Entering My 40 (or 61) Day Water Fast...1st week...

by BJ
(Virginia, USA)

Hi. I am on day 6 of a 40-day initial water fast...and may extend it to 61 days if my body needs it. Here are my first week's notes:

I generally ate light, mostly vegetarian for the past 7 years (but occasionally indulged in other things). Salmon is my favorite indulgence and I ate it about once a month.

Just a couple of notes: I walk every day or bike or go to the gym, care for and do the cooking for a family of 12 kids and 5 grandkids plus whoever else is here.

So, I'm not able to avoid the smells or contact wit food at all. This makes fasting an interesting study.

I am discovering that the psychological benefit of preparing and smelling the foods is actually an aid...even though I have other people test foods for taste/seasoning.

Day 1: Drank about a gallon of water. Walked for an hour.

Day 2: Drank 6 20-oz water bottles...Felt weak and had a headache (expected). No nausea. Skipped walking.

Day 3: Did not sleep well; dozed and napped with lots of tossing and turning (no food dreams, lol). Did my walk.

Day 4: Went to the gym. Drank my 6 water bottles and had plain tea in the evening. Nice extra, even though I probably should not have had any because of the caffeine. Oh well.

Day 5: Went to bed around 2am. Didn't sleep well; kept tossing and turning. Not surprised as I have a lot on my mind in addition to the fast. Late this morning, after running errands.

I took a couple of my boys to brunch, drank a large glass of water and tried a cup of coffee: the coffee did not set well. I was glad.

Back to water. Perhaps the next time I feel really hungry I will add a dash of lemon or lime to some water. I thought about a broth but did not want to do that. A warm drink at night feels soothing to me.

Day 6: Still having feelings of hunger...weird. Checked my blood sugar...around 64...can feel the body periodically tapping sources looking for nutrient resources.

I always feel that when the body switches to utilizing ketones. That started day 3 for me this time. I am thinking about whether or not to do a salt flush every few days...perhaps alternating magnesium sulfate (epsom salts) and potassium chloride (marketed in the grocery as 'no-salt').

I don't think I'll need sodium for a while. Perhaps once every 10 days. So I guess the best option is on every 3rd day rotate salt sources for the flush knowing that, while most goes right through and helps pull stuff INTO the intestine, a little is absorbed.

I think the magnesium will give the best results because of the nature of magnesium in the body. I was also thinking of waiting to see just how long it takes for my body to release its load of toxins...supposedly some time between day 20 and day 35. Interesting.

If I don't show signs of electrolyte imbalance I think I will just wait. Otherwise, I'll start with the appropriate electrolyte flush.

Will check in again next week...Happy Holidays.