Tried a 5 day water fast but fell sick at 3rd

Hey redditors,

I just tried water fasting from the 17th to the 21st, but had to break the fast today after I started getting weak.

I previously did my first fast from the June 3rd to June 6th, and it was great, without any health problems or anything. Felt good about it.

But this is my second time and it got bad today.

Here’s my experience:

Day 1: obviously felt okay, didn’t feel any problems.

Day 2: Felt slightly weaker, and when I went for a run, my arms were tingling after about a minute into the run, which was probably due to a sodium imbalance. And felt slightly weaker, but not that bad.

Day 3: In the afternoon, I started to feel weaker, couldn’t concentrate much and my work was getting affected. In fact, when I stood up from lying down, my vision would get flashy with bright lights (orthostatic hypotension) for 30-40 seconds and head was also dizzy as the afternoon went on. Finally as I got even weaker and body started feeling weird, I broke my fast in the late afternoon.

Didn’t take a large meal, broke my fast with some dates and nuts, and then a small meal after 2-3 hours. Will take another small meal the next day and then a big meal for dinner.

I obviously won’t give up fasting and will try again next month, but if you had a similar experience, or have some advice for the orthostatic hypotension and weakness/drowsiness I mentioned, please let me know!

Thanks!