Jimmy Akin's Intermittent Fasting

[utunumsint]

Hey Folks,

I heard an episode of CA where Jimmy mentioned that he was doing intermittent fasting for weight loss. He also mentioned that he considered his fasts as compatible with religious fasting. Here is a link to his web page for more info: jimmyakin.com/2016/12/fastingnotes.html

I looked up Jason Fung and purchased his two books, the Obesity Code and *The Complete Guide to Fasting *as per Jimmy’s recommendations. I found it very interesting. Has anyone else tried intermittent fasting?

I just started this week with three 24 hour intermittent fasts with varied results. I found myself very parched on a few of the days until I found Fung’s recommendation that one should aim to drink 2 liters of water during fast days. That is over and above the coffee and teas he allows for. Any other fasting tips would be appreciated! Also, anyone with experience about longer fasts would also be appreciated.

My hope is that after I have mastered the technicalities of intermittent fasting, I can focus more on the spiritual side with prayer. Also, I often hear that you should not undertake fasting without spiritual direction, but I can’t see that this would be needed for normal lent fasting or just an easy 24 hour fast (dinner on day 1 to dinner on day 2).

God bless,
Ut

 

[pensmama87]

We should be cautious here that this thread doesn’t stray into medical advice, but I had also learned about this and found it helpful. I have been doing the intermittent fast (one meal every day) for all of Lent, excepting Sundays and solemnities. I had a physical and blood work so I know I am being safe. I have definitely dropped some weight, but I actually think the spiritual gains are more important.

I would highly recommend that, as you have, to read The Complete Guide to Fasting, because it covers a lot of good information. Spiritual direction is also a good idea.

 

[utunumsint]

Hi pensmama87,

I agree. The focus of my thread is not really on the weight loss and medical aspects but more about any practical recommendations on how to fast well and in a reasonable way. Things like water usage, cramps, hunger pangs, and also any spiritual recommendations. For example, I tend to offer my fasts for a particular intention

God bless,
Ut

 

[Bonnie]

I do an easier form of IF than most people - I usually eat only 2 meals a day & don’t eat between early afternoon (whenever I’ve finished my 2nd meal) and breakfast the next day. I’m a t2 diabetic & find this helps both my blood sugar & loosing weight. When I eat a 3rd meal, I tend to get derailed for a few days & every thing goes south.

It’s been a while since I read Dr. Fung’s book, so don’t remember if he recommends skipping breakfast. Because of my diabetes I found that to be disastrous for my blood sugar - the good old dawn phenomenon. Skipping supper usually works better for diabetics, but every one needs to experiment & find out what works best for him/her self.

If you are also doing low carb, make sure you have plenty of salt. I like the Lite Salt as it has added magnesium & potassium.

 

[Sarcelle]

I do an easier form of IF than most people - I usually eat only 2 meals a day & don’t eat between early afternoon (whenever I’ve finished my 2nd meal) and breakfast the next day. I’m a t2 diabetic & find this helps both my blood sugar & loosing weight. When I eat a 3rd meal, I tend to get derailed for a few days & every thing goes south.

It’s been a while since I read Dr. Fung’s book, so don’t remember if he recommends skipping breakfast. Because of my diabetes I found that to be disastrous for my blood sugar - the good old dawn phenomenon. Skipping supper usually works better for diabetics, but every one needs to experiment & find out what works best for him/her self.

If you are also doing low carb, make sure you have plenty of salt. I like the Lite Salt as it has added magnesium & potassium.

I am also doing intermittent fasting.

It helped me a lot in the battle against my gluttonous tendencies.

 

[Exiled_Child]

Anyone know how to contact Jimmy Akin on CAF? Or should I just email him through his website? I like him very much based on utunumsint’s link, but this is the first time I’ve actually gone to his website.

Oh, and Jimmy, if you happen to see this, I definitely believe you’re pursuing valuable and worthwhile ends with intermittent fasting, and you have a wealth of interesting ideas. It’s a subject I’m very interested in as well.

 

[utunumsint]

I do an easier form of IF than most people - I usually eat only 2 meals a day & don’t eat between early afternoon (whenever I’ve finished my 2nd meal) and breakfast the next day. I’m a t2 diabetic & find this helps both my blood sugar & loosing weight. When I eat a 3rd meal, I tend to get derailed for a few days & every thing goes south.

I have been experimenting so far. I find the 24h fast was easy once I figure out how much water I need to drink throughout the day. I tried a full day fast last night, and I found that too much. I may try it again in the future, but 24h seems to be the way to go for me.

Do you believe all the hype in the books about the longer fasts being able to reverse t2 diabetes?

It’s been a while since I read Dr. Fung’s book, so don’t remember if he recommends skipping breakfast. Because of my diabetes I found that to be disastrous for my blood sugar - the good old dawn phenomenon. Skipping supper usually works better for diabetics, but every one needs to experiment & find out what works best for him/her self.

He is big into skipping breakfast for non diabetics, but he has a lot of very specific advice for diabetics that I mostly skimmed through. So I don’t think it was a blanket recommendation.

If you are also doing low carb, make sure you have plenty of salt. I like the Lite Salt as it has added magnesium & potassium.

Agreed. Another thing I learned the hard way. After figuring out the added salt and water needs though, I was really surprised at how good and energetic I felt throughout the day. It almost didn’t feel like a fast at all. Sort of like I was cheating or something.

Thanks for sharing your experience!
God bless,
Ut

 

[utunumsint]

I am also doing intermittent fasting.

It helped me a lot in the battle against my gluttonous tendencies.

Agreed! My need to snack on non fasting days has really decreased as well.

God bless,
Ut

 

[Bonnie]

Do you believe all the hype in the books about the longer fasts being able to reverse t2 diabetes?

To a point - yes. But it’s not a cure. At my last check-up & A1c my doctor told me it looked like my pancreas has started to do better. But even if my pancreas starts functioning fully normally it doesn’t mean I’ll be able to eat whatever I want. People who get their blood sugar & weight under control can never lose control of their eating. Tho they might be able to enjoy some fun foods once in a while. I know I’m nowhere near that point!