Water Fasting

[BlueEyedPersian]

Hi Avalonians,

I don't post that often but I decided to document my first water fast here.

I'm already 41 hours into the fast and lost about 1.4kg. I can easily lose 10-15kg so that's my goal for now.

Decided not to limit myself to a number of days so I will be listening to my body and stop when it tells me to.

That's it for now.

BEP

[jc71]

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
Hi Avalonians,

I don't post that often but I decided to document my first water fast here.

I'm already 41 hours into the fast and lost about 1.4kg. I can easily lose 10-15kg so that's my goal for now.

Decided not to limit myself to a number of days so I will be listening to my body and stop when it tells me to.

That's it for now.

BEP

Hey BEP,

Thanks for sharing. Well done on getting through 41 hours. I think you have broken the back of it now - it should be plain sailing for a while in my experience.

My problem is that I do get a bit bored not eating, especially when my family (wife and kids) are carrying on with their normal eating regimes!

I think you are exactly right to now listen to your body, but if you are so inclined, I am sure you will be able to keep going for several more days if not a week or two. I am not sure I will hold out that long as I have just found out I have to work in London for most of next week, and that makes it almost impossible to continue with the water fast, but we shall see - I can still go another 4 days or so before I get to that.

Keep going whilst it is feeling ok

JC

[Bill Ryan]

A minor note about fasting, that I've always been well aware of but haven't actually stated in any of my posts.

After even quite a short fast (= 3 days or more), there's the opportunity to reset and reboot any habits that might have been lurking in there, maybe not always supportively.

By 'habits', I mean things like reaching for sugary foods if wanting an energy boost, desires for candy, chocolate, coffee, or even bread, meat, french fries, chips, dairy, and goodness knows what else. (These things vary on a really broad spectrum!)

When one starts refeeding (the medical-technical term for starting to eat again) one has the clear option to be very conscious and deliberate and get it all right, whatever 'right' is for you — as at that moment any minor addictions or habitual 'reaching-for's will be all deactivated and switched off. Then, one can just start again with a brand new plan.

[BlueEyedPersian]

Hi JC,

Based on my weight goal I should be able to fast for 20+ days easily without reaching starvation mode.

I work 10 hours a day and try to keep myself very busy as to not think about food.

Good luck on your fast and keep sharing your experience as I will mine.

BEP

[Rosemarie]

I wonder if you are a diabetic type 2 you can do that fast Any one knows ?

[5th]

Posted by Rosemarie (here)
I wonder if you are a diabetic type 2 you can do that fast Any one knows ?

Not an answer to your specific question but here's an interesting viewpoint on the emotional causes of diabetes which follows on from my earlier post in this thread.

Source: https://youtube.com/watch?v=rdk52BB7Vrg

[BlueEyedPersian]

Here are my results so far.

I'm now on day 5.

Last meal on 2-1-19 at 7PM.

I weigh myself every morning.

Day 1: 91.6 kg (start weight)
Day 2: 90.2 kg -1.4 kg
Day 3: 89.2 kg -1 kg
Day 4: 88.2 kg -1 kg
Day 5: 87.2 kg -1 kg

Total: 4.4 kg

BEP

[BlueEyedPersian]

So I'm on day 6 now and I do have to say I thought I would have a different experience.

Since day 1 I'm feeling tired and I haven't felt a boost in energy at all. I feel weak, nauseous, increased heart rate and felt like I needed to vomit today.

I feel like giving up but I don't want to as I have a long way to go.

here are my results so far

Day 1: 91.6 kg (start weight)
Day 2: 90.2 kg -1.4 kg
Day 3: 89.2 kg -1 kg
Day 4: 88.2 kg -1 kg
Day 5: 87.2 kg -1 kg
Day 6: 86.5 kg -0.7 kg

Total weight loss: 5.1 kg / 11.24 lbs

[leavesoftrees]

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
So I'm on day 6 now and I do have to say I thought I would have a different experience.

Since day 1 I'm feeling tired and I haven't felt a boost in energy at all. I feel weak, nauseous, increased heart rate and felt like I needed to vomit today.

I feel like giving up but I don't want to as I have a long way to go.

here are my results so far

Day 1: 91.6 kg (start weight)
Day 2: 90.2 kg -1.4 kg
Day 3: 89.2 kg -1 kg
Day 4: 88.2 kg -1 kg
Day 5: 87.2 kg -1 kg
Day 6: 86.5 kg -0.7 kg

Total weight loss: 5.1 kg / 11.24 lbs

Don't be too hard on yourself! If you need to break your fast, listen to your body and do so. You can always fast after a few weeks when you are next ready to. It will be easier with experience and reading tips from people who have travelled the same road

6 days is a long time! . 3 times longer than my meagre 2 day stint

[BlueEyedPersian]

I don't want to be hard on myself. I just know I can do this. I'm at work now but I will do another enema today after work. I think I'm just experiencing serious detox symptoms. I'm drinking 2-3 liters of distilled water daily.

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
I don't want to be hard on myself. I just know I can do this. I'm at work now but I will do another enema today after work. I think I'm just experiencing serious detox symptoms. I'm drinking 2-3 liters of distilled water daily.

Detoxing, yes... could very well be. If so, it gets better!

A couple of suggestions:

1. Don't use distilled water. Try switching to regular filtered spring water (also commercially available in large containers). Distilled water has zero minerals in it. And 2 liters a day may not be enough: I always drink 3 liters/day (for 160 lbs/72 kg body weight/mass).
2. Try coffee enemas. There are many simple instructions on the net, and it's almost impossible to go wrong. (But use organic coffee, always, and the temperature should NOT NOT NOT be 'hot'. Test it on your wrist first.) Coffee enemas immediately stimulate liver detoxing, and also add a feel-good sense (from the caffeine). But it's NOT like drinking coffee. It's far gentler, but in a fast one can really notice the helpful pick-me-up effect.

[BlueEyedPersian]

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
I don't want to be hard on myself. I just know I can do this. I'm at work now but I will do another enema today after work. I think I'm just experiencing serious detox symptoms. I'm drinking 2-3 liters of distilled water daily.

Detoxing, yes... could very well be. If so, it gets better!

A couple of suggestions:

1. Don't use distilled water. Try switching to regular filtered spring water (also commercially available in large containers). Distilled water has zero minerals in it. And 2 liters a day may not be enough: I always drink 3 liters/day (for 160 lbs/72 kg body weight/mass).
2. Try coffee enemas. There are many simple instructions on the net, and it's almost impossible to go wrong. (But use organic coffee, always, and the temperature should NOT NOT NOT be 'hot'. Test it on your wrist first.) Coffee enemas immediately stimulate liver detoxing, and also add a feel-good sense (from the caffeine). But it's NOT like drinking coffee. It's far gentler, but in a fast one can really notice the helpful pick-me-up effect.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'll switch over to filtered spring water and bump it to at least 3 liters per day.

I've done many coffee enemas in the past but I was hesitating to do it while water fasting. I thought it would cause extra stress for my liver as it's already working hard to detox.

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)

Posted by Bill Ryan (here)

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
I don't want to be hard on myself. I just know I can do this. I'm at work now but I will do another enema today after work. I think I'm just experiencing serious detox symptoms. I'm drinking 2-3 liters of distilled water daily.

Detoxing, yes... could very well be. If so, it gets better!

A couple of suggestions:

1. Don't use distilled water. Try switching to regular filtered spring water (also commercially available in large containers). Distilled water has zero minerals in it. And 2 liters a day may not be enough: I always drink 3 liters/day (for 160 lbs/72 kg body weight/mass).
2. Try coffee enemas. There are many simple instructions on the net, and it's almost impossible to go wrong. (But use organic coffee, always, and the temperature should NOT NOT NOT be 'hot'. Test it on your wrist first.) Coffee enemas immediately stimulate liver detoxing, and also add a feel-good sense (from the caffeine). But it's NOT like drinking coffee. It's far gentler, but in a fast one can really notice the helpful pick-me-up effect.

Thanks for the suggestions!

I'll switch over to filtered spring water and bump it to at least 3 liters per day.

I've done many coffee enemas in the past but I was hesitating to do it while water fasting. I thought it would cause extra stress for my liver as it's already working hard to detox.

Good! As best I know and understand, coffee enemas support the liver, rather than stressing it. (But as always, I very much welcome hearing from anyone here who may know more.)

A quote from this page: https://drjaydavidson.com/coffee-enema-missing-links

Along with clearing out the bile duct, coffee enemas also boost some key antioxidants in your body. Glutathione S-transferase, an enzyme produced by the liver, has been shown to increase by 600-700% after just one coffee enema, according to research from the University of Minnesota.

[BlueEyedPersian]

Quick update

Day 1: 91.6 kg (start weight)
Day 2: 90.2 kg -1.4 kg
Day 3: 89.2 kg -1 kg
Day 4: 88.2 kg -1 kg
Day 5: 87.2 kg -1 kg
Day 6: 86.5 kg -0.7 kg
Day 7: 85.5 kg -1 kg

Total weight loss: 6.1 kg / 13.44 lbs

At this rate, I'll achieve my ideal weight in 7-8 days and it will be a 14-15 day water fast.

I've noticed I can sleep again without having sleepless nights. I never could fall asleep and would stay awake for hours.

I do have to say that since day 1 I feel weak and have not felt the keto energy boost many talk about. Maybe it's because I'm detoxing heavily and it's draining my energy. Walking the dog costs me a lot of energy so is walking in general. I feel cold all the time.

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
I've noticed I can sleep again without having sleepless nights. I never could fall asleep and would stay awake for hours.

I do have to say that since day 1 I feel weak and have not felt the keto energy boost many talk about. Maybe it's because I'm detoxing heavily and it's draining my energy. Walking the dog costs me a lot of energy so is walking in general. I feel cold all the time.

Re sleep, well done! That's a big thing.

The 'keto boost' may or may not kick in... re the benefiting effects of the fast, it doesn't mean anything if it does or doesn't. Walking will be harder work, for sure (it always is for me, too) — and yes, re feeling cold! My hands and feet would regularly get cold at the end of the day and I'd have to retire to bed early with a hot water bottle.

So, it all seems to be going very well. Congratulate yourself. Just count the days off one by one, and you'll get there. In the middle of a long fast it can all feel like a long time, and then suddenly, towards the end, you'll wake up and think "Wow! Only a couple of days to go... I can really do this."

[Chip]

Such a great thread!
Very much appreciated as I begin day 3 of my fast.

I did a 3 day in November as well as a 3 day in December.... December was the month that I planned for 5 days but neglected to plan many family social engagements.

I have been doing these for years but never really considered going any longer than 2-3 days- This thread inspired me to go longer.

I drink about 6 liters per day of water that is mixed with 1 teaspoon of pink sea salt, 1 teaspoon of potassium chloride (no-salt) and 1 teaspoon of baking soda.
This electrolyte recipe keeps me from getting any headaches and generally just makes me feel a bit better overall.

Choice of time to start and planning ahead has always been a challenge as well, currently my work schedule has me on the road for a month and a half and will be very busy. The hardest part for me has always been Boredom and not Hunger, which has always created my biggest hurdle.

Ive not set any specific timeframes, my decision to break- fast will be based entirely on my level of alertness required to perform my daily tasks related to my work.

As of this morning I feel no hunger and have plenty of energy (with some to spare).

I will try to log as much of my progress on this thread as time permits (very busy week).

[BlueEyedPersian]

so I took the advice of a member here to take a little bit of pink sea salt because I keep feeling weak.

Well that didn't go too well. I literally had to vomit after 1 min and it was a yellowish color.

[Chip]

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
so I took the advice of a member here to take a little bit of pink sea salt because I keep feeling weak.

Well that didn't go too well. I literally had to vomit after 1 min and it was a yellowish color.

How did you take it?
How much did you take?

[Bill Ryan]

Posted by BlueEyedPersian (here)
so I took the advice of a member here to take a little bit of pink sea salt because I keep feeling weak.

Well that didn't go too well. I literally had to vomit after 1 min and it was a yellowish color.

Sorry that happened! No fun. But the way to view it may be that your body gave you a very clear message it didn't want the salt. That's useful information.

My own understanding of water fasting is that any kind of supplements just aren't necessary. When I do a fast, I don't take a thing... no vitamins or minerals, no nothing. Just filtered spring water.

We all have plenty of reserves for a couple weeks: we're built that way. If you started getting bad muscle cramps, though, then that's likely to be a salt problem, and so that's something a little different.

Feeling weak does go with fasting in general, and the only advice I'd suggest is make very sure you're not getting dehydrated. (The color of your urine would give you feedback about that: it should be very pale, NOT a distinct yellow, or darker. Dark = dehydration.)

But, again, I'm no medical authority! That's important to stress. There are likely to be many web references from fasting experts advising about salt and mineral intake.

[Chip]

Day 4 update:

I completed my second day of my annual recurrent flight training in the simulator today. This is the ideal gauge to help me with noticing any perceptual changes in my level of awareness that could occur during my fast prior to any actual flight.

I am surprised to report that I felt the opposite and performed at my peak.

I have two more Sim events with a check ride on Saturday (Day 6 of fast); That will be interesting

Saturday will tell me if I am able go any longer than the 6 days; I have an actual flight in the real airplane on Monday (It's quite long from West Palm Beach to Geneva Switzerland).

I've not weighed myself at all but am noticing a definite thinning in my facial features as well my pants are notably much loser.

I find that strategic planning of black coffee as well as sipping water more frequently vs taking larger amounts spread out, very helpful.

I might have 3-4 cups of coffee in a day with a noticeable increase in caffeine sensitivity than usual. I'm a coffee drinker and normally I don't feel the affects as pronounced as I do while on this fast -I will reduce to 3 tomorrow.