| | Water Fasting

Water fasting?

Hi! I’m looking to loose some weight by improving my insulin resistance (hopefully without the need of metformin as my body doesn’t like it much). I was thinking of doing 24 hour fasting every Sunday, but I’m wondering for how long should I go on with the fast? And if I eventually would like to stop fasting, will I gain all the weight back or will my insulin resistance worsen again? TYIA for your replies :)

Answer

I’ve been overweight for decades, but have lost 70+ lbs with intermittent fasting in the last year. I typically do OMAD, and added prolonged water-only fasts recently.

I do 3-7 day fasts monthly. I lose about a pound per day, after considering regain during refeeding. I take electrolytes on prolonged fasts, to prevent dehydration, low blood pressure, and dizziness when standing up. I do my regular workouts every day.

Feel free to fast until you 1) meet your fasting goal, or 2) feel uncomfortable and decide to eat. I almost always stop my fast before I make it to the end. There’s no shame, I just try again next time.

You’ll have better success as your body become more fat adapted. You’ll know this occurs once you can fast 24h and workout without feeling uncomfortable.

Good luck!