I chose to do a 24 hr. water water fast randomly a few weeks ago. A week later, I completed a 24 hr. fruit-fast. Sometimes I like to challenge myself in these ways to see if I can ultimately accomplish them. I was able to accomplish both of these full days of water fasting and juice fasting but it wasn’t easy.
I didn’t just wake up one morning and decide to fast; I had to do some research to determine whether it was healthy and if my body was in a state to do so. Fasting is not recommended for those who have: high blood pressure, are pregnant, have heart or kidney trouble, are considered “malnourished”, dependent on caffeine, have drank a significant amount of alcohol the day/night before a fast, are anemic. I am not listing all restraints so please do further research for yourself. In any case, I determined that I was fit for fasting.
I started with a water fast since I thought that would be tougher to get through than a fruit-fast. Anyway, I stopped eating at around 7PM the night before my fast and ate again at 7PM the day after. I was a little nervous about starting the fast because I had read how some people’s heart rates can either sky-rocket or become very low, cold sweats, shaking/jittery, stomach cramps, etc. I decided to do it all-or-nothing. Normally, I wake up in the morning and take Vitamin D, Selenium and B-12 supplements. I was unable to do so for the water fast; I wanted my cells to be focused on getting rid of the toxins in my body. During a fast, energy that would normally be directed to helping with digestion turns toward the immune system and metabolism. The body heals itself during a fast, it repairs all the damaged organs, rids itself of dead cells.
To keep myself distracted throughout the day so I wouldn’t think about food. I tried not to think about the fact that I hadn’t eaten anything. From 2PM-5PM was where I really struggled. I did not encounter any physical strain but realized that my heart rate had decreased a good amount which I attributed to full relaxation. Water fasting was a spiritual one. I reflected on my daily need to eat and reassessed what I eat on a daily basis. Some questions came up, such as: “Do I really need to eat as much as I do?”, “Why do I succumb to food temptations: cookies, fries when I actually feel worse after I eat them?”. Now, I haven’t found the answers but my view of food for two-weeks after the fast was different. I appreciated meals more, ate healthier and actually lost 4 pounds over those two weeks just from eating differently. The fast helped me think a little bit clearer and in the last hour before the end of my fast, I meditated and rested.
My 24-hour fast had ended. My first meal was a Italian-dressing drenched salad with grilled chicken. You have to be careful not to fill your face with carbs as bad as you want them. I did have a side of pitas with tzatziki sauce. I must tell you, after an entire day of not eating, I was not satisfied with this meal. I wanted anything and everything but gained control. An entire day of water? Done. An entire day of fruit? Painless.
Interesting read, Sharon. I too have tried fasting in the past. Now on my vigorous quest to lose about 80 pounds (down about 30 now so almost half way) I’ve read countless articles about fasting. I successfully accomplished a two day water fast, but it was probably one of the hardest things I ever had to do, and don’t know if I could endure it again.
Can i ask why you chose to start @ 7pm and resume again at 7pm? Hrm, now that I think about it I probably did more then a 2 day water fast. I stopped eating after 7pm , but went to full days straight without eating. then resumed eating the 3rd morning.
I’ve been trying to change my eating lifestyle as well, so this blog is definitely of interest for me to read. Keep up the good writing
-Dave
Hey Dave,
Thanks for your note! I’m just at the beginning stages of this blog and it’s been fun so far.
I chose to stop eating at 7PM the night before so I didn’t have to go to sleep hungry. That was the only logic behind my decision. A 2 day water fast? That is pretty crazy. I had a tough time toward the end of my 1-day water fast. The fruit fast was a little easier, so if you want to do it again…you may want to. I felt more nauseous with the fruit fast which I thought was strange. I’ve read a lot of research saying to do a fast at least once a month but I can’t get myself do commit. It is especially tough if you work! Glad you liked the post. Talk to you soon
Makes sense. Well when you do a juice fast it creates more acidity into your stomach, and since you’re not eating you don’t have anything to absorb it. Not to mention that fruits have natural detox nutrients. The reason you were feeling nauseous is because your body is detoxing, its actually quite normal to get headaches and feel slightly under the weather. It’s your body passing the toxic things out of your system.
Ideally one should fast about once a week, but once a month is considered healthy. EIther way, it’s really hard. My diet right now is completely focused on fat loss, so I have to eat 6 meals a day and exercise alot. Can’t really fast when I’m trying to put on muscle and lose fat. Maybe when I get down closer to my target weight is when I will attempt my next fast.
My concern is just losing muscle in the fast. Being as I won’t have the nutrients coming in I don’t wanna lose some progress from the work I’m putting in at the gym.
Anyway, hope all is well with you!
-Dave
Sharon~
This is so great! I am so happy for you for getting this blog started.
I have actually fasted in the past. I was going to a nutritionist and my regiment included a day
of both water and fruit once a week. It was hard at the beginning but eventually it got easier. I was told
by my nutritionist that by doing that it can help you lose 2 lbs on that day…it seemed to be
true most of the time. Fasting helped me feel lighter and more energetic. I sometimes do
give myself a water and fruit day when I feel like I have indulged more than I should have .
Good luck with your blog!
Maritza
Thanks for the nice comments, Maritza! I am going to try post more regularly. Let me know if you have any suggestions or are curious about a certain area of nutrition and I will post something related too it
Hope you become a regular reader!