Just 30 Hours of Famine?
 

I'm currently engaged in an interesting project. Provoked by this world vision site (below), I am going to discover my hunger threshold, as it were.

30 hours of hunger

for the link adverse \/


Now this site is proposing you go without food for 30 hours, because it only costs 30$ a month to "help a hungry child", and if you can empathize with a starving child you'll send money. I recommend you consider sending some money, it's a good karma boost, or even begin a 30 hour famine of your own. The national famine days are the 27-28th, so there is still time to start. I started out on this "hunger strike" with the thought that at least after 24 hours, i would be quite ravenous. However, when my companions did not begin to look like delicious pieces of steak, I questioned this whole hunger situation. I thought to myself, how long until I become hungry enough that my willpower will give in to temptation? How long until I begin writhing on the floor, aching for a morsel of food?

I decided about an hour ago that I would try to go without nourishment for a full week, or as long as I can reasonably stand. Foolish you may say, or even dangerous to your health. But the experiment still stands. I want, no I NEED to discover the limits of my body and mind. Now, I'm not a large man. I am 6'1 and 170 lbs. I am guessing that I will lose what little fat I have on me, and am concerned a little with losing muscle mass. Not to fear, at the 3 day mark, I shall go see a doctor and discuss with him possible ramifications of continuing my fast.

So why post this on the Tilted Forums? I wish to enlighten you, the TFP community, on the stomach crushing pain that hunger can be at times. I will be updating this thread at least daily.



Time: 25 hours (28th, 3:09AM)

Mood: Happy with a *touch* of curiousity

Hunger: In check. Slight stomach rumblings heard once in a while. Little bit of pain, suspect it's a taste of things to come.

I've done the famine 3 times in the past now. IT's a great fund raising thing to do and if ya really look into it it can SLIGHTLY (only very slightly of course) dig into what life is really like for some people! Was also a great time with friends as well though.. good times had by all (except the one guy who needed sugar...). I recommend it! But be ready.. I LOVE my food.. and it was tough

I've fasted for health several times, longest being 3 days. it's tough after the first day, but you won't get as hungry as you think. Then again I haven't beeen 170lbs since I was 12 so maybe you will. Fasting is recommended for more than 36 hours to allow your metabolism to completely cease digestion.That is when the benefits are greatest. So don't worry about any major detriments. If anything you might feel a bit better. Just remember when you break the fast to do it slowly and very easily. You body won't be ready for food after a few days.

Re: Just 30 Hours of Famine?
 

"It's only after you've lost everything that you're free to do anything...."

I've fasted several times for 24 hrs and sometimes a little more. It was usually for religious reasons. I am curious to know how this goes later on. I know after a point you kindof stop feeling hungry. Not that it lasts but it makes things easier then.

I've done the thirty hour famine every year since I was 8. The only advice that I can give you is no matter how hungry you are at the end, only eat small portions. If you eat anything too big, then you may vomit or possibly worse. It could be very dangerous.

What they said. I have done the Famine a few times before, and it is a wonderful experience. I wish you luck in your experiment.

Update! Time has passed, I slept. Also played Unreal Tournament 2004. Addicting game.

Time: 38 hours (28th, 1:26 PM)

Mood: Subdued, not much goin on.

Hunger: Still quite low. Low urge to go into kitchen.

Interesting, but not for me. My metabolism, I fear, is too high, and I would eventually start knawing on my fingers. Plus, I'm trying to GAIN weight, not lose it.

I participated in that one year. Wasn't as hard for me as it was for other people, and I stayed awake the entire 30 hours.

I'm guessing my metabolism is the similar to yours, Milkman. I eat whatever I want, in whatever quantities I want, and it doesn't stick to my ribs. I respect your decision when you say that this experiment is not for you, but I feel you got my reason for me doing this experiment mixed up. This is an exploration of hunger- a need within me to discover the extents of the pain of hunger, to find the strength of my willpower over temptation. I'm trying to figure out what makes me tick. I think it's interesting to examine how my body works after losing the calorie intake it depends on.

Update

Time 41 hours

Mood Constructive

Hunger First hunger pangs.(i feel hungry, and there is a some pain) Stomach grumbling heard.

I've did three days before, it wasn't a problem. I did it that time for basically the same reason -- to see how long I could go. After the third day I got something to eat because I was literally bored. A week wouldn't be a problem, but I do weigh 235, so I'm not sure how much that affects it. On the third day I just sorta had that empty feeling. Ha ha, I guess it's the truth. :) Good luck!

-Lasereth

Here we have the 40 Hour Famine... I could never do it, I feel sick if I haven't eaten in 4 hours....

I'm assuming you can hydrate.

Drink a lot of water. A lot. Don't allow your body to dehydrate, 'cause bad things will happen.

I made it to about 90 hours, but it was a different set of circumstances. I had a small amount of somewhat digestable protein available periodically throughout, no more than a couple of grams total. I'm not sure it helped.

Good luck.

Our church did a Passover Friday to Sunday Easter fast, and it was interesting. It was approximately 40 hours, and it seemed to have a little more meaning rather than just choosing not to eat for a couple days. Originally, the idea was that the time you would spend eating could be used in other ways during a fast. In some instances, that included prayer, devotion, etc.

Wow..You guys are very admirable for doing this. I the most I've gone w/out food was a mere 16 hours and I felt like shit. And here you guys are going into your second days. Bravo. If I have time, I'll consider trying this self starvation thing. That..or trying to stay awake as long as I possibly can.

This hasn't been mentioned yet, and it seems like we're giving the people who have never heard of the 30 Hour Famine a bad representation of what it stands for.

The 30 Hour Famine is not meant for one to do just to see how long they can go without eating. Sure, that is an interesting experiment to do, but the 30 Hour Famine is meant as a fundraiser to help children overseas that go hungry every single day. Another positive side affect is that it helps us to understand, in a very small way at that, what a day in the life of a starving child is really like, so we can better understand why we need to help them.

I think I've raised over the years approximately $3500 (CD).

Click here to learn more.

Yeah, when I haven't eaten for many hours, I don't feel hungry, I just feel like shit. It happened to me earlier this semester, and I seriously felt like I get hit by a truck. It sucks...

I actually understood why you were doing this in the first place, it's just that I sometimes don't explain myself clearly enough. Basically, I think it's cool what you're doing, and I would love to do the same, but I don't think I would reap any benefits from it except from feeling sick and weak while lying on my bed all day... :)

ok gotcha milkman!

Update:

Time: 63 hours

Mood: Confused

Hunger: Lessened from other day. Kitchen is still tempting however.

It'll be good to see the results. I didn the 30 hour famine, and the only time I was *hungry* was at lunchtime, oddly enough (we had started that morning). Curious to know what actual hunger is like.

Same here. Its weird, its kinda like once your body realizes it isnt going to be fed, it quits annoying you.

Cant say Ive ever gone as along as skier though, he has more than doubled what I have done now.

YoungNastyMan, thats quite a bit of money. I think I raised close to a thousand. Some people in my church were getting obscene amounts... Last year, the nearly 40 kids doing it raised $32,000. I felt way sub-par with my measly $200 or so :(

New Update. Things are getting interesting.

Time: 82 hours

Mood: Tired (just got up)

Hunger: Woke up really hungry today. The thought of food makes my mouth water. Drinking water helps only a little. Hoping this will pass as the day wears on.

Today is definetly an interesting day. My roommate has decided to give up masturbation for as long as I fast. I figure I stand a chance of outlasting him. edit: forgot to mention he started this last friday.

A question, however. I usually take multivitamins in the morning, but have forsaken that for this hunger experiment thing. Would anyone consider this cheating if I took my vitamins again?

Update

Time: 89 hours

Mood: Amused

Hunger: Less now. After letting fluids settle for a bit I felt better.

Again, I salute you. Thats a long time...

i wouldnt consider it cheating to take a multivitamin... its not food... and it will keep you from getting malnourshed

Wow, 89 hours as of the last update? That's seriously amazing, there's no way I could do more than a day (although reading your posts has tempted me to try.) I'm anxiously awaiting your next update, what you're doing is amazing.

Also, I don't consider multivitamin cheating, go for it.

Skier? How ya doing?

no update...

hmmm
must be gone eating or something :p

:D sorry bout time guys, I was having a "no electronics" day.
My roommate changed his bet, seeing as how he's only giving up masturbation for a time. It's changed to "If I can last until Saturday until 2 AM (a full week) then he'll buy me dinner at The Keg, and forget previous debts (totalling about 12$)." If I can't I have to buy him dinner, and pay the debt.

So I am taking multivitamins now, along with my usual water/juice. I plan to last this out, a full 168 hours.

Update

Time: 116 hours

Mood: Tired

Hunger: My roomate has slowcooked pot roast on all day and the odour permeates the air. I am ravenous. I really hope it will have dissapated by tommorow.

hmmm.... if beer is allowed... you should have like a sip... that will prolly be enough to get ya buzzing super good... as empty as your stomach is...
lol...

I did the thirty hour famine five years in a row during middle school and high schoo. We raised tons of money, and the food prepared for everyone in the church afterwards is pretty fun....it always made me way more tired than hungy, but it was a good experience.

Jstrider: I'm wondering what the effects of alcohol and THC would do to me as well...

Friday night I think I might go find out.

You are seriously my hero now. Way to go so far! :)

Interesting, but be careful. You could do yourself some serious damage were you to go too long without food.

Human will power has allowed many people to starve themselves to death.

Mr Mephisto

Absolutley Mr. Mephisto. This will go on no longer than a week. I can already see some of the effects this has on my body, mainly a sense of exhaustion, and I have begun to have trouble getting to sleep. If things become too severe, This experiment will be discontinued.

Update

Time: 137 hours

Mood: Tired/Blunt

Hunger: Not hungry. Digestive process seems to have stopped, because I do not feel a need for food physically. This is different than the preconcieved notion of events in my mind about starvation.

make sure you start up eating really really slow... and prolly start with bland easy to digest foods....maybe work up gradually over a period of a day...

you shoulda taken before/during/after pictures... and see how your weight fluctuates and whatnot...

Yes, do what JStrider said.

If you go and eat a big meal right after at the rate you're going, you could possibly kill yourself. Eat something that has texture, but also a high water content to get your digestive tract going again. I suggest a stalk of celery or an Asian Pear.

But the point remains, be careful. If you find that you have a stomach ache when you start eating again, see a physician immediately.

:D My father is a doctor, so I got all the relevant info from him. I'm going to start with eating a slice of apple, along with lots of fruit juice. As time goes on, stomach permitting, I will eat more and more, until i'm back to normal.

Update: (I guess)

Time: 144 hours

Mood: Neutral.

Hunger: Not hungry. I believe that my digestive system has slowed to a crawl.

oh and 144 hours- this makes 6 days. I guess the minutes worth of changes when I counted the hours added up to 3 hours. There are only 27 hours remaining in my fast. This is the home stretch folks!

Oh, well I guess you're in good hands then. I'm sure you'll make it. When you're back to normal, reward yourself with one of your favourite meals.

I would have thought apple and fruitjuice were to be avoided, due to their acidity content.

Why not start with some milk, followed by a light soup?

Of course, I'm no doctor!


Mr Mephisto

i was thinkin somethin like saltine crackers would be good to start with *shrug*

but you have been drinking water and juice... so the fruit would prolly be a good way to go...

Only 15 hours to go folks! Meph and Strider, I was thinking along the same lines, but i'm not one to go against my father's medical advice. I'm sure he knows best :P

Update:

Time: 156 hours

Mood: Excited

Hunger: I am very hungry, because my thoughts are now on food.

This is the home stretch- i'm posting this 1/2 hour early because i'm "celebrating" this occasion with friends. Hey, any excuse, right?
Oh, and Strider: One and a half pints of beer got me a heavy buzz. Usually that kicks in at about 3-4 beer.

Time: 167 1/2 hours.

Mood: Jubilant

Hunger: Insatiable! The thought of food has been percolating in my mind the past 24 hours, and I am ravenous now at the last 1/2 hour...

Fuller report in the morning I thinks.

Congrats Skier, quite an accomplishment!

hope the eating went good!

Does anyone find it disturbing he hasn't given us an update yet?

*throws a pie in skier's direction*

What did you do the week that you selfstarve? Just stay at home?

*pokes skier with a stick*

Dude, you still alive?

Skier man, how are you doing?..we're kinda worried about you.

He's probably too busy eating.

holy shit... hope you're okay man.

Congratulations. It's an admirable thing to do for a good cause.

I hope you didn't eat too much at first. Even a very small amount off food would probably knock you out cold while your body diverts all it's enery to getting the digestive juices flowing again.

They had a story on NPR a couple weeks ago about fasting. Not for fund raising or any other reason like that, but just because certain people think that it's healthy to fast and helps them find "enlightenment". (Think I'll start a 'nother thread and see if any TFPer's have done a long fast like this).

The reporter doing the story did a two week fast as research and all he felt at the end was very tired.

Have any enlightening experiences while fasting?

Almost five days now... skier, where are you?

Ok i'm finally back! I've had an interesting time this week, lots that was being done. Friday night I experimented with the effects of drugs on my system- the result being an exaggerated effect on me even with minimal dosages. I didn't get any sleep that night. The rest of the weekend had little to do with recovery, alot to do with having fun.
Monday morning I was spent. Dragged my ass to class and took down what notes I could. Got home, slept from 7 to 12 this morning. (no class for me on tuesdays) I then moped about for a few hours and hopped on TFP at 7 PM, where i'm now postin. I feel much better, I think one more day to recover and I should feel normal.

Alright. Overview of the fast. The first 24 hours I did not really observe any change, as I sometimes go without food for a day without thinking much of it (sick or tired or whatnot) and I was having some fun with other people. There are a few myths and preconceptions in my mind that I corrected throughout this fast. The first being, in my mind, that the longer you go without food, the hungrier you will be. This isn't true at all. The hungriest point was at about a day and a half into my fast, then it was a gradual lessening as my digestive tract slowed to a crawl. After that the only hunger I felt was in my head- triggered by sights or smells. Children starving in Africa may not feel as hungry as I thought they would.
Another preconception I had prior to this experiment was that hunger, while not dominant in my life, was at least prevalent and dictatated my actions quite a bit. While fasting, I was able to continue my daily routine just as I would before, until the 5th-6th day when my condition began to deteriorate. Furthermore, I feel that as a result of this experiment, I have a certain amount of control over my hunger now, and I think this will be useful in the future to help me concentrate when most people would be distracted by hunger.
I did lose quite a bit of weight. Let's face it, I was still burning 1500 calories a day, and diluted fruit juice will only fuel so much of that. Overall I lost 10 pounds over the week, but regaining 3 in just 4 days after I finished. I expect I will gain the rest in short order, hopefully all muscle this time.

So to recap- fasting gets much easier after 2 days (in my experience), frequent bathroom breaks are inevitable, you will gain a new sense of control over your bodily functions (other than the bladder, perhaps that might be my next experiment), and you'll lose a fair amount of weight.

Now for the interesting part- Day 5,6, and 7. At the end of day 5, I was feeling pretty good, I survived over half of the week, and I could just breeze through the next 2 days. I got ready for bed, and lay down to sleep. But sleep would not come. It was the worst sleep I had in a month, I was tossing and turning all night. Luckily I had the day off, so I just spent the day in a relaxed vegetative state. The night of the 6th was tough. I didn't get any sleep at all, and after about 3 1/2 hours of ignoring the ceiling tiles above my head, I hopped on the computer and played UT2K4 demo for the rest of the night. School in the morning of the seventh day was bad. Really bad. I think it would have been better spent in bed or playing video games, because I still don't remmeber that morning. This monday I had to ask for the notes from a friend because whatever I wrote down was useless. The day progressed better after that, gradually increasing until about 5 O'clock, where I had a sense of euphoria- the closest to a spiritual experience I got I guess, it was quite novel. That lasted the rest of the night, and was hightened by alchohol and a certain smokable item. At 2:13 AM I had an apple, and sat on the couch watching seabiscuit, drinking the last of the fruitjuice, undiluted this time, which tasted great strong. At about 4:30, the movie was over, and everyone had left. I considered going to bed, but stayed up instead. Feeling more courageous later in the morning, I ate a PB&J on toast, and eyed the milk. When that went ok, I just continued casually munching on various foods for the rest of the day.

Saturday night me and my roomate went out and had some fun at the bars, and came back with the munchies. We had a breakfast sorta supper at 2AM, with sausage, eggs, waffles, toast, and oatmeal. Delicious. Sunday we went to The Druid with a few friends and I stayed up all night, then went to class on monday. Recovered monday night, and most of today.

Well thanks everyone for letting me share this with you guys, it's been an interesting experience, and I gained alot from it. I hope some of you gained something as well.

I took part in this every year in high school. We'd usually have about 25 people or so doing it. We'd go over to someone's house and just hang out as a group. It was actually pretty fun. After awhile you forget about the whole not eating thing and it just becomes normal.