the skinny on obesity – you will enjoy watching it:

www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0DC91ADF5BCFD6EC

Speak soon!
Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: Andy

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:55:01 +0000

Oh, I haven't gone beyond 5 days...and this is after trying for a year or two.
The 1st day is now never a problem for me as my body has become used to attempting fasts on and off!...and IF I shift my mind correctly.

No headaches or any physical issues for me on the first day. My challenge is always day 5...ONCE I can get past the 2nd day that is.
I normally dry fast for the first 2 days, this can be done safely and is easier than water I find.
So today (1st day) is going fine, the ego always attempts trickery by asking, 'Yes, but...what on Earth are you doing this for?', I'm prepared for those moments and always make sure I have an answer!

All the best, keep in touch, I'll comment on your blog at some stage,
Andy

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: veganman

Sun, 06 May 2012 15:35:04 +0000

You must be right, I must be entering ketosis; my stomach is still grumbling but I have a weird taste in my mouth. I wonder if this will make things easier; or what it's going to change in me. Undoubtedly it's the starting of a cleansing process, I will not do any harsh exercise, but I will keep doing my 9-miles a day walk (3 hours/day). What is the longest fast you've ever done Andy (not that we're trying to enter the guinness book here).

Veganman.

Subject: Re: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: The Fast Doctor

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:41:50 +0000

Subject: Re: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: Dimitri

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:27:14 +0000

@Lisa

Yeah, I know. I always avoid food sold at any station and hold out for higher quality stuff. Maybe they should start opening juice bars in these places

Subject: Re: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: Dimitri

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:25:34 +0000

Andre, thank you for your reply.

I just thought that because the immune system is weaker during a fast, I might be more prone to catching something from other people or from the cool air conditioning after being in a capsule (plane) for such a long time.

Plus there's the cosmic radiation when flying, though I don't know if that has any effect to be honest.

Thank you for the reassurance.

What would this rescue rapid release sugar be in the form of? A bottle of fresh fruit juice, or something else?

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sun, 06 May 2012 14:17:42 +0000

Hey Chelsea Girl and Newbieme,
I've been away from my computer for a while, but I've been following the posts through email.

@Chelsea, I have been amazed at the results you have gotten on this zero calorie diet. Have you checked your urine for ketones? I would assume that you did get into ketosis without calories. It seems that you haven't had any of the usual detox symptoms from a water fast.

@Newbieme, I'll be joining you fasting for 36 hours starting tonight at 7pm.

Subject: Re: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: LisaSchaeffer

Sun, 06 May 2012 13:56:23 +0000

Just think of all the money you'll save without having to buy the crappy food they sell at airports and bus stations.

Subject: Re: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: The Fast Doctor

Sun, 06 May 2012 13:18:19 +0000

Sorry I was out for a day, therefore the delay in answering.

Travelling per se should have absolutely no effect on fasting or not. If you plan to be the pilot of an aircraft or the driver of a passenger bus that might be another story. Some international legislation would apply.

The association between flying and dehydration has more to do with sitting still, plus of course the relatively dry air in the aircraft due to it having to be heated. I have often flown intercontinental while fasting and found it no different than any other fast.

I have also had patients travel after more than 30 days of fasting, with no ill effects.

Being 6 days into your fast you should be quite safe, as you now have a very active catabolism with likely more than enough reserves being mobilized from your fat store.

It might be safe just to carry with you a "rescue" form of rapid release sugar for in case.. and yes stay well hydrated, plus move your legs to keep the blood flowing: Once again, the same precautions as what an eating person would take.

But breaking a fast just to travel.. well, I honestly cannot see the connection.

André

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: Andy

Sun, 06 May 2012 06:21:58 +0000

It's whatever works for you Veganman...I personally like coffee also, but not when I'm fasting...so it's a very individualised process.
Clearly you must be in ketosis.
I'm following your blog and do wish you well. I'm fasting at the moment.
Andrew

Subject: Re: Stop eating for 36 hours per week Great Article! - by: VeganIsLife

Sat, 05 May 2012 23:50:42 +0000

Does anyone have a copy of that link because It seems to have expired and I cant find it on their site. Thank you

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: veganman

Sat, 05 May 2012 21:00:24 +0000

I like coffee (and tea), without additives/sweeteners of course, it's a good appetite suppressant. I drink it occasionally; maybe I'll stop it as the fast goes on; although I don't have a really big incentive to do so right now.

Thank you for your support, I found some great answers in your forum.

Veganman,
www.1200hours.com

Subject: Fasting While Travelling/Flying - Is it Safe? - by: Dimitri

Sat, 05 May 2012 20:40:24 +0000

Dear Dr Andre,

[I'm not sure if this topic has been covered on the forum before. Apologies if it has...]

A few questions about water fasting while flying:

1) How safe is it to fast while travelling?
2) What's the 'maximum' number of hours you'd say is safe to travel before a person should eat?
3) Apart from staying well hydrated, do you have any tips for getting through the travel period if one's fasting?

On the 6th day of my water fast I'm going to be travelling for a total of 36 hours before I'll see a bed.

It'll be in this order:

20 minute car journey > 1 hour flight > 1 hour connection > 10 hour flight > 30 minute car journey > 10 hour bus journey

I've done it once already, and it wasn't as difficult as I thought - just boring. But obviously, having not eaten for 6 days, it'll be different this time out...

4) If I'm already in the middle of a water fast, should I break the fast with fresh juice for that one day of travel, and restart the fast?

Many thanks for all your help in previous and pasts posts Andre!

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: Andy

Sat, 05 May 2012 20:32:03 +0000

Wishing you all success with your endeavours! The only thing I'm uncertain about is why you are ingesting coffee and tea during your water fast.
To me this would not be 'fasting', especially with sugar in the tea, but even without.
If it's for the energy, honestly you would feel an energy surge anyway by day 4-6. Trust your body.
Peace

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: veganman

Fri, 04 May 2012 22:00:39 +0000

I'm on day 4, it's going strong!

I've updated my blog with my weight and body fat chart.

www.1200hours.com

Thank you for your support!

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: newbieme

Fri, 04 May 2012 18:56:07 +0000

Chelsea, so encouraging and inspiring to read about your success. Currently I am planning for my 5 day fast starting tomorrow. I'm really excited about it but nervous at the same time. I want and need to get through this, but I am very interested to hear about your refeeding and how it goes. Please continue to share as you begin and go through that process. I am looking forward to learning from it! You're almost to the end and I'm almost to the beginning :]

I find that when I'm fasting, sometimes in the past something inside of me telling me that I need to eat almost as if it's unsafe to continue not eating is what causes me to break my fast and I know that this isn't true but I'm looking for some help to suppress those feelings because sometimes that is the cause for me breaking my fast even tho I'm not hungry at that time. Looking for some advice.

Also to any of you who may be able to answer, is it true that it is good to have a high fat meal as my last meal?

Thank you! Happy fasting everyone :]

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Fri, 04 May 2012 08:19:24 +0000

Morning everyone! I have been good and continued with my regime, this is the morning of day 5, weeeeeee!! This is it, tomorrow and Sunday are my recovery days (800 – 1200 of healthy cals a day). These 2 days are meant to speed up my metabolism again, in that way I will lose more weight when I start again next week. Having done quite a lot of research, if I was to continue fasting, my weight loss rate would significantly decline – technically by one third or less than a half of what I have been losing each day so far. So the recovery days are meant to prevent this plateau.

Today I am 1.4 kg (3 lbs) lighter than my last weigh in a day ago, yeiiiiiiiiiii! That is, 4.2 kg (9.2 lbs) lighter than my weigh in on day 1. I am so happy about these results, completely unexpected… by the way, arms and tummy starting to look ripped!

Speak later!

Subject: Re: Active fast? - by: David

Fri, 04 May 2012 07:02:57 +0000

Hello Don these questions are best addressed to The Fast Doctor as he is the originator of this system. So I am moving the topic to his forum.

David

Subject: Re: Active fast? - by: DonMc

Fri, 04 May 2012 01:02:37 +0000

Hi David,

thanks for your reply. I have a couple of questions about the Five Step Elimination Cycle:

1. In the first 'Dynamic' step, how long are you supposed to be in your targeted heart rate zone?

2. Is the 'Tonic' step massage for the skin only or for deeper tissue like muscles or lymph etc? I'm wondering if I could just brush my skin or if I need to actually massage myself. If brushing, is there a difference between dry brushing or wet brushing in the shower during the 'Pyrophase'?

Also, I don't see how raising your heart rate for a short while by running up and down your stairs, would slow muscle loss during a fast (at least not on your upper body). So when people talk about an 'active fast', to counter muscle loss, do they also recommend doing some weight lifting or push-ups etc? If so, how much?

Thanks,
Don

Subject: Re: Active fast? - by: David

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:40:59 +0000

Hi DonMc
There are two schools of though within the Natural Hygiene movement. For the most part I would say that most Natural Hygienists recommend rest. However there are a few who recommend a very specific type of active fasting during a fast. The five step elimination process was developed by The Fast Doctor and you can read up about it here www.fastingconnection.com/water-fast/five-step-detox-cycle

Many site members have benefited from this routine and found that it helped them to curtail the unpleasant detox symptoms during the initial phase of the fast. Personally I believe that they are harmless providing one still applies the golden rule of listening to one's body.

Subject: zero calorie diet - by: Chelsea Girl

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:19:57 +0000

Hi Don, here's what I am trying:

healthdivas.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/best-...ght-loss-secret.html

but my case is for weight loss. what's your objective?

Mine is more of an extended intermittent fasting, loads of detoxing too, and thanks to the herbal teas I have energy for a daily workout. Check out my posts in the other chain called "need inspiration..."

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Thu, 03 May 2012 18:11:52 +0000

Hi Lisa!! So nice to read you, love your energy too!!! OMG, you have to tell me all about this 80/10/10, intrigued by what it is and its benefits! I don’t mind you talking about food, in fact I am planning my meals for this weekend (2 day recovery before restarting on Monday) so any tips will be more than welcome!

Today is my day 4, but not hungry at all. Phewww.

For some reason I find exercise invigorating whilst fasting on zero cal liquids, so I am going for a 35 min spin class in a few mins. (7 pm now in London). Plus need to catch up with my girls!

Guys, check this out, Khloe Kardashian lost 20 lbs in 20 days!!! Come on, I am 100% sure she did the zero cal liquid diet I am trying now, everyone in Hollywood seems to be doing it!!
www.dailymail.co.uk/tvshowbiz/article-21...bs-just-20-DAYS.html

healthdivas.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/best-...ght-loss-secret.html

Speak later!

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: veganman

Thu, 03 May 2012 17:02:46 +0000

I've updated my blog with my feelings: www.1200hours.com

Subject: Active fast? - by: DonMc

Thu, 03 May 2012 16:56:14 +0000

I see many posts recommending an active fast vs. a passive fast, supposedly to lessen muscle loss. How would you define an active fast, i.e. what type of activities and at what level is recommended?

When I have water fasted in the past, I get winded just by walking. I've also heard many recommendations from other sources that it's better to rest as much as possible when fasting.

Some clarity would be greatly appreciated.

Subject: Re: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: veganman

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:51:27 +0000

I'm on day 3!

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: LisaSchaeffer

Thu, 03 May 2012 14:15:42 +0000

Hey Chelsea,
I love reading your posts. You sound so perky and full of energy. I'm amazed at that method of fasting.

My sister and I simultaneously and without talking to each other decided to end our fasts one day early. I'm going to do raw food for the month of may. I did a raw food trial in February 2011 using 80/10/10 method, which I liked but felt constantly hungry on. This time, I'm doing more traditional raw food, eating seeds and nuts and avocados and in the beginning, I'm going to be focusing on sweets and raw desserts. I realize that I never allow myself sweet treats, and that has caused me to become addicted to coffee (my one sweet treat each day) and to over eat when I am around sweets. I realize I do have a sweet tooth and I'm going to allow it to exhaust itself naturally. I am enjoying raw this way because I am feeling light and energetic but also satisfied. I'll let you know how it's going. I'll try not to talk too much about food on this thread so I don't trigger anyone to go off their fast too early.

Subject: Re: trouble breathing - by: don0529

Thu, 03 May 2012 08:28:22 +0000

That's one of the paradoxical games that the Supreme Creator likes to play on us humans-- to have many different opinions come from people who are all professionals in their field, with a lot of personal experience to go with it; but yet some of their opinions are diametrically opposed.
Dr. Jennings, Tilden, and 'Shelton especially' (who recommended that one stay in bed during the whole duration of the water fast) have all supervised thousands of water fasts, and have spent their lives tearing this subject apart, have agreed that one should rest during a water fast (with no exercise, or at least very minimal).
And if these names are too old school and seem not to consider the current toxic nature of things, then Dr. Alan Goldhamer at True North Health is another seasoned professional who also agrees that exercise isn't optimal during a fast because it causes enervation since it takes energy away from the detoxification process and thus slows it down.. Who knows... I don't like to get lost in the world of intellect. I do what I do based on inner feeling for the most part, while at the same time seek external help when needed and then discern if it applies to me or not.
I'm just glad that you were able to give me feedback when I was asking for it... That's the most important thing to me in this situation.

Subject: Re: trouble breathing - by: The Fast Doctor

Thu, 03 May 2012 07:38:25 +0000

OK I have only supervised about 10 000 people fasting so the experience might be wrong but I have not seen a single incident where elimination activities made things worse; since we started doing them people just don't get elimination symptoms any more.

I do not understand how eliminating the toxins from your body would "take away from the detox rather than support it".

The kidneys, dear don, can only eliminate hydrophylic toxins. These do NOT represent a problem, not while eating nor while fasting, unless you are in kidney failure. It is the hydrophobic chemicals that we are concerned about and that likely cause your symptoms. These cannot be eliminated by the kidneys any more than what you can dissolve butter in cold water. And it is typically hydrophobic (lipophylic) chemicals that "paralyze" the blood vessel muscles to cause a drop in blood pressure.

André

Subject: Re: trouble breathing - by: don0529

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:58:40 +0000

Thanks for your astute reply. For me, the eliminative exercises are better for me if I am doing a short water fast. But after day 6 or 7, I just don't have the energy to do them; it also doesn't feel wise and my intuition doesn't support me in doing them at this point now. It feels like it causes more enervation and takes away from the detox rather than supporting it. But fortunately my kidneys (my main eliminative organ of cellular waste) are doing a heck of a good job of filtering out the wastes and toxins. I urinate easily over 20 times a day and see plenty of sediment in my urine every-time. So, I don't feel that i am holding onto toxins more than I should.
Thanks for re-confirming that blood pressure readings (as well as any readings) are superseded by one's own inner feeling and 'whole' situation.

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:52:04 +0000

Good morning! Beginning of my day 4, phewww… Confession: didn’t sleep well last night, worked up twice, found it hard to fall asleep. Any tips?!?!?

I’ve been a torpedo of energy for the past 3 days, but today… ahhh a turtle would move faster than me! Let’s see if the liquids help pick me up. Need the energy, have a really busy day at work!

Gosh, this fasting is starting to feel like an extra-terrestrial experience… I forgot to say that my tongue has been white since day 1. But my skin today looks like porcelain. Amazing. And my eyes much brighter. Something definitely changing inside...

Speak later!

Subject: Re: trouble breathing - by: The Fast Doctor

Thu, 03 May 2012 06:28:32 +0000

Hi Don, good to hear from you again.

Have you been doing elimination activities (cycles) during this fast?

You should get yourself a "peak flow meter" (Asthmatics use this to grade the intensity of their disease) so that we can distinguish between air flow and oxygen exchange. A pulse oximeter may also give us some excellent information. It is rather important to know whether the breathing problems are more related to breathing in or to breathing out.

Please don't drink more water than what your thirst dictates.

Blood pressure is supposed ALWAYS to be higher on the right side. That is because the aorta curves via the right to the left so the right side gets blood before the left. If it is really reversed like in your case, I would investigate for a narrowing in an artery unless you have dextrocardia (an inverted heart anatomy). But please make sure these are measured at the same time and then switch machines to see if the finding is persistent.

Blood pressure as a rule drops during fasting. This is likely because the blood is "more pure" and therefore needs less pressure behind it to feed the tissues. But the opposite can also hold: That released toxins partly paralyze blood vessel wall muscles, causing the pressure to drop. That's why elimination cycles are so important during the fast. I have often measured 80/60 here in people who remain highly energetic. So the clinical picture is much more important than the measurement.

Please keep us posted.

André

Subject: Starting a 50 days water fast, need help and advices. - by: veganman

Wed, 02 May 2012 23:44:15 +0000

Hello,

I'm on day 2 of a 50-days water fast (1200 hours), I've started to blog this and I've recently added some pictures to my blog www.1200hours.com. I need all the help and encouragement I can get, so please don't hesitate to comment.

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Wed, 02 May 2012 22:10:08 +0000

Hello guys! Reporting back again today, end of day 3, weeeeeeee!!

Let’s recap on my liquids consumption (spread throughout the day):
• 1 giant mug of organic coffee in the morning (with a teaspoon of skimmed milk powder)
• 4 big mugs of herbal teas (I think Nettle and Sweet Fennel are a fantastic appetite suppressant, didn’t feel hungry at all)
• 1 big mug of South American Maté (my online order for this arrived today, a great source of antioxidants)
• 1 litre of water
• One Oxo stock cube dissolved in a pint of hot water (I simply poor the boiling water on the cube in the mug, I don’t use pans or anything like that)
Total: around 4.5 litres.
P.S. I used Sweetex in all of my hot drinks.

In terms of supplements, here’s what I have been taking from day 1:
Morning before my coffee:
• Multivitamins 1 capsule
• Vitamin C 1000 mg
• Vitamin D 2200 IU
• ALA and L-Carnitine (from Holland & Barrett)
Evening, before my stock cube:
• Magnesium 250 mg
• 5HTP 50 mg

This week I have been trying to work less hours, been waking up at 7 am, leaving for work at around 8.10 am, coming back from work at 7.15 pm, and then off to the gym. Today I took a yoga class. It’s been 6 months since I haven’t done yoga. It felt like a lovely treat to relax and finish my day off.

When I got back from yoga, again, I felt tempted to weigh myself. Oh no, I did it again! I keep telling myself to wait until Saturday. Argh! Oh well, my new Salter was sitting there luring me to do it. I am giving it away after this 2 week-regime, I would never want my weight to rule my mood – ignorance is bliss.

Now, in some ways I am glad I stepped on it, because I am 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs) lighter than yesterday, and 2.8 kg (6.2 lbs) since day one in the evening. WOOWOWOW! Beautiful, my main goal is to flush away these last extra pounds so I can fit in a lovely dress I have in mind for an important family event in 2 weeks. I am pleasantly surprised to be shrinking at this rate given that I am a kind of small framed person (size 8 in the UK, and I think probably 6 in the US? And 36 European?) and not too short (5 feet 6 inches - or 1.67 mts). Really happy about this stuff I am experimenting with, it seems to be working. I think the difference from a pure water fast is that I have more energy from the liquids that are allowed in the regime, so I can carry on with my day normally and even have the energy to exercise.

Okay everyone, I hope the stuff I am sharing here is useful for some of you.

Time to go to bed here. Will report back tomorrow.

Sweet dreams,

Chelsea Girl

Subject: trouble breathing - by: don0529

Wed, 02 May 2012 15:21:28 +0000

Hello, Doctor,
I am currently on day #15 on a pure water fast. On day #9 and also today, I have struggled with this bothersome symptom of breathing. It is taking more work than normal for me to breathe. It went away after some hours on day #9, but now it is back. Any idea of what is causing it. I have no history of such things. I'm drinking plenty of water (about 4 1/2 liters a day) and I am getting proper rest every day.

#2-- my blood pressure today in my left arm was 102/73 and my right arm was 95/71. It is slowly dropping the more I continue with the fast. I've heard that was normal. I've also heard that if you go long enough that it will re-stabilize and become normal 120/80 or thereabout. I would like your opinion on that also. I've been told that 80/60 is when it is time to definitely quit the fast. Do you concur with that also?

Thanks so much for being available to help us 'fasters' out with these questions which can cause some mental (and physical) discomfort sometimes.
All the best to you,

Don

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Tue, 01 May 2012 20:36:30 +0000

Hi guys! 450 calories in 35 minutes of spinning in a Keizer, different instructor this time – more resistance and slower pace. Afterwards I went to the PowerPlate with one of my girls for a bit of a massage (calves, hamstrings, quads, adductors) whilst chatting away about life. If any of you have access to a vibration platform like PowerPlate, try the relaxation poses on it – soooo comforting and at the same time it stimulates your lymphatic system and flushes deposits between cells. Perfect for toned legs!

eGosh, I had such an entertaining day I forgot I am fasting.

For those that are curious, here’s how yesterday and today look like in terms of liquids consumption (didn’t consciously control the amounts, so I now have to apply some thinking / reminiscing into this):
• Morning organic coffee (giant mug) before work, yummy!
• 4 giant mugs of herbal tea at work: 2 in the morning and 2 in the afternoon (quite normal to have that many here in England, in fact I often go grab them together with a colleague)
• A 500 ml bottle of mineral water during a workout
• An Oxo stock cube dissolved in a pint (ca. half a litre) of water in the evenings, quite soothing
• Some more water here and there, probably another 500 ml
Total liquid consumption (approx.) 4 lts.

In all honesty, I am not controlling amounts. I just drink when I have time, need a little break, or feel like it.

I am glad I get to share all this with you guys since I am experimenting with this fasting regime I mentioned before, no idea what it will result into. I am your test subject! In case you can't see the link, here it goes again:

healthdivas.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/best-...ght-loss-secret.html

Will write more tomorrow!

Good night everyone!
Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Tue, 01 May 2012 18:20:20 +0000

Lisa, how nice to read you – I was waiting for you!

Learning loads from your posts, such a seasoned faster! By the way, I love your effort/reward comparison between running and fasting, spot on.

So far so good. When I woke up I couldn’t believe day 1 was behind me, yeiii! I treated myself to a lovely cup of coffee before leaving for work, an instant pick me up! Normal working day (i.e. hectic), plus some walking in the City and a little bit of shopping (a few presents I needed to buy). I have been feeling so cheerful and energetic! Had water here and there, and my cups of nettle and sweet fennel felt like a real treat. Call me crazy, but I am planning to go to a spinning studio class now. Let’s sweat it all out! I like to see my girls (friends) at the gym, and a good workout takes my mind from my job – helping break the thought patterns I have during the day. If I don’t distract myself with something after work (gym, friends, a movie), I keep replaying in my head business conversations, plans, to-do items, etc… until I go to bed, making it harder to fall asleep.

Lisa, you are right in that when we work we forget about the fast completely, thank goodness! A distracted mind equals zero anxiety, you kind of forget about time. Hands down to people who are able to complete a fasting regime at a retreat, doing nothing - I would go mental!

You make me laugh with your elbow / client’s head comment. That’s the kind of scenario you need to document with our phone, not just your belly!

When you talk about sweeteners, you remind me of Ann Louise Gittleman’s comments (yes, I have all of her books, big fan!) There’s a particular sweetener she recommends but it’s not available in the UK, such a pity.

I must confess something… a moment ago I got tempted to step on my new Salter. Oops! I was not supposed to do that and wait ‘til Saturday. Oh well. The great news is that I am 1.5 kg (3.4 lbs) lighter than yesterday, same time. Nice, I didn’t see that one coming, especially since I had a stock cube (Oxo) last night, with the salt in it and all. But this is it. No more weigh ins until Saturday. I am keener on the overall result. Gosh, once you own a scale, it seems that you can’t escape it… all this curiosity.

Thank you guys for sticking around! Our little support group helps so much. Besides, by promising to report back to you guys keeps the pressure on.

Love,
Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: LisaSchaeffer

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:26:16 +0000

Hey Chelsea Girl,
Welcome to the forum. Sorry I couldn't reply right away. I was having trouble logging on to the website. Without logging on, you can't reply to forum posts or blog...it was awful. I realized how much I came to count on this website. I read the article that you posted. It is very interesting. I'm not a fan of artificial sweeteners, personally, but the idea sounds very doable, especially for someone who has never water fasted. I wanted to email the link to my one sister.

I completely understand the need to continue working out and that's why I had moved into intermittent fasting (IF) because I would plan my fasting around my running schedule. But I have just had such great results from water fasting that I'm a huge believer in it. I'd rather do a fast and not work out for a couple weeks and then get back into it, than to try other fasting methods. But as I said, for someone who has never done a water fast, they may not have the courage to get through three days of water fasting unless they could have some help.

When I was reading your posts, I thought, "she sounds like me!" I can feel your enthusiasm. That's how I feel about Fasting Connection. It has been such a great resource for me. When I couldn't log on, I went to some other sites and some of them have forums, but it is not the same. There is such a great closeness here. It feels like home.

Juggling: My kids are older, 16, 18 and 20 years old and can cook for themselves. My husband is also able to make his own food, so I can stay out of the kitchen if needed. I find that later on during a fast, I am able to cook for my family and not be tempted to eat. But in the early days, like day 2, for example, it's best to stay away from food prep areas. And don't even go near food if you're feeling vulnerable or weak. My kids are supportive of my fasting, as well. They are like, "Do you want some of this, or are you fasting?" My husband thinks I'm crazy, but oh well. I like who I am and I love fasting. Well, not every minute of it. It's like running, I love to run, but not say, the first 10 minutes of a run or the last 6 miles of a marathon, for example. But afterwards, you feel so good about yourself.

As far as work, that is harder. I am a hairdresser and obviously can't tell my clients that I'm fasting. Unless they are open and we are close, but for the most part, I act normal. I actually feel pretty normal most of the time while fasting. In fact, when I'm not confronted with food, I can forget that I'm fasting. The hardest thing for me while fasting and working is the end of the evening, the last couple clients, especially if they have long thick hair. It can be difficult to blow dry their hair because my arms get really tired holding the blow dryer and the round brush. I feel like I want to rest my elbow on my client's head LOL. But I get through it. It makes me stronger!

I've been pretty attached to my scale, but as I got leaner, I have learned what to look for and how to tell if my weight is up or down. I have a bunch of photos on my phone of my abdomen LOL. From the camera lens, it's easier to see what you REALLY look like. I think I'm skinner when I see a photo of myself that when I look down at my belly. So that helps me have a correct mental image of my body. The thing I like about my scale is it gives me a number that I can write down. I keep a food and exercise journal and it's harder to write down subjective things. If my thighs are touching, I know I have a little excess (for me) fat there. But belly bulges are hard to describe subjectively, so that's why I like the scale. Although, that can go up or down depending on whether you've moved your bowels or had too much salt. I find sometimes I'm more motivated to stay on the fast without checking my weight. If my weight is a number I like, I want to end the fast, but that number will change as soon as I eat something. Maybe I won't get on the scale today. Hmm. I'm going to mull this over.

Anyway, welcome to the forum. Good luck with your fast. I hope you will post in the blog section how you are doing. I'd be interested to read about it.

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: wsdrradiogirl

Tue, 01 May 2012 12:12:18 +0000

Brad Pilon is awesome! I follow him on Facebook.

We get electrolytes from the foods we eat. So, once we stop eating, they do begin to decline...but our bodies should be able to handle it - as long as we're not sweating profusely or, on the other hand, drinking sooo much water that it dilutes our sodium, etc.

I went to the site you shared...and some of the stuff doesn't seem to make sense to me...for example, the gum. It actually stimulates your digestive juices and primes the body to think food is coming...I am addicted to gum, but when fasting, I don't ever chew it. And for vitamins and supplements, I absolutely avoid at all costs...it can kill your stomach. Here's a link: www.fastingconnection.com/faqs/1874-do-w...ytes-during-the-fast I would highly recommend reading some of the instructional posts on this site - much more credible than the other page you shared...

When you break your fast, be VERY careful not to overeat...you could gain it ALL back from one or two meals. Fasting longer than 24 hours is a different ball game, as far as re-introducing foods. For me, I gain 7-10 lbs within the first week of refeeding, and that's just eating salads and broth! lol Also, be careful which foods you introduce. Start with fruit/veggies (some people recommend juicing your fruit to start with, but I don't). After fruit and veggies comes other natural, easy to digest food. The last thing to add is protein, as that is the hardest to digest. When I fast, it takes me about a week to start eating 'normal' again...

GOOD ON YOU for not owning a scale! I am neurotic about weighing myself! I'm taking once a day, sometimes twice! I know, I know. I need to work on it.

You'll have to tell me...how is your energy after a few days of fasting? I found last time I fasted for 14 days, I had TONS of energy. This time, I was couch bound. When I went to the gym, I couldn't even run....no energy!

Best of luck with your fast!

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 21:00:28 +0000

Hello everyone!

RadioGirl, fantastic to hear about your electrolytes on check after 15 days of fasting! I think we get these reserves from our bones, right? How did you feel after the fast? I am amazed by you. Number one, I’ve never ever done a water fast in my life, let alone for such a long period of time! I did a little bit of intermittent fasting last year (“a la Brad Pilon” – i.e. where herbal teas and coffee are allowed), and it worked wonders! My body fat % went from 22% to an athletic 14% in a couple of months (measured by my personal trainer with his calliper), whilst building muscle. In any case, at one point with my promotion at work and them our house move, I stopped going to the gym as often, and haven’t measured my body fat for months and months!!

So, I am pleased to report that I have made up my mind. Here’s what I will try this time (this article gave me some great pointers):

healthdivas.blogspot.co.uk/2012/04/best-...ght-loss-secret.html

I think this fasting type may better suit my hectic life. So the plan is to fast for 5 days (Monday to Friday this week), break the fast this coming Saturday, and fast again the following week from Monday to Friday in the same way. This will give me a couple of “recovery days” in between so I can do my strength training stuff (I love my Saturdays bootcamp training and my Sundays spinning studio + body pump), whilst eating a healthy high fibre and (meat-free) high protein diet, and in that way build some lean muscle. I will be measuring myself today (after writing this) and then again each of the 2 following Saturdays. I am not a big fan of taking DAILY measurements/weigh-ins, they can be quite discouraging (I don’t want to talk myself out of things). Besides, I think I will enjoy the feeling of having to wait, and then see the results all at once.

How exciting! I did a 35 minute spinning studio class after work today (the little monitor marked 460 calories, I didn’t see that one coming, had loads of energy – high resistance, high speed!). It’s nearly 22 hs. here in London, so I better get going. I cooked something easy for my hubbie tonight, all good, no temptations, yeiiii.

OMG, having you guys here makes such a big difference, I don’t have to justify myself! I consider myself healthy, well informed, I love (nutritious) food and have no eating disorders (thankfully). I just see fasting as a natural method to help make some health adjustments here and there.

By the way, I haven’t owned a scale for 5 years now... that’s how detached I am! But… for this little fasting journey I got a Salter (you can synch the data with your computer). This is all very new and exciting for me, wish me good luck!

I will keep you posted on how things go!

Love,
Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: wsdrradiogirl

Mon, 30 Apr 2012 11:12:21 +0000

Hi Chelsea Girl

Welcome! I agree...this forum is WONDERFUL when doing a fast! Very few people understand, accept or approve, so I come here for support and inspiration.

My electrolyte results came back all within normal range, and they were taken on day 15 of my fast (I was planning on breaking it later that day...had to get the bloodwork first). So, it shows me that I am perfectly ok in fasting.

I see you wight train...awesome! From my experience, it is best to not go too heavy into weights when fasting, since we aren't taking in anything to help heal our muscle tears...in the past, I tried training...and it just ended up hurting my muscles...they didn't get smaller or anything, but I felt like I pulled my muscles, instead of training them...

Make sure to read up on ending your fast...especially since it's for weight loss. You have to be really careful with re-introducing food.

Best of luck! Have a great fast!

Subject: Re: Needing inspiration to get through first few days - by: Chelsea Girl

Sun, 29 Apr 2012 19:30:18 +0000

OMG, I love this forum! Discovered it today... There’s so much rubbish in the internet on the subject. And not just the net. I read every single fasting book out there, and still can't believe that, with today's top-notch research technology and scientific revolution, no one has conducted and published a proper book depicting the science and biochemical changes of fasting. And I mean, not just an anecdotal research, with electrolytes blood works, ketosis strips, calliper measurements and the likes. I get all that, and I get the “mindfulness/spiritual” side of a fasting, and the wisdom of the body… but, as a curious observer, I have a desire to fully comprehend what happens exactly with our bodies when fasting… our brain anatomy changes, our nervous system, cell receptors adaptations, genetic alterations, biochemical interactions inside (beyond the same old ketosis, growth hormone and insulin connections), environmental effects on the body, the role of the most recently discovered hormones, and everything else that science should be able to analyse with today’s high-tech methods. One can learn more about Quantum Physics (which is all new) than about fasting (which has been genetically wired in us throughout evolution). Are you with me guys on this one?

In any case I am just glad you guys are connected and provide support to others. I plan to embark on a fasting starting tomorrow, but haven’t yet decided if I will do it for 4 and 1/2 days, or 7 days, or 14 days. My main objective is weight loss. But having consistently read testimonials about the rate of weight loss decreasing from day 7, I am yet to make up my mind. Also, I love exercising and building lean muscle. Plus I need energy for my daily demanding job - I am a banker, recently promoted to director – i.e. more responsibilities! Help, what shall I do!!

P.S. Lisa, you are my hero! How do you juggle fasting with your job and your children and your running club? I am married, no children yet (maybe in a year or so).

P.S.S. Radio Girl, how did your electrolyte test go?

Love,
Chelsea Girl

Subject: Re: Fasting 30 days + Fungus - by: David

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:49:06 +0000

Alan have you tried or investigated Colloidal Silver? I have just started experimenting with it. I think if your immune system is at a low ebb fasting on its own may not be the answer or quick fix you are looking for. A couple of years ago I had a finger infection and recall fasting to try to cure it but that did not help so I still had to take a course of antibiotics. However had I known about colloidal silver then or garlic I would have most certainly explored those options first.

I hope you get over it quick whichever course of action you take and please do let us know how you get on with it.

Subject: Re: A few questions about water fasting and my attempt despite working with food. Day 1 started today. - by: David

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 21:42:48 +0000

Hello Patrick and a warm welcome to you. Have you read about The Fast Doctor's 5 step elimination cycles? They are designed to help with initial detox symptoms while fasting: www.fastingconnection.com/water-fast/five-step-detox-cycle

I wish you success

Subject: Re: Day 9 on a water fast and struggling - by: don0529

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 04:47:17 +0000

For some common people who are more on the timid side, I suppose the supervision would be good. But for me it's a waste of money. I trust my inner feeling to guide me, and I am sure that my body would give me some signals before it terminated itself or suffered irreversible damage. I love being self-sufficient, that brings its own rewards, and builds up my inner strength even more. A person with a strong sense of themself will know better than an outside observer (doctor), whether or not they should terminate their fast. But that's only if the person isn't smitten by fear and thus can have a healthy and balanced inner perspective of what's going on with them.
I'm glad to report that in a few more hours I'll be on day 11. I pushed through the previous discomfort, and now it's much smoother.

stay well

Subject: Fasting 30 days + Fungus - by: AlanL

Sat, 28 Apr 2012 02:16:53 +0000

Greetings,

Let me say what a great forum this.

I've been fasting for 30 days with an persistent fungal infection. I've been taking coconut oil, turmeric, grapefruit seed extract (topically), apple cider vinegar. I even tried the h202 food grade method for twenty days. Nothing yet has cured my fungal infection. Anti fungal creams, etc have had no effect either.

Should I drop these supplements? Will a longer fast cure the fungal infection or am I not allocating my time correctly. The extreme redness regresses and reoccurs so several doctors I have seen believed it was minor and would not provide stronger antibiotics. Would these antibiotics possibly cure it or am I better off fasting for 10 more days, with other supplements/none?

Thank-you very much.

Subject: A few questions about water fasting and my attempt despite working with food. Day 1 started today. - by: PatrickJames

Fri, 27 Apr 2012 22:20:29 +0000

Let me start off by saying that I'm 22, 5'7 and weigh 200 pounds. I'm fasting mostly for weight loss but also to gain control over my eating habits. There are times when I'm never full, even after eating a big meal. I know that can't be healthy and doctors aren't much help.

I tried a water fast last week and the first day was easy. By the second day I wasn't hungry but I had thrown up and I had a migraine just as bad as the worst one I've ever had (I get them quite due to certain triggers). I had to give in. I felt so much better after eating. Needless to say I've started again and Day 1 ends at 8pm est. I feel weak, have no energy and can feel the debilitating migraine coming on again. Is there anything that I can do to not feel like death and help push me through until the headache subsides?

Thanks for the help and I'll keep this topic updated if there's interest.