Going on a 7 day fast

[kayaker]

@Shodan

But he apparently goes to church. So…

Regards,
Shodan

Yes, but I thought he was there for intellectual curiosity, and maybe to accompany the Mrs.

What do you say, JC?

[ZipperJJ]

@JohnClay

Matthew 6:16-18:

When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their reward in full. But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father, who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

You understand that the gist of this passage is “Don’t start a fast and then start a thread on a public message board about how you are going on a fast”, right?

[Shodan]

@kayaker

Yes, but I thought he was there for intellectual curiosity, and maybe to accompany the Mrs.

What do you say, JC?

To my memory, his track record of giving coherent answers is not good. Not that he or anyone is obliged to answer any question.

:shrugs:

Maybe he can read Scripture and pray out of intellectual curiousity.

Regards,
Shodan

[GrumpyBunny]

@JohnClay

Another major reason is to set an example for someone else who I’d like to lose weight.

Someone YOU would like to lose weight?

[Drunky_Smurf]

Probably his wife. He’s stated before she has a few extra lbs.

[elbows]

The boy is belly fat obsessed, I tell ya! First wifey and now himself!

[Amateur_Barbarian]

Fasting is one of the worst ways to lose weight for the long term. It also has no known medical or health value (temporary fasts before certain procedures excepted).

But have fun.

[Guinastasia]

Doing some quick internet conversions, it looks like he’s about 6 ft, and 163 lb, correct? That’s pretty good – why on earth would you need to lose weight?

[cochrane]

@JohnClay

Well anorexics are pretty successful at controlling their weight.

Sure. Just ask Karen Carpenter. Oh, wait. You can’t. :rolleyes:

[Guinastasia]

@JohnClay

Another major reason is to set an example for someone else who I’d like to lose weight.

You can’t decide which area you’re going to lose. Your body doesn’t work like that. The only way you’re going to tone your stomach up is to exercise.

[JohnClay]

@Broomstick

…You WILL lose some weight. Because your body still needs protein, and you aren’t eating any, some of that weight will be skeletal muscle. This will be accelerated if you exercise or physically exert yourself during that time period…

I already try to avoid exercise/physical exertion.

…You need to start eating again with some caution. The usual tactic is broth/clear foods for the first day, then small meals that are sort of bland. You do NOT want to go out an gorge on a huge meal first thing…

Thanks I was thinking of going to a party at an “all-you-can-eat” restaurant the day after the fast would end. I think I’ll mainly stick to their salads and soups…

…By the way, food will taste AMAZING when you haven’t eaten for a week. I sometimes think that’s part of the appeal for people who fast on a regular basis.

Sounds good.

[JohnClay]

@Spiderman

Are you planning on doing anything this week? You do realize that food is energy, right? If your only plan is to lie around, you’ll live but dont plan on doing anything more strenuous.

http://aeon.co/magazine/health/s-abbas-raza-fasting/
“One week, no food - A rollercoaster of boredom and energy ensued”… Our weeklong fast was a little unusual as we also engaged in strenuous exercise every day"

Shutting off the fuel entirely & then gorging when you do eat again (you’ll be ravenous after a week of not eating) is not great for you body. It’s much better to control intake & get some excersize.

Ok I’ll make sure I don’t gorge myself…

[JohnClay]

@iiandyiiii

If your goal is cutting body fat, week-long fasting is definitely not the right answer – fasting can actually do the opposite, when you consider how your body responds once you start eating again.

I’ll do what some have suggested and not gorge myself and gradually increase the calorie intake.

[JohnClay]

@kayaker

I’ve done many 24 hour fasts and a few 48 hour fasts. Each time I’ve gone from fasting to protein only for a few days. For me, fasting was “exhilarating”.

Protein only? That reminds me of the Australian “Bodytrim” diet. It starts off protein only - I think it was for 3 days?.

[JohnClay]

@TruCelt

…The first 24 hours are the hardest. After that your body adjusts and stops bugging you about the food. Resist the urge to do any strength training or increased exercise during this time, you will only succeed in breaking down your muscle mass, with no protein available for your body to rebuild it with.

Don’t worry I have not urge to do that.

Never let the fast be more important than your well-being. If you start to feel down or hopeless, EAT!

That said, it’s always been a very clarifying and intellectually productive time for me…

That’s good because I have a job that involves thinking a lot.

[JohnClay]

@Hari_Seldon

I think you are nuts. Taking a guess on a nude weight of 70-72 kg, your BMI is around 21, which is excellent.

My nude weight is about 73 kg. I had very light shorts on.

Losing weight by fasting is as likely to be from muscle mass as from belly fat, maybe likelier.

Well the main thing is that I lose some belly fat. BTW I tried to do an internet search for skinny people who still had significant belly fat but I couldn’t find any matches. Though now I remember that some starving kids in Africa have big bellies.

A 24 hour fast is harmless, but longer than that is not healthy. If you want to get rid of a small amount of belly fat, join a gym club and get pro advice.

I hate gyms, they’re expensive, they are very inconvenient to get to (there aren’t any buses that go to them). On the other hand fasting doesn’t seem to hard to do.

[Guinastasia]

@JohnClay

I already try to avoid exercise/physical exertion.

Then you’re never going to lose that “belly fat”, because that’s pretty much the only way to do it.

[JohnClay]

@Shodan

To my memory, his track record of giving coherent answers is not good. Not that he or anyone is obliged to answer any question.

:shrugs:

Maybe he can read Scripture and pray out of intellectual curiousity.

Regards,
Shodan

kayaker is right - “I thought he was there for intellectual curiosity, and maybe to accompany the Mrs”…

BTW I discuss theology with all of the pastors and people training to be pastors - and also some of the other members.

[JohnClay]

@Guinastasia

Then you’re never going to lose that “belly fat”, because that’s pretty much the only way to do it.

Exercise would just build up the muscles in the stomach (and possibly lose weight if there is a calorie deficit). To lose belly fat involves losing fat in general around the whole body. I’m sure if I became anorexic I’d lose my belly fat even if I never exercised.

[JohnClay]

@Amateur_Barbarian

Fasting is one of the worst ways to lose weight for the long term. It also has no known medical or health value (temporary fasts before certain procedures excepted).

But have fun.

http://aeon.co/magazine/health/s-abbas-raza-fasting/
“Hendricks examined the health benefits of fasting, including long-term reduced seizure activity in epileptics, lowered blood pressure in hypertensives, better toleration of chemotherapy in cancer patients, and, of course, weight loss. He also mentioned significantly increased longevity in rats that are made to fast. Most interesting was his tale of undertaking a 20-day fast himself, during which he shed more than 20 pounds and kept it off for the two years since.”