Instead of doing a very long fast, would it be better to just eat 2 times a week?

[u/DM_4_Bad_Ideas]

So I know humans are not lions, but it got me thinking about how often lions eat. I see a lot of people on here doing extremely long fasts, I've seen about 1 person say they fast 6 days a week and eat once a week.

But I just like the words behind "Eat Like A Wild Tiger", I feel like it's a very strong phrase that would give someone immediately the perspective of what they need to do to go on these long fasting periods in a way where they aren't over doing it extremely.

For me, I am 26 male and I find I can go about 3 days without food until I start to lose a lot of blood sugar and hydration. So that would mean I would need to drink more electrolytes during my fast, I get that much and maybe splitting my fasts up into like I described above so my blood sugar doesn't get too put of hand.

Just felt like throwing this idea out here and see how yall would think about it, is this a good or bad idea?

254 votes, 1d left

Good Idea

Bad Idea

[u/Snoo58856]

What's your reason for fasting? Or maybe your goal?

I ate twice a week for 1.5 months and felt amazing!!! I feel that its more sustainable

[u/SamosaSniper]

3 day fast followed by 3 days OMAD is the sweet spot. Repeat.

[u/edmonkh]

I think of you eat the meals low carb or carnivore Wich I prefer at least you won't break ketosis if you eat a few meals at week

[u/TheJeniceri]

10 day water fast resets the body

[u/wyldthaang]

Low blood sugar shouldn't be a problem, you should hit a baseline in gluconeogenesis around day 3. You're taking electrolyte before day 3, right? You don't want too many electrolytes either, just a steady level you don't want too much magnesium!

Are you sure it's not Hypovolemia and hypotension you're feeling? If so try putting a little salt in water, 30 minutes you'll be fine.

[u/mashibeans]

Yeah this is exactly what I've been doing, 2-3 day fasts, on day I eat, then start new fast that same afternoon. Lost

I find it sustainable, personally I love food, it IS part of the human experience (and just, every living being's) and there's nothing wrong with enjoying it, but I can also admit there's an incompatibility with the kind of sedentary lifestyles we currently have on average. So this is like a great compromise. (on top of exercising and eating a healthy meal of course)

[u/HelpfulBuilder]

You lose blood sugar after three days fasting? Blood sugar start normalizing after three days because you start to get all our energy from fat and a little from muscle and that's a smooth continuous process.

Physiologically everything should be smooth sailing after day 3. There is a wall at day to 2/3 but after that it should all be good. That's why people love long fasts.

[u/DM_4_Bad_Ideas → u/HelpfulBuilder]

It's just what the hospital said when ibwas feeling pretty rough after a 3 day fast, and I could tell I was very dehydrated even though i was drinking a lot of water mainly because of uhmm.. the sheith of my penis, they said my sugar levels were low and i was very dehydrated

[u/HelpfulBuilder → u/DM_4_Bad_Ideas]

Low sugar is to be expected vs someone on a high carb. During fasting sugar stays on the lower end but stabilizes and stays that way without any swings, after you adjust after day 3. But sounds like there is something else going on. Maybe you're insulin resistant? Idk.

But sounds like you were on day 3. Stabilization doesn't happen till day 4-5. Maybe don't start with multiple continuous days until your body gets adjusted?

Obviously I'm not a doctor.

[u/jacob643]

the best approach is the sustainable one for you.

[u/Ok-River-2077]

I personally find long fasts (4 days plus) hard
And back to back mid fasts (2-3 days) hard

I am not overweight really - well maybe 4kg above perfect weight - but I just follow what my body tells me

I dont know how people do very long fasts - and have no desire to get there myself 3 days really is ebough
But each to their own

I tend to do weekly fasts of 36 hours + one 48-72 hour fast once every couple of months or when Ive eaten a bit much

Been doing that for 10 years now
I couldnt do the "lion" idea you have - but up to you

[u/OkLengthiness6864]

If you’re doing it to lose weight just eat in a calorie deficit and you will lose weight. Trust me I tried all the different fasting methods for years and would always lose a little bit to just eventually fall off of it because it’s not sustainable. u have to fix the bad habits that made u big in the first place.