Sky News anchor Kay Burley stunned viewers when she revealed she is presently on a 10-day fast.
Earlier this week, the presenter announced on social media that she was staying at a health centre and would be fasting for more than a week.
Kay, 62, admitted to feeling ‘a little bit scared,’ but said she wanted to share her experience so that if any of her followers attempted it, they would feel’more secure’ after seeing her.
Kay explained that she’d seen a doctor and a nurse before beginning the fast, and that she’d been prescribed ‘fasting minerals’ to consume three times a day.
She also displayed a large sheet of paper, which she explained was a list of activities to do at the clinic to pass the time, including swimming in the pool.
‘I suppose the biggest thing is not really eating very many calories,’ she continued.
‘How am I going to get on when I’ve got those rumbly tummy pangs? Stay tuned to find out.’
‘If you’ve ever wanted to try a fasting programme but were anxious about the challenge then let me do it for you’ she said in the caption.
‘Will the challenge be too much? How many calories am I actually allowed? What happens when I’m so hungry I can’t think properly?
‘I will be honest in my journey and perhaps it will inspire you to do the same. Check out my story and let me know what you think.’
While many of her fans looked intrigued by Kay’s commitment to fast for ten days, several expressed reservations.
‘Good luck but can’t imagine this type of thing can benefit the human body at all,’ one person commented.
‘Fasting in reality is just time restricted eating,’ someone else said.
Another added: ‘Genuinely what the hell are you doing? Check out now – stop this! You look amazing. Unbelievably interesting and intelligent what they hell do you need fasting for? You are a GODDESS sack that off.’
The pros and cons of a 10-day fast
Fasting entails refraining from eating and drinking calories.
The benefits of a 10-day fast like this include the ability to manage specific health concerns, as well as contribute to weight loss and improved blood pressure levels.
However, typical fasting adverse effects include fatigue, nausea, headache, elevated blood pressure, dizziness, heartburn, and back discomfort.
While many individuals fast in order to lose weight, they might soon recover it.
Although there are several anecdotal benefits of fasting, research only supports a small number of them, and the evidence is still restricted.
Kay has been providing regular updates in the days afterwards, revealing on the first day how she devoured a ‘800 calorie feast’ of fruit, chard and mashed potato.
‘Sounds terrible. In fact, it was tasty and filling. I went to bed with a full tummy,’ she said.
She also said that: ‘Waiting for me in my room when I returned was some “relieving salts” – I think we all know what that means!’
The next day she explained she was down to consuming 300 calories, telling her followers that her lunches were now consisting of carrot and beetroot soups.
