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Post by healinghappens on Aug 18, 2011 5:15:11 GMT
For those who need to work and who are like me - if your stomach is completely empty, you don't smell - I can recommend intermittent fasting as a "coping mechanism" that's also really good for your body. I've been doing it since December. My odor issue is not gone, but on the days I don't eat, apparently I don't have an odor. Basically, I eat every other day. Yes, it's safe. I researched lots before doing it. In terms of other benefits: - I haven't had a sinus infection in 8 months (used to get them every 3-5 weeks) -My chemical sensitivity has decreased immensely (my boyfriend smokes which used to make me nauseous and I could smell it a mile away, but now I don't even know when he's smoking!! Also, perfumes, shaving lotion, and certain cleaning products don't bother me as much anymore) -My resting heart rate is that of a younger well-trained athlete without having done much working out -I've lost several kilos - was obese before, and now I'm normal weight -I have from zero to very little period pain before and during menstruation (which I didn't even know was possible - thought it was supposed to be a little painful; went from taking 2 pain killers every 4 hours to needing none or maybe 1 or 2 throughout my whole period) You can read more about it here: www.fitnesscontrarian.com/intermittent-fasting-resource/www.ajcn.org/content/86/1/7.full
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dcba
New Member
Posts: 27
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Post by dcba on Aug 18, 2011 9:40:30 GMT
Healinghappens, I totally agree with you on intermittent fasting. If there's nothing in the small intestines, there's no odor. For me, if I eat something bad on a good day, I stink on the next day (I don't stink on the same day that I eat the "bad" food). So, do you take laxatives at the end of a good day that you eat so that all the food will be washed out from the small intestines in the next morning (the day that you fast)? Theoretically, this will make us odor free everyday. What do you think? Are we allowed to drink some home-made vegetables/fruit smoothies on the day that we fast? Thanks for sharing.
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Post by healinghappens on Aug 19, 2011 2:17:58 GMT
Hey dcba - I know what you mean about stinking on the next day. I think that happens to me sometimes, too. I guess it just depends on how long the stuff sticks around in our intestines. Personally, I'm afraid to use laxatives - but I might try them and see what happens. I just don't want to become reliant upon them. If you know they work for you, though, go for it!
In terms of having a smoothie on your fasting day, I think - again - it's entirely up to what works for you. In my particular case, it wouldn't help me because I seem to have some kind of odor if I consume anything at all. But since I can't always detect it myself, I feel I'm better off just having water only on those days.
Your case may be entirely different, though. So I'd say have a smoothie if your body cooperates with you.
Have you tried any fasting, dcba? I'm really amazed at the variety of benefits that come with it!!
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dcba
New Member
Posts: 27
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Post by dcba on Aug 19, 2011 6:39:15 GMT
I tried fasting before but it was hard. I may do it again and see if intermittent fasting + herbal laxative + smoothie works for me.
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Post by bethemiracle on Sept 1, 2011 5:00:53 GMT
Healinghappens,
I am VERY interested in this intermittent fasting. I checked out your links and read everything and read "Eat Stop Eat." It seems it's very good for your body, especially if you do it one to two days a week. I personally find it easier not to eat rather than to control my portions.
Can you tell me how you do it? How do you break up your fasting days? I read the book and am doing what they said about a 24-hour fast over two days, so you really go no days without eating, but I wonder if that's not good for us odor sufferers because maybe I won't be odor free for any whole day. I did it 7 p.m. until 7 p.m. It really isn't that hard. The trick is to stay busy.
I'd be interested to hear your procedure. Do you fast a whole day, from rising one morning to rising the next morning?
Also, do you not have constipation? I guess if you don't then you may be totally empty, but if that is a problem then you might still have something in your system???
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Post by healinghappens on Sept 3, 2011 0:46:54 GMT
Hi bethemiracle, I didn't read the Eat Stop Eat material, so I'm not sure what they said about breaking up the fast. Basically, after I had blood tests to check my thyroid, kidney, liver function I found out that everything was fine. So that's how I decided it was okay for me to fast. Then I just started eating one big salad a day - so that would be a 24 hour fast. I didn't find it to be that difficult either - but I wouldn't recommend it if you have to be super active during the day.
After 3 months of doing 1 meal a day I revved it up to 48 hour fasts. I ate one big meal every other day. Again, suprisingly not that hard. But you do need rest and lots of water. Now I switch it up according to how I'm feeling. I've started working out more to build and tone my muscles, so sometimes I will eat 2 meals in a day then not eat the next day. I don't stay on any strict fasting schedule, but normally I only eat one meal every 24 hours. It sounds so awful, but it actually is not bad at all once you get into the pattern.
If you don't get enough fiber, yes, I think constipation is normal for people who fast. You need to be sure to stay plenty hydrated. The meal I eat that keeps it flowing is one third cup white rice, one third cup brown rice, and one third cup split red lentils - I mix it all in the rice cooker. Started this just recently - it makes up a complete protein, is very high in fiber and keeps your bowels moving. It's not an odor free meal, though. I really haven't found anything that I can eat that leaves me 100% odor free that I'm certain about.
Again, it's not an odor cure - just a way to have more odor free time. I was hoping it would cure things, but I'll take more odor free time any day. I hope this answered your question. I can say that it has helped me become MUCH healthier in other ways that I wasn't expecting, so you should benefit from it no matter what if you stick to it.
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jcc34
Junior Member
Posts: 86
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Post by jcc34 on Sept 5, 2011 1:30:17 GMT
Hi Healinghappens
I think you should think carefully about following such a diet, you're eating one meal every two days if I hear you right. Bare in mind this diet is given as a weight-loss diet, if you don't eat you will lose weight it doesn't take a genius to see this is true. I believe fasts may well have health benefits, but fasting and weight loss diets are not things intended to be done continuously for long periods - you will become malnourished and unhealthy. Also they claim these fasts are good for blood sugar, but in their explanation they only mention high blood sugar not low, low blood sugar will be the problem with such a diet, how can it avoid hypoglycaemia and adrenal problems? They don't even mention this which is just strange.
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Post by healinghappens on Sept 5, 2011 5:44:56 GMT
Hi jcc34, Thanks for your concern. I think you're right. Anyone going into it should research this thoroughly before trying it. I did. There are some people who live intermittent fasting as a lifestyle, and I've seen pictures of them. They look healthy. I also get my blood tested regularly. Low blood sugar is not a problem for me. I definitely wouldn't recommend to everyone eating one meal every two days. When I began this I was obese. But I have also found that if the body needs to keep weight on, it will. At least my body does.
Also, people don't have to fast the way I do. I chose this option after looking at lots of other options and trying out other things that didn't work for me. I don't think this is for everyone, but occasional fasting is incredibly healthy for anyone.
And I listen to my body. If I'm truly hungry, I eat.
But, yes, I think these are very viable points to take into consideration. And, no, I don't think it's for everyone. Long term odor sufferers can benefit, though, if they know that on their "empty stomach" days they have no odor. There are heaps of great articles out there about it, and anyone interested should definitely explore and question, and if they decide - try it.
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Post by healinghappens on Sept 10, 2011 11:09:50 GMT
Here's a really great blog post about one man's experience of his first 20 hour fast. His experience is similar to mine. almostfit.com/2010/01/12/20-hours-without-eating-intermittent-fasting-part-2/#more-471And on the low blood sugar issue, I actually did one of my blood tests after an extended fast, and my blood sugar was normal. I had also found another blog post of one guy who did it for a year, and he discusses how he sometimes actually gained weight - which I also find to be true. I can't find it again, though. For me, it has been really great for my mental, physical and spiritual health. I am so much more positive when I fast.
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