I wanted to wait until after a couple of days of gradual refeeding before posting my results. Here they are:
-Height: 6 ft
Other stuff: I was on vacation for the week, so I could focus on my fast. Fewer distractions I guess, but also nice to be able to rest whenever I want (which was almost all day).
After a few days of gradual refeeding, I’ve lost more weight, whereas I had expected to gain some “water weight” back. I am 222 lbs as of this morning.
I drank a lot of water on my fast; about 4 litres a day.
I also drank 2 cups of black coffee per day, and a few cups of mint tea. I tried green tea, but it tasted funny to me for some reason. So about 5 litres of liquids per day total.
I was meticulous about getting enough electrolytes. I choked down that salty brine all day long! I used table salt, Nosalt, and magnesium citrate powder in my water.
Being careful with my electrolytes helped me to avoid problems that I’ve had during previous 2 and 3 day fasts (headaches, trouble sleeping, etc.). I dis have a few muscle/joint aches though, but nothing very severe.
Things I would do differently next time:
I think I would take vitamins throughout my fast. No reason not to, and it can help to avoid refeeding syndrome if you are fasting for a longer time. In this case, I just tool a multivitamin, B1, and B complex on the last 2 days of my fast.
I would also take a different source of magnesium next time. Magnesium citrate is a laxative, and it’s not fun to be caught by surprise (which is a polite way of saying I pooped my pants a little, a couple of times). My new motto is “Never trust a fart when taking magnesium citrate”.
My energy levels were pretty low. I felt pretty bad on day 4 and 5, quite good on day 6, and crappy again on day 7.
The first 3 days were actually pretty easy, maybe because I was drinking so much water, and taking my electrolytes. Partly because it was different mentally; I wasn’t focused on day 3 being “the end” this time, so day 3 was just another day in my fast.
This was my first long-ish fast; I have done a fair number of 2 and 3 day fasts in the past. I was thinking about fasting longer, but at 7 days I was very ready for it to be over. I’m going to try to keep up with my vegan keto diet for a couple of weeks at least, to see what the results are.
Anyway, thanks for listening!
Dude - I feel like I wrote that! Same experience here, including the laying around, except you are slightly taller. I am on Day7 today 235/224/179. Haven’t eaten yet, but I’m sure will next day or so. Great report!
Well done! It’s great to hear that you were successful, AND kept the weight coming off post fast! I wish more people knew about your kind of story rather than just tsk tsking when they ask about how you diet and you tell them fasting!
I’m in the same situation as you - took 20 days off and doing a 10 and a 7 to reset my body and on day 3 of 10 now. I agree that it is fantastic to just go and vege out for a while doing this kind of longer fast, although I do make myself walk at least 15 kms a day in at least two sessions.
Not stressing over weighing myself until I’ve completed at least 7 days of the 10 day fast - for me this is about feeling better, and getting a clearer head.
SW: 125kg, CW:??, GW:95kg
Great job! I’m on day 5, hoping to go a few weeks. I’m in the same boat in terms of fasting history and not being able to trust a fart… one question - what did you break your fast with specifically? I’m likely going to go for bone broth but assume that isn’t on the menu if going vegan.