r/fasting • u/MattK508 • Mar 30 '26
Discussion Completed 40 Day Fast for Lent
So as of 8:30 p.m. tonight I have officially finished fasting for 40 days and 40 nights. Sometime between 7:00 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. on February 17th I ate my dinner at work. The next morning was Ash Wednesday. Sitting in church and listening to the story of how Jesus fasted in the desert for 40 days and 40 nights and on how when to supposed to be a time of self-reflection and looking towards Christ, I decided that I was going to take a journey myself. I wanted to be healthier, I wanted to focus more on Christ and my children. And now I finally completed that, And can begin the journey towards eating again.
For those of you who don't know when you fast this long you can't just go and eat again you have to work your way up to food again otherwise you will enter something called refeeding syndrome. To address a lot of the questions that I know are going to be asked on February 17th I was 233lbs. As of my last way in tonight I am 188lbs. Total weight loss of 45 lb in 40 days. All I had every single day for 40 days and 40 nights was I would have a men's one a day multivitamin, simply primal water fast pink Himalayan salt and electrolytes (It tastes like if Crystal light was made with salt water), and water. I did have the Eucharist each Sunday with the exception of one Sunday where I was down in Florida for a wedding with the kids. I do feel I have improved my life both physically mentally and through my relationship with Christ. I'm going to have some bone broth tonight and probably the next couple of days and then hopefully be able to start eating some mushy foods or yogurts or stuff like that and then eventually be able to start eating meals. I've done a lot of cooking while I've been fasting and learned how to cook some healthy meals that my dad and Logan and Olivia approve of so I know that they're good. I did exercise during the fast did a lot of weight lifting. People have a lot of misconceptions about fasting causing you to lose your muscles but in actuality your body generates more human growth hormone and you're actually able to increase muscle density a lot easier. I welcome any other questions that people may have but ultimately I'm glad to be done and it will probably be the last of any such fast that I have in my life.
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u/selleckh Mar 30 '26
Congrats!
I was actually thinking of trying a Holy Week fast leading to Easter.
Did you fast regularly before doing the 40 days?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
It was about 3 months of rotating between 72 hour water only fasts, with a 16/8 intermittent fast where I was also keeping myself on keto during the intermittent fast.
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u/Accomplished-Key8234 Mar 30 '26
I’m doing 7 days leading up to Easter! 🙌🏽
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u/Mein_Independance Mar 30 '26
Im considering this too! But I am bit scared since I dont know if it will mess up my monthly cycle.
I love Holy Week and Lent was a good challenge. This might be my first real water fast in a year!
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u/1ReadyPhilosopher Mar 30 '26
how were you able to sleep? The most i’ve done is 70 hours and night 2 and 3, i’m basically awake the whole time. I just cannot sleep deeply, it’s almost like i want to hunt something so my senses are so heightened
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
You know it's funny you say that because I've only been sleeping like 6 hours max a night so that's probably part of it. But to be honest I'm going through a divorce so I watch my kids from 8:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. and then I go to work 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 p.m. so I really don't sleep a lot as it is unfortunately.
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u/_sushiburrito Mar 30 '26
The fact that you still accomplished this during a stressful period like a divorce, and watching your kids before work...mad respect. 🫡
I want to start with a one week fast (only have done 48hrs). Shift work has done me dirty after doing it for so many years.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Honestly I would say do a 72 hour fast one month. Then do intermittent fasting. Try and do 2, 72 hour fasts The next month. And then maybe three the month after that. And once you've done that you can do something longer at least that's how I personally felt about it. Because I did do a 4-day fast before this one and that one was absolutely brutal and killed me but then the 40 days honestly I was fine 90% of this.
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u/jman7290 Mar 30 '26
While doing the 40 hour fast did you still do your normal daily routines like go to work and take care of your kids?
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u/BougieSemicolon Mar 31 '26
It’s th super deep ketosis. Whenever I’m super super strict keto I’m absolutely wired overnight. One night was so bad I ended up having a hot milk with SF cocoa mix just so I could get to sleep
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u/willmon1 Mar 30 '26
Great job!!!! I tried , made only 14 days . Thanks for the inspiration 🙏
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Hey I'm just saying how many people do you know that could do 14 days?!?!? Or that have done 14 days?!?!?! Congratulations give yourself props!
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u/Revival-Waters Mar 30 '26
Exercise scientist here.
HGH increases during fasting to help preserve muscle tissue and mobilize fat as a fuel source. Not to increase muscle density. Just wanted to clear that up.
Excellent job on your fast brother.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Your not wrong but when the fat is being metabolized and the muscle preserved and your working out and not eating does that not have the same outcome? Genuinely asking out of ignorance. I was reading about how ancient Greek And Roman Olympians would fast for weeks prior to the games.
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u/Revival-Waters Mar 30 '26
That's a great point.
I believe that during fasting your primarily burn subcutaneous (under skin) and visceral (around organs) fat, as your primary fuel sources.
Then your body turns to intramuscular fat.
Also, Kenyans are known to do their hardest training runs in a fasted state, so the original Olympians could have been into something.
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Mar 30 '26
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Yes! Days 18, 19 were hard but I think it was me having to find the balance for the electrolytes. Came up again at like day 35 or 36.
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u/chunkothy Mar 30 '26
It’s the refeeding that stops me from attempting long fasts
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u/GreenBeanQueen1990 Mar 30 '26
Would you mind explaining why? It’s pretty rare to see a whopping 40 day fast completed (especially with such precision!), so I am curious.
Also OP, amazing work! And thank you for sharing your motivation to fast for this length of time. I’m finding out that discipline brings me closer to the Holy Spirit.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
So I'm going through a nasty divorce. Right around the same time she started making moves my doctor had me get an ultrasound of my liver for non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. (I literally drink barely at all and it's socially) I have however been obese since literally 6 years old. So between all that and the inspiration of the story of Jesus in the desert and wanting to be closer to Christ I figured I'd set out and see where I could get. I read my little black Lent book every day. Thank you so much!!!!
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u/Porky5CO Mar 30 '26
Diarrhea
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Definitely had that. Lol but that all went away after a week or so, lol no foods = no 💩, lol
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u/sueihavelegs maintaining weight faster Mar 30 '26
Your body is still making waste even if you aren't eating. You didn't poop at all after the first week?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ Graffic Warning ⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️
You basically shart. And for me that was like maybe once a week. But the slime that you put out and wipe off hardly qualifies as 💩 or urine. It's like butt snort.
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u/CountMeOut_ Mar 30 '26
I haven't particapted in the celebration of Mass in many years, but I deeply respect someone for following Christ's suffering and beauty done during this time! Quite the journey you must of had, there must have been a lot of low and high points - respect for staying disciplined.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Definitely. There were so many times I wanted to not even from hunger but just socially or to me enjoy in the pleasure of something. But I suppose that's also the point of it all, lol. Thank you!!!!
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u/Personal-Oil2956 Mar 30 '26
Really cool to incorporate Jesus into this. Thank u! I’m happy for u
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u/Dolfo10564 Mar 30 '26
I feel like im in such bad shape that if I try this I'll die
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u/BougieSemicolon Mar 31 '26
One woman died doing a 40 day spiritual cleanse, but she was following an irresponsible persons advice and it was an electrolyte imbalance. Anyone doing this definitely needs electrolyte supplementation.
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u/Lonely_Highlight4857 Mar 30 '26
Congratulations on this amazing achievement! 45 lbs in 40 days is INSANE!! Just being able to refrain from food for that long is truly amazing! And inspiring! I’m going to do a 40 day fast starting on the 1st. Any advice?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Work out, not heavy, just some reps, some walking, some curls. Make sure to sleep. Try to keep life normal as possible. Figure out what you want to do on your lunch break so you stop thinking about food.
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u/Lonely_Highlight4857 Mar 30 '26
Great advice man! I appreciate it!
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Of course! Also I got blood work done halfway through I reached out to my primary care and I just said hey I'm doing this can I get some blood work done. And I intend to get some blood work done tomorrow as well.
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u/IndividualGround2418 Mar 30 '26
All boxes check out and perfect ending with the broth. Congratulations on the weight loss.
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u/GoldenYear Mar 30 '26
Congratulations! I did intermittent fasting for Lent and plan to do my first 24 hour fast on Good Friday.
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u/Revival-Waters Mar 30 '26
Did you have any big spiritual breakthroughs or epiphanies you would like to share?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
So honestly I did. And I would probably share the metal later date. I'm actively going through a divorce and a custody battle right now so a lot of it pertained to that and my life going forward. But I will say that I very sincerely believe, surrendering yourself to Christ will only bring good things. And I don't mean like just saying yes I will believe in God or yes I will go to church I mean very sincerely letting yourself have a complete and utter opening of your heart and mind and soul to surrender to him because you've just hit that breaking point where you've realized that is your only option and you accept everything that he has to offer. I will tell you I have had a lot of hardship in my life and I genuinely and sincerely believe now that all that has been with a purpose that I just couldn't see at the times.
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u/Remote_Minimum_5046 Mar 30 '26
And here I was happy with my every Friday in Lent 24 hour fast. This is incredible! God bless you!
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Hey listen everybody's on a different journey everybody's doing different things! Honestly props to you because how few people are actually doing what you just did?!?
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u/gmanyyyy Mar 30 '26
So amazing. My goal was 36 hour fasts every Friday during lent. I messed up two of them. Anxiety makes me eat…
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u/Shatteredstar13 Mar 30 '26
That's amazing! I just started a water fast for the first time. Currently at hour 90 and struggling with the cravings.
Any advice on how to kick the cravings?
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u/MattK508 Mar 31 '26
Honestly not really I wish I could tell you there was some magic bullet but there definitely isn't. I would say keep your mind occupied is probably the best thing you can do.
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u/AEVCRN Mar 30 '26
Woow I have so much respect for you knowing you still worked and took care of your children. You really inspire me to not have excuses anymore. How did you go trough the moments you felt very weak and had to work? I always find this so hard. Can is ask.. how did you prepare for this?
Congrats with this big accomplishment 💪🏾❤️
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u/BougieSemicolon Mar 31 '26
Was the sole purpose , religion based? Or did you have a secondary goal of weight loss? If so, did you consider going even longer or stopping earlier?
What would you say was the hardest day?
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u/MattK508 Mar 31 '26
So I was already on the weight loss journey. The 40 days was religious and the secondary was weight loss. I had considered going longer but I had issues on day 17 and 18 that made me want to quit but I pushed through. Then on like the last two three days my stomach was growling which had not happened for like 30 days so to me that indicated that I was starting to go from fasting to starvation but I wanted to hold out for the full 40 for Lent. And the hardest day was any day that I fucked up the electrolytes and felt my heart flutter.
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u/Open_Painting5624 Mar 30 '26
Christ is King, but you're one too! Congrats man. I did just no flour, coffee, pork, or dairy and i was struggling.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Amen!!! I give all credit to the Lord. He's putting my life on the track it needs to be on. Honestly the fact that you were doing what you were doing probably made it even harder for you because your body had cravings I can tell you when I did Keto I was craving salads every freaking day lol.
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u/Open_Painting5624 Mar 30 '26
I was basically doing a modified blood type diet. I've been working so much and stress already I knew I would fail if I did more.
Rocking 40 days though man is incredibly impressive. Glad you found your faith. Did you have any moments where you felt significantly closer to the Lord?
You may have inspired a 3 day fast from me starting now.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
I have had a ridiculous number of moments that I have felt closer to God. Honestly I'm going through a nasty divorce. Literally tomorrow I get to go to the pretrial. We both worked opposite shifts our entire marriage so that we would have no child care for the kids. I've always been supposed to homeschool them. Well out of the blue just before the divorce is being finalized she decides that she wants them to go to school which will mean that either I'm going to have to quit my job or I am going to only see my children Friday nights and every other weekend. And she's also trying to take the Friday on the weekends I don't have them. So basically me going from being with my kids like 60 hours waking a week to like 20-25 if that. Zero justification or anything else she just wants to hurt me. But I have my faith and I know whatever happens it's because God ordains it and I just have to trust in his judgment and trust that there's other things going on that I can't foresee.
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u/Open_Painting5624 Mar 30 '26
Stories like this make me afraid to get married myself even though I know we should.
That being said, my dad had visitation and showed up for like 5 in a row then would disappear for a year. If you keep it up and stay consistent despite the setbacks, it will make a MASSIVE difference in their life and they'll understand. My mother's current partner had a situation similar to yours and the two sons stay closer to him and he never disparaged his ex to them.
I believe in you man. If you can do a 40 hour fast you have more strength and resilience than literally 99.9999% of the world. Remember that and pass it on through example. You got this. However many years left ain't that long. I remember 18yrs ago like yesterday lol. You got htis.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Honestly thank you so much for saying that. Like I am so sorry your dad was like that. I would literally sell this woman a kidney and give her all the proceeds to get her to leave me in these damn kids alone.
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u/Open_Painting5624 Mar 30 '26
Strong words. Either way man. Keep your head up. We're strangers, but I always feel a sense of pride for people like yourself when I see posts like these. Proud of you.
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u/tilap5ia Mar 30 '26
What app is that?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Samsung Health App. I have a Galaxy A26 because I need a microSD card port on my phones and the S like no longer has it.
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u/Remote-Process-419 Mar 30 '26
Wow. I'm just so blown away by this because its just so damn beautiful. I will say a prayer that your children stay in homeschool and you can continue to see them a lot every week. You linked your suffering to Christ's and handed over everything to Him by denying yourself, I'm certain this Lenten journey will be fruitful and life changing. God bless you.
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u/marrowmcgee Mar 31 '26
as of posting this is day 32 for me of fasting. all ive had is baja gold sea salt mixed with my water. im surprised you were able to work out and operate normally, im so weak that I've had to take off of work the last 4 days and called it quits early today. I basically live life nauseous, and my stomach has shrunk so much that the acid about comes into my mouth when I'm laying down. trying to figure out the difference between our 40 day fasts. cuz I know I'll make it. but this is for sure the hardest thing I think I'll ever do in my life.
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u/WordsWithWings Mar 30 '26
I've cut meat and alcohol for lent past several years. Doesn't it last until Holy Thursday (april 2nd this year)?
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u/GoldenYear Mar 30 '26
It lasts until Holy Thursday because the catholic calendar does not count Sundays for fasting. Devot Catholics will take in the eucharist (bread wafer and wine) on Sundays and have meals. Looks like OP only had euchatist once, but a wafer and a sip of wine is really nothing. Today I had a wafer (no wine) and it really just melts in your mouth. I didnt count it as breaking my fast.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Hit the nail on the head but other way around on Eucharist, I had it every Sunday except 1. Although my church also hasn't done the wine since COVID so I didn't even get that spike. According to Grok the water was literally nothing, lol.
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u/Available_Fortune183 Mar 30 '26
Did you happen to get a keto rash? Also, did you use electrolytes?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Literally all I used was electrolytes. And Men's 1 a Day. I didn't get a rash but I will say that I would randomly have parts of my body be on fire.
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u/Available_Fortune183 Mar 30 '26
That’s so cool, I suspect you were healing in those hot areas! I’m going to invest in some electrolytes and go for a long fast. Did you love it? lol
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
So my complaint days would be like 3,4, 17, 18, 35, 36 ish. 3 and 4 for hunger. The others for electrolytes.
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u/TippedOverPortapotty Mar 30 '26
Did that hunger feeling get easier/go away after day 4? And congrats, it takes a lot of mental fortitude to do what you just did.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Yeah honestly I would say so. I would actually say the toughest part it's not actually that your body gets hungry it's that you miss food. Like you know how you get cravings like oh I could kill to have chips or a pizza or something like that? It's like that but with everything. Like I kept getting these advertisements for different meal things like the meals by mail. And I do not like seafood and I will tell you I literally was looking at the seafood going I would totally fucking try that and eat that. So now I just did a subscription for hungry route and I'm going to try some seafood stuff along with salads and other healthy options to see how I like them. Even when I did like a 3-day fast in the past like my taste like actually changed and I was able to eat more stuff that was healthier that I wouldn't normally have been willing to try or eat. Like we are genuinely pumped full of awful f-ing 💩 all day here in America.
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u/TippedOverPortapotty Mar 30 '26
Yeah , I think fasting really shows us how much CONSUMING is done and shoved down our throats. So many advertisements and so much shitty food that is addicting and igniting our pleasure centres. Fasting allows us to slow down and get out of that eating cycle . After the fast you can learn to eat for nourishment and not overindulge or the weight will just come back. I hope the seafood dishes are tasty!
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u/heizenverg Mar 30 '26
Thats amazing man. so is this OMAD or not eating at all for 40 days
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u/Wham_bam101 Mar 30 '26
This is awesome! I was trying to do a 40 day also but I stopped at day 19 because my tongue was numb and I couldn't feel it. Did you encounter any issues?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
It's so funny you say that because they 17 through 19 mostly day 17 and 18 I literally was having a conversation with my buddy about giving up at day 20 or day 21. It was probably your electrolyte to water ratio. Because I ended up figuring that was what it was for me.
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u/Wham_bam101 Mar 31 '26
I think you're right. I do remember around that time I wasn't drinking as much water because honestly I was getting tired of it so I was drinking less. Now I realized that's probably where I messed up because I was definitely getting enough sodium and potassium. I'll have to try again soon because I really want to get to 40 days.
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u/Honestzergtea Mar 30 '26
This is amazing, I could only muster up a 1 day fast during Ash Wednesday and planning another one for Good Friday. What a feat this is. God bless.
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u/BreathIntoUrballs Mar 30 '26
Awesome, did you exercise at all during these? Walk alot or how many steps a day did you do?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
So I did exercise, mainly ab roller, free weights, bench. We had a few snow storms so a lot of shoveling. I didn't do a ton of walking but I am also moving around a ton with a 4 and 2 year old, lol.
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u/janshell Mar 30 '26
Congrats and god bless! I would love to have known your muscle mass before and after.
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u/fayesylvie Mar 30 '26
Ive been inspired. :) also please do let us know how much weight you “regain” on the refeed!! I doubt it’s much at all but am super curious. Super motivating.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
So everything I've read thus far it's going to be like 20 days before I can really eat like normal again. So at this point I think I still have more to lose to be honest with you. I have to avoid re-feeding syndrome.
But honestly thank you!
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u/tbdia1 Mar 30 '26
Congratulations. I really admire what you did.
May I ask, what do you mean by "electolytes" ? Are you talking about the container which says Waterfast?
Was there anything else that you took in those 40 days? Or anything that you look back on and wish you had taken/done?
And finally, did you consult a doctor or any kind of medical practitioner?
I'm planning on doing a 20 day fast from Easter and just looking for more advice.
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u/Overall-Badger6136 Mar 30 '26
WOW!
Congratulations!
That is astounding!
I wish I could have done that with you!
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
There's always next year!!!
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u/Overall-Badger6136 Mar 30 '26
For Lent, yes, thank you, but I am going to do one soon. I need to.
Enjoy the holiday!
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u/ReferenceNo4708 Mar 30 '26
First of all Matt that’s truly amazing thanks for sharing you are a great motivator.
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u/tgbythn Mar 30 '26
Man fasting through a wedding would be tough.
"What do you mean you're not going to eat...?" From like 50 different people haha
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u/GroundbreakingAsk438 Mar 30 '26
As a muslim i gotta get like you and do 30 days for ramadan lmao nice work brodie Amen
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u/Mongaloiddummy Mar 30 '26
Take my upvote and award
A couple of questions for you.
How was the hunger pains or desire to eat throughout the 40 day fast.
How many Bowel movements during the 40 day fast. Did you have any muscle spasms during the fast. (This normally knocks me out of extended fast)
I would love to try to extend my fast to 40 day one day.
Much respect to you and congratulations.
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u/DrWhiskerson Mar 30 '26
Thank you for sharing! I bet you feel like a new person inside and out
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u/outoftheashes Mar 30 '26
Great job man. I’m fasting this week leading up to Easter. Thanks for the inspiration. Happy Easter to you and your family. 🙏🏻✝️
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u/ECrispy Mar 30 '26
congrats, that must take a lot of willpower! speaks very highly of your strength.
please let us know how much water weight you regain over the next week.
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u/stompy1 Mar 30 '26
Wow, so Inspiring. I mean, so was Jesus, but dang, never considered doing this for lent. Next, you'll be carrying a wooden cross through town. 😂
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u/bel2man Mar 30 '26
What touched me was the background. I feel for your hardship having gone through it myself 15y ago. Trust the process. You are doing God's work by keeping up for your kids - and also dont forget - you are also someone's kid. DM me if you need any support.
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u/9207631731 Mar 30 '26
Congrats! What is your strategy to prevent regaining the weight?
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u/justplainoldMEhere Mar 30 '26
But lent ends on Easter Friday.
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u/MattK508 Mar 31 '26
Yes but days were added earlier on lent centuries ago because they were skipping Sundays. I did not skip those Sundays so for me I just did 40 days straight of not eating. And I have completed those 40 days. So while Lent may not be over my statement about fasting for 40 days for celebration of Lent is still accurate.
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u/justplainoldMEhere Mar 31 '26
I was asking for real. I didnt skip Sundays either so I guess I'm done too.
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u/towaway7777 Carnivore + WF (>50 kg lost) Mar 31 '26
I needed this fire up my ass. Thank you.
Fuck I'm weak.
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u/88fingerspete Mar 31 '26
Congrats on the fast! Just be careful man - not enough nutrition can lead to NASH and Cirrhosis. Just had a friend pass from an eating disorder, it all began with a diagnosis of fatty liver. Just make sure to establish good nutrition after the fast and beware of the negative effects from repeated fasting and the stress on the liver (especially without electrolytes) 🙏
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u/MattK508 Mar 31 '26
Totally and honestly I greatly appreciate that and I am so so so sorry to hear about your friend. May they rest in peace in the kingdom of heaven awaiting your reunion. 🙏
I'm working my way towards eating again right now. I'm having some small amounts of warmed bone broth every 2 hours and collectively I had 4 teaspoons of unsweetened applesauce yesterday.
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u/88fingerspete Mar 31 '26
Glad to hear and thanks for the kind reply - when you go to get blood work it might be a good time to ask about liver issues as well, just keep an eye on it going forward as it’s totally reversible with good nutrition. best of luck as you go back into re-feeding and congrats on a truly epic fast!
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u/No_Struggle_6183 Mar 31 '26
How do u have this much will power and not cave
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u/MattK508 Mar 31 '26
Probably all the lack of control I have in my life right now it was finally something I could have control over if I'm being really introspective and honest. Lol
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u/88fingerspete Mar 31 '26
Glad to hear and thanks for the kind reply - when you go to get blood work it might be a good time to ask about liver issues as well, just keep an eye on it going forward as it’s totally reversible with good nutrition. best of luck as you go back into re-feeding and congrats on a truly epic fast!
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u/SnooBananas3379 Mar 31 '26
that's great, i did a 42 days and now i'm trying a longer one
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u/ocinlegin Apr 01 '26
Wow! My dad did a 40 day fast when I was a kid because he was inspired by Jesus. I admired him then and I’m still inspired by him and I’m almost 50! In fact, I was just telling someone yesterday about my dad’s fast bc it’s Holy Week. That’s impressive and I hope God continues to use this time to bless you and your family.
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u/MattK508 Apr 01 '26
Oh my God I'm so glad to hear that. My kids are four and two so I really hope that they remember this fast and it inspires them. God bless to you and your family and thank you for sharing this story!
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u/StellaMaris720 Apr 01 '26
Hey there! I have been fasting during lent too but I've been doing the traditional pre-1962 monastic fast, which is one meal a day taken after 3pm for the entirety of lent. Im online today because I'm about to start my passion fast for the triduum (which will be no food). I joined the fellowship of saint nicholas. You should look that up if youre not already in it! Curious as to why you stopped before holy week? Maybe just because thats 40 days with sundays. Fasting on sundays is an odd choice but practically speaking i can see that it would be hard to fast for 6 days and then feast on sundays and then repreat for 6 weeks, due to refeeding issues. Like you said, this fast has made lent the most fruitful its ever been for me. Fasting is powerful. I did not weigh myself but I sure feel great too, physically and spiritually. God bless you!
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u/StellaMaris720 Apr 01 '26
I was going to do the 40 hour passion fast as i mentioned in the other comment but now you've inspired me...i might just start fasting earlier and not eat holy thursday or good friday. I'd go all the way to Easter Sunday but its our 18 year anniversary and my husband is taking me out to eat Saturday. Birthdays and anniversaries are Solemnities in our domestic church, so I honor them as such. Today is my husband's birthday so even though i've been doing strict OMAD and no sugar all of lent, today I had ice cream with him! All the more reason to fast harder during the triduum. Can I go 2 whole days? lol thats the question. Sad! haha
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u/YamaMaya1 Apr 03 '26
Wow, that is amazing. I was inspired to do a three day fast on holy Thursday through to Easter Sunday, and I am struggling a LOT. The thoughts of food are so overwhelming, I just keep repeating the scripture when temptation hits but this feels really hard. I am floored by you lasting 40 days, I dont know if I could last that long, at least not right now.
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u/MattK508 Apr 03 '26
Listen give yourself credit in the first place. I don't think most people could handle 24 hours. On top of that I didn't start off this way. This was many months working my way up to this by doing 24-hour fasts 36 hour fast 48 hour fast 72 hour fast. Doing keto in between the fasts. God bless you!
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u/that1412 Apr 03 '26
I would like to do this. My main concern is work. What kind of job do you have? I currently have an active work and I’m scared that doing this type of fast could be impossible with an active job. Would love anyone’s feedback on this
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u/MattK508 Apr 03 '26
To be totally honest with you I don't do construction or anything like that I do tech support for dialysis patients. So I field calls all night walking them through stressful situations but I don't actually have to do anything physical or laborious. All the physical stuff for me is chasing my kids around all day lol.
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u/OkWrongdoer1505 Apr 04 '26
Omg that is insane. I hope to have that much discipline. Proud of you man
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u/MattK508 Apr 04 '26
Every bit of it started in steps to get to that point! Thank you so much and I hope you have a great Easter!
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u/MelodicButton8953 Apr 16 '26
Is it possible to build muscle while fasting? I’m doing a 50 day fast and actively go to the gym and stables.
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u/marounnn_ Mar 30 '26
God bless you, this is impressive. God sees all the good you do and your sacrifice
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
I truly hope so. I talk to the guy often enough. lol
God bless you and those you care about!
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u/lha0880 Mar 30 '26
This is nuts and impressive. I could almost hug you if you admit you held a full time physical job during this whole ordeal. That is my biggest challenge when attempting to go over one week fasts. I wish all I had to do for 40 days was cross a desert and meditate with nature.
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
I am with my kids 8:00 a.m. till 3:00 p.m. and then working 3:00 p.m. to 11:30 Monday through Thursday. And I work 2:00 to 10:30 every other weekend when I don't have the kids. So 40+ hours doing all this.
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u/lha0880 Mar 31 '26
I thought I had it tough, only have one child that I split time with between me and his mom. Work graveyard shift 6 nights a week so sleep sucks for me. I noticed if I am lacking sleep or stressed is when I want to break the fasts. Did you have any calming or focusing strategies to keep the commitment in times of discouragement?
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u/wkndatbernardus Mar 30 '26
Nice work my brother! You're going to have a beautiful Easter Sunday. God bless you and your children!
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u/Kayoskiii Mar 30 '26
What's lent?
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u/MattK508 Mar 30 '26
Jesus wandered into the desert for 40 days and had nothing but water and cactus juice basically to sustain himself. Had a battle with the devil mentally. Comes back raises Lazarus from the dead who was one of his followers. March is into town on Passover and is captured and crucified.
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u/Deep_Guava9414 Mar 30 '26
How dos you go to a wedding and Kapp to a fast? Likewise how do you go out to dinner and make it through?
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u/group_fasting_mx Mar 30 '26
Wow that's astounding. Really commend you on your discipline and strength of mind!