I just finished a 48 hour fast (52 hours total) with a nice large salad and a protein bar, but now I’m disappointed because I really wanted to go 72 hours this time around. It was a very long day at work and I moved quite a bit, so I felt rather lightheaded and figured I needed to eat. Should I just be content with eating my one meal and go back to fasting now or is there anything I can do to prevent my mind from thinking I need to eat?
I used to get frustrated. Now I start any fast with the same goal—to only eat again when one of the following conditions is met:
I do not start a fast with a specific hourly goal.
That way I only “fail” at my fast if I eat based on cravings, bogus rationalization, caving to emotional hunger, etc. This way, EVERY fast in which I end it by eating for a good reason is a success.
Just knowing that my next fast is a new opportunity to go all the way through. It also helps to remember that even though 48 hours was short of your initial goal, you’re still reaping the benefits of it. And that 48 hours is still helping to bring you closer to your overall goal, whatever that may be.