4 1/2 Days (108 hours) - 9 1/2 Day to Go!

Serendipity!

 It's interesting how something shows up at the right time in life, when I am ready.  The Universe aligns, and what I need appears.  Even when I'm in the Darkest Despair, it eventually works out. Of course, when I've fallen into the Pit of Depression, I cannot see any light, I cannot see the way out, and I certainly cannot see that it's all going to work out eventually.  All I see is darkness.  Oh, how I wish I had this book a few years ago.  Could I have practiced self-compassion then?  Who knows.  Maybe not.  I was trying though, and doing the best I can. I am really grateful someone suggested this book to me yesterday!  Between fasting, reduced stress, and re-learning self-compassion, I have the sense that I am going to be able to re-create my Self, my Life, and the Contentment I've been seeking and working to find again these 5 years of Hell.

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I am 4.5 days into my 14-day fast! I feel good, and awoke a bit before 6am. For the most part I slept well, although I did wake up a few times during the night.  I do not feel deyhdrated this morning, which is a relief.  I attribute this to the increased teaspoon of salt I ingested yesterday, upping my intake from 2 tsp. to 3. Days 4 and 5 have been the toughest during my previous fasts of 5 and 7 days. My body is crying out for some movement as I feel stiff and my rib pain has returned.  I am going to take it easy, though, and wait until day 6 before I try yoga.  Maybe I'll take a walk later.

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In total, I've lost 5.5 lbs.  I'm averaging about 1.25 lbs. lost per day, fluctuation between 1 to 2 lbs. down for the last 5 days of weigh-ins. The good news is that my BMI has decreased by a full point, and both body fat % and Body fat weight are decreasing as well.  My new, fancy scale gives me at least 10 different metrics!  At this rate, I expect to lose about 8.5 lbs. over the first 7 days, and another 8-9 during the second week.  By the end of 14 days, I hope to lose 17-18 lbs. If I'm still feeling good on Day 10, I will extend my fast to 21 days, and so lose a total of 20+ lbs. At that point, I will feel "normal" again and should see and experience some remarkable transformation in both my body and mind.  Even 14 days will make a huge difference!  I'm excited and I'm feeling positive and hopeful!