I’m not gonna lie, WHILE I’m fasting, I pretty much hate it the entire time. However, my body feels great and it’s worth the “uncomfortable” days while fasting. I am also hopeful over time, that I will learn to enjoy it. But I have been fasting for over a year now, and still don’t enjoy it lol, so I’d say I’m doing it for only the health benefits and weight loss.
There are aspects of it I enjoy. I like not having to find time to eat. I cook all my own food so not having to chop a ton of veggies and clean up is great. I like how my body looks about 3 days in and it does help alleviate some of the symptoms of my autoimmune issues.
I don’t feel the mental clarity or energy others report. I don’t enjoy feeling weak and I don’t like how extended fasting cuts into my workout routine.
I do get a feeling of pride and accomplishment from doing something hard that most people won’t do themselves and I feel good about being proactive about my health and setting myself up for a healthy and strong aging process.
ETA. Another thing I love is how little trash I generate. I try live as low waste as possible but I live in a major city and even buying fresh produce generates trash, recycling and composting. It’s a small thing that brings me joy.
I LOVE FASTING. Love it! The process is EVERYTHING. Not just w fasting, but with everything else in life too. When you fast, and you tell yourself that you’re doing a great thing for yourself by delaying gratification, you’re actually building up your baseline dopamine…. which is very, very important. So make sure to tell yourself what a great thing you’re doing for yourself when you fast, so you can have even more added benefit from the practice!
I’ve got long covid, and one of my issues is GI problems. I feel better fasted. I still don’t love fasting, but it’s gotten to the point I dread refeeding.
I’m hoping the autophagy will help me heal overall, and losing weight definitely can’t hurt my situation.
I’m going to a long hauler clinic next week, hopefully they’ll have some ideas on how to fix me.
I too enjoy the challenge of it. And yes even the feeling of being with an empty stomach and turned down digestive system.
Stay busy, pound those electrolytes, and good luck. Hope your fast goes well
I love fasting. I used to complain when I had to do it for religious purposes, but I saw the virtues in it and now I can fast for easily 2 days. There’s always people that stop me from trying a longer fast but I’m very tempted to try it. Now I’m looking forward fasting, my body feels great afterwards, I feel focused and full of energy.
I do it for the health. But honestly, days I don’t eat are easier. I can just go live my life. Eating days make ne stop and eat and I have to schedule around it. Annoying.
I ate the last 3 days in a row. Over it. I like ADF better.
I do it for health. Digesting takes a massive toll on me. Switching to OMAD with periodic \~5 day fasts is awesome. I feel so much better most days. And on extended fasts, like clockwork 70h hits and I don’t even feel like the same person for the next \~24 hours
for me the switching seems the hardest. cuz for me eating causes more hunger quickly.
the less i eat, the less im hungry, until i dont feel hungry for days. i just forget food.
fasting puts me into a euphoric flow state.
I don’t enjoy the actual fasting, but I really really really enjoy my lack of pain in my left hand.
I’ve been playing the violin and guitar for the past 3 decades and the past year or two have developed some pain. As soon as I have done 20:4 IF for a week or two, the pain goes away.
It’s not hyperbole for me to say that fasting has extended the longevity of my musical career and will allow me to continue to create music for years.
I have moments during a fast when I feel very good. But the majority is digging deep for motivation and enduring the mild discomfort. It’s worth it, and I can get through the hours without great difficulty, but it’s not enjoyable by any means. Kind of like exercise or my job.
I find zero pleasure in fasting. I don’t necessarily dislike it though, I should clarify.
I only do ADF currently, but my fasting days are more boring than anything. I don’t really tend to get hungry, I just miss eating haha.
I strictly do fasting for the health/weight loss benefits though.
The biggest thing for me in the pleasure of it is knowing if I can manage fasting I am in charge of ME. Psychologically and physically. We have to be able to keep our temple (ourselves) in controll. I have mentioned to my wife and she has noticed a sense of calm about me when I’m fasting. My first experience fasting was 4 months with 3’meals a week. Once I got into the groove it was easy. The psychology of it is amazing for me. Read of fasting for a year and just kicked it off. Restarted the same fast this week.
I’ve been think about the psychological aspects of fasting quite a bit recently and I’ve come to the conclusion that it is a cultural issue. Americans like proscriptions and prescriptions; which is to say they like to be told what to do. Americans do not like restrictions and inhibitions; which is to say they do not like to be told what not to do.
Since fasting is a form of caloric restriction Americans don’t like it and they have to overcome this cultural dislike by some incentive whether that be a health benefit, a challenge, etc. It also explains why so many people chase the latest fad and get so easily scammed.
Tell most Americans to do something; they do it. Tell them not to do something; they kick and scream. It really is odd behavior and in a profound way anti-biological.
It really depends, some times I really like it and sometimes I hate it. I have found that if I eat a good amount of food the day before a fast I can tolerate fasting much easier. Doesn’t matter if it is a one or 3 day fast.
I do OMAD. I feel a quiet clarity during my fasting time, and I’m not really hungry at all. Sometimes I can get really cold and then I know my protein is too low, but it’s weird I’m not really hungry then either. But being cold can prevent me from sleeping, so a little protein and then I’m warm again and off to sleep. Otherwise I enjoy fasting!
I like beating food. It ruined so much of my life, but in the end I won.
Every time I fast, I’m reminded I won. And yes, exerting “dominance” over an inanimate object is ridiculous, but I’m ridiculous.