On Friday, I finished a 168 hour water fast. This was a huge accomplishment for me since it was my first ever fasting or even going over a day without eating. My goal was was to kick start some much needed weight loss and test myself to see how long I could go.
Reflecting on the experience, the main thing I gained from it was direct knowledge and confidence that I’m able to push through hunger.
Days 2-3 I felt pretty hungry, but not terribly so. After that, the hunger feelings reduced quite a bit, and when I did have them, they felt more like conditioned response – work’s over, time for din…oh wait, no. I successfully resisted, drank plenty of water when those feelings came on, and ensured I got my multivitamin and necessary electrolytes each day.
Around day six I was starting to feel a bit sluggish. Overall I felt really good, but I noticed I just didn’t have the level of energy I wanted when going up stairs, etc. I decided if I felt the same on day seven, I’d end it, which I did.
Now, after carefully refeeding for a day, I feel really good and am switching to an IF schedule….but already, I’m looking forward to another more extended fast. I’ve heard extended fasts get easier, so maybe I can go past a week next time. I have a lot of weight to lose and life gets so much easier when I’m not carrying all that around.
Best of luck to you all and I hope you reach your goals!
Thanks for sharing. I’m on day 7 and am going to go for as long as I can. I often feel fatigue in my upper body when I fast, even with electrolytes on board. Day 5 is the toughest, usually. But yesterday it got to be a bit much. I had some broth and a cheese stick around 8 pm (Less than 100 cals) and this morning have a little more pep. Seven days has been my limit but I’m feeling good so far and plan to go for day 8. Hoping I can make it to the end of the month, perhaps with a <100 calorie boost now and then if I need it.
Not to hijack but I did a 7 day fast and honestly what I learned was that it is a bit pointless. Very amazing accomplishment and proved that I am capable of doing anything if I put my kind to it
However as weightloss goes I think OMAD a day of a healthy salad and a bit of fruit would have accomplished the same thing and been much easier, something you could maintain for months