Hey all! I’ve (F22) been doing 18:6 for about 2 months and I’ve been doing 19:5 the last week and a half. I want to do my first 48 hour fast and was just looking for tips on preparing for and completing one successfully! I will be working out both days as well as working an outdoor serving job. CW: 150lb GW: 135lb
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Personally I just let it happen. I’ve only done one 48, but I’ve done a couple 36. I change between 18:6, 20:4, and omad, all depending on the day, but if I get to my goal and decide I can push a bit further, I do it. Anything over 24 hours is bonus points to me, so I’ll just keep it going as long as I possibly can, but don’t sweat it if I give in before hand.
Just go w the flow!
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I did 48h fasts every weekend for about a year straight, so this is in my wheelhouse.
Things that help me with 48h fasts:
- I basically chain chug sparkling water during a 48h fast, and I indulge in the good stuff. Get your favourite flavours and just keep them coming.
- Recognize that hunger is not physical, it’s hormonal and it comes in waves. It peaks, then it will go away.
- Distraction. Do something that doesn’t involve food. Go for a drive, go to a favorite store and try on everything in the shop, watch a movie, whatever. Just do something that takes your mind off food.
- Salt! Because I chain chug water/sparkling water during my 48h fasts, I will link a small amount of salt off my hand on the first evening for balance. It helps.
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I started doing a three day fast each month. I’ve done three now. Coffee in the morning, then water, and a big mug of beef broth at night. I also make sure to get some salt, and take potassium and magnesium. It seems like each one has gotten a bit easier than the one before. I take walks or go to the gym, and that helps a lot.
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Perhaps you are an exception from the norm, and are successful on first try. If not, consider doing it like this until you get better at it:
- Have a low calorie high electrolyte drink available to lean on.
- Start from a day of OMAD, having that meal late, and making it fairly large and high in fat and protein and fairly low in carbs. Ideally you want to feel a tiny bit full still next morning, in order to make it as easy as possible.
It is the evening of the day you eat nothing that is the big hurdle. The above will make that hurdle a bit smaller.