6 days is my longest. Well, 5.5… I was doing the Clark Protocol (see my post history, if interested!) and broke midday in the 6th day. Day 2 was the hardest physically, day 4 was tough mentally. I needed to stay on plan, otherwise I totally could’ve kept going because I felt absolutely fine on that 6th day; not hungry, not craving anything, physically and mentally doing perfectly! I supplement sodium starting on day 1, and I take a magnesium supplement every day regardless of fasting status. I don’t supplement potassium because I think it’s dangerous, personally, but I get regular bloodwork, and my doctor - who’s pro fasting! - monitors things and says I don’t need to supplement potassium on any fasts under 10 days. (Over that, he would want a conversation.)
As far as weight loss, I don’t really put too much stock in a one-off fast because it’s more of a lifestyle/long-term thing than any one fast. Most people lose 0.5-0.7 lbs of fat per day fasted; the scale will likely show more than that, but it’s typically water weight and will come back following refeed in the days after you complete the fast.
On day 23, I’ve been posting weekly updates and will be posting one tomorrow.
Quick summary is that after a week it goes from physically hard to mentally hard. In that it’s kinda boring and I feel lazy. But the results are beyond what I expected. I’m losing at least a pound a day, and already look like a completely different person. My head looks big for my body, lmao. And honestly, the worst part is drinking electrolytes every morning. I flavored it but got sick of the flavor, and if I drink too much, I get the runs, too little and I get a headache.
But the good news is that I have just 10 days remaining, and then a 3 week ski trip. So hopefully by then I’ll be in perfect shape. But either way I’ll never extended fast again, nothing more than a day in a row, cuz I just can’t, lol. Extended fasting is honestly the most grueling fasting experience I’ve ever tried, yet unfortunately the most effective. I’ve done 2 months of ADF and a month of rolling 3:1 (72’s), for reference.
Then my maintenance plan is to fast one day per week from then on, indefinitely.
I’ll be happy to answer any questions.
I did a 32d fast in 2020. I supplemented with electrolytes, a vitamin pill and magnesium (and the occasional zero cal soda).
I lost about 15 kg. Overall it was a good experience and a great mental boost. I however did not change my unhealthy eating habits in the long run (especially combined with pandemic boredom/frustration). I unfortunately gained most of the weight back.
I’ve recently started to do EF again, started with 6 days and doing a 10d right now. I don’t know if I ever want to fast for that long again.
With shorter EFs, I like that I can fast towards special occasions and enjoy them with others, while staying low carb.
Im starting a 40 day fast tomorrow.
Since its so long. My doc recommended a daily vitamin. And 30g protein from a zero sugar zero carb protein shake daily. (Normally I wouldn’t do this, but the length is so long. I dont wanna put myself at risk)
Also, to start. Ill b eating pickles when im hungry. Until the hunger pains stop