I keep going back and forth about whether or not to end my fast tomorrow, which will be the completion of 7 days of water fasting. I'm at 139.5 hours of fasting currently, and will reach the start of Day 7 at 2pm today. The problem is not the hunger growls, those are no longer bother me. The big problem is fatigue, which is continuous and extreme. Walking up the stairs is exhausting. After my morning shower, I want to lie down. I'm too tired for a short, easy asana session or even a 20-minute walk! Part of me knows I should honor this feeling, and take the time to relax, cleanse, rejuvenate, and let my body do the work it does while fasting. I am okay with that, but this level of fatigue is too difficult. I don't think I should be this tired at this point in my fast, and I am unable to study or work remotely because my mental capacity is shot as well. I wouldn't mind being this tired if I could at least do some yoga and study or work. I'll lie in bed the rest of the day, but I at least want to get some mild exercise. Photo credit: Someecards.com I don't want to miss out on the benefits of a longer water fast, especially spiritually and emotionally, since I am making headway in those areas. I know that I'll achieve my physical goals with Intermittent Fasting, so that's not the issue, although I would like to manifest the quick weight loss that results from a longer water fast. I feel changes going on in my body, yet it is difficult to describe them. My primary motivations at this point remain: emotional and spiritual shifts. This is my dilemma.
I have the option of breaking my fast, refeeding for a few days, and then starting another fast. I could take a fasting break, then try another 7-day fast, but I think I will stop at 5 days. But it's important in this physiological experiment that I am undertaking to re-assess how I feel during each fast. So, if I take a break, fast for 5 days, and don't feel the fatigue I am feeling now, then at that point, I could continue the fast. I just notice that after Day 4, on both of my water fasts this last month, I start feeling crummy. I've overcome the hunger issue; maybe during my next fast, my body will overcome the fatigue that drains me. Conclusively, what I should do -- and will do -- is break my fast at the 7 day point (168 freakin' hours booya!!), which will be tomorrow at 2pm. I will gently re-feed with pureed veggie soup and bone broth on Day 1, and determine how I feel physically after eating (some people get nauseous or have diarrhea when eating too much solid food too quickly after an extend water fast). If I'm okay I may try some solid food later in the day (before 6pm: I'm keeping my eating window between 12pm-6pm). For the next few days of my re-feed, which will involve TRE (Time-restricted Easting) of 12pm-6pm, I will follow Keto or do a Fat Fast. Keto eating involves eating less than 20g. carbs so that the micronutrient breakdown is at least 75% fat, 20% protein, and 5% fat. A Fat Fast includes very limited amount of foods that are high in fat (avocados, meat, olives, oils, salmon, etc.), and is limited to less than a one week time period, but allows eating at any time to satiety (this is not a binge!). I will re-feed for 4 days total then start another fast. I want to emphasize that re-feeding between fasts is not a binge period. To continue my fasting protocol I will eat to satiety and not overeat. I will continue eschewing sugar and processed carbs. I will continue fasting with IF and EF (Intermittent Fasting, Extended Fasting). After re-feeding for 4 days, I will start my third Water Fast on Thursday, and see how I feel on Day 5. I haven't had a scale, so am gauging my weight loss by how my clothes feel. Besides, there is no way I'm not losing weight when I have no caloric intake! Even in this state of fatigue, my body is burning calories to stay alive. But I ordered a body-fat and weight scale, and am looking forward to its arrival on Wednesday! This will help with motivation and accountability. It will be good to see numbers declining over time!
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