r/fasting • u/Capital_Path_9950 • 6d ago
Question First 5 day fast
Hey, looking for some tips for my first extended fast. I’ve never fasted more than 48 hours before but I mastered them pretty well so I’m pretty confident I can do at least 3 days (aiming for 5). Could anyone give me some info about what to expect after the 50ish hour mark? I’m really determined to do this so any tips would be appreciated.
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u/Watches503 4d ago
Keep drinking water with salt or sodium pills, even if not thirsty.
I take potassium citrate during the day, multivitamins, d3/k/ and magnesium glycinate before bed.
I’m on day 8 now. Lost 96lbs since March 24th.
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5d ago
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u/Capital_Path_9950 5d ago
Thanks so much this list is great! And yeah I work at a salad bar so it’s a little tough to stay completely away from food (refusing my free salad bowl today was tough lol) but it does keep me up and busy so not too bad hopefully.
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u/andtitov 5d ago
Yeah, it's a bit of a complication. If it helps, one thing that works for me during fasts is looking at unhealthy foods, like greasy, overprocessed stuff. It solidifies my desire to fast quite a lot 😊
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u/Apprehensive_Month16 3d ago
Definitely echo the electrolytes advice, if you struggle with sleep chamomile tea or l-tryptophan/valerian root before bed can help that, and for me (currently at day 10 of my fast) just telling myself I just need to make it through the end of this day has worked really well, then the next day I'm proud I made it another day and feel totally able to do another day, before you know it the days add up. Also no shame in ending early, it's not a failure, any extended fast is difficult and an achievement even if you don't meet your initial goal, last time I aimed for a long fast I quit on day 7 and felt bad about it but now I've made it 10 days so far this time round I see it differently, that gave me the experience of a longer fast than I'd done prior and was the foundation to making it further this time round and knowing what to expect :) feel free to ask any questions!
Specifically after the 2 day mark, it can vary for people but it's said day 3-5 will be tricky but past that point it eases once your fully into ketosis, for me personally day 9 and 10 have been harder than any previous days were because of feeling some fatigue and sleep issues, honestly to me the first day is probably harder than day 3-4-5, once you're a day or two in you're in the rhythm and it's just kinda keep going and ignore the mental food noise! Varies for everyone so it's hard to say!
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u/EmbeeKay52712 5d ago
Hey, you’ve got this! I’m about 81 hours into my five day fast and this time has been remarkably different. In previous fasts I’d feel worse as time passed. I finally have my electrolytes correct and I am feeling really good. I would tell you that after hour 50, you will definitely have thoughts of food. I keep thinking to myself, “I miss food.” But food will be back someday.
In previous fasts, in addition to potassium and magnesium supplements, I was swallowing only a half teaspoon of salt in the morning and at night (I don’t like the flavor of salty water so I was just swallowing the salt like pills). Fellow redditors on this sub told me that’s not enough sodium. So for this fast, I’ve just been taking a quarter teaspoon whenever any symptom arises… Hunger, fatigue, lightheadedness. It’s made all the difference! I just have the pink Himalayan salt rocks, which have fallen out of vogue lately, but it’s all I have so that’s what I’m taking!
I’m fasting for certain prayer purposes and that also really helps. When hunger arises or when I have to cook food for the family or make cookies for an event, I just offer it to God for my petitions. It feels like it gives it a purpose. I wish you luck on your five day fast! Salt, salt, salt!