The Science of Fasting
Okay, I found and read this thread over the weekend. I watched the documentary posted by Expat in the OP. Fascinating and almost unbelievable.
I intend to do more research and re-read the thread because of the many good posts.
I'd like to give this a go, but I don't want to do it unsafely and I haven't done the homework. Because of lent I'm attempting a fast for Ash Wednesday (last meal was last night at about 19:00). What are the rules to fasting - just water? Any nuts or broth, etc.?
I'm hoping to go at least 36 hours.
And does someone have a link to the 8-hour eating window that was mentioned earlier?
I'm sure I'll be back with more questions, later - if I don't pass out. Thanks in advance.
You won't pass out, remember, Hunger is not an emergency.
I just did a 24 hour. I wanted to go 36, too, but it's hard. Best if you "step up" to it. In fact, I can't really make it past 36 hours.
For me, right now, I can do 16-18 easy. Nothing but water and decaf coffee with HWC, no sweetener. Getting to 24 was a matter of white knuckling it and keeping myself distracted and "filling up" on the water.
24 to 36 is where it gets interesting. I just decided to pack it in; but if you really want to go the distance, then you can do broth. It's better not to but it may be the difference between getting there or not. But, like I said, it's okay to step up to it.
If you want to go 36 but end up "only" going 24, that's fine. It's not a failure. You have to listen to your body and whatever else is going on externally.
For me, at 36 hours, I start missing the act of eating. And that's what does me in more than the hunger. And I like the idea of giving my body a "rest", letting it truly fully digest, letting my BS subside, making sure my body is fat adapted and is utilizing those saved fat stores.