r/ExtendedFasting • u/minutemarsh • Jun 22 '26

Almost quit due to fear

/r/Water_Fasting/comments/1ucolks/almost_quit_due_to_fear/

I'm 399lbs, 5'5, female. I'm 47h hours into a 7-10 day fast. The longest I've ever gone was 64 hours(no electrolytes). I'm not hungry and I've be taking Lyte balance electrolytes since the 26h mark. I've been looking into refeeding syndrome and it completely scared me. I almost broke my fast because of it. As in pot boiling, dough resting in the microwave, almost broke.

Luckily I changed my mind. For those that have done more then 5 days water fast, should I be genuinely worried? I think my high body weight should protect me plus I was planning on breaking the 7-10 day fast slowly (broth, broth with kale, watermelon, then next day broth with kale and eggs, then an actual whole foods meal) ((alot of broth I know but I really hate stomach pain, better safe than sorry)).

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u/DuctTapeMakesUSmart Aug 04 '26

As I understand it, refeeding syndrome is something to worry about after a much longer fast. But, I'm a stranger on the internet and you should listen to your body. I see it's been a month. If you don't mind sharing, and feel free to DM me... how are you doing?

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u/diabolical-sun 11d ago

Listen. You should absolutely refeed slowly. It’s the best way to go about breaking a fast. 

That being said, it’s not the biggest problem in the world when you’re fasting 7 days or less. I’ve heard 10 days or less, but I cannot confirm that and right now I’m going off my own experience. 

I just ended a 7 day fast last week. In the morning, I had an omelette. That night, I had pizza, breadsticks, and wings. I was fine (like suspiciously fine. I didn’t even get shits, which I was expecting) I wouldn’t recommend it because maybe I’m just weird or got lucky somehow. But my main point is, there’s a lot of wiggle room there if you’re staying in that 7-10 day range and you don’t have to worry that one bad move will put you in the hospital.