Water Fast Complete

I completed my fast as scheduled and can now relate my experience.

Before I start I would again refer you to my words of caution mentioned in my last post. There are always risks involved, so please do the responsible thing and seek medical advice and supervision as a matter of preference.

I decided to undertake a short-term water fast (no food, only water) in order to learn more about this intriguing practice. Apparently when a body is not burdened with the necessity to digest, absorb and assimilate food ... it can then use all available resources to repair, rejuvenate and regenerate.

Most people are generally terrified of the idea of going without food for even a few hours. My friends were horrified. Why are you doing that? Why would you do that to yourself? Why stress yourself so severely? Are you mad? Will you be OK?

These were a few of the comments made. The assumption being that I was doing something highly dangerous and verging on the insane. People are afraid of what they don't understand, so these reactions are not surprising. I was quite relaxed.

Even my more enlightened friends were apprehensive. What about your blood sugar? Why don't you just start with a day? Isn't four days too long? Why do you want to do this?

Of course I had done my homework, reading books, articles and accounts of people who had fasted ... and lived to tell the tale. All were enlightening. All were filled with fascinating data that was quite unexpected.

It would seem that fasting is an amazingly effective healing protocol. But in this world of medical obsession and litigation, honest information was always shrouded with statements of caution.

I decided I was ready to fast and wanted, as an informed adult, to exercise my right to learn more the best way I knew how ... first hand experience.

I started on the Wednesday before my trip to London. I simply had a light, early dinner ... then stopped eating and went to bed at my normal time. Totally painless! The next morning I jumped on the train to London, got settled, shopped, walked and attended a three hour seminar. By 5pm Thursday I was still not that hungry or uncomfortable. I'd been too busy.

Walking the few miles back to the hotel that evening was the first time I felt noticeably hungry. Every street corner exuded the smell of curry, or pizza or some exotic treat. Every smell seemed to beckon me.

This exercise was rapidly becoming a huge feat of restraint.

It would have been so easy to say I'd gone 24 hours and just pack it in ... but I remained determined. I'd fasted 24 hours on numerous occasions. I was ready for unchartered territory. So I retired to my hotel to read, drink water and pretend not to notice the plethora of odours that wafted from everywhere.

London smells delicious!

Friday was easier. I had found my rhythm, renewed my resolve and survived my first night. I had slept well, but woken at 3am with the feeling that I was mildly nauseous. The walk to my seminars was uneventful, but I did notice all the Japanese restaurants and wood-fired pizza nooks.

This was not going to be easy.

My research indicated that once I had exhausted my body's reserves of stored carbohydrate (glycogen) it would enter a period of "gluconeogenesis" where it would break down protein to create the sugar needed to feed my brain. This would continue only long enough for it to sense that this was potentially destructive, whereupon it would then change gear and enter "protein sparing".

In this phase of gluconeogenesis, fats would be broken down creating more glucose, as well as some alcohol-like molecules called ketones. I'm no scientist, so please accept that my grasp of the supporting science may be somewhat limited.

Once past protein-sparing, appetite would theoretically disappear (it didn't for me) and a "normal" human could conceivably continue for far longer than most would imagine. Experienced fasters under supervision are known to fast for more than a month with no apparent harmful consequence.

I was just trying to survive 4 days without chewing my own arm off!

Friday night was hard. I felt worse than during the day and seemed to feel different every six hours or so. My hunger was dulled by a mild headache and I could definitely feel the toxins being released from my body fat reserves.

By Saturday morning, I felt brilliant. I had remained committed to monitoring the colour (and odour) of my urine and drinking water fairly consistently without going overboard. I was consuming at least three litres each 24 hours and for me this felt about right. Again, you may be different, so consult a professional if you want to know more. I was also careful to stand up slowly, as blood pressure tends to come down.

Saturday was a great day. I was clear-headed, went for a lovely walk in the sun and had energy to spare. Vigorous exercise is contraindicated during a fast, but I felt quite comfortable with mobility exercises and regular walks. I also appreciated the extra rest and sleep. While I was hungry, I was also feeling a sense of achievement.

I also decided that I would break my fast with a small helping of fruit on Sunday morning at around 9am. A formal lunch was planned for 1pm, so I wanted to introduce my system to something gently some hours in advance. Again, everyone is different and professional supervision may suggest a different strategy. The important thing is to respect your body and be gentle. Common sense should guide your actions.

Saturday night was a pleasure. No headache. A deep, relaxed, rejuvenating sleep ... and a clear head on rising.

My Sunday fruit was watermelon and grapes. They were nothing short of divine and I ate everything as if I would never eat again. The taste was exquisite. The perfect food for a body that felt "new". I was not tired, or grumpy, or sore. I was alert, relaxed and clear-headed. I ate slowly feeling no urge to gulp. My intention was only to savour.

The lunch was also a treat and I probably ate too much. In the few days since then, I have been aware of the load that food imposes on the body and have instinctively chosen to eat less. Any mistakes are immediately evident.

In the process I am closer to my goals of eating more responsibly. It is an experience I will definitely repeat. Most importantly I feel I am developing a better idea of my body's own unique nutritional requirements and learning better long-term consumption habits.

I feel considerably richer for the experience.