Fasting, Starvation, & Survival

That's pretty amazing. I'm glad you have started eating again. I've already had one friend starve himself to death. He had terminal cancer and didn't want to live with the pain anymore. He lasted for 7 weeks, but he was already severely thin(6' @ 137lbs), The only calories he took in were from SoBe Tsunami drinks. It was the only thing that tasted normal to him. His birthday would have been 3 days ago on 9/17
 
"I see guys who think they know what their doing with little survival kits that include enough fishing supplies to equip a dozen men yet no space blanket (or bivvy bag/poncho liner, blanket etc), no poncho/tarp/garbage bag, no canteen, or no methods of water purification beyond starting a fire with a flint and boiling water (out of a wooden bowl, turtle shell, hat, hole in the dirt?). Little fishing kits look cool, but fishing or foraging for food isn't nearly as important as multiple ways to make fire, shelter and water."

This is VERY true- but food has an additional value too- you will generate more heat wheny you have food in your system and RESIST hypothermia much more effectively. Also, do not devalue the psychological benefits- they can be vital.
 
oooh, a beer fast!

Right now I'm on a fast again, 4th day in- this one includes a specific juice component, about 450 or so calories per day worth. But right now, even though the detox headache is gone, a beer fast sounds pretty good!

Speaking back to the survival terms, psychologically I think the hot yummy drinks are the main component for a few days. I keep some various dense bars in the assorted bags, especially for the kids and Ms. Koyote who is still nursing Astrid (who will be two on sunday, so it's not a huge concern now, but until weening the psychology of it is important). But assorted teas and honey and hot cocoa mixes are a big component.

We've started the kids early, Astrid has a backpack (her third word was backpack, she loves it) and Leif, at 5, has a kit in his pack. which includes honey, peppermint tea bags, and cocoa, along with a few granola bars
 
on_the_edge said:
...Someone asked what the term is when your body "feeds on itself". I think the term they are thinking of is catabolism, or when your body enters a catabolic state. That's not really a good thing, but it's not the worst of what could happen either.
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Exactly. Bushman asked about it. Catabolism implies burning muscle protein as fuel. This happens once you have run out of ATP, carbon hidrates and there is not enough glucogen to burn fat. It is easy to recognize if you have been throug catabolism because one of the subproducts of burning such proteines is amonia. If your sweaty clothes smell like amonia after work out, you didn't plan well enough your calorie needs...

Mikel
 
nemoaz said:
...I think those of you who've never been in the military are really at a disadvantage. You simply haven't pushed yourselves beyond the limits of discomfort in the past in order to see that you can do far, far more than you think you can. Feeling hungry is simply a stimulus. A never quit attitude is more important than the power bars you guys stuff in every pocket.
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I think that military trainning allows you to go through experiences that otherwise you wouldn't endure... voluntarily. But, and trust me on this, I have been involved in a number of alpine screw ups that I would have been eager to trade for any of those military trainings you are mentioning. :D

In a few of them we had food with us but when we finally got all straightened up, we noticed we haven't eaten any of it.

Mikel
 
Evolute, thanks for sharing your experience. If you don't mind can you tell how is your recovery going? . Also I'm interested if you had any problems with your teeth during your experiment.
 
koyote said:
But right now, even though the detox headache is gone, a beer fast sounds pretty good!
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I tried a beer diet once. It was called undergraduate study. I also threw in some ramen and tacos. Worked well enough.

But, and trust me on this, I have been involved in a number of alpine screw ups that I would have been eager to trade for any of those military trainings you are mentioning. In a few of them we had food with us but when we finally got all straightened up, we noticed we haven't eaten any of it.
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I probably shouldn't have implied that only military training could provide you with this experience. But so many have only watched a few Bear Girl Idiot vs. Wild shows and decided to become a woodsman/survival hobbyist. When I see guys claiming to carry six knives and ten pounds of tackle, but no poncho/tarp, it's hard for me to take them seriously.
 
Evolute said:
If you have any . . . comments about my experience with not eating for a couple months, feel welcome to ask or add.
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Very interesting thread. Especially since I have just started trying to lose a little weight (1500 cal/day).

If I'm doing the math right, you ended up at 108 lbs on a 6'3" frame? I don't play a doctor on tv, but it would see as though you were - or were on the brink of - being seriously ill. I hope that part of your experience is well behind you.

:thumbup:
 
good stuff

I often go without eating. as I'm training/dancing.. could go 3-4 days without food, and I don't stop from 8am to 11pm

The dizziness kicks in every so often.. but never to the point of being faint...
asides from water.. I literally do not eat.
 
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