Day 10 of 21 (I hope!)

Today is day 10 of what I’m planning as a 21 day extended fast, water and green tea only. I’m feeling pretty decent now that I re-reviewed the electrolyte recommendations (thanks for that!) I am down 12 lbs, but it slowed as I am nearing that time of the month and am pretty sure I’m retaining water. Tummy is definitely flatter. For anyone considering a longer extended fast, here is my experience so far- days 1-3 were the hardest. Hunger dissipated on day 4. Felt super awful day 6 until I took a bunch of electrolytes, and then surprise- much better. :) I cook 3 meals/day for my husband and that’s kind of a bummer, but I try to make him stuff I don’t really like and then keep busy- cleaning, or I shower while he’s eating dinner, or doing some kind of self-care thing. The reason 21 days is my goal is that I read in Dr. Fung’s “The Obesity Code” that people who fast for 21 days are 60% less likely to have any type of cancer in their lives. Since I still have the extra fat to sustain it, I’m giving it a go. I have also “built my fasting muscle” over the last 2 years, but my longest fast previously was 7 days. Best of luck to everyone else on their journey.

Answer

On day 10 myself! What helps me keep going is remembering how awful it feels to break a fast incorrectly. From experience I know that I’ll be on the toilet all day and feel like crap. In order to do it safely it’s recommended to break it with bone broth (which I don’t like) and steamed greens (which I only like as a side dish). So just the thought of having to eat only those two things, for at least 2 days before I can actually eat what I crave, is what keeps me going strong!

Answer

We’re in the same boat!! I started mine December 1st, and planned for 21 days, so I’m moving in to day 9 now. My previous longest fast was 3 days and 17 hours but I’ve done many 36-72 hour fasts before this. Quite surprisingly, I’m already down almost 20 lbs already. Days 1 and 2 were easy for me, probably because I fast that all the time. Days 3 and 4 were hard, definitely. Getting into day 5, I genuinely felt totally normal, same for day 6. Day 7 I started to feel tired and day 8 I did feel some weakness and ended up upping some bile from my stomach. I was concerned, but apparently it’s possible this happens because of the liver doing a major detox and dumping bile that the intestines reject and pass it up to the stomach to get rid of. Took it easy, and am back on track.

I’m also doing exactly water and green tea only, as green tea does help me a lot. I also do take electrolytes, without any calories of course, and nipple on pink himalayan salt, even though I hate that part. 😆

Today I was able to wear a shirt I couldn’t fit in for 3 years. Such an awesome feeling. I’m still listening to my body and if things start feeling really bad I will break it, but honestly most of the time you feel normal! Hopefully we can make it!