Water fasting is a type of fast where you abstain from eating food while continuing to drink water regularly. It typically lasts anywhere from 24 hours to three days and is initiated as a means of reducing weight or. It is linked with a lower risk of chronic disease and autophagy.
During the fast, you need to avoid eating or drinking anything besides water. Most people will drink 2-3 liters of water per day during the fast. The time lasts from 24 hours to 72 hours. Some people may feel weak or dizzy.
There are several ways to stay hydrated without drinking water. One way is to drink plenty of water and herbal tea throughout the day. Water-only fasting (WF) is an absolute cessation of food consumption while consuming water at libitum. This type of fasting is believed to help maintain hydration and prevent the development of chronic diseases.
To begin a water fast safely, it is essential to prepare your body for the fast by eating a balanced diet that includes fruits, vegetables, and beverages. Drinking lite salt and taking a cal-mag supplement can help cover the sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, chloride, and phosphorous required for a water fast.
When starting a water fast, it is important to approach it safely, work with an experienced healthcare professional, recognize signs of when to stop, and transition back to food slowly. By following these steps, you can effectively manage your water fast and reduce the risk of chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes.
📹 The Best Way to Break a WATER FAST (Breaking My 7 Day Water Fast )
DISCLAIMER PLEASE DO NOT ATTEMPT A WATER FAST without first consulting your doctor. Water Fasting is NOT suitable for …
How much weight is lost in a 72 hour fast?
A 72-hour fast can result in a 7, 000-calorie deficit, which is equivalent to two pounds of fat loss. However, prolonged fasting may have a negative impact on weight and potentially cause weight gain due to adaptive thermogenesis.
Can you fast without food and water?
Dry fasting, a practice where individuals abstain from food and fluid for a set period, is believed to have numerous benefits, including weight loss. However, there is limited research on its benefits, and many doctors view it as dangerous. A study of 240 people who fasted for at least 20 days during Ramadan found that after the fast, body weight and BMI decreased in everyone. This suggests that dry fasting may be a potential alternative to intermittent fasting.
How do I stop hunger during water fasting?
Fasting is a great way to reduce hunger and discomfort by getting all the water you can drink. Drinking a half-gallon of water can instantly eliminate hunger, as the body can function comfortably for weeks without food. Most Americans are chronically dehydrated but overfed, so it’s important to focus on water.
During the fast, pray to deepen your connection to Christ, finding yourself more dependent and connected to Him. Fasting adds power to prayer, a concept seen throughout Scripture. Reading the Bible during the fast is also essential, as it feeds our souls at the deepest level. As Matthew 4:4 states, “Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God”. This practice helps to nourish our souls and strengthen our connection to Christ.
What happens if you don’t eat for 7 days but drink water?
The body can survive for about a week without food and water, while survival time may extend to 2 to 3 months with water. However, severely restricted food intake can reduce lifespan. Underweight individuals, with a BMI below 18. 5, are associated with malnutrition and health conditions like reduced immune system function, digestive issues, and cancer. A 2018 study found that having a BMI below 18.
5 could shorten life by an average of 4. 3 years for males and 4. 5 for females. Living without food and water for days or weeks seems inconceivable to many, as it can cause irritability and low energy.
How much weight will I lose on a 7 day water fast?
The research indicated that fasting can result in short-term weight loss. A five-day water fast was found to cause a weight loss of 4 to 6 pounds, a seven- to 10-day fast resulted in 2 to 10 pounds of weight loss, and a 15 to 20-day fast resulted in 7 to 10 pounds of total body weight loss. However, studies demonstrated that individuals typically experienced a greater loss of lean muscle mass than fat mass during a water fast.
How much weight will I lose on a 3 day water fast in kg?
A three-day water fast has the potential to result in a weight loss of 3 to 6 pounds (1. 4 to 2. 7 kilograms). However, it is essential to acknowledge that this initial weight loss is largely attributed to water retention and glycogen depletion, rather than a reduction in adipose tissue.
Is a 3 day fast safe?
The typical duration of a water fast is 24 to 72 hours. However, it is important to note that prolonged fasting without medical supervision can potentially pose health risks. Some individuals may experience symptoms such as weakness or dizziness. Therefore, it is advisable to refrain from operating heavy machinery and driving to minimize the risk of accidents. Following the cessation of the fast, it is advisable to refrain from consuming a substantial meal in order to prevent the occurrence of discomfort resulting from the aforementioned symptoms.
Does chewing gum break a fast?
The consumption of sugar-free gum has been demonstrated to disrupt the fast, yet it has minimal caloric value and does not markedly influence insulin levels. It is typically permitted during periods of fasting, although some more rigorous forms of fasting may still prohibit the consumption of calories. It is crucial to consider the appropriate foods and beverages to consume during a fast to prevent confusion and ensure the success of the fast.
Are 72-hour fasts healthy?
Longer periods without food, such as 24-, 36-, 48-, and 72-hour fasting periods, may be dangerous and encourage the body to store more fat. Research shows that it takes two to four weeks for the body to become accustomed to intermittent fasting, and those who make it through the adjustment period tend to stick with the plan. During this time, water and zero-calorie beverages like black coffee and tea are permitted.
Are 72 hour fasts healthy?
Longer periods without food, such as 24-, 36-, 48-, and 72-hour fasting periods, may be dangerous and encourage the body to store more fat. Research shows that it takes two to four weeks for the body to become accustomed to intermittent fasting, and those who make it through the adjustment period tend to stick with the plan. During this time, water and zero-calorie beverages like black coffee and tea are permitted.
📹 What Happens if You Eat NOTHING for 3 Days
Discover what happens inside your body as you fast for 3 days, 5 days, and 7 days. Intermittent fasting has many benefits, but it …
References: 1. During the first few hours of fasting your blood glucose levels will start to elevate and then they’ll gradually decline. Meanwhile, your ketone levels will gradually rise. See Fig 1C pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27810402/#&gid=article-figures&pid=fig-1-uid-0 pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/27810402/ 2. Fasting for at least 10 hours is proven to increase Human Growth Hormone (HGH) levels just as effectively as exercise, stress, and very low blood sugar, also known as hypoglycemia. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/22386777/ 3. HGH, a hormone produced by the pituitary gland, plays a major role in muscle growth, exercise performance, body composition, cell repair, metabolism, immunity system, and recovery from injury and disease. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/12797841 ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9931532 4. A small study of nine men discovered that fasting for just two days increased HGH production by five times. ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/1548337 5. After 12-16 hours, the body switches to burning more and more fat tissues compared to carbs. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/32519900/ 6. During the month of Ramadan, there is a great improvement in weight management, digestion, and cholesterol levels. pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17909674/%5d pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/33575269/ 7. In addition, some studies indicate a significant decrease in inflammation markers associated with cardiovascular disease risk factors such as homocysteine, C-reactive protein (CRP), and total cholesterol TC/HDL ratio.
I’ve done 3 day fasts multiple times and the benefits are real. Particularly noticeable is the change in skin, weight loss, and the autophagy. It does feel like a total reset and healing of the body in a short time. I think this the way humans always lived and are meant to live. Our bodies were made to thrive in feast/famine but now we are always in “feast” mode with an excess of food everywhere, every day, multiple times a day. On top of that what many eat is pure junk and sugar is the worst for our health. There is healing in famine mode as well!
I have done a 21 day fast. the first three days were the hardest, then hunger went away… yes, really. (from day 4: I could be at a table with other folks eating and it did not bother me). blood pressure dropped… cholesterol dropped… leaving type 2 diabetes behind… joint pain disappeared… of course, significant fat loss (260 to 230… more precisely to 260 to 222 to 230)… concentration improved dramatically… able to focus for longer…. irritability decreased (outside of first three days when I was hangry)… This is a great article for concise delivery of info… based on my experience (no, i am not a Dr. and I am only one data point) I think it mistakenly undersells longer (week or more) fasts (particularly for those with more fat) because I felt great for most of the 21 days. I got a headache on day 21 and decided to stop (not sure if headache was caused by fasting… it could have been… so that is why I stopped… if it was not, I wish I had kept going…). This may sound strange to someone who has not done a fast, but it felt great to be on that fast…. and great when it was over (very important based on my experience: slowly re-introduce easy to digest foods if you go that long… i limited to clear broths and vegetables for first few days)… i have done other, shorter fasts (mostly in the week long timer frame… one was two weeks) because of the success of that fast… For me, there is lots of weight loss in the first few days, and then it slows down. After multiple fasts, I think the real weight loss for me is about a pound a day (becasue you do put on some weight when you start eating again).
I’m on day 4. I haven’t decided how long to go. I lost 25 lbs a few years ago and was in the best shape of my adult life. I let 20 lbs return over 3 years. I needed to get control. I have used Intermittent fasting for years, but I didn’t restrict the amount or kinds of foods and I paid the price. So far, I’m down 8 lbs., clothes fit better, I have more mental acuity, my self-control in other areas has improved, I sleep better, shoulder pain from an injury a couple months ago has subsided, I can get off the couch without having to move slowly because of stiffness discomfort, and my mood has improved. I may go up to 20 days, but will likely stop after 5 and restart after 3 days if limited eating on a IF 16:8 pattern. Thank you for the encouragement and the cautions.
I started fasting in June 2022. I was 220 lbs., blood pressure 140/95 and borderline type 2 diabetic. As of today, I’m 180lbs BP 119/75 and no longer on the radar of type 2 diabetic. I’m 47 years old and fasting got me to understand my body especially in what I eat. I now eat 4 hours in a day and every 2 weeks I’ll pull off a 48 hour. I will continue to do this until I reach my goal of 160lbs. The best thing about fasting is that it costs nothing to do. No miracle drugs, shakes nothing. I’m living like my great grandfather did.
I just finished a 72 hr fast. First time trying anything more than 24 hrs. It wasn’t as hard as I thought it would be. Day two dinner was quite tough to get my mind off of but once that hump was gone I was almost there. My body looks amazing afterwards. My muscles are popping out, I lost 7 lbs. my skin seems better and I feel like I was able to reset and heal my body. Definitely recommend trying it.
Started my 3 day fasting at 9 am this morning. Will keep yall updated. Update – I finished my 3 day fasting, it was great. Inflammation was gone. After completing 2nd day my body felt super energetic even with the fast. I would say is give it a try, fasting is very good for health, it will improve the metabolism, digestion, sleep cycle too. Best of luck everyone 🙂👍
I have just completed a 72 hour fast, it got really hard after 60 hours and I was not able to think properly while working. It felt like having constant confusion when i reached the 60-72 hours of fasting. Some articles said not to eat too much after completing the fast so I ended my fast by eating a little. I ended my fast exactly at the 72 hour mark but light headedness and confusion lasted until the end of the fourth day. After the fast, i feel great. I feel a dramatic decrease in anxiety and depression. I lost so much weight and my skin and face looks healthier and younger. I also feel a lot more energy and don’t have as many urges to eat throughout the day.
I did a three day water fast last week. I find I don’t feel good, slightly off, the whole time. And I did add electrolytes. But starting with the bone broth that I used to break the fast, and for the next three days after the fast, I felt terrific. Healthy and strong like I was 20 years younger. I’m 68.
This is the best article I’ve seen after reading 10 years about autophagy. Congrats. I did autophagy for the first time in September 2021 with a burn out after covid. I was gonna go for 3 days. The first 2 days were a bit tricky but after 36 hours you can really feel the autophagy kicking in. I had never felt so much energy in my body ever since I’m born (all the contrary one would expect). Clear thinking, laser sharp eyes, even your smell becomes so sharp. The next thing I found myself doing push-ups and took the kettle bell and then took my mountain bike for a ride. So then I decided…wow that goes well, let’s extend to 7 days. The only reason I broke the fasting after one week is social pressure (friends employees and family being in disbelieve). So u need to be careful when you reboot your system. I did it again one month ago (7 days) and decided to remain in keto mode. It’s simply amazing since I don’t crave for snacks or stuff and I eat once or twice a day. Constant energy levels are the secret since your insulin levels keep down. That means that I keep on loosing fat while my intake of proteins promotes my muscle mass. This article is real, I can testify. And I’ve already sent it to numerous friends. Thank You for doing this
I’m 8.5 hours from my first 3 day fast. Thank you for the article explaining the things I’m experiencing! I am documenting my health changes on my website too. I tried a 3 day beginning the evening of Thursday the 19th, and my wife asked me to eat on Saturday morning, the 21st, making it 38 hours with zero fasting experience. From the 21st to the 28th, I did a 16/8 or 17/7 intermittent fast, then on the 28th I began my 3 day. It is now the 31st of January and I have lost over 12 lbs. my goal is 16.1 lbs, or 100 Big Mac sandwiches!
Getting ready for another 21-day water fast. I started slow when I started fasting. I did 1 day, then 2 days, then 3 days until I was able to work my way up to 7 days. It’s definitely hard that’s why I started slow. The longest is 28 days. That was the best I’ve ever felt in my life! I’m preparing for a 21-day water fast, so here I go! Good luck on your journey! 🙏🏾😊💛
I fasted for 7 days after getting into keto (to make it easier). And my skin cleared up (eczema), the pain in my knees, hands, and back went away (inflammation), I was able to stretch much more than I was before and I was able to hold my breath underwater longer. It’s crazy… I was 225ish before and I was 170ish at the end. That was within a month and 2 weeks (keto prep, intermittent fasting, into one meal a day fasting then skip a couple days. Then I did the 7 days… Almost 8.)
A true spiritual fast is not just food centered. Its to only meditate, pray, read, & control all desires, addictions, bad emotions, all bad thoughts,lusts of the flesh & body & eyes,& just being consistent in his spirit & word in meditation. Not allowing any outer disturbances, to emotions, mind or spirit. A true fast is to get away from all things of the world, & its very, very, powerful to break it all off & become closer to spiritual. Its so powerful, that what many think they know of fasting, is minimal, compared to knowing the real truth & power in fasting…
OUTSTANDING presentation. 3 days is the sweet spot. I started with 2, really struggled to reach “almost” 3. Next time, a couple months later, I did 3 days easy. Experienced lots of benefits, from eliminating a persistent shoulder ache, to moderate weight loss (not an issue for me, but a nice additional benefit). About six months later, I did a 4 day fast, barely made it to that 4th day I think 3 days is good, every six months or so, as part of a healthy maintenance program that includes whole food vegan lifestyle, coffee no problem, occasional beer and wine. Mostly have spring water, with a squeeze of fresh lemon and apple cider vinegar as my beverage of choice with meals. 💪💪
I tried the water fasting, my goal was 7 days . I made it 4 1/2 days. The not eating part wasn’t hard, it was the coffee and soda that I hated. I lost 17lbs, I started drinking coffee again but haven’t had any soda for 3 weeks . I did gain about 3 lbs back but I’m ready to do another 3 day fast it’s a very reasonable goal
The longer fasting period I’ve done has been of 60 hours for 2 times, the last was one week ago to “clean a bit my body” in the middle of my bulking phase (at 3600 kcals per day, I’m a well trained person of 73 kg and 177cm) and both times I feel very good and with no hunger (a part from the little span between the 12 and the 14 hours after I started). In the past I’ve tried fasting for 24 or 48 hours and I have had the same sensations of no hungry a part from that little span between the 12 and the 14 hours, and also I have done during my definition phase the intermittent fasting 16-8 for 4 months from April to July without any problems. I really recommend intermittent fasting to everyone who wants to lose weight easier, especially considering all the benefits this method has on our body!
I’m close to 54h on my first road to 72h water fast. Tbh I feel my stomach empty but rather than that, my cognitive function has improved, I’m full of energy and my vision has improved as well. I can’t say something decisive yet, but it really feels like I’m giving time and space for my body to heal itself and regulate everything that’s needed.
I was 196 lbs 3 months ago, and now I’m 170. I lost 16 total lbs just by doing a calorie deficit while also working out and gaining muscle mass. I started a somewhat “fast” 4 days ago. I’ve been drinking tons of water and burning tons of calories and I’ve already lost 10 pounds in just 4 days. I feel great and I’m not tired or drained.
Many people can’t just jump into fasting alone you need to train your body gradually with intermittent fasting two small meals a day gradually work into one meal a day and then after that your body will get used to not eating and you can exercise and prolong your fasting afterwards it does take some time for your body to get used to it. 🙌🏼
Great article, again! You explain the science and molecular mechanisms interesting and easy to understand for people without a background in biomedical research. You back up your teaching with peer reviewed publications indexed on pubmed. Your fitness website is all I need and I follow most of the advice you give for my exercise routine. Thanks for all your effort!
I’ve learned that my sweet spot is about an 18-20 hour fast. Going beyond the 20 hours, I start to get “hangry,” headaches, and irritable. Although, I do find refraining from food for that alloted time, about every other day helps me significantly. I don’t get sick as often as my family members do, my clothes fit better, and my strength increases. Also, as a women in my late forties and experiencing peri-menapause, fasting has helped me manage the symptoms of this bodily change. Thank you for another great article! 😊 Happy Thanksgiving 🦃
I have found that when I fast for three days, it becomes easier to avoid garbage foods. The urge for sugar and salty foods goes away, and when I consume salty foods, I can feel the negative effects immediately inside my body. When I do fast, I continue with water only. I don’t like to go beyond 5 days as that’s generally when energy falls off and I become weak minded. When I break my fast, I start with a few nonsalted pistachios and half of a green apple. I sometimes add one cup of old-fashioned oatmeal, no sugar added. I stick with that diet for about three days, then slowly add more solid foods into my diet. After about two weeks or a maximum of one month, I do another fast cycle. My fasting never goes more than five days. I find the more I fast, the easier it is to avoid garbage foods as my body absolutely hates junk foods, and I can’t even stand the smell of crappie foods.
I did a 3 day fast before – lost around 6-7 lbs and my eyesight improved noticeably by the third day. When I started eating again, I quickly gained the weight back and my eyesight went back to how it normally is. I normally do 16/8 fasting, and occasionally a 24 hour fast here and there, usually just eating one meal a day when I do that.
I am a super obese guy trying to change my life for the better im currently in a 7 day fast, the first 3 days are nightmare but in the fourth day belive me all hunger goes away and you feel so much energy its ridiculous, im still going to the gym during the fast, my goal is 7 days. Stay strong people it gets better.
My 33 year old son just finished a 5 day fast. This has given me some inspiration to try at least a 1 or 2 day fast to start out. Also I’ve been diagnosed with non alcoholic fatty liver, and was wondering if fasting would be beneficial in reversing this condition. It seems as though it would. Great vid very informative! The human body is utterly amazing!
I fasted for 12 days once. It was an amazing experiment. Somewhere between 3-6 days your body turns everything in your colon to liquid & yeah, it’s an experience. After that there’s not much to worry about. It cured me of cravings. Early on day 13 (thankfully a Saturday) I was walking my dogs at a leisurely pace and about half mile from home I just stopped and stood still. I completely ran out of “gas” and had to chill in place and just breathe until I had energy to continue on. I walked in the house and grabbed an apple. I wasn’t feeling hungry but obviously my body sent the signal. Now I will go 16-24 hours no problem and usually eat one meal or within a limited window of time.
Such a well done article. Thank you so much for making this. I’ve heard these same benefits touted by dozens of other voices around the web that I respect as well. I fasted for 45 hours the other week for the first time, and it was a great experience for me. It seems like the verdict is out at this point that not-eating for a day or two is something everyone should do or at least consider. The only reason I can see for fasting not catching on is that nobody makes any money off of it with the exception of online health professionals/influencers; and the people that need fasting the most don’t listen to them.
All of this is correct and i decided to push myself to completing a 98hr fast and i did, i was done 15lbs and i felt great, i was already in ketosis so that wasn’t the problem but i will say i was more annoyed than ever, every small thing got on my nerves lol but once it was done i went back to my 36hr fast then slowly went back to my 16.8 i enjoy fasting it clears my mind for sure
I have 10 hours left on my 72 hour fast. I am 25 years old, active, healthy, strong. This is the first fast I’ve ever done. It has been challenging but not impossible. Hours 51:52 were brutal. Pushing through those hunger pains is crucial. Your body will adjust. Just stay busy and keep your mind focused on your goal. Don’t give in. You’re doing this for a reason. As I write this I say to you; You can do anything you set your mind to.
This is starting to make so much more sense to me. We evolved eating a certain way. Hunting and foraging had our bodies evolving systems to handle longer periods with no food. If we lost muscle right away, we wouldn’t be able to hunt for those meals while hungry. This makes me want to introduce more habits into my daily life that mimic ancient human lifestyles.
I lost 40 kilos in a little over 5 months with OMAD (one meal a day) When i did eat, i ate a diet low in carbs, (20g) but otherwise no calorie couting or feelings of hunger once my body had got over the ‘Pavlov’s dog’ stage. This weight loss was several years ago, but here is the wonderful thing; I have never put on an ounce of weight since !! … .I still eat OMAD, but if i want to spoil myself on weekends or special occasions I do so. If i want wine or a dessert I have some….but, my body has 24 hours to rid itself of my indulgence and then return to its primary functions.The really cool thing is, one tends to lose cravings for sweetness and stodge, anyway.. Apart from all of the excellent informative biological advice you have given here… it seems to me, this fasting business quite simple. It returns the body to its natural function of repair and rejeuvination.., doing what nature intended,and is equipped to deal with,by not having to divert all of its attentions to digestion. Before I found this FREE solution to my weight and woes, I had terrible eczema, couldn’t sleep, and chronic pain which the doctors put down to ‘old age’ and offered me all sorts of drugs, the side effects being worse than the complaints. I am 76, and now have neither pain, eczema, insomnia OR a doctor. The medical profession is still pushing the five fruits and vegetables, three meals a day and two snacks mantra from the scientifically erroneous and misleading ‘Food Pyramid’ which in my opinion, coincides and is the cause of the rise in illness and obesity since it was launched upon an unsuspecting public.
If you’re fit and healthy, no matter what age, I would aim for 72 hours. If you’re overweight and have a level which you can’t break lower, go with 96 hours. In both cases, try to add a few days of OMAD (One meal a day, basically a 24h fasting) as an extension of the fasting. Eat normal (or less than normal if you are going overweight) for some weeks and try to repeat every month. Sometimes you may have the feeling you want to do a fast, just start it! If you later feel that it is not the right week for fasting, just cancel and try again when you feel for it again! Sometimes I feel ‘bad’ after a day or two, so I cancel. Then it was at least a short fast, better than nothing! After you get used to fasting, it becomes easier each time. 72h has become easy, 96 requires some discipline and sometimes I cancel at 92 😂. Recently I have the feeling I could go even a day longer. But, at some point, this adds a few negative effects. For anything longer than 120h, definitely get a doctor’s check whether you are able to withstand depletion of all kinds of resources.
For about 5 years, I fell ito an intermittent fasting routine – eating healthily in the evening and skipping breakfast and lunch. I did and still do hydrate regularly though, roughly 1-2 liters a day. In the same period, I did notice: ) Low suspeptibility to colds / quick recovery from ilnesses ) low maintenance requirement for body weight ) low appetite during the day (hungry in the evening only) ) I lost about 10kg in about 8-12 months and stabalised at the centerpoint of the BMi index for my height. I can easily vouch for the benefits of intermittent fasting, but it is a routine you have to enforce in yourself and is hard to start and maintain. I now supplement with high carb weight gain protein powders to gain a few kilo’s ahead of an excersise routine I am starting for prep of a half marathon this year. Any cardio / muscle gain excersise has to be planned for when on a consistent fasting routine, as the body will need new reserves for repair of muscle tissue and of course for fuel during excersise and recovery. Just my two cents!
I am currently on my 2nd day of water fasting. This is the 3rd time i am doing water fasting this year. I was being bothered by uncontrol weight gain over the past 8yrs. My peak was at almost 190kg at one point. Having knee issue and back issue. Can’t walk for a long time or even stand at the same spot for 5min. I came across water fasting and did my first water fast in mar. The hunger went off by the 3rd day and able to focus better than usual. NIght time able to sleep better. On the 11th day, muscle ache appeared and i stop the water fasting (losing a good 18kg). My back issue disappeared and I was able to walk around for a good 10km, my leg was shaking after the walk. Of course. After you break water fast and slowly eat back normal. Some of the weight will come back and loss muscle mass. But not to worry, you are losing the sugar that are trap in you muscle and with proper protien food intake. You can build up better muscle with greater strength. I did another 9 days water fast in early July. And I feel great after that and my shirt went down one size. I also did a 2hrs hiking without any issue after the hike. Most importantly on the water fast, you must know when to breakfast when you body is showing you sign. I always use muscle ache as an indication. So far I have lost around 35 from water fasting and intermittent fasting throughout the 9mths. Let see where this 3rd fasting will brings me
I’ve pretty much only eaten a generous portion of dinner for most of my adult life. I am 54 years old and weigh exactly what I did when I graduated high school, 180 pounds at 5’11”, I don’t exorcise like I should so I’ve lost some tone in my muscles but for my age, compared to most my age I’m pretty fit just from eating once a day.
So I’m curious how much time should I leave between fasting sessions? What’s healthy? I should inform you I am an “Over The Road” Trucker and am currently out now. I’ve always watched your articles and have begun perusal what I eat more and doing light workouts + walks around the truck stops a few times a week. I’m over weight for sure 5’ 10″ 235 used to be 190 and 5% body fat prior to trucking. With a 72-hour fast only water, lemon juice?, black coffee and tea once completed how many days do I need in between fasts? Am I safe doing 2-3 days on 1 day eating then again? Lmk and thank you for the great content!
Great Informative article!!! Question I have = How often should we do a 3 Day Fast? I’ve been doing 3 day fasts on the first on every month for the last 4 or 5 months. Is that too often, or not often enough? Anyone know? BTW, my main goal is not weight loss, it’s better Health, especially if it is good for the Brain.
I began fasting in 2021 and haven’t eaten since. I feel so good. It is a myth that you need to eat. After about 4 months, your body will start to produce ATP in your bone marrow and will release it into your hemoglobin and will be carried along with your red blood cells throughout your body. I literally have not eaten anything for 3 years and I feel better than I ever have. I have 8 percent body fat and my brain is constantly feeling energized. I sleep about 5 hours a night and feel well rested. It is very hard to get through the first 2 months and then even harder month 3. Once you get to month 4 and 5, you discover that we were never meant to eat. Water and pink salt is all your body needs. Think about it, the ocean is water and salt and we are much like the ocean. I don’t plan to eat ever again in my life. There is no reason to.
What a great article. I am 60 years old and no stranger to a 48 hour water fast. perusal your article I’m anxious to do a 72 hour. Are you referring to a complete no food or water fast or a no food fast? Also you don’t really mention about going off your fast. I know that’s important. Finally, how often would you consider a 3 day fast? Thank you!
I’ve completed a 72 hour fast recently because my sciatica pain was flaring up and my gut was bloated. I only drank water, tea, Propel (electrolytes) and black coffee and after my 48 hour mark my back and leg nerve pain was reduced by over 90%. I kept the fast an addition 24 hours to make sure my pain was truly gone. I didn’t experience being tired or sugar shakes but I did experience insomnia. I only experienced approximately 10 hours of sleep during the 3 nights I fasted. A 72 hour fast is great opportunity to do some colon cleansing as well as detoxing from alcohol and junk food.
What a fantastic explanation of the biological benefits of fasting! As a very lean person (5’3″ 108#) my physical responses to fasting are much faster than what you’ve reviewed here – by 8 hrs or so I’m freezing and aching all over. Is there a way to know the ideal time for physical benefits according to one’s physical make up?
A very good clip thanks for posting. On day 1 of my 3 day fast now, I’m primarily doing it to assist my body in detoxification from the 1 pfizer COVID shot I took. I’ve read very good results from people who have taken this approach as a lot of the toxins are removed by regeneration during the 3 day fast process
I have really hard workouts and if I fast too much I feel like I’ll pass out at gym or hit a brick wall when it comes to energy later in the day, so my sweet spot has been: Fast & workouts Mon & tues Breakfast before workout on weds and fast rest of Thursday Fast Thurs no workout Breakfast before workout on friday fast rest of Friday Fast Saturday and do workout Sunday: no fasting or workout
June 28, 2024 I am now 33 hours into my water fast. Felt a bit of hunger earlier but it died down when I had some water again. I am feeling sharp, even had the energy to play Beat Saber on VR for half an hour – twice today. I will break my fast on June 30. Then will jump back to water fasting again for 3 days on July 1. Please wish me luck, that I will make it til Sunday before starting back at it again on July 1!
I have been only distilled water fasting annually for 4 years. I had a moderate case of psoriasis. Furthermore, I was taking a biologic to fight the symptoms. The first year I fasted for 14 days, and it made my psoriasis dormant for an entire year, leaving no traces. I didn’t take any biologics, topical, or light therapy. After a year, the symptoms returned, but were very mild. The second year, I fasted for 10 days, experienced the same mild symptoms and only periodically had to take a topical for my scalp, knees and elbows. To the third and fourth years, the symptoms pretty much remained the same. I plan on fasting for 14 days the next time and see if it removes the symptoms entirely again. I want to add that during the year, once or twice, I’ll do a 3-day and a 7-day fast.
I just did 5 days while travelling in Australia. Average temperature 35°. I just kept running, cycling and swimming in rivers. I ended up at the Elvis festival in Parkes. When l picked up the program, l couldn’t make any sense out of it and l was walking like a zombie. That’s when l understood l had to stop. I’m camping right now and, ho…man! It is so much fun getting back into food! To all of you fasting, Happy ” a wha’ babeuloowah” E tutti fruity!..
in Hinduism fasting holds significant importance, with various types practiced for spiritual, religious, and health reasons. From thousands of years the most common form is Ekadashi, fasting on the 11th day of each lunar fortnight, devoted to Lord Vishnu. Additionally, Navaratri involves nine days of fasting and devotion to Goddess Durga, while Karva Chauth is observed by married women for the well-being of their husbands. Fasting is also integral during religious festivals like Maha Shivaratri and Janmashtami. It symbolizes self-control, purification, and seeking divine blessings. Individuals abstain from food, often consuming only water or specific fruits. Fasting is a way to enhance spiritual growth and show devotion in Hinduism.
I do not do drugs, but I’ve literally forgotten to eat for 5ish days once. I just never got hungry, and at some point, I realized I hadn’t eaten in almost a week. Just water and coffee. I wasn’t hungry, but I ate then, because I thought I was supposed to. Im 6ft 180 lbs. I’m doing a 3 day now. Im 31 hours in, and I dont feel hungry at all. Very clear mind. Energy and mood elevation. Every 12 hours, I drink 1 bottle of water with 1/2 tsp if Pink Himmy Sea Salt to keep electrolytes up. No headaches. Idk. I feel good.
I’ve completed two 3-day fasts, first was late 2023, I thought I was going to die by day 3. The second was spring 2024, I was fine, and could have gone to day 4 without much stress. Next time, I’m going to 84-hr to see how I hold up. My (arbitrary) schedule is twice per year, 3+ days, but normally I OMAD or 2MAD/16/8. Fasting is amazing, fun, and healthy. Thanks for this potent article, FAST for health and spirituality! Plato, Jesus, Moses, Elijah, Mohammed and many other did it, and for good reason! 🙂
❗There are many things in this world and types of things that are forbidden(Haram) in Islam to eat and drink. However after 3 days of fasting on involuntary basis, those things of eating & drink nature which were Haram get allowed automatically. So one can understand why only 3 days of fast is beneficial and after the 3rd day of the fast, the body starts getting the beat.
i don’t have the will power to fast for days on end,but something that has worked for me is allowing myself to eat what i want, up to 1500 calories, in a 10 hour period. then i don’t eat anything for the next 14 hours. this includes 6 to 8 hours of sleep time. this seems to give my body enough time to digest and excrete waste before i eat again. so i don’t feel bloated,and i do notice weight loss occurring,though at a slow rate. i will also drink meal supplement shakes which curb my hunger and lessen my intake of solid foods which take longer to digest. it’s not very scientific but it has worked for me.
good article…but lots of errors..here are three: 1. its Adipose, not Adis pose….things like things may seem trivial, but matter in biochemistry, because meanings of words can change with one letter 2. carbohydrates are not immediately converted to glycogen. The endocrine system does an assessment and decides whether to burn the sugar, or store the excess, at which point some of the carbohydrates go through glycolysis, which is why we feel energetic after we eat, and the rest get stored as glycogen, all of the excess carbohydrates, once glycogen stores are full, then get partially broken down into Glyceraldehyde 3 Phosphate, get converted into Glycerol, at which point three faty acids are added to make a triglyceride. The liver processes the endogenous triglycerides along with the ones we consume to make VLDL, which goes to the cells through lymph/blood vessels, and then the cells take up whatever more energy they need, and then deposit LDL back into the blood stream (the bad cholesterol). At this point, if we have enough HDL (the good cholesterol), the HDL picks up al the extra LDL fat from the blood and takes it to the Liver. The liver does not have LDL receptors, so it is the bad cholesterol. The does have HDL receptors, making it the good cholesterol. 3. If we don’t eat, our body first breaks down proteins to liberate amino acids, which then get transaminate into pyruvate, which can be used as energy. Only then fats are used.
I’m a mailman. Lol, i started fasting because of this guy. First time i did it, i did just that. Fasted for 2 days. Saw the results, kept doing it. Had vacation trip to 🇯🇲 coming up which helped to motivate me. Went from 225 to 145lbs. 🤭 went down there and ate all the good grubs from an all inclusive hotel to 🇯🇲 kfc bbq🍗 chicken and 🌶️ 🍗 ( 😋) as well. When i came back, i weighed myself.. 173lbs, in 2 weeks. A month later my mom was going down, but i wasn’t satisfied from my trip… i got a last minute go ahead from my job to go. I was back on my fasting and exercise shit, went back down to 150lbs just before the trip. During that 1 week, something strange had happened.. about mid week, i started feeling a lil pain below my stomach after eating ( 🤭 too much ) whenever i would come back to my room to rest or sleep. The next morning when i was on the toilet, i kinda noticed that my legs 🦵🏾 looked a bit puffy, but i thought my eyes were just playing tricks on me until someone told me that they do looked swollen. Don’t know what it was or what had caused it but when i came back from this last trip, my mom told me to go the e.r. Nothing was found, and the dr. didn’t really had a clue.. she just mentioned that it might’ve been water retention due to not eating and then suddenly eating ( too much food ) again like that. I had mentioned to the dr. that maybe it was food poisoning because that night before the toilet session i had tried octopus for the first time.
Wow so if you have some weight on you, will your body start using you fat that surrounds your body like belly fat and back fat how can I get rid of am 59 and need a low impact exercise I also need nutrients and finally, need to quit smoking am seeing a physician now to see what to do have been smoking for a long,long,long time if you get what I mean thanks it sounds like you know what your doing and thank you for any info you can provide for. Me ty have subscribed and liked thanks
I just did 30 hours- first time,feel pretty good…..tying to get closer to the lord. I am super lean and been lifting heavy to gain weight but so far am down 4 pounds on the scale this morning……I am curious what the optimum time frame is for fasting and health and also trying to figure out how to keep my muscle mass while doing these so I’m curious your thoughts on time fasted. I want the health benefits but also don’t want to lose muscle as I’ve worked super hard for it lol.
I am down to two meals a day for about 10 months now, 6/7pm meal, then a 1pm meal the next day 18 hours no food and perfectly fine. Most of the time have no roaring appetite even after 18hr mark. I do light work, so no major physical exercise, but do walk for 45+ minutes on most days. I am almost 67 years old. I do eat beans & rice type meals with veggies. With small amounts of egg/meats every few days. I need to do a 3 day fast at some point.
Starting a keto diet before fasting is a huge help. Your body will already be using fat as fuel when you start the fast so you avoid that initial shock of switching fuel sources. Done several 72 hour fasts this way and it makes them so much easier. You don’t have to suffer the keto flu while fasting.
I’ve done a few fast now. From 24h to 72h. The sweet spot for me is 42-48h. And it’s amazing. Longer I felt like I truly was not myself. I felt like my body was weakening. 42hours I felt amazing. The liver and cell repair is truly remarkable. The weight loss was also amazing. 225 to 175. 52y male. 5’10″. All the gym rats. All the cardio. Not saying that it’s not important. But…this took me to another level.
Im on (day-8) of my water only fast and im thinking about going another week. I’m 5’8 and was 175lbs on day one, and im now 163lbs and aiming for 155lbs. I also watch a lot of food articles on YT and it makes my stomach ache like crazy but i love to watch cooking and eating articles. Especially tryguy’s website.
Sorry, not made it through the whole article yet, but felt the need to comment… I grew up in the East End of Glasgow (Scotland), hunger was always an issue as we only had 1 meal per day and even at that it was watered down….. I stayed the same weight from the age of 15 to 27, now at 50 years old hunger is a mental thing…. I can lose 8lbs in a day because of my physical work. The way I see it, you take in X amount of calories per day and burn Y amount of calories, if X is more than Y you get fatter, if Y is more than X you get thinner.
I write this as a 34 year veteran of Type 1 diabetes who went Keto 3 weeks ago. My blood sugars have been crappy. I am now at 26 hours fasting and my fasting blood sugars have not been this good in years. I broke a 24.5 hour fast Saturday night. I was not hungry, but my girlfriend was lol. We ate strict Keto, well, I did 😀 I have plenty of energy and feel great. I have increased potassium and sodium (using 1/4 tsp. daily), and added 2 tblsp. high quality olive oil every morning shortly after rising. I have not had one single hunger pang.
I was trying to figure out water retention or regain after a prolonged fast. I went on a 40 days and 40 nights water fast, where I did take supplements and allowed myself black coffee and plain, green tea. I drank like 2-3 liters of water per day, and tried to keep them supplemented with electrolytes. I lost close to 50lbs. I did come out of the fast wrong by eating solid foods. I had a caesar salad with a grilled tuna steak the first hour off of the fast. I think I shat like 17 times that night off of that one salad alone lol. Not exaggerating. I ate mainly salads, with no junk food, and was shocked at how I just kept gaining weight in spite of eating below my caloric intake. I gained about 25lbs, undoubtedly water weight mainly. One thing that I did stop doing was drinking as much water as I was drinking while fasting, partly because I didn’t want to gain any more of the weight I lost during the fast. I didn’t want to feel as if I did 40 days of eating nothing…for nothing. It looks as if my weight regain stabilized with me gaining roughly half of the weight I lost. Now, I’m trying to eat potassium, as I’ve not been eating that much, hoping that and drinking lots more water will help me shed this excess water, and help me get closer to my goal. I started the fast wearing XXXL shirts and got to Large shirts, which I can still fit most of the large shirts I bought after the fast. So, I know most of the weight I gained back can’t be fat, especially considering how fast some of it came back in a single day sometimes.
I’m on my 14th day of water fasting. I fainted on the 3rd day because i took a blood pressure pill before checking it first. I’m off of blood pressure meds. If a person is on blood pressure or a diabetes should check their numbers before consuming meds. In the beginning i carried sea salt with me at all times. This help with light headed in the beginning of fasting. I am now full of energy and down from 211 lbs 187 as of today. 2 of my doctors has never heard of it
Great article ! I’m on hour 85 going to push it to tomorrow morning, i feel amazing. first time i went 4 1/2 days, lost 16lbs felt great . I went back to work after the hollywood strike ended and put back on 10 😂 . Lost about 8 so far this time around 💪🏻 I’m also a 6 time cancer survivor so i hope this helps that’s situation hahahahah
Interesting that fasting in prayer in the Bible are detrimental to a believers spiritual walk. Not only is it good for you physically it is beneficial to a deeper prayer life and connection with God. Praying while fasting has a strong supernatural force as we are denying our flesh and pushing through spiritually. It takes determination mind you but it is worth it.
I seen i hit 260. articles from thialand 4 months ago was 230 and my skin and face looked better. Besided the cho alate cake i ate at moms i am at my 24 hiur mark. The last thing was a giant pizza. Ya. A whole pizza. And a big sub 4 hours prior. I am a hog. A glutton. I have a problem. This article is helping. I am drinking alot of water .
I made it to 40 hrs last week and had to throw in the towel. Honestly I wasn’t hungry at all, but i started feeling dizzy, or like my equilibrium was off so i figured it was a sign that my body needed some nutrients. Still proud of myself for making it that long on a first multi-day attempt. Has anyone else had this issue while fasting? If so any pointers on how to avoid it would be appreciated.
Currently doing a different type of fast. The flood only fast. The basic idea is you can drink what ever as long as it isn’t solid food. I use 1 to 2 glucerna shakes to control my blood sugar and introduce vitmans and minerals. I do 60 squats and try to do 10 dumbbell lifts of 20lbs. I was 366 lbs at the start of 2022 i dropped to 267 in 6 months and now im trying to get down to 197 so i can go do skydiving. Its my dream to jump out a plane. 😅
Serious question, ive gone about 2 weeks now eating about 500 calories a day (nothing but meat, and eggs no sugar or carbs). While doing this i would go on a 1.5 walk every day. Ive lost 20 lbs in 2 weeks. However ive gotten to a point were now im hungry all the time, but when i make food to eat my body rejects it by making me nauseous and want to vomit it out. Im now getting scared cause all iv been able to eat is 2 eggs today. Got any ideas how to fix this without eating crappy foods again?
I havent watched the article but ive done 80 hour dry fasts (no food or drink) several times and its great for boosting HGH, detoxing and healing. It will also reset your cravings and your stomach will be satiated by lower quantities of higher quality and nutritious foods and build massive amounts of gratitude. stay blessed people 💫
I did 16 Days of only water fasting but I checked my ketone and glucose levels, I did a lot of research about how to start re-feeding because that’s the most dangerous think. Everyday did at least 1 hour of walking or hiking but slow pace. I took some salts, magnesium and potassium salt but very carefully. Everything I did was after a lot of research. After couple of days of some headaches and feeling week my energy came back. My hunger disappear and somehow a fog lifted from my brain, I was able to work and study no problem. My blood pressure went down a lot, better sleep and I lost 20 lbs that I kept off easily since then. Interesting was that after the water fasting and start feeding back to normal ( after approx 10 days ) my appetite diminished, didn’t crave sugar, alcohol and I start jogging…Overall it is a great experience and you should definitely try 7 days maximum the first time. I started by 3 days couple of years ago and then 10 days and the most 16 days…Hope I can do the 40 days one day which is the one who will heal almost everything that’s wrong with your body due to the bad food and toxicity of what you eat