Water fasting is something I have been curious about for a long time. My brother tried a 10 day water fast a year or two ago, and it blew my mind! How in the world did he do that? 10 days? The idea was painful. Why would anyone do this? Is it safe?
While I was not interested in a 10 day fast for my first try, I did decide to do a "simpler", and more common 3 day fast. This is what I have learned about the process:
Why try a Water Fast? The benefits of fasting are quite impressive, and include improved cognitive function, increased ability to learn, protecting the brain from the neuro-degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's disease; anti-aging, longevity, immune health, and cancer prevention (please do not attempt a water fast if you already have cancer without seeking the assistance of a medical professional).
Types of Water Fasting: There are several different ways to include fasting into your normal routine.
How did it go? My 3 day water fast went pretty well, but I did make a few mistakes that I will not repeat for the next one. I had read that it was typically hardest for the first couple of days, but by the 3rd day, it gets much easier-not in my case! It took some getting used to for the first day, but the second day wasn't too bad at all for me. It was the 3rd day that I struggled the most. The issue was just that I had no energy at all. Since I began my fast on a Thursday after having a green smoothie for breakfast, my plan was to break the fast on Sunday at 9:45 am.
Mistake #1: I was taking supplements to aid with my energy level, and also an attempt to eliminate toxins that were being released from my system. This caused some nausea, and even led to an upset stomach, where the only thing I had ingested was some charcoal capsules.
Mistake #2: drinking black coffee on a 2-3 day empty stomach (UGH). My next water fast will be 5 days, and I do not plan to have any coffee or supplements at all.
Mistake #3: The timing of my fast was such that when I broke it, I was traveling (literally in an airport). I had no idea what to expect, and could not have predicted from my research that I would be feeling so lethargic; this actually resulted in my husband and I missing our first flight (I'm so sorry, Matthew!) So many people attested to having fantastic energy! I do think that part of this had to do with my first two mistakes.
Breaking the Fast: It is important to note that when you break any type of extended fast, breaking it needs to be handled carefully. A water fast should be broken with a little lemon juice and Apple Cider Vinegar in some water, followed by a mineral or bone broth after half an hour. Fruit or vegetable juices are also option, but with no added preservatives or sugars at first. Begin with smaller meals every couple of hours, and then begin to increase the size of the meal and decrease the frequency over the next couple of days. Pay attention to how your body feels after each small meal, and use that as a guide.
Fasting has been practiced for thousands of years. It isn't as impossible to do as many of us think. It can be an excellent way to get in touch with your habits and lifestyle choices-and bring your body back to a state of balance. I lost 9 lbs., but I gained 6 lbs of it back within just a few days. If you are trying to avoid losing muscle, there are options to do some light body movement during the fast-but walking is what is recommended.
While I was not interested in a 10 day fast for my first try, I did decide to do a "simpler", and more common 3 day fast. This is what I have learned about the process:
Why try a Water Fast? The benefits of fasting are quite impressive, and include improved cognitive function, increased ability to learn, protecting the brain from the neuro-degenerative diseases such as Parkinson's, Alzheimer's, and Huntington's disease; anti-aging, longevity, immune health, and cancer prevention (please do not attempt a water fast if you already have cancer without seeking the assistance of a medical professional).
Types of Water Fasting: There are several different ways to include fasting into your normal routine.
- Intermittent Fasting: fast for 16-20 hours, and eat a meal somewhere in the window that follows.
- The "23/1" fast: fast for a full 23 hours, and eat during the last hour.
- The Water Fast: Drinking only water for a specified length of time; the most common one is 3 days, but it could be done for literally any time frame up to 40 days (not for me!). The bulk of the benefits are seen with a minimum of a 2 day water fast.
- The "gentle" water fast: This one allows people to have black coffee or herbal teas along with the water. Caffeine is a stimulant, but also curbs appetite.
How did it go? My 3 day water fast went pretty well, but I did make a few mistakes that I will not repeat for the next one. I had read that it was typically hardest for the first couple of days, but by the 3rd day, it gets much easier-not in my case! It took some getting used to for the first day, but the second day wasn't too bad at all for me. It was the 3rd day that I struggled the most. The issue was just that I had no energy at all. Since I began my fast on a Thursday after having a green smoothie for breakfast, my plan was to break the fast on Sunday at 9:45 am.
Mistake #1: I was taking supplements to aid with my energy level, and also an attempt to eliminate toxins that were being released from my system. This caused some nausea, and even led to an upset stomach, where the only thing I had ingested was some charcoal capsules.
Mistake #2: drinking black coffee on a 2-3 day empty stomach (UGH). My next water fast will be 5 days, and I do not plan to have any coffee or supplements at all.
Mistake #3: The timing of my fast was such that when I broke it, I was traveling (literally in an airport). I had no idea what to expect, and could not have predicted from my research that I would be feeling so lethargic; this actually resulted in my husband and I missing our first flight (I'm so sorry, Matthew!) So many people attested to having fantastic energy! I do think that part of this had to do with my first two mistakes.
Breaking the Fast: It is important to note that when you break any type of extended fast, breaking it needs to be handled carefully. A water fast should be broken with a little lemon juice and Apple Cider Vinegar in some water, followed by a mineral or bone broth after half an hour. Fruit or vegetable juices are also option, but with no added preservatives or sugars at first. Begin with smaller meals every couple of hours, and then begin to increase the size of the meal and decrease the frequency over the next couple of days. Pay attention to how your body feels after each small meal, and use that as a guide.
Fasting has been practiced for thousands of years. It isn't as impossible to do as many of us think. It can be an excellent way to get in touch with your habits and lifestyle choices-and bring your body back to a state of balance. I lost 9 lbs., but I gained 6 lbs of it back within just a few days. If you are trying to avoid losing muscle, there are options to do some light body movement during the fast-but walking is what is recommended.
