for the last three days
 

I've been fasting. I'm amazed at how much I love it! I feel wonderful, strong, healthy, mentally alert, and the weight is dropping off beautifully.

Family wants to know when I'm going to start eating. I'm not sure I want to. I was reading several websites today about the benefits of fasting and I was impressed with the things they said. Obviously it is a controversial thing. One of the things the sites brought out though that I thought was interesting is that the fathers of medicine (the Greek guys) (3 of them) advocated fasting as a very healthy way for the body to heal itself.

I don't have anything to heal except for too much fat and maybe some arthritis (said it would help that too). So I'm really tempted to see how long I can do this without it affecting my energy levels too much. So far it hasn't at all.

Scale read 245 Monday morning and this evening it reads 238. I know a lot of that is water weight and I know a lot will return when I go off of this. I know too, that this isn't a sustainable way of eating for life. But my dieting efforts had slowed to a stop and I needed something to work. I was getting very tired of relosing and regaining the same five pounds.

I actually agree with fasting, cleansing, all of that.. I don't think our bodies can fully handle some of the things we put in them. That said, you can do this for 3 months, thats how long my boyfriends mom did it (she had a few things to heal though), eventually she just stopped because she wanted to eat again. Unfortunately, she didn't wean into it, and gained 90% of it back. I think its a great tool, but shouldn't be used for weight loss specifically.

I wish you well with your fast.. keep the energy up! And add food in slowly.. fruits.. veggies.. etc!

-Aimee

I agree with fasting for a day or two. But I also think you should take your vitamins and drink loads of water.

Fasting for 3 months unless your doctor recommends it, is not safe IMHO. My doctor had me fast for 3 weeks back in October and with the shock / trama of my body losing the weight fast, I am NOW losing alot of hair because of it. I mean scary amounts of hair. I can see a bald spot starting on the top of my head and its all because of the rapid weight loss.

For detoxing or religious reasons, I think its okay, but for any other, you might want to think twice.

JMHO and experience ... :)

I have considered fasting because lord knows I've eaten enough for five lifetimes already. But what kind of fast are you doing? Some say they are fasting but still eat fruits and veggies or its juice (which I'd probably prefer) but just wondering exactly what you are doing.

I've considered fasting as well. I will do one (either a fast or a cleanse) when I quit smoking (soon!). Were/are you very hungry?

I know people who have fasted for religious or cultural reasons. That being said, I have to admit I laughed out loud at your reference to Greek Physicians...I wouldn't necessarily follow their medical advice. Come to think of it, I wouldn't follow the advice of MDs even in the last few centuries, except for Semmelweis (SP?) who realized that if surgeons washed their hands between cases, fewer people died.

I agree we need to eat less, but be careful fasting.

I rarely do a water fast, mostly juice fasts. And even after 2 days I'll incorperate raw veggies and fruits. With a water fast the hunger goes away after about 2 days. It can be a really great experience, but you have to be careful. You do feel like you could just never eat again, but your body just can't sustain itself with little or no food for very long. I suppose thats part of the mental empowerment, but you must be careful!
A lot of it gets passed off as silly science, but I was really affected (for the better) by an experience I had and it was all unintentional.

But if you're going to go more than a few days, please talk to your doctor.

I tried to do a liquid fast once that my friend gave me. (Basically a herbal supplement to drink while you fast) I felt sick, dizzy and nauseous. It is the same feeling I get if I don't eat before I exercise.

In college, it was different though. I had a few months where I didn't feel like eating. So I didn't eat. I lost about 20 lbs. I knew if I started eating again though that my body would want food again and I had to go visit my parents during the summer. My mom wouldn't put up with me not eating so I started eating again.

I'm doing a water fast. It is the easiest (I believe) because your hunger disappears. The site said "for most people" after 3 days, but for me it is always gone after day one. There just is no urge to eat, no cravings, no raging hunger anything. It is like a habit that you still have to be conscious of because you can accidentally eat just out of habit, but it isn't like your body is demanding food. It switches into fat burning mode and you don't need to continue getting your energy from food.

The sites I saw said some interesting things about what the body does during fasting. It said that it goes looking for energy and burns up diseased and unnecessary tissues first. Like tumors or "farbuncles" (whatever those are) and fat.

Supposedly when you start to really get hungry is when you need to start eating again. It suggest using self control and taking in just juices and fruits first etc. I'm not to that point yet.

I'm not sure how scientific the site was, but if what it says is true, it could be very beneficial health wise. Of course for everything you read, there is 2 or 3 that will say the opposite, so I'm not particularly recommending it. I'm no doctor and so don't know. I do know that people have practiced it throughout the centuries, so there must be some healthy benefit to it in some ways or why would it have endured?

Oh and Tiffany? The site actually recommended fasting to help quit smoking.

Sherry,
Lets us know how your doing>?
How long are you going to do it for?
When I was younger ok alot younger, I did 4 1/2 days. My biggest problem was I wasnt hungrey but I felt lost not going thru the motions of eating
good luck
sandi

Sherry, did the site address muscle loss? From everything I've always read is that the reason you should only aim to lose 1-2 lbs per week is that is the most your body will let go. Of course the heavier you are, the more fat your body is willing to let go which is why a loss of 3-5 lbs per week for someone who is extremely overweight is ok. After that though your body will start consuming muscle as well. Of course this is just in normal dieting, I assume the same would be true if you are fasting. Your body has your fat as fuel but it also has your muscle. I'm sure that is why long fasts aren't recommended.

Interesting stuff. I know nothing about fasting, but more than likely I wouldn't be a good candidate since I need my coffee each morning. Plus, I like to eat every day.:D And if I don't eat within a couple hours of waking up I feel soooo terribly sick, crabby and unable to think straight. Didn't you feel sick at all? Good luck, Sherry. And any others.

This is possibly the scariest thing I've ever read on this site.

Sorry to scare you. Of course I will start eating again. I just intended to do it for 2 days originally and now I want to continue for awhile. I will start eating again when I get hungry. Which is supposed to be the time when you need to eat again. From what I understand your body gives you signals and the return of hunger is the one you must watch for. Since I have no hunger at present I want to see if I can continue. But I probably won't go until actual hunger. I'll just go by my energy levels. If they stay high enough that I can do my regular routines then I will continue, if not, then I will break the fast.

The site says that your body gets all the protein it needs, that it metabolizes diseased and unhealthy tissue and gets all the nutrients it needs from itself. Doesn't say that it metabolizes muscle. I obviously don't want that to happen.

I've been on Atkins and have used the ketostix to measure fat burning. The stix are dark in color so I know I am burning fat.

And no I haven't felt at all "sick". Probably the transition from Atkins to fasting prevented that. Sometimes during a shift from burning glucose to burning ketones (fat cells) causes a headache for some people, (during the first day), but I was already there because of being low carb already so no headache or anything

The previous qoute kinda put my antenna up too but then I have been an under as well as overeater. I once decided in early March that I wouldn't eat again until April. For me, definitely not healthy.

I think fasting is a very individual thing. I used to have a physician from India where fasting is very prevalent. He often recommended that people fast for short periods of time but he also told some people that they should never fast for even a day (like me). Just like any other diet I don't think that one size fits all.

All I know about exteded water fasts is that when Cesar Chavez (a civil rights leader) fasted in protest for an extended period of time ( I am thinking just under 4 months) he had internal organ damage which later contributed to his death.

Sherry, I would really listen to the concerns of your family and definitely get medical supervion if you plan to fast much longer. While stalled weight loss is discouraging, you are not what you weigh, that number doesn't define you. You define you. Wishing you the best along your life's journey.

Denise

What a beautifully written statement. We offer up our advice, experiences, and personal knowledge left and right, but you summed it up perfectly. This is, along with weightloss, a personal journey. Thank you for that :)

Yes, fasting is a very personal decision, but personally, if I were reading something that claimed to be scientific (and as you discussed the sites, they seemed to be at least passing themselves off as scientific), but I wasn't sure about it, I'd be really hesitant. Because if what it says is not true, it could kill you.

I love your new avatar pic, Wyllenn! So beautiful!

Well I'm sorry so many of you seem to think it is a bad thing. Like I said, I'm not advocating it. On the other hand, I've done as much as an 8 day fast in my life, and this was at a time when I had much less weight to lose. I did ok then, and I suspect I will do ok now with so much extra stored fuel.

There are benefits to it that are amazing. It is supposed to cleanse the body and give the digestive system and the rest of the body a rest. It is supposed to clean out all the tubes, clear cholesterol etc. It is also supposed to give the body time to heal some of its problems. I've had arthritis symptoms for some time now, and it seems to be helping those. I have a shoulder in particular that always hurts and aches and feels like I need to crack it. Right now (and I was noticing all through the night) that is doesn't hurt at all any more. I have a knee too that I twisted some time back and that has hurt and felt swollen ever since. That feels better too.

So perhaps there is something to the claims on the website.

But the best part of it all is that I feel almost euphoric. That is one thing the website said, that it is good for depression and that they have even used the method with schizophrenics and that it helps them. I've known people who spent their lives chronically depressed, and I'm sure they never considered anything as natural as this for it. Medication (more poisons to put in the body) seem to be the choice they make.

I've had some really serious stressors in my life this week (my husband lost his job) and normally I would be crying and frantic, but I'm not. Instead I just feel extremely happy. So I'm going to continue it for awhile.

I guess when I think about it, it just makes sense. You have too much fat on you, what do you do to remove it? Well what puts it there in the first place? Food. Animals and people naturally fast when they are sick. So why wouldn't removing food be the solution to too much stored fuel? Granted it isn't for everyone and is an individual decision and everyone must take their own best counsel for how they choose to lose the weight. Personally I feel strong and healthy and capable of handling this. Not that that would be true of everyone. It isn't.

I have heard that there are some benefits to brief fasts but you have to know that it is an unnatural state. We were meant to eat!

I'm thinking that they probably meant carbuncles. ;)

Be safe.

I would say I don't have anything against short fasts, it is the long term ones that can be dangerous. I think this topic in general brought up fasts and I don't think anyone meant to criticize Sherry. I know people who do fasts for religious reasons but they aren't what we would consider a fast. They would tell me they were fasting but then I'd ask for details and it'd be something like they can only eat 1 meal a day on certain days or they can't eat specific types of foods. I was reading something called Pi Gu Qigong which sounds very similar to what Sherry is doing.

It was interesting in that they recommended fasting and then if you felt hungry to do Tai Chi and if you still felt hungry to then eat something light. Interesting approach but I'd still worry about muscle loss, which is why I am concerned about extremely low calorie diets. Not eating enough will burn fat, but then your body tries to also use muscle as fuel because it wants to save its fat and muscle burns fat. If it is done long enough (months), then your body will start using muscle from your organs as fuel which is where you can get organ damage.

I've personally never done a real fast on purpose. As I said in college, I did have a period of time where I just wasn't hungry and didn't eat. I'm not sure if that was the cause of it or something else was but I also developed stomach issues in college. I have a very sensitive stomach which can cause me a lot of pain some days. I also ended up gaining more weight than I lost after I resumed eating. So even though I was eating the same amount/types of food and had the same activity level, I gained more weight. That is an indicator that I lost muscle during that period of time. Anyway, just my personal experience and it did last longer than it should've.

Well Jen, I don't agree that it is an "unnatural" state. Bears and certain other animals store up a lot of fat for the winter and then fast for very long times living off of their fat stores. Why wouldn't humans who also store fat for "famine" times also have that same mechanism built in? Just because our modern world doesn't put us in the west into famine states, doesn't mean that the cycle of feast and famine hasn't been a part of human history for ages.

We in the west seem to have the mentality that "More" is always better. Eastern philosophy is more along the lines that "Less" is sometimes better. We have become a nation of greedy people who believe that we must have this or that, and that without it we have somehow "failed". In reality we can all learn to live and be happy with less.

To keep you all updated I've lost 14 pounds since Monday. I feel really good. I've lost 65 inches (total) since I first measured in January. 8.5 of those have come off my abdomen measurement (around the belly button).

I haven't been hungry or without energy. I've felt a bit tired at times and have needed to rest for awhile, but so far I've been able to carry on my daily duties without any stress. I'm taking it easy about things like housework (since I'm not cooking right now, my husband is) and since I'm working 6 hours a day away from the home. But I feel strong, healthy and capable. And I LOVE how my body is trimming down.

Sherry -- I am not trying to be critical. I'm always the one who's interested in what the "science" says -- while being keenly aware that science does not have all the answers. This thread has motivated me to read a little more about fasts and what we know about them -- scientifically and otherwise.

So, all that being said, I would be curious to know about your weight a few days after you end the fast. It seems that much of the weight lost during fasts is water weight, so you'd be likely to put a lot of it back on. Again, I am curious about your experience.

And, for anyone who's curious, my poking about the web has revealed some interesting information. First, very little research is done on fasts, and one source commented that this may be because there are no products involved... no company is motivated to be able to earn money from people fasting! Kind of sad about what that reveals about the motivation behind the research that IS done, isn't it?

Of the research that has been done, it seems mixed. What it seemed to boil down to is that there may or may not be physical benefits to fasts, but that there well may be psychological benefits, and perhaps spiritual benefits for those seeking them.

Finally, it was recommended by many that while fasts of 1-3 days may be safe for most people, fasts longer than 3 days should be supervised by a physician.

I agree that a lot of weight is "water weight". Not all however. The same is true when doing Atkins diet. They seem to work on essentially the same principle. Both put you into "ketosis" which is fat burning rather than glucose burning mode. When you severely restrict carb intake, you do tend to lose quite a bit of water weight right off the bat, and if you go back to eating carbs, you tend to retain more water.

Fat cells have both fuel in them and water. People losing fat, may lose the fat, but hang onto the water for awhile and then when the body sees that it that the fat isn't going to be retained, the water can then be released in a "whoosh" rather rapidly. So that maybe you are dieting for days and days and not losing anything and then suddenly you drop several pounds at once. That is the water being released.

Fasting seems to remove fat and water, obviously with no caloric intake and the body needing fuel anyway, there will be fat burning going on. With Atkins you use "ketostix" to determine if you are in fat burning mode. These are little test strips that you pee on and they tell you if you are burning fat. There are several levels of ketosis, and the darker they are, the more fat you are burning. While being on Atkins I noticed that the stix seemed to be darker if I was eating more fat in my diet than when I ate protein, so I was never sure if it was measuring my dietary fat or my body fat (being burned).

Now on this fast I have used the sticks and found that I am in DEEP ketosis burning lots of fat. The sticks are dark. I know this is not "dietary" fat since I am eating none. So it would be hard to convince me that the weight I am losing is mostly water. I'm burning fat. It is interesting too that although I went to this fast from Atkins, it took several days for the sticks to turn really dark. I must have had some glycogen in my blood that needed to be used up first before the switch to burning ketones.

Atkins says that studies have been done that prove that ketones are the brains "preferred" fuel source. Perhaps this is why the feeling of euphoria or well-being is so strong during a fast. I've had some serious stressors this week with my husband losing his job at the beginning of the week, and I am amazed at how well I am handling it. I expected to be depressed all week when I learned of it. Not happening.

Anyway I'm aware that I will probably gain back a lot of water when I go off this. I'm hoping that since I was doing Atkins prior to starting that most of that water was already lost prior to starting the fast. However I do expect to regain some weight. Fasting makes everything TASTE SO GOOD when you start to eat again. Perhaps this is because the body is cleaned of so many things and your taste buds are cleared. Or maybe it is a natural reaction to abstinence. I am worried about resuming eating for that reason. I want to lose enough so that when I do resume eating the gains won't overwhelm me or discourage me too much. I do expect to gain some weight back immediately. It tends to be the way it works. But this is true of Atkins too. If you lose and then start eating carbs again you gain about 5 pounds immediately. So like it or not, I am used to that.

No scientific studies on things that have no monetary value. That is sad isn't it? Certainly one thing can be said for a fast. It costs NOTHING to lose weight this way. Not even the cost of food! I think that is one of its primary advantages! But of course it interferes with the scientific studies part of things. I'm wondering if any studies have been done in eastern lands as opposed to here. They certainly seem to use this method more than in the west. I think I read about something that was done in Russia regarding fasting... can't remember will have to check that out.

Sherry -- I think you'd be right about more studies done on fasting outside the US. People who place more of a value on something are more likely to study it!

As with much research focusing on health issues, I think these kinds of studies are hard to do well -- meaning that it's hard to establish any sense of causality in situations that relate to the "real" world.

I could blather on about research issues for hours, but I don't want to bore anyone.

I started fasting once a while back, long while back. It started one day then it went up to two days, and slowly worked up to 5 days. One weekend when I wanted to eat a salad, I threw it up. No matter what solids I ate, my body rejected. I told myself I would eat when I was hungry. It was great so I thought, losing 50 lbs in less than 3 months. I also lived at the gym practically. I was so fit! yeah right. That first winter, I went to 3 dances in one weekend. The next day I was in the hospital with pnuemonia after collapsing at home. They held me in the hospital till I had regained 10 lbs. I was devestated. I remember seeing myself in the mirror and thinking I needed to lose a few more lbs yet my family could count my ribs from my back! I guess that contributed to my thyroid crashing. Now if I don't take my meds, I balloon quickly. This is something I have to deal with every day for the rest of my life. I think that this experience is what is keeping me in a slow weight loss. I fear I will return to my addictive way. I was single with no kids then and now I have 6 kids, a husband and even a granddaughter now. I need to take care of myself, first for me and then for them.

Please be careful and go under a doctor's supervision.

Been there, done that,
Lill/Elva

Well living at the gym while fasting doesn't sound wise. It is supposed to be a resting period, not excessive exercise. There is no way anyone can count my ribs, and I am not anorexic. I agree with you though that you can become addictive and compulsive to a degree that is dangerous and strange. Not happening. I like to eat too much. Solid food is not the way to ease back into eating either. Juices or milk or something easy on your stomach is much more gentle. I'm also an extremely healthy person. Rarely ever sick. So I'm not worried about my health at this point. If I do start to worry I will go off the fast. I believe seriously in balance and reasonableness. No way would I allow my attempts at weight loss to endanger my health. No fear of that at this point.

I ate a very small meal yesterday. Had some carrots (cooked), a half of a potato, a very small amount of meat (it just didn't feel right or taste good to me), some chips and some quacamole. That was what was really calling to me, the guacamole. I made if for some guests we had over and ignored it all the time they were there, but they didn't eat it all and I wound up eating the last bits of it. Oh and I had some grape juice, but it was too acidic, so I asked my son to water it down a bit.

I felt fine afterwards. The scale this morning was the same as it was yesterday morning. So I didn't gain, but didn't lose either.

Sherry -- Given what you ate yesterday, are you technically still on a fast?

No, obviously not. But I plan to continue today as though I were. I figure one meal in 6 days isn't going to interfere too much with the process. On the other hand it did give my body something to work with. I'd really like to drop my weight to at least a pound lower than the lowest I've been to in the last 6 years. (probably in longer than that, but that is all I'm aware of).

My lowest recent low (within 6 years) was 220. I'm at 231 today. I'd like to get to at least 219 before I give this up. That way when I go back to my regular dieting efforts I will at least be working on new losses and not on playing catchup.

Sherry, I am in no way making a comment about your personal decision but just expressing my views on fasting.

I think fasting for personal reasons in a good thing provided that it is well thought out, monitored, and very very short term. I wouldn't classify a fast that goes on more than 2 days to be short term. A fast that goes on for more than one day as far as I am concerned is too long.

People fast for lots of reasons. I won't pretend to know the extent of these reasons, the types of fasts, nor the results.

My grandmother fasted for a day once a week for her entire adult life. She said it cleansed her body, made her feel better, and helped her to focus on meditation. For that day, she limited herself to water, watered down juice, and occassionally but not often broth. She lived into her late 90's and was a very healthy woman. I want to stress.. she was a very healthy woman. Never in her life was she overweight or facing the types of imbalances I have subjected myself to.

Once when I asked her about fasting, she told me all I needed to know. But adviced me to never think about fasting until I was balanced. Balanced with my weight, eating choices, all of that.

I totally agree with her. To fast when I already have food issues is not a good idea. To fast as a weight loss strategy would only make me more imbalanced. I also wonder if there will ever be a time when it will be ok for me to try a fast like she did. Even when I am at a reasonable weight, I will always be someone who once was fat. I cannot expect to be able to live and eat like she did.

Wow. Sherry, I know you don't want to hear this, but that sounds dangerous. You're talking about trying to lose well over 20 pounds (I forget the numbers from earlier but I think you'd said you'd lost over 10 pounds already) from a fast? I think there's a reason why people say there's no magic pill, and I'd worry that such a long fast (unsupervised, right), would have long-reaching consequences.

I know I've questioned whether there's evidence for the claims of fasting, and there may be some evidence that short fasts do have effects of cleansing toxins, etc. But is there really evidence that you can lose (and keep off) so much weight from fasting?

Everything I read indicated that fasts longer than 3 days should be supervised by a physician... I know people do very low calorie diets but they are supervised too.

Again, I know you don't want to hear this, but I would urge you to stop.

Sherry, and others, a very informative article I found tonight on my health insurance's website (Blue Cross Blue Shield). I have bolded and colored some of it.

Sherry - I am concerned about you too using this as a weight loss tool, without medical supervision. If you want to lose another 12 pounds (from 231 to 219), you may find it very hard to do so -- judging from the text below, statistically, your weight loss is going to slow down in the 2nd week, and I am afraid you are going to be putting yourself in danger if you dig in your heels and keep going to hit a number. I'm not saying the sky is falling, but I DO think you need to speak with a doctor about this if you continue.

There are safer ways to go about getting the pounds off. I have no qualms about short fasts, but I think you are getting into the iffy zone... read on...


From http://www.ahealthyme.com/topic/topic100586815

Fasting
by Douglas Dupler MA

Below:
•Definition
•Purpose
•Description
•Precautions
•Key Terms
•Resources


Definition

Fasting is voluntarily not eating food for varying lengths of time. Fasting is used as a medical therapy for many conditions. It is also a spiritual practice in many religions.


Purpose

Fasting can be used for nearly every chronic condition, including allergies, anxiety, arthritis, asthma, depression, diabetes, headaches, heart disease, high cholesterol, low blood sugar, digestive disorders, mental illness, and obesity. Fasting is an effective and safe weight loss method. It is frequently prescribed as a detoxification treatment for those with conditions that may be influenced by environmental factors, such as cancer and multiple chemical sensitivity. Fasting has been used successfully to help treat people who have been exposed to high levels of toxic materials due to accident or occupation. Fasting is thought to be beneficial as a preventative measure to increase overall health, vitality, and resistance to disease. Fasting is also used as a method of mental and spiritual rejuvenation.


Description

Origins

Used for thousands of years, fasting is one of the oldest therapies in medicine. Many of the great doctors of ancient times and many of the oldest healing systems have recommended it as an integral method of healing and prevention. Hippocrates, the father of Western medicine, believed fasting enabled the body to heal itself. Paracelsus, another great healer in the Western tradition, wrote 500 years ago that "fasting is the greatest remedy, the physician within." Ayurvedic medicine, the world's oldest healing system, has long advocated fasting as a major treatment.

Fasting has also been used in nearly every religion in the world, including Christianity, Judaism, Buddhism, and Islam. Many of history's great spiritual leaders fasted for mental and spiritual clarity, including Jesus, Buddha, and Mohammed. In one of the famous political acts of the last century, the Indian leader Mahatma Gandhi fasted for 21 days to promote peace.

Fasting has been used in Europe as a medical treatment for years. Many spas and treatment centers, particularly those in Germany, Sweden, and Russia, use medically supervised fasting. Fasting has gained popularity in American alternative medicine over the past several decades, and many doctors feel it is beneficial. Fasting is a central therapy in detoxification, a healing method founded on the principle that the build up of toxic substances in the body is responsible for many illnesses and conditions.

The principle of fasting is simple. When the intake of food is temporarily stopped, many systems of the body are given a break from the hard work of digestion. The extra energy gives the body the chance to heal and restore itself, and burning stored calories gets rid of toxic substances stored in the body.

The digestive tract is the part of the body most exposed to environmental threats, including bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins. It requires the most immune system support. When food is broken down in the intestines, it travels through the blood to the liver, the largest organ of the body's natural detoxification system. The liver breaks down and removes the toxic by-products produced by digestion, including natural ones and the chemicals now present in the food supply. During fasting, the liver and immune system are essentially freed to detoxify and heal other parts of the body.

Many healers claim that fasting is a particularly useful therapy for Americans and for the modern lifestyle, subjected to heavy diets, overeating, and constant exposure to food additives and chemicals. Some alternative practitioners have gone so far as to estimate that the average American is carrying 5-10 pounds of toxic substances in their bodies, for which fasting is the quickest and most effective means of removal.

Physiology of fasting

Through evolution, the body became very efficient at storing energy and handling situations when no food was available. For many centuries, fasting was probably a normal occurrence for most people, and the body adapted to it. It is estimated that even very thin people can survive for 40 days or more without food. The body has a special mechanism that is initiated when no food is eaten. Fasting is not starvation, but rather the body's burning of stored energy. Starvation occurs when the body no longer has any stored energy and begins using essential tissues such as organs for an energy source. Therapeutic fasts are stopped long before this happens.

Many physiological changes occur in the body during fasting. During the first day or so, the body uses its glycogen reserves, the sugars that are the basic energy supply. After these are depleted, the body begins using fat. However, the brain, which has high fuel requirements, still needs glucose (sugars converted from glycogen). To obtain glucose for the brain, the body begins to break down muscle tissue during the second day of the fast. Thus, during fasting some muscle loss will occur. To fuel the brain, the body would need to burn over a pound of muscle a day, but the body has developed another way to create energy that saves important muscle mass. This protein-sparing process is called ketosis, which occurs during the third day of a fast for men and the second day for women. In this highly efficient state, the liver begins converting stored fat and other nonessential tissues into ketones, which can be used by the brain, muscles, and heart as energy. It is at this point in the fast that sensations of hunger generally go away, and many people experience normal or even increased energy levels. Hormone levels and certain functions become more stable in this state as well. The goal of most fasts is to allow the body to reach the ketosis state in order to burn excess fat and unneeded or damaged tissue. Thus, fasts longer than three days are generally recommended as therapy.

Weight loss occurs most rapidly during the first few days of a fast, up to 2 pounds per day. In following days, the figure drops to around 0.5 pound per day. [Sherry: this fits right in with your loss so far of 14 pounds in a week. But see how it may take you 24 more days of fasting to lose 12 more pounds. That's over a month of fasting! I would certainly not recommend you do this without strong medical supervision.] An average weight loss of a pound a day for an entire fast can be expected.

Performing a fast

Fasts can be performed for varying lengths of time, depending on the person and his or her health requirements. For chronic conditions, therapists recommend from two to four weeks to get the most benefits. Seven-day fasts are also commonly performed. A popular fasting program for prevention and general health is a three-day fast taken four times per year, at the change of each season. These can be easily performed over long weekends. Preventative fasts of one day per week are used by many people as well.

Juice fasts are also used by many people, although these are not technically fasts. Juice fasts are less intensive than water fasts because the body doesn't reach the ketosis stage. The advantage of juice fasts is that fruit and vegetable drinks can supply extra energy and nutrients. People can fit a few days of juice fasting into their normal schedules without significant drops in energy. Juice fasts are also said to have cleansing and detoxifying effects. The disadvantage of juice fasts is that the body never gets to the ketosis stage, so these fasters are thought to lack the deep detoxification and healing effects of the water fast.

Medical supervision is recommended for any fast over three days. Most alternative medicine practitioners, such as homeopaths, naturopathic doctors, and ayurvedic doctors, can supervise and monitor patients during fasts. Those performing extended fasts and those with health conditions may require blood, urine, and other tests during fasting. There are many alternative health clinics that perform medically supervised fasts as well. Some conventional medical doctors may also supervise patients during fasts. Costs and insurance coverage vary, depending on the doctor, clinic, and requirements of the patient.

Preparations

Fasts must be entered and exited with care. To enter a fast, the diet should be gradually lightened over a few days. First, heavy foods such as meats and dairy products should be eliminated for a day or two. Grains, nuts, and beans should then be reduced for several days. The day before a fast, only easily digested foods like fruits, light salads, and soups should be eaten. During the fast, only pure water and occasional herbal teas should be drunk.

Fasts should be ended as gradually as they are entered, going from lighter to heavier foods progressively. The diet after a fast should emphasize fresh, wholesome foods. Fasters should particularly take care not to overeat when they complete a fast.


Precautions

Fasting isn't appropriate for everyone and, in some cases, could be harmful. Any person undertaking a first fast longer than three days should seek medical supervision. Those with health conditions should always have medical support during fasting. Plenty of water should be taken by fasters since dehydration can occur. Saunas and sweating therapies are sometimes recommended to assist detoxification, but should be used sparingly. Those fasting should significantly slow down their lifestyles. Taking time off of work is helpful, or at least reducing the work load. Fasters should also get plenty of rest. Exercise should be kept light, such as walking and gentle stretching.

Side effects

Those fasting may experience side effects of fatigue, malaise, aches and pains, emotional duress, acne, headaches, allergies, swelling, vomiting, bad breath, and symptoms of colds and flu. These reactions are sometimes called healing crises, which are caused by temporarily increased levels of toxins in the body due to elimination and cleansing. Lower energy levels should be expected during a fast.

Research and general acceptance

The physiology of fasting has been widely studied and documented by medical science. Beneficial effects such as lowered cholesterol and improved general functioning have been shown. Fasting as a treatment for illness and disease has been studied less, although some studies around the world have shown beneficial results. A 1984 study showed that workers in Taiwan who had severe chemical poisoning had dramatic improvement after a ten-day fast. In Russia and Japan, studies have demonstrated fasting to be an effective treatment for mental illness. Fasting has been featured on the cover of medical journals, although mainstream medicine has generally ignored fasting and detoxification treatments as valid medical procedures.

The majority of research that exists on fasting is testimonial, consisting of individual personal accounts of healing without statistics or controlled scientific experiments. In the alternative medical community, fasting is an essential and widely accepted treatment for many illnesses and chronic conditions.


Key Terms:

Ayurvedic medicine
A traditional healing system developed in India.

Toxin
A substance that has poisonous effects on the body.


Resources:


Books

* Cott, Alan. Fasting: The Ultimate Diet. Chicago: Hastings House, 1997.
* Fuhrman, Joel, M.D. Fasting and Eating for Health. New York: St. Martin's, 1995.
* Page, Linda, N.D. Healthy Healing. CA: Healthy Healing Publications, 1998.


Organizations

* Fasting Center International. 32 West Anapurna St., #360, Santa Barbara, CA 93101. http://www.fasting.com.


Last updated July 14, 1999. Copyright 2004. The Thomson Corporation. All rights reserved.

one more voice
 

Like the others above, I'm not anything but concerned about you, Sherry. I wanted to share something that happened to me a few years ago...
This wasn't voluntary, but the results are basically the same. I was taking medication that makes me sick to my stomach if I don't eat with it, and one morning - just one - I didn't catch breakfast. This started a snowball effect that ended up with me collapsing in my doctors office because a) I hadn't eaten in 33 days, b) I was dehydrated and my blood pressure went through the floor every time I stood up, and c) I had so many ketones in my blood that I actually experienced ketoacidosis, which isn't always horribly harmful, but in my case...it stopped my heart. I was in the hospital for a week, on TPN and fluids, and when I got out, it was almost 3 weeks before I could eat food in the amount and frequency that is required to keep a person healthy and strong. I also gained back all 42 pounds I lost while sick, as well as 13 pounds I hadn't had before.

Like I said, it wasn't voluntary, and obviously there were other factors, but it's just so easy for it to get out of control. For me, all it took was one missed breakfast...for others, it's just 2 more pounds they want to lose. Then 3 more. Then 10 more. Not everyone is disposed to the eating disorder mentality, but I'd wager that a healthy percentage of those that are have no idea. Please, be careful.


-Brie

I am not even going to read the post replies until after I post my message, because I just know someone is going to say how dangerous, horrible, whatever... fasting is. (although, I'd love to be wrong ;) )

I know A LOT about fasting/juice fasting. I have fasted many, many, many times. I've read books written by medical doctors who advocate fasting. I've spoken with doctors who advocate fasting. If there's any health topic I know a lot about, it's fasting. :) I'm one of those people who get interested in something and research the topic to death. :lol

Fasting, especially juice fasting is so very healthy for the body. It has wonderful healing/detoxing effects and even weightloss as an added bonus. After you get through the first three days(for some it may take 4 or 5), you feel amazing. Your mind is clear, you're full of energy and just ready to take on the world. I even sleep like a rock when I'm fasting.

I also fast for Spiritual reasons. :)

It's best to read up on it as much as possible, so you know how it works, and yes, it's best to start off slow and work your way up to longer fasts. But again, really research the topic.

PS Also, if anyone says you'll gain the weight back. That's a total myth. You will gain back some water weight (salt) and waste matter weight, but as long as you continue to eat healthy, you will not gain it back. Continuing a healthy diet is key.

I think you will find, that every diet out there has a "disclaimer" on it. "Check with your doctor before starting this or any diet" How many of us have done that? If you are strong and healthy do you really worry about it?

I agree a fast is something that should be taken at a relaxed pace. You shouldn't try to exercise extensively during one, and you shouldn't push it beyond where it feels right. Right now it feels right. My weight loss may slow down. Or it may not. As far as the water loss at the beginning? I may or may not have lost that. I was doing Atkins prior to the fast, and you get a lot of water loss during Atkins, so I may not have had the same effect.

We'll see. I'm really not worried at present. I've lost 15 pounds since Monday. I'm only 11 pounds from the point where I will probably stop. I think it will happen within the week. If it doesn't I may stop anyway.

I'm really really curious though. How many of you who seem so worried about it have ever fasted for even one day? I have fasted 1 to 3 days many many times. 8 days once. 5 days straight this last week, and then a part of a day off.

I love the way it is helping my arthritis symptoms. I'd really like to see if "cleansing" does eliminate them altogether. It is the later stages of a fast that are supposed to benefit the person the most. That is when the deep cleansing takes place. Diseased tissues are supposed to be used up and metabolized, including tumors. I know I have fibroid tumors. I'd like to believe I'm helping make them go away.

Maybe I shouldn't post here any more. I don't want to stress anyone out. I do understand your concerns. I stopped my 8 day fast due to the worries of others. I believe I ate a little yesterday to relieve the worries of others, but honestly I FEEL fine. Fasting is so much easier for me than regular dieting because there IS NO HUNGER. I'm NOT compelled to eat. I don't have cravings or any need for food. My body is burning its fat and it is happy enough with that. My energy levels are good, not perfect. I do tire more easily, but that is to be expected.

I agree about breaking it gently and slowly. I intend to.

I've been told that you should ease into a fast by eating light before you begin, ...fruits, soups, etc. My grandmother ate no meat the day before her weekly fast.

I know an involuntary "fast" is not the same, but I have gone 5 days straight without eating. Cold water was the only thing available for me to consume. I remember getting the most excrutiating pains and headache followed by a calm lull. Although food and sleep were the only things on my mind, by the end I was not hungry. Perhaps it is because of that experience that I could never imagine a voluntary fast.

However, if this were something I wanted to try as a weight loss strategy, I imagine one of the first things I would want to do is find people who have sucessfully done this AND maintained the weight loss for a long time. Not just to see if it works but to learn from their experiences.

Sherry, many of us are worried. But that is because we are concerned about each other. It is what makes this site a supportive place. If we were worried and didn't say so, what would that make us?

Before I was diagnosed with PCOS, I used to fast once a week, for both spiritual and health reasons. I have fasted three days a few times. No longer than that, and never medically supervised. (Now, with PCOS, I'm rather afraid to give it a try again, since my insulin is so out of whack sometimes.)

That being said, I don't necessarily think you should stop... but I do agree that you should probably be monitored by a medical practitioner, especially one who understands/accepts fasting as a viable cleansing therapy. There should be ayurvedic or wholistic practitioners in your area with whom you could consult. Heck, some Roman Catholic retreat centers probably have folks who know a lot about fasting. As the article posted above says, fasting is an ancient religious and medical practice.

Also, I tend to agree that you may wish to be clear on your reasons. Like a few others, your statement that "I'll fast until I get to x pounds" threw up a red flag for me. While losing weight is a definite side-effect of fasting, it should not be the primary one or it can get addictive and dangerous as you try to shed "just one more pound".

I haven't posted to this thread before this because you seemed very clearly to be listening to your body, reveling in the lightness and energy of the fast, and didn't seem to be heading toward overdoing it. The fact that you've fasted before, and that your other long fast was 8 days, gives me some comfort that you are aware of your body's needs, and willing to listen when they change.

It is my prayer that you will continue to thoughtfully, reverently, and with due consideration break your fast when it is appropriate for you.

And do continue to post about it. I think we can all gain a lot from the discussion of this sometimes-maligned yet ancient form of health practice.