erikahollister's Journal, 08 Jul 23

Carbohydrates are needed for the brain, and long term fasting can be dangerous. It also lowers your metabolism. weight might come off fast, but if your body feels anxiety from a dangerous deficit you will likely want to over eat later. 😅  

wooooo hoooooo! I'm stoked! Ready to get the fast on! 

@onedatatatim3 Wrong. The brain runs efficiently (I could argue even MORE efficiently) on ketones. Carbohydrates are nonessential. Fasting does not lower metabolism. It actually preserves lean muscle mass & creates autrophagy that combats having a lot of loose skin after weight loss (along with several other AMAZING benefits). The Guiness Book of World Record for fasting is over 300 days. Admittedly, there ARE certain people that shouldn't fast, though. 

I'm ready!!! 😁 

I did intermittent fasting 5 years ago and lost so much weight now w a 25lb weight gain I can’t seem to fast anymore I get lightheaded racing heart and blurred vision HELP!! Any pointers for getting back on track w fasting?!? 

@Misty do you have any know medical conditions? 

***known*** 

Good luck 

Misty, sounds like you may need to visit your GP and have some bloodwork done, irregular heartbeat, blurred vision, lightheadedness sounds like the symptoms of electrolyte imbalance that can occur if your sodium/potassium balance is skewed. Blurred vision is also a symptom of Hypertension. I would check with my Dr, make sure there are no underlying medical issues that would make fasting dangerous, then try supplementing some electrolytes while fasting. 

Mistyobellow - have you tried taking electrolytes? You can get sugar free mixes that will give you potassium, magnesium and sodium. This usually kills the woozy feelings. Also don't overdo the exercise or stress during a deep fast. It's not for moving day. 

@onedayatatim3 - Our bodies make as much glucose as we need when we're burning fat. It's called gluconeogenisis. Yes we need glucose, but we don't need to eat it as long as we have body fat. There are many marathon runners who are carnivore - eating no carbs. 

Also Mistyobellow, when you do eat keep it very low carb, so that you always have some circulating ketones. That kills the hunger and brain fog. 

Good luck! 

Thank you friends! 

@Erika I was thinking... After the fasting challenge is over, I think I'll set up a 30 day high fat carnivore challenge...  

Awsome! I'm thrilled. I've been thinking about ken Berry's BBB&E. I just had an air fried skirt steak for brunch - such perfect food! 

I'm trying to keep my day at the lowest carb setting too, I think I will have dinner around 4 and start my fasting clock at 6. 

I'm still guilting over Fridays watermelon gluttony that occured after 7 PM, my brain tells me to atone for my transgression by adding an extra hour to my nightly 12/12 fast. Anything to keep the peace inside my brain....so 6 it is! 

I just had black coffee this morning. First meal of the day coming up for me (I haven'tbeen hungry), fatty ribeye & shrimp cooked in grass-fed fed butter w/ salt, black pepper, onion & garlic powder that is free of any extra ingredients. I checked the onion & garlic powder I had been using & it had wheat! Ugh... smh. @Erica I've been doing mostly BBB&E the last few days, but I threw some ribs & Boston butt in because I got bored. 

@deb... no worries! You're doing great! 🙂