Just 30 Hours of Famine?

[skier]

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 \/

What is the 30 Hour Famine?
The 30 Hour Famine puts hands and feet to your desire to help your students live a life of Christian compassion.
It will unite youth group members like never before. And the impact will last long after the Famine event is over. It can be the spark that fires up a person for a lifetime of reaching out to neighbors in need, whether they're across the street - or around the globe.

How does the Famine work?
It's really quite simple. First of all, the materials are provided, free of charge, by World Vision. Before your "Famine Date" (February 27-28, 2004 are the National Famine Dates, but your group can hold yours anytime) youth group members raise money through donors and sponsors to help the millions of starving and hurting children in some of the world's poorest countries, offering them a hope they could not otherwise have. The groups then go 30 hours without food, so that they can have a real taste of what hunger is like. During this time they engage in different activities, from community service projects to volunteer work to study, depending on how each group plans their own event. Afterwards the money raised is sent in to World Vision, and we put it to work in areas like Peru, Ethiopia, and here in the United States.

What does it take to help a hungry child?
Only $30 a month, just $1 a day, will feed and care for a child. Your group members can start by asking twelve people they know to donate $30 - that's one person for each month of the year. When they've done that, they will have raised $360, enough money to feed and provide necessary care to a child for a whole year.

This year, thousands of groups in more than 21 countries - more than 1 million teens - will unite with one goal in mind: to help children living in some of the most deplorable conditions on earth.
Countless lives will be impacted and saved. So get on board now. This can be the single most effective event you're a part of all year to make a real mark in peoples' lives. And this means both teens in your area, and children around the globe. Shake things up, and join the winnable war to save kids lives.

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.

[HockeyGuy]

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

[Holo]

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.

[ChrisJericho]

Originally posted by skier

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.

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

[raeanna74]

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.

[Church]

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.

[sailor]

Originally posted by HockeyGuy
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

Originally posted by YoungNastyMan
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.

[skier]

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.

[Evil Milkman]

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.

[Kaos]

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.

[skier]

Originally posted by Evil Milkman
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'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.

[Lasereth]

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

[MrFlux]

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

[Peetster]

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.

[amonkie]

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.

[KellyC]

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.

[Church]

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.

[Evil Milkman]

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...

Originally posted by skier
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.

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...

[skier]

ok gotcha milkman!

Update:

Time: 63 hours

Mood: Confused

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

[mingusfingers]

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.

[sailor]

Originally posted by mingusfingers
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

[skier]

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.

[skier]

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.

[sailor]

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

[JStrider]

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

[glytch]

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.

[Evil Milkman]

Skier? How ya doing?

[JStrider]

no update...

hmmm
must be gone eating or something

[skier]

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.

[JStrider]

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...

[Tholo]

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.

[skier]

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.

[Evil Milkman]

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

[Mephisto2]

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

[skier]

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.

[JStrider]

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...

[Church]

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.

[skier]

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!

[Church]

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.

[Mephisto2]

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