Anyone Done The Phil Mickelson Fast? Trying It (1 Viewer)

[Ministry of Pain]

Is there a reason one couldn't have started on an intermittent fasting program which I do highly endorse and works wonders.

I have seen people use street drugs like cocaine/heroin for maybe up to a week without eating and that's pretty scary...good luck doing this Joe, will be interesting to see how this works out for you. 

 

[Mister CIA]

I think RGK nailed it.  I've done multiple water/black coffee fasts and day 2 is the toughest.  Several times I've tapped out at the 56‐hour mark, but I've done three or four 3-day fasts, and one 5-day fast.

My motivation had nothing to do with weight loss but rather I came to it in an effort to cure a pretty bad case of psoriasis without resorting to systemic drugs.  And it worked! And back to Phil Mickelson, hasn't he had issues with psoriatic arthritis?

The metal clarity and the reduction in inflammation (as in aches and pains) at the price of pushing through hunger pains is well worth it. If you want to go down a rabbit-hole, pull up some searches on "autophagy." A Japanese doctor won the 2016 Nobel Prize in medicine for his research on this subject.

There is a lot of crap to filter out on the topic of fasting, but I recommend you check out Peter Attia's web site for your information (peterattiamd.com). ... and of course he has a podcast, The Drive.

More than hunger pains, what I found most challenging was the difficulty sleeping, which is why I often broke my fast around the 56-hour mark. 

I would highly recommend that you self-isolate while fasting,  especially in these covid times, as your immune system is going through some things.

Last comment is that you lean into it.  My first fast lasted only 38 hours, but they do get easier as you get a few under your belt.  Also, if it does not feel right, cut bait and try again another day.  Many times I've done this around the 24 hour mark. 

Good Luck!

 

[Terminalxylem]

Is there a reason one couldn't have started on an intermittent fasting program which I do highly endorse and works wonders.

I have seen people use street drugs like cocaine/heroin for maybe up to a week without eating and that's pretty scary...good luck doing this Joe, will be interesting to see how this works out for you. 

Definitely better data for IF, though I still think it’s not ready for prime time. What wonders has it worked for you?

 

[AAABatteries]

Definitely better data for IF, though I still think it’s not ready for prime time. What wonders has it worked for you?

What does not ready for prime time mean?

 

[BassNBrew]

What does not ready for prime time mean?

Not well enough studied.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Hey @Joe Bryant, I would really appreciate if you could post daily in here how its going so we can live this with you.

Good luck!

LOL. If anyone is really interested, day 1 was super boring.

My main takeaway was watching 8 hours of NFL football is sub optimal with the advertising if you're not eating...

Down to 203 this morning from 205. 

Yesterday was 1 of the coffee drinks at breakfast and one for lunch. 

Coffee

2 TBS MCT Oil

1 TBS grass fed butter

1 scoop collagen protein powder.

1 TBS Honey

I think it's around 590 or so calories.

And then 12 oz of Oat Milk with 1 tsp of cinnamon. (Mickelson mixes the milk into his coffee but I did mine separate for "dinner".)

Plus about 100 oz of water. I normally do about 64 oz of water. 

Felt a little hungry but not a big deal. 

Zero trouble sleeping.

Basically, totally boring. 

Had one of the coffee drinks for breakfast this morning. 

Feel pretty normal. 

 

[D_House]

LOL. If anyone is really interested, day 1 was super boring.

My main takeaway was watching 8 hours of NFL football is sub optimal with the advertising if you're not eating...

Down to 203 this morning from 205. 

Yesterday was 1 of the coffee drinks at breakfast and one for lunch. 

Coffee

2 TBS MCT Oil

1 TBS grass fed butter

1 scoop collagen protein powder.

1 TBS Honey

I think it's around 590 or so calories.

And then 12 oz of Oat Milk with 1 tsp of cinnamon. (Mickelson mixes the milk into his coffee but I did mine separate for "dinner".)

Plus about 100 oz of water. I normally do about 64 oz of water. 

Felt a little hungry but not a big deal. 

Zero trouble sleeping.

Basically, totally boring. 

Had one of the coffee drinks for breakfast this morning. 

Feel pretty normal. 

So you had 3 liquid meals throughout the day? Is the 590 calories inclusive of the oat milk?

 

[Joe Bryant]

So you had 3 liquid meals throughout the day? Is the 590 calories inclusive of the oat milk?

I had 2 liquid meals that were this for each drink:

Coffee

2 TBS MCT Oil

1 TBS grass fed butter

1 scoop collagen protein powder.

1 TBS Honey

Then 1 glass that was 12 oz of Oat Milk with 1 tsp cinnamon. 

 

[cosjobs]

Long ago I used to do fasting fairly regularly. Usually just a day or two at a time. As I got into my 50s, I found I could not do it any more. Even trying to do a single day, my mouth would get really tender and eating virtually any food was painful and leave small cuts inside my mouth. Its really weird and I have no idea of what's going on to cause that. I am able to do intermittent fasting, usually eating only from noon to eight. I have also had some good luck with highly restricted calories for 3-4 days (~1200 cal) and then a day of normal eating. I lost about 30 lbs over two months doing this, but have had a hard time getting back into it following the holiday indiscretions.

 

[Binky The Doormat]

I had 2 liquid meals that were this for each drink:

Coffee

2 TBS MCT Oil

1 TBS grass fed butter

1 scoop collagen protein powder.

1 TBS Honey

Then 1 glass that was 12 oz of Oat Milk with 1 tsp cinnamon. 

do you have a brand of butter that you prefer?

 

[Berlin]

I didn't go through the fad diet thread (and this is definitely not a real diet thing), so apologies if honda, but wondering if anyone's done the Phil Mickelson Fast thing.

It's basically a beefed up Bulletproof Coffee and water for 5 day thing. https://golf.com/news/phil-mickelson-coffee-and-water-fast/

A friend of mine did it and had about the same experience as the writer of the article. Sucked for the first couple of days and then fine.

I'm going to give it a try.

I'm in decent shape at 6' 0" / 205.  But definitely would like to be closer to 195. 

Anyone done this before? I s

I spent some cash on the coffee package and 'the good stuff'.  My wife and I really liked it. I ended up rolling with Mud-WTR as my choice of the two but that is because of the need to pivot from caffeine. I did not try the fast........I think anything to reboot health and suddenly eliminate bad habits for a period -  in general can work. Whole 30 comes to mind.

However, I am at a place where I want the changes to be sustainable. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

do you have a brand of butter that you prefer?

I use the Kerry Gold Grass Fed butter from Ireland as it's fancy.  

No idea if it really makes a difference but I got on it from the Dave Asprey guy who popularized the Bullet Proof coffee. He claims he was hiking in some Tibetan mountains and the guides gave him coffee or tea with local organic butter in it and it changed his life or something. I personally haven't had that experience but it seems to taste good. 

 

[SteelCurtain]

This may be a basic question, but are you able to work out or be active (yardwork, etc.) while doing this?  Or do you just lay around and try to conserve all your energy? 

 

[Joe Bryant]

This may be a basic question, but are you able to work out or be active (yardwork, etc.) while doing this?  Or do you just lay around and try to conserve all your energy? 

I'm slacking now and just do about 45 minutes of walking each day. I've heard people say it's a good idea to conserve energy although I'm not expending enough now to matter. :(

 

[ProstheticRGK]

This may be a basic question, but are you able to work out or be active (yardwork, etc.) while doing this?  Or do you just lay around and try to conserve all your energy? 

My experience is that normal everyday activities (NEAT) are fine: yardwork, cleaning, washing the car, etc. Increased energy makes me up my NEAT activities a lot, and I avoid doing intense workouts. Walking is great.

Hardcore workouts are not great. With any kind of resistance training I seem to hit muscle failure faster, and have hit some times where I feel really jittery/low blood sugar-y. If that happens, it is absolutely necessary to consume some form of carbs immediately- apple or orange juice or even a sugary drink. Low blood sugar can kill you.

High-intensity cardio workouts aren't really great, either. I get a lot of muscle cramping trying to run distances while fasting. Probably an increase in lactic acid from breaking down fat/muscle instead of carbs for fuel.

EDITE TO ADD: If you indulge in the use of recreational cannabis, be careful when fasting. There is some sort of Blood Glucose effect from smoking that can lower blood sugar dramatically while fasting. I had "a friend" almost pass out on a five-day fast, after smoking. Luckily, he recognized the signs of low blood sugar immediately and was able to stumble to the kitchen and eat an apple. But not before falling down into a door and breaking out the bottom panel.   

 

[Terminalxylem]

Long ago I used to do fasting fairly regularly. Usually just a day or two at a time. As I got into my 50s, I found I could not do it any more. Even trying to do a single day, my mouth would get really tender and eating virtually any food was painful and leave small cuts inside my mouth. Its really weird and I have no idea of what's going on to cause that. I am able to do intermittent fasting, usually eating only from noon to eight. I have also had some good luck with highly restricted calories for 3-4 days (~1200 cal) and then a day of normal eating. I lost about 30 lbs over two months doing this, but have had a hard time getting back into it following the holiday indiscretions.

Sounds like a saliva problem. 

 

[Judge Smails]

Going to be watching this. I’m not a fasting, gimmicky type guy and Michelson yo yo’s more than I would like to take advice from him. But hey, he’s not Daly I guess. I mean, 10 Otis Spunkmeyer muffins in one round?

 

[Da Guru]

I'm slacking now and just do about 45 minutes of walking each day. I've heard people say it's a good idea to conserve energy although I'm not expending enough now to matter. :(

Update? Any food cravings?

 

[Joe Bryant]

Update? Any food cravings?

Day 2 yesterday was equally boring. 

So far so good. 

Weighed 200.3 this morning. Down 4.7 pounds.

Today has been pretty normal. I think maybe I'm just weird but I feel normal.

Haven't been especially hungry. I mean the chips in the pantry look good and there was leftover chocolate cake from Saturday from a really nice bakery and I know it's great as I had a piece Saturday. But it's not been too bad.

My energy seems about normal. Slept fine last night. 

I walked 45 minutes yesterday and that was normal. 

Will walk this afternoon and expect about same. 

Almost 3 days in. Pretty boring. 

Some of the articles I'd read described day 1 and 2 as torture and day 3 as much better. I didn't think 1 and 2 were too bad and today hasn't been anything special. 

 

[Da Guru]

Need to give an update everyday JB.  I am interested in this.  Not that I need to lose weight.  I am 6-1 and weigh 210.  But would like to see if I could do it and maybe feel better.

 

[Joe Bryant]

Need to give an update everyday JB.  I am interested in this.  Not that I need to lose weight.  I am 6-1 and weigh 210.  But would like to see if I could do it and maybe feel better.

Ha. Thanks @Da Guru

Day 5 and weighed 198.0 this morning. Was 205.3 Sunday.

Sorry, but it continues to be boring. 

I feel excellent. Maybe even a little better than normal. I don't look like DK Metcalf but abs feel tighter and energy is totally normal, maybe a little above normal. Feel clear headed as normal, maybe a little more than normal. 

It's been annoying not to eat but zero problem. 

I'd planned to do this for 5 days so I'll be off it tomorrow. 

For the zillionth time, I do not think this is realistic way to lose weight. I was mostly interested in just how my body would respond. Seems useful information that to me, I've felt completely fine and maybe even slightly better than normal. 

 

[Terminalxylem]

Ha. Thanks @Da Guru

Day 5 and weighed 198.0 this morning. Was 205.3 Sunday.

Sorry, but it continues to be boring. 

I feel excellent. Maybe even a little better than normal. I don't look like DK Metcalf but abs feel tighter and energy is totally normal, maybe a little above normal. Feel clear headed as normal, maybe a little more than normal. 

It's been annoying not to eat but zero problem. 

I'd planned to do this for 5 days so I'll be off it tomorrow. 

For the zillionth time, I do not think this is realistic way to lose weight. I was mostly interested in just how my body would respond. Seems useful information that to me, I've felt completely fine and maybe even slightly better than normal. 

What do you intend to do with what you’ve learned?

 

[Da Guru]

Ha. Thanks @Da Guru

Day 5 and weighed 198.0 this morning. Was 205.3 Sunday.

Sorry, but it continues to be boring. 

I feel excellent. Maybe even a little better than normal. I don't look like DK Metcalf but abs feel tighter and energy is totally normal, maybe a little above normal. Feel clear headed as normal, maybe a little more than normal. 

It's been annoying not to eat but zero problem. 

I'd planned to do this for 5 days so I'll be off it tomorrow. 

For the zillionth time, I do not think this is realistic way to lose weight. I was mostly interested in just how my body would respond. Seems useful information that to me, I've felt completely fine and maybe even slightly better than normal. 

How much water a day are you drinking?

 

[BassNBrew]

What do you intend to do with what you’ve learned?

Work on becoming DK Metcalf.

 

[Joe Bryant]

How much water a day are you drinking?

About 100oz. Not counting the water in coffee and hot tea at night. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

Unexpected bonus: Big savings on toilet paper. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

What do you intend to do with what you’ve learned?

Not much. Just have it in the "experience" bank. This was really just more an interesting experiment. 

The big takeaway for me was how normal I felt. I'm sure everyone is different though. 

 

[dawgtrails]

Unexpected bonus: Big savings on toilet paper. 

Yea, how's the pooping going?

 

[Joe Bryant]

Yea, how's the pooping going?

ZERO.

 

[dawgtrails]

ZERO.

5 days in??? Oh my!!

 

[Joe Bryant]

5 days in??? Oh my

But I haven't had solid food in 6 days. It's what I expected.

I know I'll need to be careful with the "restart" tomorrow. Will go light. 

 

[belljr]

Question - did you follow it exactly like Phil?

I saw you mixed some things in that was not on his list.

Just curious - that could be one reason you felt pretty good 

 

[Joe Bryant]

Question - did you follow it exactly like Phil?

I saw you mixed some things in that was not on his list.

Just curious - that could be one reason you felt pretty good 

Pretty much just like the article @belljr

I did change it slightly instead of 3 TBS of MCT oil, I do 2 TBS MCT Oil and 1 TBS of butter. 

And I think he did 1 coffee in the morning and a half of one in the afternoon. I've been doing 1 in the morning and another full one in the afternoon. So my calories are more than his likely. 

If anything, it's shown me I can get by with a LOT less calories than I was consuming. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

And I'm doing 12 oz Oat Milk in the evening instead of almond milk that I think he mixes in with the coffee. So not much different. 

 

[dawgtrails]

Are these iced or hot drinks?

 

[Joe Bryant]

Are these iced or hot drinks?

Hot coffee drink.

Cold Oat Milk with cinnamon. (That's actually pretty tasty)

 

[Judge Smails]

Thanks for the update Joe. I want to try this but need to check with my doctors. Not recommended with those with heart or diabetes issues.  Obviously I have the former, though think I’m pretty much good as new so they may clear me. Pretty much the same boat as you. 6’1”. Was 214 after Christmas. 203.7 today just eating right, exercising and no wine. Haven’t been down to 195 since college and want to get there. Also clearing remaining toxins sounds good 

 

[Joe Bryant]

Thanks for the update Joe. I want to try this but need to check with my doctors. Not recommended with those with heart or diabetes issues.  Obviously I have the former, though think I’m pretty much good as new so they may clear me. Pretty much the same boat as you. 6’1”. Was 214 after Christmas. 203.7 today just eating right, exercising and no wine. Haven’t been down to 195 since college and want to get there. Also clearing remaining toxins sounds good 

And for sure, thinking on this, I see why people are pushing back. This could be trouble for someone with other stuff going on. Always get a doctor approval that knows your situation. 

As I said, my best friend is my doc. He's known me for 25 years. 

Don't do this without doc ok. With that said, its been interesting.

 

[Rodrigo Duterte]

I started this yesterday morning.  After a midnight pint of Talenti mint chocolate fudge crunch the night before.

Since I wanted to get a run in before the real fasting kicks in -- thinking I may not be able to do so during it -- I ran 5 miles at sunset.

Then 1 Chai Tea Latte Grande from Starbucks for dinner (7PM).

I ate the rest of some Planter's peanuts (salted) around 1AM, like 3 handfuls.

Felt fine in the morning, no hunger, but I usually don't eat much, if any breakfast anyway.

I'm obviously not going full Phil-Joe here but my question is do I need to stock up on any of those extra ingredients recommended and just add them into my Starbucks?  I plan on going with one or two chai teas (or coffee?) a day, that's it.  Since I'm not a coffee drinker I don't have a machine.  

I'm thinking there's too much sugar in the normal Starbucks coffee and tea and if so, how should I get away from that?

Oh and the oat milk with cinnamon, how important?  Thanks.

 

[HERBERT THE HIPPO]

Stop this foolishness now, you look good.....just kind of old.

 

[Da Guru]

And I'm doing 12 oz Oat Milk in the evening instead of almond milk that I think he mixes in with the coffee. So not much different. 

Been doing the Almond-Cashew blend  10 grams of protein per serving.  Much more than the Almond but a bit more calories though.

 

[Deepster]

Sure. Thanks. I can see all that. How my body responds after the fast is one of the main things I'm interested in. 

What did you mean by "no" in your first post?

I have had to go without solid food for 6-7 days twice due to bouts with diverticulitis and a related surgery.

As you mentioned earlier, the first 36-48 hours can be bad and it's shocking to see your body physically crave or dispel toxins.  Once, I started profusely sweating to where my entire head of hair was wet and droplets were dripping off my eyebrows.  It's common to get dull headaches.  Dizziness.  But once that breaks after Day 2?  Yes.  I wasn't really hungry at all the rest of the way.  One of the times, I felt like I could have gone a lot further, like 3-4-5 more days easily.

I would try it.  I have tried things like vegan, juice fasts, etc to see how my body reacts and I find it interesting.  Good luck, JB.

 

[Da Guru]

About 100oz. Not counting the water in coffee and hot tea at night. 

Don`t know why this is but if I wanted I can easily drink 6-8 Lite beers in a night..yet i find it difficult to drink 100 oz of water a day.   Even when I work out or walk the dogs 3 miles I am never that thirsty.  i have to force it.

I drink about 20oz of coffee every morning but not sure that counts toward the total.

 

[ProstheticRGK]

Ha. Thanks @Da Guru

Day 5 and weighed 198.0 this morning. Was 205.3 Sunday.

Sorry, but it continues to be boring. 

I feel excellent. Maybe even a little better than normal. I don't look like DK Metcalf but abs feel tighter and energy is totally normal, maybe a little above normal. Feel clear headed as normal, maybe a little more than normal. 

It's been annoying not to eat but zero problem. 

I'd planned to do this for 5 days so I'll be off it tomorrow. 

For the zillionth time, I do not think this is realistic way to lose weight. I was mostly interested in just how my body would respond. Seems useful information that to me, I've felt completely fine and maybe even slightly better than normal. 

just curious, Joe, were you doing keto or low/reduced carb diet before starting this? 

 

[Joe Bryant]

just curious, Joe, were you doing keto or low/reduced carb diet before starting this? 

Hi @ProstheticRGK I've done cyclical keto in the past. But before this, I was just eating pretty normally. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

Don`t know why this is but if I wanted I can easily drink 6-8 Lite beers in a night..yet i find it difficult to drink 100 oz of water a day.   Even when I work out or walk the dogs 3 miles I am never that thirsty.  i have to force it.

I drink about 20oz of coffee every morning but not sure that counts toward the total.

I have a 32 oz Nalgene bottle with a piece of masking tape with marks on it and time to keep me on track. Home made version of something like this.  If not, I seem like I never keep up. Dumb, but it works. 

 

[Joe Bryant]

A few folks have asked. A week after ending this, it's pretty   I'd "lost" about 8 pounds in 5 days on this and most has been added back. As many have said, I think it was mostly water weight as I didn't really felt like I looked any different. (Although with 8 pounds, not sure what I was expecting).

Bottom line, it was just what I thought it would be: An interesting experiment. I felt completely fine doing it and it wasn't difficult. But also no long lasting result. 

About what I expected. So there's that. 

 

[Doug B]

Looked over the last page of this thread. My wife and I have started, this past weekend, to attack our high-blood pressure through diet.

Anyway, the question I have for the house is: are concepts like intermittent fasting and "bulletproof coffee" of any use to people who are seeking sustained weight loss through diet? Like not to lose 10 or 20 lbs ... but for people who need to lose, say 1/3 to 1/2 of their bodyweight?

 

[belljr]

Looked over the last page of this thread. My wife and I have started, this past weekend, to attack our high-blood pressure through diet.

Anyway, the question I have for the house is: are concepts like intermittent fasting and "bulletproof coffee" of any use to people who are seeking sustained weight loss through diet? Like not to lose 10 or 20 lbs ... but for people who need to lose, say 1/3 to 1/2 of their bodyweight?

I'm no medical doctor but in the past what I did was go on a crazy strict /fad diet for 2 weeks then implement slowly healthy changes. I would gain a little back the 3rd week but for me personally it felt like a jump start.  Over the years I would yo yo like this. Lose 20 gain 25 etc.  Now I'm just trying to do it "right"

 

[Da Guru]

A few folks have asked. A week after ending this, it's pretty   I'd "lost" about 8 pounds in 5 days on this and most has been added back. As many have said, I think it was mostly water weight as I didn't really felt like I looked any different. (Although with 8 pounds, not sure what I was expecting).

Bottom line, it was just what I thought it would be: An interesting experiment. I felt completely fine doing it and it wasn't difficult. But also no long lasting result. 

About what I expected. So there's that. 

As Denny  Green would say...the fast is what I thought it was.....it is what i thought is was.