Can fasting Mess Up Your Metabolism

[Veg4Life]

Hi there. I did the Master Cleanse about a year ago now. I managed to get through 10 days. I felt great. I was cleansing. I didn't lose weight, but I wasn't fasting for that- I wanted to detox- and BOY did I detox. However, on the tenth day, I came down with the flu- my body ached, I had a fever, so much congestion (probably from all the dairy I ate as a child and young adult!). I panicked, and ended my fast abruptly. I did not end as instructed in the book slowly. I ate and ate and binged. At first it was at least on healthy foods, but then I went a little crazy and began eating SAD foods and lots of them...

Well, my body hasn't been the same since. It's been a year and I have gained 30 pounds since my Master Cleanse! I have never weighed this much before and I feel completely defeated. I exercise 4-5 times per week, eat high-raw, drink 80 oz of water daily, drink my green smoothies, etc. etc. and I can't seem to get the weight off.

The only thing I can think of is that when I did my fast, my metabolism went way down into "starvation mode" and that when I began binging it held on to ever bit of fat I ingested. It apparently is still holding onto fat because I am continuing to gain 2-3 pounds a month despite all my efforts.

I have been doing some research on resetting my metabolism and have some good info I think might help, but I wanted to ask anyone here to shed some light on what I can do to reset my metabolism and get my weight off. I did also just turn 30, and I don't know if it's a wive's tale or not, but I have heard that around that time your metabolism slows down.

Also, I am afraid to fast anymore. I used fast once a month for a day or two for spiritual and cleansing purposes, but now I don't think I should. It's not that I think the MC is bad, but I think I ended it horribly, and am very angry with myself.

Sorry for the long story. Any advice would be SO much appreciated. I really love this forum and trust the advice I receive here more than anywhere else.

Thank you!

[starck]

i don't know
but i hope i doesn't slow down the metabolism because i'm just starting with a water fast and that's the last thing i want , to slow down my metabolism.

i hope for you you will get your normal metabolism back ( or a faster one ;) )

x

[Revvell]

First of all, you didn't come down with the "flu". You were detoxing which is what a fast is supposed to accomplish. Google detox symptoms.

It seems you're addressing every issue except your mental/emotional state about the weight gain. Eliminate the anger and I'll bet you'll eliminate the weight.

[freshlight]

fasting itself can't mess up anything at all,-it's a very healing experience. You are the one who decides to do it, so make sure you are convinced it's going to help you because otherwise you'll just be sabotaging yourself. Lots of good thoughts and light to you. Enjoy your fast :)

[Veg4Life]

Yes, I realize that my flu was a detox and I probably should have kept fasting and just gotten through it. Live and learn. I had wonderful intentions going into the fast, with very little expectations except to detox and get a better hold on my diet. You're right Revvell, I should deal with the anger. It isn't focused on fasting, but on my ability to follow through with commitments to myself and my health. I know we all deal with those at some time or another.

I do have to disagree on the point the fasting doesn't slow down the metabolism. It is natural and instinctual that when you go below a certain amount of calories per day that your metabolism will slow down and conserve fat, hence the starvation mode. That isn't really a problem, unless you are in a situation like me where it appears that it hasn't received the transmission that eating has commenced! It's been a year, so that's what I am asking for help about.

[Aleesha Sattva]

I fasted for 262 days last year... so I may be able to share a little experience here.

First off, my metabolism is fine and I didn't break my fasts (in the beginning) all that well either. Yes your metabolism will slow while you fast but it doesn't stay that way. Your body is an amazing piece of equipment. It knows when to beat your heart, it knows how to absorb nutrients from food and turn it into what it needs to survive... do you not think it knows how to run it's own metabolism? LOL Heck, you were created from a single cell and sperm and at that time you had NO metabolism...

Anyway... my point here is... your body is very intelligent and it isn't your body that's the problem here. I would bet that your "high raw" diet consists of the foods that are keeping on the weight and adding more. Have you listened to Alissa's podcast? I'll gift you a link (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=53430)... it's worth the listen!

Breaking a 10 day fast... doing a 10 day fast is not going to mess up your metabolism. Do a 100 day fast - break it badly and yup... you are going to harm your body... but again... your metabolism is going to reset itself and do what it needs to do. Especially since you exercise so much. Exercise is a great way to increase your metabolism.

So my suggestion is to relax about your metabolism and focus on your diet. Really look at what you are putting in your mouth that isn't raw... I think that's where your problem lies. (((hugs)))

And be gentle and loving with your Self. Release your anger, write in a journal, meditate, go for long walks... perhaps start posting in the appreciation thread (http://www.rawfoodtalk.com/showthread.php?t=34741) here...

I wish you well,
Aleesha

[misslinda]

I always chuckle a little when this question comes up regarding "Can fasting mess up your metabolism?"

IMHO, a purer body can only be harmed what goes in it...in other words, post fasting, what your eating lifestyle is like afterwards, will determine the fate of you metabolism etc.

;)

[miss-subzero]

last year i went on a ten day water fast and after that my matab has been up and down, the best best thing you can do is take plenty of b -12 and b-1 with your meals, that helped me boost mine back up

[misslinda]

This is definately a topic worth discussing the fasting world b/c there seems to be a misguided belief that the "metabolism" slows down due to fasting. Indeed, it is the opposite. Feed your body junk and you'll experience a real slowing down of many functions.

The average person has reserves to conduct a 30 days fast. Further than that, water fast is heavily concentrated in the detoxification process and there is a significant stage or rebuilding once the water fast has been completed. Unlike a "juice diet" aka juice fasting, you have the nutrients to replenish. Again, not in water fasting. Considering the duration of the fast, the rebuilding period may take time to rejuvenate and allow the body to adapt to its newly pure body.

Post fasting, again depending on duration, toxins have been loosened and immoblizied therefore the POST FASTING stage must be carried out with much awareness and tactfullness b/c toxins need to be carried out.

Maintaining digestive health and keeping healthy blood flow, maintains the effects of a cleaner body and metabolic function b/c digestion is part of the metabolic function. The opposite, would result in an overloaded by where the detoxification process has not been completed and experiences of a slower metabolic function of various kinds, can be felt.

Again, digestion plays a heavy role in the metabolic function and if we digestively rebuild post fasting, metabolism functions optimally. Again, digestion is part of the METABOLIC FUNCTION.

Personally, I have never had a slower "metabolic function" post fasting. IF anything, an efficient one. In my "starvation" days, that I will say created a slower metabolic function. Thanks goodness for fasting and raw.

Cheers to health! :)

[Katie P]

Think that your body is still working @ detoxing so the metabolism doesn't just shut down. After a detox the body's ability to function is that much better! I am currently on the Master Cleanse & have done it multiple times. In my experiences it has only helped. I did it for 14 days in April and after that I was eating raw & really just listened to the amounts of food my body was asking for & weight melted off my body. Be conscious of how you break your fast b/c that's super important. The past is done you can't change it but you can look forward to trying another fast with great results!