The body is miraculous machine…

[magic32]

…capable of great feats of strength, able to endure immense suffering and pain, and fully equipped with the ability to heal itself.

I find the latter of particular interest, as I’ve read vast testimonials crediting its ability to not only heal from injury and sickness as we all know, but even from the severest levels of disease.

Below is a link to a comprehensive article (though a couple of aspects are slightly inconsistent with the research) that does a great job of covering this as yet unrevealed method, but I encourage those interested to perform further study regarding this aspect of the body’s often untapped healing ability. Enjoy.

http://www.falconblanco.com/health/fasting.htm

M.

[rockhardman]

hmmmm Interesting

[Shane35aa]

Wow its interesting but I would still like to see more info and additional sources before I would give it much thought. Sounds extremely catabolic.

[nirish_mark20]

does sound very catabolic, but at the same time, it does make sense that we have the energy stores to support us, and if we are doing vigorour exercise where fat might not be available fast enough, thats where the juice comes into play

i do wonder tho just how much muscle mass would be lost if u didnt eat for a week? surely it wouldnt be that much and in fact would most likely be water weight u lose?

[magic32]

does sound very catabolic, but at the same time, it does make sense that we have the energy stores to support us, and if we are doing vigorour exercise where fat might not be available fast enough, thats where the juice comes into play

i do wonder tho just how much muscle mass would be lost if u didnt eat for a week? surely it wouldnt be that much and in fact would most likely be water weight u lose?

Questions are the cornerstones of knowledge. Do seek out other sources and you'll come to some surprising revelations about what we have always 'believed' catabolism to be! Keep an open mind, and don't be afraid to experiment.

M.

[firedso]

Sounds interesting i like the spirtual part as well.

[firedso]

Just wondering though... Would you still be able to lift while fasting? Or would you advice just giving lifting a rest too while you fast. I,m thinking about fasting for a week. I,m really into the whole spirtual stuff but still have some setbacks. Mabye with this i would overcome that.. I already had a weeks rest from lifting so i would rather not be able to lift for a whole a week again thats why i,m wondering if its possible to lift while fasting. Although i think that could be very catabolic and mabye not a smart idea. What do you guys think?

[magic32]

All very good questions!

Yes, you can lift while fasting, even on an all-water fast believe it or not. However, you’d necessarily require some assistance. I have, and am currently using the ECA stack (once before the gym). Though my lifting energy level, vigor and weight amounts are unaffected, they are done with lessened intensity, as evidenced by the minimal but necessarily increased time between sets.

I see no Biblical problem combining physical purposes with fasting for spiritual understanding (a word from above, if you will), closeness, and/or sacrificially. It would appear that such a dual purpose was actually meant to be.

Let me tell you in advance that this experience will cause you to question the very reality of catabolism. I’m not saying that it doesn’t exist at all, just not in the way we’ve always believed. Permit me to support my statements.

Firstly, our beliefs about muscle catabolism are very similar to the ‘actual’ process undergone during calcium conversion in the body. 99% of calcium is stored within the bones, while the remaining 1% circulates throughout the bloodstream. The latter requires constant external replenishment, via food and supplements (along with magnesium) to maintain that sole percentage point. However, when this ratio is lost, the body leaches the bones’ calcium stores. This in turn causes Brittle Bone Syndrome, which if unchecked leads to full blown Osteoporosis.

Catabolism holds to a similar premise in the absence of available nutrients (bloodstream and liver glycogen), fat and muscle reserves are tapped. Now followed to its logical conclusion there fat cells should shrink (this happens) and muscle size and capacity should diminish. However, such a process would necessarily leave the muscle (like the bone) in a weakened less functioning state, i.e. you shouldn’t lose muscle without losing strength. Nevertheless, this is not what we see during fasting, instead as very well explained in the link I cited, the muscle’s capacity goes unhindered. Now due to my entrenched bodybuilding background I was of course incredulous of such a philosophy, that is until I experienced it for myself. Although overall muscle belly size and fullness diminish slightly, obviously depending on the fast’s duration, and its composition (water, juice, fruit, etc.) strength is unaffected.

Secondly, I’m a movie buff, and anyone familiar with the movie ‘Little Man’ knows that Marlon Wayans is simply not that short. They used a child’s body, as evidenced in bonus footage, then resized and transposed Marlon’s head onto it. But in the movie ‘The Machinist’ (a pretty good movie, by the way) Christian Bale, who is very muscular, was depicted as an emaciated factory worker. Those of us who know Christian’s work immediately assume technology similar to that of ‘Little Man’. But as the movie goes on you begin to question whether or not this seemingly ravaged body is that of Bale’s, and indeed it is. He starved himself for four months (losing 62lbs) down to 110lbs. Only to later regain that plus en route to Batman Begins. This picture actually makes him look much bigger than he is…http://www.answers.com/topic/the-machinist

The point here is that fasting doesn’t even approach starvation because of the body’s more than adequate nutritional reserves. But only during actual starvation will muscle be taxed to the point of cellular, fiber, ultimately tissue breakdown. And even then it is readily recoverable, since homeostasis is eagerly awaiting the cue from that first bite.

As I write, I’m downing the first half of a gallon of cold distilled water having gone from dinner 1/7 to breakfast 1/12, as a primer for my now dinner 1/14 to lunch 1/24. And I’ve never felt better, I beat my alarm clock awake (atypical for me) and I’m refreshed and energetic throughout the day, just as reported in many fasting accounts. Workouts are about 15minutes longer, but no less fulfilling. Our continuous muscle fiber stimulus makes it even more resistant to shrinkage. And since digestion is removed from the equation, all of that energized oxygenated blood used for inputting food can go to outputting waste body, organ, tissue and cellular as well as providing energy for the day.

Remember it takes approximately 20hrs to fully digest one meal, and that’s if your system is working optimally. This can be easily measured by the “Corn Test”. Eat a meal with a good sized serving of corn, document the day and time of said meal and monitor stool (again writing down elimination times), when no more corn is present in a movement, go back to the one before it (the last with corn) and that’s how long it took to completely eliminate the meal.

M.

[GoldieTheMack]

That is fascinating, I can't wait to do more reading on this.
Gold.

[MuscleScience]

All very good questions!

Yes, you can lift while fasting, even on an all-water fast believe it or not. However, you’d necessarily require some assistance. I have, and am currently using the ECA stack (once before the gym). Though my lifting energy level, vigor and weight amounts are unaffected, they are done with lessened intensity, as evidenced by the minimal but necessarily increased time between sets.

I see no Biblical problem combining physical purposes with fasting for spiritual understanding (a word from above, if you will), closeness, and/or sacrificially. It would appear that such a dual purpose was actually meant to be.

Let me tell you in advance that this experience will cause you to question the very reality of catabolism. I’m not saying that it doesn’t exist at all, just not in the way we’ve always believed. Permit me to support my statements.

Firstly, our beliefs about muscle catabolism are very similar to the ‘actual’ process undergone during calcium conversion in the body. 99% of calcium is stored within the bones, while the remaining 1% circulates throughout the bloodstream. The latter requires constant external replenishment, via food and supplements (along with magnesium) to maintain that sole percentage point. However, when this ratio is lost, the body leaches the bones’ calcium stores. This in turn causes Brittle Bone Syndrome, which if unchecked leads to full blown Osteoporosis.

Catabolism holds to a similar premise in the absence of available nutrients (bloodstream and liver glycogen), fat and muscle reserves are tapped. Now followed to its logical conclusion there fat cells should shrink (this happens) and muscle size and capacity should diminish. However, such a process would necessarily leave the muscle (like the bone) in a weakened less functioning state, i.e. you shouldn’t lose muscle without losing strength. Nevertheless, this is not what we see during fasting, instead as very well explained in the link I cited, the muscle’s capacity goes unhindered. Now due to my entrenched bodybuilding background I was of course incredulous of such a philosophy, that is until I experienced it for myself. Although overall muscle belly size and fullness diminish slightly, obviously depending on the fast’s duration, and its composition (water, juice, fruit, etc.) strength is unaffected.

Secondly, I’m a movie buff, and anyone familiar with the movie ‘Little Man’ knows that Marlon Wayans is simply not that short. They used a child’s body, as evidenced in bonus footage, then resized and transposed Marlon’s head onto it. But in the movie ‘The Machinist’ (a pretty good movie, by the way) Christian Bale, who is very muscular, was depicted as an emaciated factory worker. Those of us who know Christian’s work immediately assume technology similar to that of ‘Little Man’. But as the movie goes on you begin to question whether or not this seemingly ravaged body is that of Bale’s, and indeed it is. He starved himself for four months (losing 62lbs) down to 110lbs. Only to later regain that plus en route to Batman Begins. This picture actually makes him look much bigger than he is…http://www.answers.com/topic/the-machinist

The point here is that fasting doesn’t even approach starvation because of the body’s more than adequate nutritional reserves. But only during actual starvation will muscle be taxed to the point of cellular, fiber, ultimately tissue breakdown. And even then it is readily recoverable, since homeostasis is eagerly awaiting the cue from that first bite.

As I write, I’m downing the first half of a gallon of cold distilled water having gone from dinner 1/7 to breakfast 1/12, as a primer for my now dinner 1/14 to lunch 1/24. And I’ve never felt better, I beat my alarm clock awake (atypical for me) and I’m refreshed and energetic throughout the day, just as reported in many fasting accounts. Workouts are about 15minutes longer, but no less fulfilling. Our continuous muscle fiber stimulus makes it even more resistant to shrinkage. And since digestion is removed from the equation, all of that energized oxygenated blood used for inputting food can go to outputting waste body, organ, tissue and cellular as well as providing energy for the day.

Remember it takes approximately 20hrs to fully digest one meal, and that’s if your system is working optimally. This can be easily measured by the “Corn Test”. Eat a meal with a good sized serving of corn, document the day and time of said meal and monitor stool (again writing down elimination times), when no more corn is present in a movement, go back to the one before it (the last with corn) and that’s how long it took to completely eliminate the meal.

M.

Just curious to what your educational backround is?

[Schmidty]

I could never not eat for a week

[magic32]

Just curious to what your educational backround is?

Secondary Ed:
BS in Psy/Phl - Bradley University, Peoria, IL
MA in Admin./Research Methodology - Bradley University, Peoria, IL

I chose the research route.

M.

[MuscleScience]

sweet, research is the way to go thats what I did.

[Shane35aa]

Anyone with any additional info/input on this?

[magic32]

The web is filled with it. Simply run a search.

M.

[Swifto]

My uncle kind of does this every few months as he has Non-Hodgekins Desease (Cancer of the Lymph Nodes). His is incurable (I'm told there are many forms of it).

He will live off of water/raw vagtables and fruit for 1-2 weeks, then water/fruit juice or water only for 1-3 weeks. Does this once every 6-8 months.

[rubix6]

...interesting!!

[aadrenaline]

i think i could do the juice fast with the occasional veg here and there..a straight water fast is somthing more advanced i would think.

[magic32]

i think i could do the juice fast with the occasional veg here and there..a straight water fast is somthing more advanced i would think.

As with all things progression is important. A good way to start is to dedicate a day (24hrs) to 100% fruit juices only. Buy a couple of 46 or 64 ounce bottles (to negate boredom) and alternate throughout the day. You'll be amazed at how quickily your stomach begins to shrink and how relieved your digestive system becomes.

M.

[aadrenaline]

As with all things progression is important. A good way to start is to dedicate a day (24hrs) to 100% fruit juices only. Buy a couple of 46 or 64 ounce bottles (to negate boredom) and alternate throughout the day. You'll be amazed at how quickily your stomach begins to shrink and how relieved your digestive system becomes.

M.

oh i can do 24 hours of no food and just drinks. its after that, thats hard. when i had surgery i didnt eat for 2.5 days and then after i only had like a few wontons, but drank tons of water. i lost 12lbs that week. by the end of the week i was rediculously rested and felt amazing but my stomach kept me bedridden. idk if i can go that long without eating something..but hey i may try.

[IBdmfkr]

Not ideal for a bodybuilder because of the loss of LBM but deff a good idea for a normal person who eats a lot of fast food and other junk to help clean the system.

[aadrenaline]

Not ideal for a bodybuilder because of the loss of LBM but deff a good idea for a normal person who eats a lot of fast food and other junk to help clean the system.

its also amazing how much (fat) weight you drop in a week. if your trying to shred lots of bodyfat.

[IBdmfkr]

The majority isn't fat or muscle at all bro, it's actually glycogen (which is water). Your muscle is approx 80% water(glycogen) so if you deprive yourself of carbs then you'll notice a rapid weight reduction, many fad diets feed of of this concept and trick consumers into thinking they are actually losing "real" weight.. pretty funny.

[K.Biz]

i dont really like the whole idea of "blacking out" on these "fasts"

"Blackouts
During fasting the body conserves energy. The heart pumps slower and blood pressure lowers. Standing or moving quickly from a resting position will cause the blood to flow to the legs. For a few seconds, the brain may not get enough oxygen, causing blackouts and dizziness. To stop a blackout get down on one knee or sit. Lowering your center of gravity will instantly stop a blackout. Blackouts are more frequent during water fasting."

Id rather eat.

[magic32]

Water loss is inconsequential, as you will be consistently replenishing it.

Kbiz,
I don't know where your literature comes from, but blackouts do not happen in response to a lack of oxygenation during fasting. Firstly, the body's hierarchy provides first for the brain. Secondly, at this time blood to the brain is most fully oxygenated, as the absence of food in the body permits blood which would have been used for digestion to be rerouted and utilized for other purposes among which, as stated the brain’s supply is primary.

I**mfkr,
In the words of Morpheus, “Unfortunately, no one can be told what the Matrix is. You have to see it for yourself.”

What I mean by that is, OUR bodybuilding filled minds cannot believe what I’m saying, it must be experienced. The statements within the link are true. You don’t actually lose muscle on a fast, and for the regular lifter this is more than evidenced by the maintenance of strength levels, though intensity suffers (ECA is mandatory). Admittedly muscle shrinks due to water loss, but this is temporary. The reinsertion of nutrients, even slight say graduating from an all-water fast to juice or fruit one sees a measure of re-inflation, similar to your supplement company water loss description above. So regarding your "not ideal for the bodybuilder" statement, of course it isn't ideal, but we often go into maintenance mode, for worthy short periods in life and this certainly is worthy. Thus, I simply maintain and fast.

And though I fully realize OUR years of learning and subscribing to catabolism disallows your mind to accept this fact, it remains irrevocably true. I also first struggled with understanding it, but such a thing (one that changes a paradigm) need necessarily be experienced. Again I am reminded of the Matrix…

You have to understand that most of these people are not ready to be unplugged and many of them are so inured, so hopelessly dependent on the system that they will fight to protect it.
- Morpheus

I think fasting is often misunderstood. It is a very specific state that can be over or undershot. For example, the guy at GNC spoke of a man who’d fast 2 days month. Actually he was just hungry for two days, because fasting mode had not yet been engaged. Then there is starvation, going past fasting. Though the body has substantial reserves which are fully capable of sustaining a fast, once they’re exhausted starvation sets in, along with catabolism, and eventually emaciation.

Lastly Kbiz,

With regard to your seemingly innocuous statement, “I’d rather eat”. Who wouldn’t? But were talking about placing a premium not only detoxification, but a much more coveted internal “repair” embodied in the literal verb tense of the word:
1 a : to restore by replacing a part or putting together what is torn or broken : FIX <repair a shoe> b : to restore to a sound or healthy state: RENEW <repair his strength>
2 : to make good : compensate for : REMEDY <repair a gap in my reading>
intransitive verb : to make repairs

M.

[tinyguy2]

sounds like a bunch of bs and a bad idea

[IBdmfkr]

PM me magic I'd like to know more.. seems like an interesting topic..

I understand where you're coming from as far as ppl not wanting to even open their eyes to the possibility, I get the same thing when I try and get into detail with my dieting/training techniques along with my long periods of rest. Funny thing is, I keep growing while they keep staying the same.
Anyhow, I'd like to know more.

[magic32]

sounds like a bunch of bs and a bad idea

To each his own, but a simple internet search will show quite the contrary.

M.

[MuscleScience]

The majority isn't fat or muscle at all bro, it's actually glycogen (which is water). Your muscle is approx 80% water(glycogen) so if you deprive yourself of carbs then you'll notice a rapid weight reduction, many fad diets feed of of this concept and trick consumers into thinking they are actually losing "real" weight.. pretty funny.

Glycogen isnt water at all. Glycogen isnt even composed of water. It has a hydroxides on the its aromatic rings but they cant be consider a water source for muscles. Phosphates break the 1-4 linkages when glycogenolysis occurs not water. The phosphates are then removed so that the free glucose can leave the cells such as stored glycogen in the liver.