I see people on here that fast for a week or longer and I’m really curious how that’s possible.
I do a 24 hour fast once a week. If I try to push too much longer I feel like I get very weak, my hands start to shake, and I get light headed. I also drink a lot of water when fasting.
I really want to make it through a 48 hour fast but I just don’t know how people even manage that.
That’s because you’re not used to fasting and you’re probably not fat adapted. Your body is so used to having a constant supply of glycogen that it has become reliant on it for energy and it does not know that there is plenty of fat to use. The only way to “get over it” is to fast more. It doesn’t have to be longer periods, it can be something as simple as intermittent fasting (16:8, OMAD, etc) to get your body used to being in a fasted state and burning fat for fuel.
Also, if you’re going to fast for longer than 24 hours, it’s recommended to drink some electrolytes to keep headaches, cramps and fatigue at bay.
My first fast was 7 days and I researched very thoroughly beforehand.I suggest further educating yourself before attempting a long one.
It’s all well and good for me to tell you to balance Electrolytes etc but if you don’t really understand why then it’s harder to listen to your body.
Its also common to believe it gets worse every day you fast, for most people the first 2 or 3 days are the most difficult and then it gets easier.
Its your Ghrelin hormone acting up, telling you I’m expecting food right now. If I don’t get it I’m going to let you know. 24 hours isn’t even enough time to get your running off ketones.
48 hour fasts are so beneficial for the body, but not all the time.
Eat light leading up to the fast, and very little carbs. It will help a lot. You may still feel hungry but like other comments say once you’re fat adapted the shakiness will improve/subside and it will be much smoother.