As I said on Tuesday, fasting is very difficult.
Most people think that fasting is difficult if not impossible, but they think it is the not eating of food that makes it hard. As I explained in my previous article, not eating food is actually easy.
The hard part about fasting is dealing with other people.
I have been called names, told I am an idiot, told that I am going to die and every other thing in the book.
It has been dealing with people who really do not know what they are talking about that have given me the biggest headaches and heartaches while fasting.
Medically Supervised
The fasting I have been doing is all under the guidance of a doctor.
Firstly, I have been following a doctor online who is an expert about fasting, Dr. Fung in Canada. He has inspired me and guided me through watching his lectures and such.
But, in addition to just the following somebody online, I have talked to my doctor about fasting and gotten his approval to do it. He has examined me, looked at my blood tests and other factors and has told me that I can feel comfortable in fasting for whatever length of time I want. Depending on the length of the fasts I want to do, we have it all set up where I will visit him at certain intervals. He has me doing tests to make sure that my health is remaining good, etc. But, overall, he feels that fasting is very healthy for me.
I cannot argue with what he tells me, because everything he says lines right up with the great medical test results that I have been getting since I started fasting.
Friends?
I have been told some pretty mean things by a number of “friends”. Even when they have seen the results that I have been achieving through fasting, they call me an idiot. What kind of friend is that? Well, to me it is not really a friend in my book. I don’t really know if this kind of comment stems from jealousy or possibly ignorance.
What I do know is that comments like this hurt, especially if it comes from somebody that you have considered a friend.
When I first decided to try fasting to improve my health, my wife was skeptical about it. She expressed her skepticism to me, but it was not like she was telling me I was a fool or an idiot. I can accept that that is a concern, not belittling.
After a few weeks of fasting, my wife was totally on board with it, because she could see both the results I was achieving and also she could see how great I was feeling. It has been an amazing journey that I have enjoyed immensely.
There you have it
So, there you have it. Not eating is easy, it has not been a huge challenge for me. If I think I am hungry, but I think about it, I realize it is just a mental thing that is telling me I am hungry, but if I listen to my stomach, I realize that I am not hungry at all.
The thing that is challenging about fasting, very challenging, is dealing with naysayers and people who only want to belittle you.
Fasting has been good for me, and I will continue fasting, probably to some extent for the rest of my life. But, I am not advising you to fast or trying to “sell you” on fasting in any way. I am only telling you what is working for me.
Only you can decide what you want to do, and you have to experiment with different things until you find what works in improving your health. Good luck to you!
What kind of friend is that?
Welllllllllllllllllll to me, I have acquaintances- family & good friends……… I HAVE NOTHING in my vocabulary as (bad friends)
Bravo to you…….I applaud your sucesssรฐยยย
Thank you Patrick. I had to do it, and I have done it to the extreme, I admit that… but I feel that is what was needed! Have a great day, my friend!
Go Bob you have done the research and you can do it more power to ya. I have went as far as pricing Dr. Fung book on Amazon. I am sure I just do not have the will power for a total fast. But I am thinking of going fluids only for a while just to see if I can get some momentum started.
Hi Al, I don’t feel it really requires willpower at all. I mean, I, at one time, weighed as much as 430 pounds… that does not show much willpower! ๐ If you eat the right foods, you just don’t get hungry. If you are not hungry it does not require willpower to not eat! This includes fasting, because if you have eaten the right foods to train your body to consume fat, your body is getting plenty to “eat” from your body fat while you are fasting. Whatever you decide, it is your decision, and I wish you luck!
Thanks Bob, I think once I see an ounce of improvement I will be on my way.
Ha ha.. I believe that is true, Al! The hard part is when you start and the improvement is yet to show itself! Once things are obviously improving it is a whole new game. Go for it!
Will do another 24hr fasting today till tom. Just continue doing what works for you. It is working for me too. Just my 2nd time to do longer fast than what I usually do.
That is great, Mumay, and I wish you the best of luck in your effort! I am sure you won’t have trouble, 24 hours is very doable! Are you seeing good results from the keto and fasting?
Yes definitely. Lost 27 lbs since I started last February. Normal BP. BP meds totally gone. What else could I ask for. Just looking forward to reach that normal weight as I continue doing keto and fasting. And oh, I have never been sick as well since I started keto. I usually get this terrible cough and allergies every summer. So I know, I am on the right track.
Wow, Mumay that is great! I am very happy for you. Congratulations to you. I also feel very well when eating Keto, and also with fasting. I had that low BP incident the other day, and that is the only time I have felt poorly while fasting. Hopefully that is all behind me now. I think we are both on the right track! Keep on Ketoing!
I will be joining a 3 day fast in one of my fb groups this coming June. That is why I keep reading your posts on fasting and watching Dr. Fung as well to keep myself informed and ready for that longer fast. Goodluck to your 430 to Fit journey as well! I have been inspired by your blogs that is why I am into fasting as well.
Wow, stepping it up, huh? I love watching Dr. Fung’s videos. When I am fasting, if I am feeling hunger (or think I am hungry) I watch him and it makes me feel better and motivates me. If anything I have done has been helpful to you, that makes me very happy!
Well said, Bob!! And good on you for clearing the air!! I would like to believe that the folks that spoke the negative remarks were speaking from ignorance (of the benefits of fasting), not malice. Keep up the good work!! Your losing weight, reducing your meds (with Dr oversight) & feeling good !! I , for on, appreciate your insights !!
Thank you Kate. I am sure that the people mean well, but what I am doing is what works for me, not for them. Everybody is free to follow what they feel is right for them. It honestly, is the toughest part about fasting and working to improve health.
In particular, I have one friend, somebody that is not just a Facebook friend, but a person that I know and has been to my house, etc, who has called me a food, idiot, etc. This person is overweight, a chain smoker, etc, but it is me who is the idiot. It kind of angers me and makes me wonder what kind of friend this really is. Really, it saddens me.
I admire what you do! You’d think a friend had the time to read up on some of the posts you work so hard writing so they’d understand you are conducting your fasting under the supervision of a doctor.
Hi Alexander. You have been very supportive in my efforts and I appreciate that. Not everybody is. Some people have actually been quite cruel. Surprisingly some of the same people who are on your case about losing weight are also against you when you start making a big effort! ๐ I guess some people are just not happy unless they are complaining! LOL Thanks for your support, Alexander!
I’m sure it gets easier once I just do it. Just like anything else once you do it, it’s like a skill that it becomes easier to repeat the fasting. Fingers crossed will be trying to keep it going today. Yesterday ate one time in the evening problem was I had some sugar ๐
I believe it gets easier as you go, Alexander! Just keep trying, you will be a master soon!
Don’t sorry about the ones who will plan your failure. I had people who attack me on Google reviews about my business. Will not stop me from doing what I need to do.
You are right, James… haters will hate.. that is what they do! Stay strong!
Bob I think you’re correct in thinking people that don’t understand will criticize. And as you said jealousy may play a part as well. You’re not doing it for them anyway. I’ve never been heavy but have always tried to watch my food intake, and my level of exercise and have maybe done things that certain people didn’t understand. Over the years I have occasionally been criticized as well, but I just let it roll off my back so to speak, because if I feel better that’s all that matters. Good for you!
Thanks for your support Steve, I agree with everything you say there.
More power to you on your journey. You’re very inspiring. Best to you and your family.
Thank you very much William, and good luck to you as well.
Thank you very much, and I wish you the very best of luck.
You’re welcome.
I started doing intermittent fasting this month because of your postings Bob Martin. Currently doing 1 day a week and I feel good.
That is great Toti. I’m glad that you’re feeling well. Keep on going, good luck to you.
Thank you Bob. I will keep on going.
Here is a mock latin phrase you might want to practice : illegitimati non carborundum- don’t let the bastards grind you down! FAST FORWARD
Hi Jeff – Sorry I have been out of touch for a few days!
I love that quote… need to memorize it!
Ha ha… love it, Jeff! ๐ Hope you are doing well.
I guess I fast to Bob , I skip meals here and there cause I’m not hungry so why eat .. so keep up the good work and you’ll feel better in the long run for it Bob..
Hi, yes, that’s called intermittent fasting. It’s very good for you, so keep it up!
your doing good Bob..
Thank you very much Phil. I’m doing my best, that’s all I can do!
and that is good to hear . that’s all you can ask for ..
I’m totally on board with your fasting Bob. I know from experience the amazing benefits of fasting as both my wife and I do several periodic fasts each year. Sometimes we do water fasts and sometimes we do fresh juice fasts. Some go for a week to 10 days and some only two or three days. I’m 58 and haven’t seen a doctor in years and fasting is a large part of it. It helps me to maintain my 168 lb body weight, low blood pressure and 65 bpm heartbeat. Keep doing what your doing Bob.
Hi Mike, thank you very much for your support. It sounds like you have experience amazing results, and I am seeing that as well. Let’s keep going.
This is one of the hardest things about fasting. you get a lot of negativity from people who criticize you and such. Dealing with it can be much harder than the fasting!