It is my experience that I don't lose weight from fasting, presumably because I eat more before and after a fast. Other people I know have reported similar experiences, and both ancient texts and modern medical advice agree that fasting is not an effective way to lose weight for most people. That doesn't mean it won't work for you, if you have experience to the contrary.
Steve Hendricks published in Harpers an account of his own 20-day fast, embedded in a very readable account of some fasting history. Summary here for those without a Harpers subscription.
Personal experience
I'm now in Day 3, and it seems long only psychologically. In my weekly Thursday fasts, I sometimes experience headaches (one week in 5 or 6), and that hasn't happened. I have the luxury of no busy schedule, no deadlines. That's a good thing, because productivity on fast days is not reliable. During fasts, I don't have the focus to be able to write computer code, and writing is often slow. But often deep and creative thoughts are given to me during fasts.
I can sit contentedly for long periods of time without feeling a need to accomplish anything, or even to get up. I tend to a shorter night's sleep, but enjoy naps during the day. Once in my life I tried public speaking on a day I was fasting, and I won't do that again. Words come out more slowly, trying the patience of the audience. (My one experience was speaking to the Caloric Restriction Society, and my audience understood and were patient.)
How long is optimal?
I wrote to Valter yesterday, asking this question. Does he have evidence from people suggesting how long it takes for the immune reset? Is it different for people who start with a lot of fat on their bodies compared to people who have nothing in reserve? His answer was short and to the point:
"3 days is optimal for mice. For humans 4-5 minimum, depending on what you are trying to achieve"
You can already tell I have a lot of faith in Valter as a scientist, and it is easy for me to believe that, from his experience, he knows more than he is able to publish. So I'm deep into Day 4 as I finish writing this. I'm a little spacey and my rhythms are disrupted, but I'm not suffering or food-obsessed. I plan to start fruit or juice soon.
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