Why fast and run? Don’t we need food for energy? Fasting is ludicrous! These are valid reasons, and this is not for everyone. As a self-experimenter, I decided to try this, and it worked very well. I lost 30 lbs, four waist sizes, and can run for long periods. 

How do these drastic changes occur? Simple, we have lots of fat to burn for energy; even if we’re very slim, we still have plenty of fat for energy. My daily diet is a form of intermittent fasting, where I only eat one meal a day. However, because of my fasting runs, I started eating at midday to lower the fat loss and deter muscle deterioration.  

When we consume carbohydrates, it converts to glucose (sugar). If we don’t require glucose immediately for energy, then it’s stored in our muscles and liver—we call that glycogen. When we go on a run, we burn that glycogen for power, and once emptied, our body goes into starvation mode; this is when we would start feeling nauseated and extremely weak until we get a boost of carbohydrates or sugar (running gels). However, we can train our body to not go into starvation mode by allowing it to consume fat for energy instead. 

How do we train our bodies to consume fat? First, this transformation happens slowly. I did it by going for prolonged runs in the early morning right after waking up. It should be slow so your body can transition to burning fat without causing harm to the individual. If the individual decides to push themselves right out of the gate, this will cause the body to panic and cause distress like nausea, vomiting, and it even can cause the person to pass out—the body isn’t used to burning fat for energy just yet.

We want to start with two miles, then three, etc. Do not increase mileage if feeling harmful side effects. This will push our body into survival mode and try to find energy outside of sugar. Once this transition occurs, we’ll be able to run faster and longer.

Fasting does not include water and electrolytes. We need electrolytes to replace its losses through sweating, especially potassium, calcium, magnesium, and sodium, which are necessary for proper heart function.  

A year ago or so, I came to a wall of 16 miles and felt extreme nausea. I could not pass that wall until I implemented electrolytes to my runs, and now there are no walls to climb.

Disclaimer:  If I plan to run more than 20 miles, I eat light before and during a run, but because my body is used to running fasted, the food on me lasts for a long time, and I always bring leftover home. 

Fasting may not be for you, but how will you know if you don’t try? Most of all, have FUN OUT THERE!    

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