My personal story of water fasting for 10 days! No food, no medicine. Find out the benefits, challenges, and the results of water fasting. Plus learn additional ways to detox your body.
Have you experienced the health benefits of drinking more water? Such as more energy, clear focus, and better digestion?
Well, my husband took it a step further and he tried water fasting for 10 days – 10 DAYS!
Was it because there was so much excellent food over the holidays that his body couldn’t digest all that was in it? No.
And the bigger question – was he hungry? Absolutely, for the first 24 hours, and even into day one and two… but then not so much.
You see, several months prior, both he and I decided to fast as a way of detoxifying our bodies and giving our digestive tract a chance to rest and heal itself. We had never attempted such a feat before and heard mixed reviews about fasting, but we figured it couldn’t hurt to give it a try.
Note: This is OUR personal story about water fasting. We’re not doctors and have never claimed to be. In no way, shape, or form are we stating that water fasting will cure anything. You should always check with your doctor before embarking on an extended fast!
How We Learned About Water Fasting
A few years ago, my husband worked with a man from Europe who was approached his 60th birthday.
He viewed a lot of things differently – as is expected being from another country – but his views on health really got my husband curious… especially how he viewed water fasting.
You see, twenty years ago, this man was told he had late-stage prostate cancer. It came as a surprise because he was in excellent health, was an active biker and ate a mostly vegetarian diet.
He knew the traditional treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, and surgery, but he wanted to try a more holistic approach first, so he looked into fasting.
He started a water fast for 40 days, which is exactly what it sounds like: no food and nothing to drink other than water. After the 40 days, he began to incorporate water fasting into his lifestyle, permanently, all while keeping track of his results in a water fasting log.
By routinely and regularly completing long water fasts and permanently changing his diet to include more wholesome, nutrient-dense foods, he now lives a healthier life! His cancer remains in remission to this day, over 20 years from his original diagnosis.
Why Try Water Fasting
After doing some research to validate his fascination and love of fasting, we came to this conclusion: there are clearly many health benefits of fasting, along with a lot of testimonials from people who have water fasted themselves AND experienced the benefits of fasting.
There are several ways to fast, but my husband chose water fasting for two main reasons:
- To detoxify. Water fasts are generally the quickest way to detoxify. Some even consider this the only “real” way to detoxify your body and bring it back in check.
- Water fasts are the most difficult type of fast. He figured if he could go ten days on water alone, all future fasts of juice or smoothies would be easy in comparison!
Health Benefits of Water Fasting
There are several benefits to increasing your water intake in general. I’ve summarized our findings on water fasting here, but if you prefer to see the research for yourself, we recommend reading “Water Fasting for Wellness.” For a doctor’s viewpoint of water fasting, check out “Fasting and Eating for Health.”
Note: This is OUR personal story about water fasting. We’re not doctors and have never claimed to be. In no way, shape, or form are we stating that water fasting will cure anything. You should always check with your doctor before embarking on an extended fast!
1) Fat Burn
After your body has used all the excess calories, it begins burning fat. By default, when you burn fat, you lose weight.
Fasting merely to lose weight is a highly debated topic and honestly, I don’t think it’s something you should do. Your body is smart and when you cut back calories, your body adjusts.
So yes, you will lose weight when you water fast simply because you’re not taking in any calories. However, this is short term.
A better way to control weight is by switching to a whole foods lifestyle. Exercise will help too, but what you eat is 80% of the battle.
Focus on nutrient-dense food, instead of the latest fad, and your body will naturally have the nutrients it needs to be healthy!
2) Mental Clarity
This is probably a side effect of your body not working very hard and in turn causing immense relaxation, but you are able to think much more clearly when fasting.
3) Vision
Yes, your vision can sharpen! An odd, but pleasant side effect.
4) Possible Cancer Prevention
A 2008 study at the University of California at Berkeley found that eating every other day decreased the rate at which cells produced, an effect known to reduce the development of cancers.
In animal models, intermittent fasting was found to reduce cancer growth on the skin and in breast tissue.
5) Live Longer
It’s hard to explain the science behind this one, but research shows that fasting can result in longer life spans.
Does simply going without eating prolong life? Probably not. My guess would be the continuous removal of toxins and allowing the body to rest from its daily work.
6) Detoxify
Isn’t this the new craze? People across the world are jumping on the “let’s detox and be healthy” bandwagon, shouting for their food to be void of GMOs and pesticides.
While we agree that food shouldn’t be genetically modified and that we shouldn’t consume pesticides, what the bandwagon folks don’t realize is that their “fad” is true!! Fasting DOES allow the body to rid itself of toxins.
However, if you go back to a lifestyle of poor food choices and living on the couch, you’re not really doing yourself any good.
A fast should be viewed as a jump start to permanent healthy choices. Introducing and MAINTAINING a proper diet filled with real and nutritious food is what will benefit you the most in the long run.
Note: To regularly detoxify my body from the occasional splurge, I incorporate detox smoothies and detox baths into my weekly routine.
7) Digestive Function
Your digestive system will love you for fasting. It takes about three days into the fast for your system to completely shut down. Liquids in, liquid out.
Consider Water Quality When Water Fasting
Berkey water filters are the cream of the crop, known for taking arsenic, uranium, aluminum, and fluoride out of ordinary tap water. While it’s on the pricier side, it’s definitely worth considering not just for water fasting, but for improving the water in your home as a whole.
The only downside is that Berkey water filters are really tall and can be awkward in the kitchen. We installed a reverse osmosis filtration system under our kitchen sink and we love it!
If you’re not a big water drinker in the first place and you don’t think water tastes good, consider an infuser water bottle. You can add slices of fruit that will flavor the water, making it more palatable.
There are infuser water pitchers too, for making bigger batches of flavored water. My favorite flavor combination is cucumber + mint + lemon – so good!
My Experience With Water Fasting for 10 Days
Note: These are written directly from my husband!
Days 1-3
The first few days were rough.
This is when the detoxifying symptoms were the worst. There was hunger, splitting headaches… it was rough.
I attribute the pure misery of days 1-3 to caffeine withdrawal (I’m a coffee lover). At the same time, Mrs. Crumbs cooking dinner for the kids and knowing I couldn’t eat was brutal.
Days 4-6
These days were relatively easy – at least compared to the first three!
By this time my digestive system had shut down and the hunger pains had disappeared. My tongue was often coated with a thick white film. This is apparently normal and a detoxification symptom.
I started losing weight, 1 – 1 1/2 pounds per day, but there was no problem going to work, playing guitar at church or performing any other daily physical functions.
Day 7
I will never forget this day – ever. This was the most miserable day I have ever lived on planet earth.
I came home from work feeling great, not hungry, thinking clearly… And then my life was flipped upside down.
My wonderful wife pulled a freshly baked loaf of rosemary olive oil bread from the oven. I was immediately angry and I wanted that bread. But it wasn’t even possible at this point.
Once your digestive system shuts down around day 3, it takes a few days to bring it back up to speed. You do this by very slowly introducing food to your digestive system… drinking juice for 1-2 days, fresh fruit for another couple of days, steamed vegetables for another day or two.
The process of reintroducing food can take anywhere from 7-14 days before your digestive system is back up to fully operational. Eating any solid food while in a fasted state can lead to severe discomfort and even hospitalization!
Day 8-10
These days were almost an exact replica of days 4-6. By the end of day 10, my body weight had decreased 15 pounds and I was ready to eat again.
Water Fasting: The Bottom Line
All in all, I enjoyed water fasting. It was challenging, but the health benefits (post-fast) were well worth it.
My digestion improved, blood pressure was lowered and my body was able to detox. I plan on doing it again later this year. My long term plan is to fast at least once or twice a year from now on.
My wife likes food too much to do a water fast, be she’s committed to doing a smoothie fast with me whenever I water fast. That might be an option for you if the idea of water fasting is a bit daunting!
An Update With a Second and Third Water Fast
Since the original writing of this post, my husband had finished two more water fasts, one for five days and another for 10 days.
His 5-day water fast was what he called, “quick and painless.” He did it shortly after we moved to Georgia and we were living in a one-bedroom apartment. Cooking was hard and minimal, so he simply fasted during the week and the kids and I had sandwiches for dinner.
His second 10-day water fast was a bit trickier, and we were thankful that he was under the supervision and guidance of a friend who is also a Physician Assistant. It’s hard to pinpoint what made this third fast so hard, and I, unfortunately, have no other details to offer, but it was a good reminder to not make any serious health changes without first consulting your doctor.
Fasting and Detoxifying on a Regular Basis
Water fasting is definitely on the more extreme side of detoxing your body. However, there are many other ways to detox on a regular basis to keep your body functions optimal.
- DIY Apple Cider Vinegar Elixir is great for a daily boost to your digestive and immune system.
- A Detox Bath is an easy way to relax and allow your body to heal from the everyday toxins we encounter.
- Drinking a Detox Smoothie from time to time will boost your body systems and keep it running smoothly.
- DIY Detox Face Mask with Charcoal and Clay helps to clear your skin and improve your complexion.
- Using a Detoxifying Salt Scrub is a wonderful way to clean your skin and exfoliate while removing toxins.
- Everyday Detox and No Excuses Detox are cookbooks each with 100 recipes for healthy eating. Real food eating and detoxing through diet is an excellent way to keep your body free from toxins.
Several of those detox methods use Bentonite Clay. It’s so good for your body in many ways (more about that here). If you’re just starting out try one of these smaller containers of Bentonite Clay. But if you’re like me and use it for all sorts of things around the house, buy it in bulk!
Have you tried a water fast?
I have wanted to try a 10 day fast (without the Master Cleanse protocol) but keep getting a lot of negative feedback. But reading this article– twice even- has convinced me to give it a try. I am excited to make my plans (buh bye diet coke and coffee!! hello water!)
Hi Rebecca! your fast will be significantly easier if you cut out caffeine well before you begin your fast. Also, many experienced “fasters”, recommend a raw diet 2-3 days in advance to ease some of the detox symptoms in Days 1-3. It definitely makes sense after going through the ordeal.
Also, there are so many different types of fasts out there. You can start out with an easy one, or jump straight into the extreme. I prefer the smoothie route, while Mr. Crumbs is usually more extreme.
If you visit youtube, you’ll find a lot of personal testimonies and video diaries of people attempting all sorts of fasts – even up to 40+ days (to extreme for us). Some of them are really encouraging and will help keep you motivated.
Good luck with your fast!
I know a pure water fast is, well, only water but the symptoms might be overwhelming and work against you keep the fast. I’ve noticed in my 3-day fasts that drinking a bit of green tea or sugar-free coffee helped to overcome some symptoms. On a 7-day water fast it was essential to keep me going. I will work on the caffeine addiction at a later moment 🙂
You can’t include any caffeine or any coffee in a fast. That is against what the purpose of the fast is about. If you can’t do water try a bit of green juice in between to help. Also the only thing that aleviates symptoms naturally are enemas and colonics. I would do that before drinking anything that has the potential to alter the awesome benefits you could get in your fast, or make it worse.
Sazza – no need for enemas and you can still detox the colon drinking coffee on water fasts (I know as I have just been to the toilet after 5 days water fasting with coffee and tea)
Give us some proof for your essentials. Proper peer approved journals not a silly website.
As for colonics – been disproved that it’s good for you 50 years ago – but numerous studies since.
As for caffeine – there are many scientists who actually encourage it – not only does it ease hunger pangs, but it encourages the body to switch to burning fat.
Green juice is also against a purpose of a fast – greens juice has sugar and calories.
Actually if you don’t consume more than 50 calories in a day it won’t break the metabolic fast. So if you’re finding yourself cramping up or you’re getting a headache or any number of things even queasiness. you can drink up to 12 oz of Pedialyte in a day I suggest only 2 to 4 oz. but this will instantly restore the electrolyte balance in your system and normally whatever is bothering you will go away. If it’s a headache you’re experiencing adding a little bit of salt to the morning bottle of water will usually take care of a headache helps with caffeine withdrawals. I myself am on day 8 of a 10 day fast the longest I’ve ever fasted a 16 days. I’ve incorporated working out into this fast I got to admit that’s rough.
Hi, I’m just on my first advanced 6 day water fast introduced by docofdetox Dr Darrel Wolfe on FB. Just. on the end of day 2 and wondering what will a day 3 bring me.
Advanced is simply with some extras to do it better. Dr Darrel introduced us with special minerals in a liquid form which we add to the water. And my day starts with belly button therapy, lion heart breathing, calcium the only one in the world which works. It’s 1 tsp of liquid added to a structured water. Then i go for nice &
Steady walk, take a 500ml of warm water with 1 tsp of Himalayan salt to flash my bowels then I also do coffee enemas. to detox my liver and colon. But I done coffee enemas for last 2 month because of cancer.
I add 1tsp of “Tommy love” to my structured water. I also take ATP+ & Fulvic accid. Please check out his website & fb Docofdetox.com
Coffee is ok on a water fast. Black coffee has zero calories and helps to burn fat and keep you energized
I would actually disagree with this. For a water fast, I would avoid caffeine. A cup of herbal tea, or a squeeze lemon could be added to the routine, but I would not drink coffee during a water fast.
Researchers at the Institute of Longevity in Southern California found that 1 cup of black coffee and herbal teas will not break a fast. Obviously, there are different types of fast and many people have opinions but do what works best for you. If you do not want to give up food completely, try the Fast Mimicking diet or intermittent fasting.
Do you think you could do a water fast using seltzer water?? Or at least a combination of water and seltzer
Thanks Amanda
Is black coffee , no milk no sugar a problem during this fast ?
Hi George,
I have heard that some people do drink a little black coffee while water fasting.
Hi George,
To answer your question, no its NOT A PROBLEM at all, as long as its unsweetened (see below).
I got into water fasting some five months back, so far I have a done 2 x 7 days, 1 x 8 days, 2 x 3 days and I am currently on day 12 of a 14 day fast. I have spoken to four doctors about water fasting and they told me that they recommend water fasting to almost all of their patients; for all the health benefits.
When you water fast its very important that you supplement with a pinch of salt every day, I use a pinch of Himalayan Rock salt that I put under my tongue to dissolve slowly but sometimes I add it to my coffee. The reason for the pinch of salt is that your sodium levels will deplete within a 24 hour period, and sodium is essential for your body to function properly. Without the your daily sodium supplement you might experience nausea, headaches, vertigo, fatigue, etc.
In addition to drinking 4-5 liters of still water per day, I also drink unsweetened black coffee, herbal tea, black tea and sparkling (soda) water. None of the latters have any carbs, fructose or glucose that would peak your insulin levels, and as such they are safe to add to your fasting schedule. At no point would I ever drink juices or even use drops of lemon juice in my water. All fruits contain fructose (sugar) and that will elevate your insulin levels which will negate the beneficial effects of the fasting. You want to keep your insulin levels at a minimum in order to “force” your body to use your stored energy which in turn releases toxins that are trapped in the stored fat. I only drink a maximum of two cups of unsweetened black coffee per day and always before 11 am, in the afternoon I might have a cup of green tea (or two) and at night around dinner time I will a large cup of aromatic herbal tea.
On a note relating to detoxification, yesterday (day 11) I had to go to bathroom TWICE (within a 2 hour period) and both times the discharge was foul smelling and pitch black (thick like tar), it was like pure poison! I believe that was purging of longterm pockets of toxins from my intestines. Felt great to be rid of that!
Before my first fast I did A LOT of reading of medical journals/ research and I have continued ever since, note that I am not a doctor, but based on my experience and readings.
Good luck with your fast!
Cheers,
Gustav
I read some further comments and I just wanted to add that I am 50 years old and on top of my water fasting I have also incorporated a Keto version (I’m not 100% strict) life style, and I have never felt this good.
Since I started my new healthy life style some five months ago I have lost almost 20 kg (44 pounds). I’m 181 cm (almost 6 feet) and I weighed 100 kg when I started and yesterday I weighed in at 82 kg.
I love cooking and I do most of the cooking at home for my wife and two teenagers, we also go out multiple times a week for dinners or brunches. I still do this when I am fasting, its not a problem, its a mindset. My family are my food tasters while I am cooking since I can’t do any tastings to see if its needs more flavour, and when we are out we have great conversations while they eat and I enjoy drinking sparkling water or herbal teas. Since I love cooking the drawback of longer fasts (+5 days) is that I get really really bored with the fast, thats the worst drawback for me, but its cyclical and passes quickly, only to reoccur a day or so later.
I have also started doing exercises, not a lot, like working on my strength and fighting cardio.
Thanks @tiffany for this post and take care everyone!
Aloha, on my 3rd fast currently, thank you for sharing your experience, i just want to add that BLACK COFFEE and GREEN or HERBAL TEAS with no additives are acceptable and do very little if anything at all to disrupt the water fast. ❤️
If you drink coffee, then its not a water fast. Water fast = water only. If your goal is to lise weight, then by all means drink it. If the goal is healing the body, esp from chronic illness, then water only is essential.
Healing the body comes from autophagy. Coffee and teas without anything added (sweeteners, milk, cream, etc) do not hinder autophagy.
I’ve done it and it works great! The first three days were VERY hard but day four-seven was easy! I felt better than I have ever felt and crazy as it sounds, could think clearer too! Good luck!!
Vary encouraging.
I don’t want to loose weight, I am thin as it is.
Loose…lol
I am on day 7 of a 10 day water fast. My experience has been very different than the author’s but I would still highly recommend the fast to anyone who wanted to improve their health. I don’t know if it’s because I’m 58 but I would say that I wasn’t totally able to do all my typical activities. I have had to work awhile, then rest awhile. I never have lost the desire to eat…maybe because I am a mom of a disabled son and am cooking three yummy meals for him every day. At any rate, yesterday was a miracle day for me. I had a lot of incidents of temporary deep pain in my abdomen and left knee, etc. For the first time since 2015, I have full range of motion in my left knee. I have struggled for the past handful of years with stretching. I went from being able to bend over to drop my hands to the floor,…but only making it 6-8 inches above the floor to stretching 3 inches past my toes!!! It was really wild.
I also have a genetic disorder that causes COPD even though I have never smoked. I could feel intense heat in my chest cavity. Now when I exhale deeply I don’t start hacking. Really miraculous!!! I’m hoping to see more of this in the next 4 days!
I did a 14 day fast when I was 21. No internet then. I was able to continue jogging 5 miles a day, etc. throughout the entire fast. So…it all changes when you get older. 😉
There is a fabulous YouTube video called “The Science Of Fasting” in Russia fasting used to cure lots of diseases while being scientifically monitored. I have fasted with great healing results for decades.
Don’t worry about peoples negative feedback! Typically negative push comes from uneducated or inexperienced persons. Fasting is a wonderful thing. Mohammad Buddha and Jesus all had followers- easy of these leaders encouraged their followers to fast. Even Pythagorean the developer of the Pythagorean theorem encouraged his students to fast before teachings. It provides a cleansing and detoxification as well as a mental test button. Go for it!
Each**** reset*** apologies! My autocorrect is mostly Incorrect!
Do it! Enjoy it! Trust yourself and pray!
I have decided to start the 10 day water fast to jumpstart my (wfpb) whole foods plant based eating plan-no salt, oil, or sugar. I will keep a journal of my journey.
How did your fast go?
I’m chicken! I don’t think I’ll ever do a fast of any kind. I only “fast” when I have to go for a blood test my doctor has prescribed.
Signed by,
Human Spammer,
Leona
Leona,
The mental point of view going into the fast is crucial. It seems hard, but if you keep your purpose at the forefront, it becomes MUCH easier. That and spending lots of time outside of the kitchen! ~Tiffany
I just came across this site and read the article. Unless I missed it, it doesn’t say how much water to drink each day on the 10 day fast. I am thinking of doing this fast and this would be helpful to know.
You can drink as much as you’d like Janet. 🙂
And it actually works…? I really want to try this but I’m scared I wanted to do it for weight loss originally but I want to test my will power is it safe to start a 7 day? Or should I do a 5 day…? Also what kind of food do I introduce and how often should I eat to keep the weight off after the fast
Actually I have read that it is possible to drink too much. That it can be harmful fur your kidneys. The general recommendation seems to be !-2 liters/quarts a day. 🙂
No.Max 3 liters.You want to spare your kidnies.
I found that during the first 1-7 days I had an almost unquenchable thirst and drank a lot more than normal, buy after that my water consumption leveled out to my normal consumption level. I never really tracked water, but I regularly consume more than 3 liters, so it probably depends on your body. I’m sure that first week I averaged above 3 liters per day.
Half your body weight at the least.
The water you should drink is at least 80% of your body weight. So I’m 150lbs currently. Therefore at least 120ozs should be my target water consumption, if not more. I drink it different ways. Some with lemon; some with lemon and basil; some with hot water and lemon (like a tea)…. like that…
I would like to engage in 14 days fast. I’m 58 years old.can I do it without any form of harm putting my age into consideration ?
Festus, I would suggest a 10 day fast as shown in this post. You should talk to your doctor about your personal medical needs.
Very informative posts! Mr. Crumbs touched on the process of reintroducing solid food. Did you have to follow the same protocol with the smoothie fast?
Theresa,
Reintroducing foods after the smoothie fast didn’t require nearly the protocol as a water fast. Since the digestive system doesn’t shut down 100%, there’s no need to “introduce” foods from the start again. However, my system was used to liquids in no more than 2 cups at a time, so in this regard, portions had to be small and the food had to be pure and simple. I concentrated on small portions of solid fruits and vegetables the day after and had one slice of homemade bread at dinner that first day as well.
Lesson learned – we had a family dinner two days after my fast ended and I ate two onion rings – the fried batter did quite a nasty number on my system, and it was strange (in a good way) to have difficulty digesting when my stomach is usually made of steel. Next time I plan to avoid fried foods altogether for at least a week. Sticking to produce, whole grains, rice and small portions of meat would be ideal. ~Tiffany
Thanks for sharing your story–I found it quite interesting!
Thanks Kirsten!
This is so interesting. I love reading about fasting and I have tried a couple of times to fast for 36 hours but got so tired that I struggled to look after my baby. I have done a couple of smoothie fasts but in the future I do want to try water fasting again. I’m currently pregnant so I may have to wait a few years, but I totally agree, why wait until you’ve got cancer, prevent it while you can!
Katherine,
The mere idea of water fasting leaves me tired! I wonder if fasting affects men differently than women? My husband says the first few days were the hardest, mostly because your body is used to something (eating regularly) and it’s no longer getting it. I guess similar to withdrawals from a drug addiction, though not nearly as dangerous. Anyway, once he was past day 3, it was smooth sailing. Until the bread of course. 😉 Congratulations on the pregnancy! ~Tiffany
Should look at studies for males and females and we are affected differently when we fast. Both have different responses to fasting. I read a few studies where Women’s hormones are affected differently then men’s when fasting. Even callorie restriction in a couple studies affected women differently then men. Be careful as a woman.
I would love it if you shared this with Healthy Vegan Fridays, a blog hop co-hosted by 3 bloggers. I’m sure our readers would really enjoy this. You can submit a post from Friday to end of Tuesday:
http://www.greenthickies.com/healthy-vegan-friday-30/
Thanks for the invite Katherine – I shared!
Yes it is funny isn’t it. I wonder if men are naturally supposed to fast more often than women.
Thank you for sharing this with Healthy Vegan Fridays. Check back on Friday to see if you were one of the Top 3! We hope to see you again this week. You can submit a post from Friday to end of Tuesday:
http://www.greenthickies.com/healthy-vegan-friday
i’m not sure how i feel about this. i think the key to being healthy is eating right, moving your body more than you sit and avoiding scary GMO and chemically laden foods. surviving a week on water is not good for anyone. your body needs to eat and it needs calories. just my thoughts…
thank you for sharing with us at the wednesday fresh foods link up! i hope to see you again this week with more seasonal & real/whole food posts! xo, kristy.
How you ‘feel’ is irrelevant as you are just writing down your opinion. Water fasting has helped me recover from stroke, reduce belly fat, recover from pre insulin resistance and after 2years in the gym without losing weight due to blood pressure medication I finally have a way to lose pounds. You have issues with GMO foods…I that is because you ‘feel’ they are bad also. Educate yourself about the science of GMo then perhaps you will ‘feel’ less negatively. No doubt my words will ‘trigger’ you….
HI, I am 21 year old girl who wants to fast but I am scared of promoting hairloss. DId you notice your hair shedding on a fast?
Jacqueline,
Here are the different fasts I have done this past year. Total fruit diet for 6 months and water(Note: Water intake became less as the fruits began to hydrate my body. I ate and juiced and made smoothies. Just depended on my mood. My reason for fasting at the age of 50, was hair loss, extra pounds, little energy and cloudy mind. Just 3 days into the fruits, the morning shower hair loss went from a handful to 6-7 strands in my shower drain. I hardly notice hair on the bathroom floor after styling my hair. Day 4, energy crash, major detox, lots of cloudy sediments in my urine. Day 5-7, I felt like super woman, clarity of mind, massive amount of energy, I could take on the world. Day 8, energy crash, not as intense. It seemed around every 4th day, I had a detox time period, each one being less and less intense. I didn’t really notice any more once I was in the 3rd week. Also, to my surprise, I had an open sore on the side of my nose the would bleed off and on for over 3 yrs, caused from life in the sun. In my 3rd week the skin had healed up and new skin had formed. It has been 9 mos. and no bleeding, I can see an indent, but even that is going away. In the beginning I was loosing a pound a day, to slow that down when I got to my desired weight, I just ate enough fruit calories to compensate my busy schedule. 2500-3000 calories a day. I did begin to crave avocados here and there, so I ate them. All in all the fruits and berries were awesome smoothies. My favorite juice was from the watermelon, I could have ate them the whole time, but they were out of season by the end. Then, my family and I went traveling on the road for a month. Basically, ate what was convenient. I truly paid the price. After about the 2nd week of garbage in, soon it became garbage out. My hair started falling out again, more than before, my weight returned rapidly, my attitude was not that great, by the 3rd week I felt cloudy in the head again and thank the good Lord, the only thing that didn’t return was the sore on my nose. That being said, I did a 21 day water fast, which the first 3 days were difficult, but after that, it was amazing, the stuff my body was eliminating through bathroom visits, sweating, running nose and sediments in my urine. My tongue was milky white on day 2, but as time progressed, the milky white on my tongue began to be less and less, only showing on the back of my tongue. The front of my tongue was a beautiful Rosie color. Yeah. I stopped the fast on lime water for a few days and then gradually went to fruit juices, then to solid fruits and veggies. I’ll have a normal meal(all American) with my family, but I pay for it the next few days. My goal is to get a completely milky free tongue. No garbage in, no garbage out. The fruits are where the healing and energy is held. The veggies are the proteins and minerals to keep you grounded and ther herbs are the goodies to pinpoint headlines. I hope others can be help by my journey this passed year. I truly feel my best when eating the majority of fruits. I don’t even desire the cooked foods; breads, pastas and meats. But, put a watermelon in front of me or a perfectly ripe pineapple or mango and I’m delighted. Take care
Pinpoint headlines should read pinpoint healings. Word correct can be annoying at times.
Donna, I truly enjoyed reading that. Thanks for sharing your experience.
My husband and I are educating ourselves to prepare for a fast. Like Tiffany, I love food too much! But, I am nearing 50, losing energy and mental clarity, noticing a tummy bulge….and something just has to be done!!! I am a bit frightened because I encounter monthly migraines and have always been a thin person.
I am looking for something (a book?) to help us fast safely…beginning the fast and then ending and introducing food. I would also like the book to include what to expect. I wrote down the Crumbs books: Water Fasting for Wellness and Fasting and Eating for Health. Ever read those? Got any other good titles? Thanks again for your blunt and funny comments. Loved reading them!!!
Shelley, Dr. Jason Fung in Canada uses fasting to heal a lot of issues in his practice and there is a ton of free info on his web site, he also wrote a couple of books.
Thank you soooo much for sharing your trials and tribulations well on your journey to a healthier way of life. I’m so encouraged and inspired now. I feel nervous but confident about doing the waterfast and completing it !
Donna, I love your post as it resonates with my current position. I’m currently 7 days into a water fast and the transition was easier than ever because I’ve been consuming a strictly began diet with about sixty percent raw fruit. Fruit is supreme. I wonder if you’ve ever wondered what it would be like to immerse yourself in a rainforest garden and enjoy delicious tropical fruits fresh from the tree. It’s transformative. There’s a fruit feasting festival coming up during mango season i think you could enjoy. I plan on attending myself.
What an amazing journey. I’m turning 60 soon with cancer and going on my first water fast. I am looking forward to the new me after reading about all the incredible journeys to wellness and good health it inspires me to reach my goal.
Be extra careful when on blood pressure meds or any meds while doing water fasts…you should have your doctor help you with this. One of the benefits of fasting is, if you do this long enough, you may not need blood pressure meds. Your body will start to heal itself. For more info on the benefits of fasting, look into Dr. Jason Fung. He uses fasting to cure diabetes 2 and other physical issues. He lays out what fasting really does in the body. A common misconception of fasting is that the metabolism slows down. The actual results are completely opposite and people who water fast (btw, coffee will also boost weight loss during a fast) will actually have their metabolism increase. After a certain amount of days of water fasting, the body will also boost hgh to rebuild any lean protein that may be burned during the process…another misconception, the body does not eat a bunch of muscle during a fast, only recycles old proteins that need to be gone from your body. The body is extremely intelligent in what it is doing during a fast. I am on day no 5 and am losing 1.5 to 2 lbs per day. This is shocking since I was stuck at the same weight, no matter what I did, for the last year. I got into this fast by starting intermittent fasting on a ketogenic diet, pushed back to 1 meal per day for a few weeks, and then jumped into it. Still tough, but it helped.
That is great information! I would love to know if it’s backed up by clinical studies. Not trying to undermine you, just would love to see proof of those claims for my own peace of mind. I’m on Day 4 of a water fast and feeling wonderful. Coffee is a big help when I’m tempted to break it.
Hi George, research Dr. Jason Fung and the subject of autophagy— as Jennifer said, he is one of the most respected doctors on the subject of fasting. And yes there is evidence to back up autophagy which leads to new stem cells being created around the 4th day of a water only fast and the body getting rid of old, bad cells which can cause inflammation and lead to disease. So fasting is a great way of getting healthy and improving your health! Dr. Daniel Pompa and Dr. David Jockers are also 2 doctors that have videos and books about this subject. With the CoronaVirus now being such a threat, I am doing a 10 day water only fast right now. Stay well!
Don’t worry nothing’s gonna happen to you, in India there’s one religion called Jainism, Kains r just 1-2% of the Indian population, they’re the healthiest, lifespan higher than average Indian as they are vegetarians and they ritually fast during monsoons and it is water fasting.
They drink pre boiled and cooled water from Sunrise to Sunset.
Some fast for as long as 60Days at a stretch , currently the festival of fasting is going on and in Bangalore 20 people have taken up 42days fast, another 20-30days fasting, and around few thousand- ascending fasting till 8 days at a strectch, 1st day fasting , next day eating then 2 days fasting and 1 day eating, then 3days fasting and 1 day eating till 8 days of fasting and many thousands are taking up 8 and 3days fasting and almost everyone fasts on the last day of this festival. This year it’s on 13th September.
Kristy,
There are a lot of benefits to fasting. People have been doing it for ages. You should do a little research on it. (Agree with you 100% about genetically modified foods, though. )
I found your post very interesting, but I do agree with Kristy. Having a history of anorexia in my teens I feel fasting is never a good idea – although I appreciate some people do it for religious reasons. It does seem that it works for you, and clearly it worked for the gentleman you recommended though.
I apologise, ‘recommended’ should read ‘mentioned’!
Few questions about this post ffirst of all while I appreciate some concerns regarding anorexia I disagree that this post at all is intended to promote that the benefits of fasting have been well recognized and documented. I have a few questions I assume you did not exercise during thisbutdidyou stretch? And also I wonder if green tea decaf coffee along w water thank you!!
Ozlem,
We’re pretty convinced that there are significant benefits to water fasting, but you’re right, given the stigma that it has in society, the benefits (from scientific sources, not personal experiences) are not well documented.
There was no exercise at all during this fast. Simple stretches would have been ok, but my husband chose not too. He has tendonitis in his knee and was trying to allow that to rest as well. He had a glass of decaf tea (we had chamomile in the pantry) every couple days, just for variation. I don’t think that having one each day would detract much, if any, from the integrity of fasting (or the effects) since tea is herbs and pretty much water anyway. 🙂 ~Tiffany
Hi I have done fasts in the past but they were more like raw food or smoothie fasts, not straight up water. I want to try this for ten days but have knee and hamstring tendonitis. You said your husband has knee tendonitis?…how did his knee react to the fast? Did it get worse or better? I’m worried it will make my injuries worse or that i may loose muscle mass which could put even more pressure on my tendons..any thoughts??
Hi Michelle,
How did you get tendonitis? A fast probably can’t hurt or make tendonitis worse – it may actually help, by allowing your body to rest and heal itself (again I’m not a doctor).
I’ve struggled with patella tendonitis know for just over a year due to running/biking almost every day. During the fast, most of the irritation went away, but that also could have been a result of resting.
I’ve made adjustments to my bike, and stretch daily now, which has greatly helped with the tendonitis.
Do you stretch often?
A great resource for knee tendonitis is http://eccentric-exercises.blogspot.com/ – I may build a slant board to help…
Hope that helps !
I take my hat off to you, I could never go that long without food. I have tried, but my energy levels go through the floor and I just can’t operate anymore effectively. I have tried eating only 500 calories every other day, which works better for me and is supposed to offer similar beenfits. Thank you for sharing your fasting eperience with us and I hope to welcome you over at Seasonal Celebration again today! Rebecca @Natural Mothers Network x
Rebecca,
My hat tips to my husband as well. You’ve piqued my interest on the every other day limited calorie idea – thanks for the tip! ~Tiffany
This was very interesting. I’ve recently been diagnosed with ulcerative colitis and have been looking into fasting because it is supposed to be helpful for long term care and healing of the colon. After reading Dr. Fuhrman’s book on fasting I would be scared to undertake a 10 day fast on my own. He very much favors a medically supervised fast as in some cases your potassium levels or other things can go wrong and you need constant monitoring to know you need to stop. Now my problem is how does one find a doctor to supervise a fast? This doesn’t sound like something a fmaily doctor would be in favor of.
Holly,
I don’t know if you’ll find a regular MD doctor willing to supervise you during a fast, but you may have better luck with a holistic doctor or naturopath. I know my husband felt comfortable starting because he was is relatively good health, but he listened to his body when it came to physical activity and his body made it clear when it was time to stop. I don’t know I’d recommend undertaking a fast without supervision given your diagnosis, but making phone calls to local holistic doctors couldn’t hurt! Best of luck – please keep us updated on your progress! ~Tiffany
Last year during Lent I did a full 40-day fast. I had always wanted to do it, but I never thought it was possible for me. I two days before Lent, it was decided, and I dove in fully committed. I had absolutely NOTHING but water — LOTS of it — and Eucharist at daily Mass. I had long been off of caffeine, I don’t drink anything but water (then and now), but I concur that the absolutely worst days were the first three, day 16, and day 30. On those days, I surely felt blessed to survive another day. On days 16 and 30 I overdid things in my daily schedule. I did too much activity and literally collapsed in a dizzy spell. After day 10 I recall feeling much like you describe your days 4-10, but I very much needed to move more slowly when standing and walking. I felt decent, but the energy wasn’t there to do much physical activity at all. Water was at my side and physically on me at all times. Will I do it again. I don’t think so. For me I set out on a spiritual journey that I feel led to; I wasn’t looking for it. Though I lost 40 pounds that I could stand to lose, but wasn’t actively seeking to lose, I lost what seemed like a ton of hair. I thank God that I was blessed with an extra thick head of hair. It is growing back, but most of my hair is probably 4 inches long, everything else is around 15 inches. It has been difficult to contend with during the last year! Health-wise, I feel GREAT. After the fast, I never felt better. My diet totally changed. My last meal before the fast was ooey-gooey pizza topped with everything toxic, today I eat nothing by fruits and vegetables, beans and greens, and lots of them! I definitely feel healthier and stronger than ever — though it did take me several months after the fast to regain my strength again. Now I’m doing well. Since then I have only attempted 1 and 3-day water fasts.
Diane,
Thank you so much for taking the time to share your story! 40 days is a HUGE undertaking and you’re only the second person I know to do it – congratulations for making it through! My husband felt great after his, but I can only imagine how wonderful it felt to make it through nearly 6 weeks, even though it does take time for your body to recover from that type of trial. And such a 180 from your old diet too – incredible! Your story makes me want to try a 3-day fast! (Baby steps for me. 😉 ) ~Tiffany
With my 40-day fast I had a lot of time to think about my next meal! Literally! That, and I did a lot of praying and reading when I would normally be eating. With such a long fast my sense of smell was in overdrive. I was smelling foods that I truly struggled to remember having smelled before. That clearing of my sinuses, along with other positive physical changes (like my back and feet stopped hurting, and I seemed totally detoxified in every way) changed my thinking on food. I read of the health benefits of foods, I discovered DrFuhrman.com, and I decided to stay totally free and clear from every food that has harmful effects. I literally donated all food in my kitchen pantries, refrigerator, and two freezers. I should have thrown it in the garbage for the toxic waste that it was! Anyway, no milk, meat, cheese, butter, flour, sugar, etc. Nothing processed, ever, out of a family box or bag. Nothing remade unless I make it. Let me tell you, my first meal after the 40-day fast was freshly made tomatoes juice. Next I have freshly squeezed orange juice. My senses were in overdrive. My eyes told me what I was drinking but my mouth tasted these things pure for the first time. I had new tastebuds … everything was awesome … still is, but not to that degree. And that’s when the 3-day fast seems appropriate for me, when delicious natural foods have slightly lost their melt in my mouth deliciousness. Once detoxed to this degree, I didn’t want to waste the time and revert back to my old ways with food. I have a new lease on life
“If fasting has the potential to treat and even possibly cure cancer, why isn’t this being evaluated more often instead of the latest and greatest drug?”
The love of money is the root of all evil. Who would profit from the fasting approach? THAT’S why it’s not being evaluated on a large scale. Sad but true.
Kinzie,
I totally appreciate your honesty. 🙂 Thank you! ~Tiffany
It is. Check Professor Valter Longo’s at USC research on fasting and cancer, fasting and MS etc.
I am actually planning on doing a juice fast, using freshly juiced fruits and veggies. I decided it would probably be best to do when I don’t have to worry about going to work every day, so I’m starting the fast on spring break, when I take my vacation. I still haven’t decided exactly how I’m going to do the fast though. On rebootwithjoe.com there are about 4 or 5 different methods of juice fasting. One of them you eat only fruits and veggies before the fast, and start replacing meals with juice. I only have 8 days off, so I figure I should start weaning myself of caffeine now and I’ve been trying to eat more veggies with my meals. My goal is to loose some weight and when I come off of the fast, to start eating a plant based vegan diet. I’ve been a vegetarian for over a year now, so I’m hoping the switch won’t be too difficult.
Your blog entry was pretty helpful. It further validated my decision to do a fast. And it’s also made me realize I need to be careful when I start adding food back into my daily diet.
Dr. Joel Fuhrman at DrFuhrman.com, though he supervised Joe in the referenced documentary, said that HE DOES NOT APPROVE of juice fasting for as long as Joe did in the documentary. The reason was that there was too much muscle wasting. Additionally, he said, in the long run it is eating the proper foods consistently and exercising regularly that ultimately determines your long-term weight and good health.
On water fasting, Dr. Fuhrman says, “Total water fasting, is more aggressive and a more effective therapuetic intervention for certain conditions, such as ulcerative colitis, lupus, asthma and hypertension, but they have similar effects. Water fasting is generally done for shorter periods of time, and my main objection to juice fasting is that because it supplies glucose and people can function longer, they are encouraged to fast too long, without a protein source. When I was 20 years old, I water fasted too long as I trusted the health advisors supervising my fast, and I almost died from fasting that long, and it took me years to regain my strength, but that still would not make water fasting of more reasonable lengths not beneficial.”
No one but God and His angels supervised my 40-day water fast, and I can tell you that I surely felt near death at times — and I truly felt cared for by angels! 🙂 It was brutal — and I was stubborn to finish in no less than 40 days after I started. I would not recommend a long-term fast of any sort. The physical consequences after a long fast are not good, and long-term physical damage could occur. I didn’t ask, but no one could tell me differently before my fast — I was head strong — but I would be too scared to do it again. Knowing what I know now, I wouldn’t do it again — it is dangerous. Peace and prayers for your journey, d
Diane,
Thank you for the thoughtful and concerning input to Crumb readers! We all appreciate it! ~Tiffany
Amy,
Weaning yourself off of caffeine and eating a more plant-based diet before hand is a good way to prepare your body for the fast. I haven’t looked into juice fasting specifically, but I think it’s great that you’ve decided beforehand how long your fast will be – 8 days. You may want to aim for more vegetables than fruit during the fast, only because the high concentration of sugar in the fruits will be greatly multiplied in each glass of juice, plus the large amount of juice being consumed. Go slow when you eat again and always listen to your body! ~Tiffany
I did a 16 day juice fast a couple of years ago when I first saw the movie, Fat, Sick & Nearly Dead. I did use his website that he had back then for its forums but I didn’t bother trying to pick one of the plans mentioned on it. I just ate food one day and then went to only juice the next day and stuck with it as long as I could. The only reason I quit when I did was that I found out that my gut was too damaged and that the juice was sending my IBS into a tremendous downward plummet. I developed yet another new food intolerance and I got off the juice.
You always have to listen to your body and keep learning. You can do it. Just keep working to fine tune your understanding and your sense of yourself. It is a journey of many years to get healthy for some of us. But it is so totally worth it…and sometimes in really surprising ways. 🙂
Thanks for the helpful advice!
You’re welcome!
Thanks for sharing your experience! Very inspiring indeed. A 10 day water fast has long been on my mind, although haven’t attempted one yet. My longest fast was a 6 day grape diet, I ate just grapes for 6 days. The original plan was to go on a grape fast/feast for 21 days, but being socializing and being around food, and people asking “may be you can just have one bite” led to my downfall. So I can toally relate to how you wouldn’t want to be around food while fasting. These days I have just incorporated fast into my daily routine. I eat one full meal a day (salad and baked sweet potato for dinner), and juicing and smoothies for breakfast and lunch. This has pretty much helped me free myself from addiction to various kinds of processed food, etc. The amount of lightness, joy and peace is just amazing.
Also have you tried Sun gazing…..it is awesome, do look it up in my blog
also check out my youtube channel if you feel drawn to
cheers, 🙂
Raw fit sungazer
Thanks for sharing your experience too! Is there any reason why you chose grapes for a fast/feast? ~Tiffany
Oh, I was told it was good for preventing/curing cancer; plus sweet grapes is one of my favorite foods 🙂 that’s why.
Btw Sorry for the long delay in replying…i’d forgotten the name of your blog;)
I’ve fasted before and love it. Day 3 is always the hardest! I start fantasizing about food. I smell food everywhere and get cravings. I’m on day 3 right now…. ugh.
But this is the motivation I needed to stick to it! Thank you so much!
Hang in there Cali! You can do it! Think of how great you’ll feel when you’re done! ~Tiffany
Hello
Amazing self motivation well done
I’m sure your intention wasn’t too loose weight but did you and how much ? Did you put it back straight away .. Also I assume your skin is looking amazing when to went back to normal food did this effect your skin in any way ?
THANKS
Hi RT – Thanks !
I lost a total of about 15 lbs. during the fast. The majority of it during the fast, and a few lbs. post fast – since you have to reintroduce foods slowly.
Yes, my skin looked great after the fast. A few skin spots that I’ve had for years cleared up, and the whites of my eyes got a little whiter. My eye doc told me I had Pinguecula, which is normal yellowing of the corners of the eyes – probably from sun exposure. He said it was permanent – well, the majority of it went away 🙂 Just shows that the body can fix itself if you let it.
Anyhow, I put the weight back on in about 2 months. Being a pretty lean already (full time bike commuter) I didn’t want to stay so thin – but for those doing it for weight loss – it is possible to keep it off permanently.
I managed to do three days by the 4th day I was dizzy …. I want to try again and try and have the 3rd and 4th day fall on a weekend !
Could you actually tell you have lost a stone (clothes any looser) – I hear all this water weight business and never know how much this would be etc
Thank you for getting back to me – This is the most recent post I have seen and with someone who is actually reply and I have been attempting to do this a few times good to know someone who experience it is a message away lol:)
Any advice on keeping this weight off ?
Thanks
To keep the weight off – you’d have to completely change your diet post fast. The idea of a detox, is to purge the bad from your body, and start fresh, reintroducing good foods into your diet. To me that means lots of fruits veggies, and non processed foods. Lots of people have shared there story via YouTube – keeping a daily video diary of their fast – I found those stories encouraging to watch. Some doing it for weight loss, others for health benefits.
If you were dizzy by the 4th day, your blood pressure may have been to low. When I started, mine was about 130/80 – however, by day 9 of the fast, it had been as low as 99/59. It was monitored it several times a day with a blood pressure cuff. During that time, I’d have to stand up slowly, otherwise the lights went out 🙂
Yes, you could definitely tell I had lost weight. For me it was an unpleasant side effect. I weigh 145, and had dropped to around 127-130 range. People often asked if I was ok, or thought something was wrong, because I looked like a stick. Everyone has different goals, but weight loss was not something I particularly wanted – as the fast caused me to lose muscle mass as well.
Disclaimer: My sister is an RN, who I consulted with daily through the fast. If you are thinking of doing one – please do consult with a medical professional (as I am not one).
Great article Mr. Crumbs, it reinforces my strong mental state as I am now on day 3 of my water only fast. I’m not totally new to water fasting as I’ve tried it several times over the years yet I am rusty as I haven’t successfully fasted for the past 4 years now. When I ‘was’ successful I would fast twice a year for 7 days. Thanks for reminding me that its gets better after today. I agree that around day 4 of my previous fasts my hunger totally dissipates and my energy level increases. Personally I fast for weight control but I also enjoy the benefit of reminding my mind and body what true hunger is versus food cravings based on being inundated with eating and food from every aspect of life in the United States. I also want to stress the important of exercise and eating healthy in general. No one should partake in a water fast as a quick fix to lose weight without changing to a healthy lifestyle. What sparked my reemergence into a fasting regimen was a 20lb weight gain from what I’ll call ‘still okay with taking my shirt off at the beach’ weight and 35-40lb total weight gain from the lean ‘ideal weight’ I maintained when water fasting twice a year along with exercise and healthy low carb eating. The first 20lbs of the gain was directly related to not exercising as much (due to an ankle bone and tendon injury) and eating a lot of carb heavy meals, increasing my alcohol intake, and eating late. The next 20lbs of weight gain was due to being totally immobile for 4 months due to having surgery on the tibia/fibula in the ankle area and tendon repair, followed by another 4 months of partial immobility while I engaged in physical therapy. Thankfully as of last week I lost the 1st 20lbs already. How I loss the 1st 20lbs is important to note because I had initially attempted a water fast at the very beginning but I failed and couldn’t clear 24hrs because I had not prepared by body and mind through proper exercise and healthy eating. If anyone out there is about to embark on a fast it’s important that you’ve already reached a certain level of discipline illustrated by your mental and physical health. If you’re not ready in those aspects you will most likely fail. Even if my some miracle you succeed in a 4-10 day water fast, it’ll be far less enjoyable and you’re likely not to keep the weight off. I’m not saying you have to mimic me and lose 20 before a fast but losing at least 10 pounds (if your weight loss goal is 20lbs or higher) through exercise and diet would better prepare your body and mind for the fast. If all you want to lose is 20lbs or less I still encourage you to lose the 1st 5-10lbs through exercise and diet.
Like I stated I’m now on my 3rd day and while I agree with Mr. Crumbs 1-3 day experience, it’s completely bearable and I’m quite excited to enter day 4 and beyond. As far as energy level on day 1 it was hard enough not eating let alone exercise, day 2 brought increased energy as I was so proud I made it through day 1 so I walked a 1 ½ with some light weight training without any noticeable lag for the rest of the day. Today (3rd day) I definitely feel less physically energized, but knowing the physiological changes of fasting, I know that my body is completing its shift over to ketosis starting to use my fat as fuel so it completely energizes my mental state. It basically makes me happy and confident that my discipline has gotten me this far and soon onto the next level. Once I’ve fully entered ketosis I expect my hunger to lesson with increased energy as well. Like I stated before I’ve only gone 7 days in the past but this time I’m shooting for 10 days on this water fast so wish me luck!
Keenan,
Good luck with your fast. Once you get to Day 4 you’ll be smooth sailing !! Since you’ve fasted in the past, you have a pretty solid understanding of the phases your body goes through.
I’m already planning my next 10 day fast. Probably in the next 2-3 months. It’s really amazing how much (mental) preparation it takes to complete one.
I liked your weight loss tip: if you’re fasting for weight loss, to loose the first 5-10 pounds through diet and fitness. Many look at fasting as a quick fix to loose a few pounds, without addressing the cause of weight gain (diet/physical activity) before hand.
Mr. Crumbs, I am on Day 4 of my water fast, hunger is still there but it is bearable. However, when I weighed myself this morning, my weight was up 3 lbs, do you know why that is?
Another questions
( there may be more i want to start tomorrow) did you also exercise or was this purely water fast .. I imagine you may have been weak from the fast so it may have been difficult
During the fast were you generally active ?
I have a office based job only do about half hour of brisk walking a day
Thanks for your help 🙂
Arti,
I did not exercise during the fast, but had considered doing so before hand. Many people take walks or do very light cardio during water fasts – you just don’t want to overdo it (listen to your body).
Going to work wasn’t difficult (getting out of bed was :)… Basically, I just lived life as normal, but without eating. Nothing changed, except I quit riding my bike to work.
Good luck with your fast, and please feel free to ask any questions !
For the good of the thread group just thought I’d report that I’m now on day 5 of the water fast and things are indeed smooth sailing. It’s really about getting through those 1st 3 days because from the very beginning of day 4 my energy has spiked up, the ‘head fog’ has decreased dramatically (almost gone), and as long as I drink adequate water there is no sense of hunger… I think I’ve fully entered into ketosis now.
Keenan – Awesome ! You’re halfway finished ! What’s your plan to break the fast?
Thanks! I really want to do this right and stay in a ketosis state for an additional couple of weeks so I’ll break the water fast with 2/3 additional days of vegetable juicing and water only, then transiting to steamed veggies and lean poultry. I also have some gluten/wheat free crackerbread and seaweed snacks I’m excited to pop open.
Years ago I’ve never gained more than 2 or 3 pounds immediately back after previous fasts (which is great) but this time I want to see if staying in ketosis as I resume eating will prevent that. I’m amazed that I’ve loss 11 pounds of (almost all) fat being only 6 days in! The 1st 20 pounds I’ve loss on my goal to lose 40 pounds took 5 months with diet/excercise. Its looking like I’ll reach the next 20 pounds during this fast! I’ve also been able to exercise 4 out of the past 6 days too with 2miles walks and low weight/3 set/15 reps sessions hitting all major muscle groups so I know I’m losing fat and not muscle. Definitely glad I decided to add this water fast to my training… The only issue I have now is falling asleep at night as I have too much energy. One blog I found recommended a small dose of Benadryl at night as a remedy but I’m on the fence about that.
Well done. It sounds like you have a solid and safe plan for breaking your fast. That’s incredibly important !!
As for Benadryl, I personally wouldn’t take any meds while fasting. It seems to defeat the purpose (in my mind) of being able to detox. However, I’m not an expert by any means. If you are having trouble winding down, maybe read a book for an hour before bed time.
Also, take it easy ! You’re doing great, but don’t over do it on exercise:) I wish you the best of luck on your fast!!
― I Just Have A Question About This… Don’t You Feel Weak After The 4th Day!? Because I Was Doing The Oat Diet But Like Around The 4th I Was Actually Feeling So Weak! Besides I Wanna Know How Much Water Do We Need To Drink During This Process!? We Just Drink Water Right!? No Food Or Anything Like That. Please Answer My Questions I Really Need Them.
Maria,
Yes, I felt weak on the fourth day. I also did not exercise, so it didn’t bother me much. As for how much water to drink, I just sipped on water throughout the day – whenever thirsty. Never did I guzzle it; just kept some nearby to sip on.
Remember, I am not a medical professional. I encourage you to study fasting on your own and know what you are getting yourself into before hand. Talk to your doctor for any concerns or advice. I can only explain my own experience – not someone else’s. What worked for me, may not work for everyone.
― Okay Thanks (: By The Way ; Did You Gain More Weight After You Stop Doing It Or Are You Still In This Progress!?
I gained most of (if not all) of it back within 2 months – but as mentioned previously: this fast was not for weight loss. I’m pretty thin to begin with, so gaining the weight back was desirable.
It is possible to keep the weight off (if doing it for weight loss), by eating properly post fast.
― That Makes Sense Now. Well Thanks For Answering My Questions.
For what its worth, here is my experience so far with fasting.
I have food allergies but I stubbornly continue to eat those foods, so I know I have toxins built up in my system. I am just finishing up 6 days on the Master Cleanse 10 Day Fast.
The first 3 days were rough with headaches, muscle aches and in general, a feeling of fatigue. However, I slugged through and looked forward to feeling better on the 4th day. The headache did go away, but old injuries from my field hockey days began to bother me at the end of the 3rd day. By the time I woke up on the 4th day, I thought I had thrown my back out. My feet, legs knees and back were cramping horribly. My weight loss, which had been about a pound a day up until then, had ceased and I had even gained a pound. Frustrated at the weight gain and the muscle pain, I wanted to give up, but my pigheadedness would not let me quit. I thought, surely by day 5 I would feel better, but no, still back pain and muscle cramps. I took the dog for a walk that evening, thinking, I needed to stretch my legs out. I was in such pain after returning. I am now at the end of Day 6 and I still have back pain and muscle cramps in my legs. I did a lot of gardening today and my body is in a lot of pain tonight. I’m feeling like I may never feel better again, but I refuse to give up. My stubborn body has to let go of these toxins one of these days, maybe it will be day 7.
The reason I write this is because I did not see any posts from individuals having issues with pain in old injuries during a fast. During a fast, our bodies heal themselves on a cellular level. My old injuries are healing and that is painful. I truly believe in fasting as a means of detoxifying and healing my body, but I just thought people should know about this side effect also.
Mary, thanks for commenting ! Have you fasted before? I know from experience, taking on a 10 day fast is extremely aggressive if you’ve never completed one in the past.
Also, you may be trying to do to much at one time (working out, gardening) when your body is running on reserves. Because you are having strange symptoms (cramps, muscle pain), you may want to consult with a physician – or do research to find out if this is common.
The only thing that I struggled with was low blood pressure and lack of energy. Wish you the best of luck.
Thanks so much for posting! I too have been experiencing some physical pain with my fast. But I’m praying for healing. 🙂
Thanks for the comments, Mary. Yes, I had surgery on my knee 11 years ago and it never healed properly. Went on a 14-day water fast just now and my knee hurts so bad (it had not hurt ever in the last 11 years, so I know it is the water fast).
Hey John, just a thought because I experienced this towards the end of my fast and re-eating stage. I had a gout attack; which I’ve since read is fairly common after an extended fast (mine was 25 days). It is also fairly common to have a gout attack in a place where a previous injury has occurred. It is really painful and I’m wondering if maybe this is what happened to you. I also had a previous injury in my knee and have had an attack there before. Thankfully it doesn’t last forever, but is super painful during it. I have not had an issue since, and everything is “back to normal”, but thought I’d mention it. I have some family history of gout and I know kidney stones are related to the same uric acid build up and crystals as gout so a history of kidney stones or gout is just something else to keep in mind if doing a long water only fast. I would say for 20 days or so of my water fast I felt great! The first few days were rough and my last day and a half of fasting was miserable but in between was great. I work from home and also care for my infant son and was able to keep up with everything. My doctor is actually pretty pro fasting which is nice to have. He says the vast majority of people can safely fast for up to 40 days with little to no detriment to overall health and often the benefits of weight loss far out way anything that may happen.
Thanks Mr. Crumbs,
Yes, I probably am doing too much, but that is my mo. I laid low today. It is my first 10 day fast/cleanse but not my first fast. I have done 3 day fasts and juice fasts in the past, but the longest I have ever fasted was 5 days. I have felt better today; although, the muscle spasms in my back continue. I’m researching this and pushing through. Thanks for the reply.
Another question after during the fast it’s not that I’m hungry it’s that water has no taste is there any healthy way around this
But still having benefits of cleanse and weight loss
Thanks
Hi RT – you could always squeeze a slice of lemon or lime into your glass of water for a little flavor.
Or before bedtime, you could make yourself a cup of hot tea (decaf – no sweeter 🙂
Hi, I’m a personal trainer so don’t really have the option of “resting” during a fast. (Never done one before, considering trying 5 days or something). I don’t have to do anything vigorous but do join in on some exercises when training my clients, if they need the extra encouragement. If I fasted, might this make me feel worse, or even faint?! I obviously can’t let my standards as a PT suffer but really like the idea of all those health benefits and losing a couple pounds. Thanks 🙂
Hi Nicky !
I don’t think I’d recommend a water fast if you are a personal trainer simply because you don’t have much energy. If you’re in the gym several days a week coaching people, that might be a little much.
However, if you still want some of the detox and weight loss benefits, you may be ok with a smoothie fast. Mrs. Crumbs (Tiffany) completed a 5 day when I did the 10 day water fast. It’s documented here:
https://dontwastethecrumbs.com/2013/02/5-day-smoothie-fast/
Check that out when you have a moment – if you go this route, and find that you need extra energy, just drink more smoothie ! You’re still giving the digestive tract a break since you’d be on a liquid diet, but with TONS of nutrients.
Hope that helps !
I’ve done many water fasts in my life and recommend them to people all the time. I’ve also tried juicing fasts but didn’t care for the amount of extra work required (cleaning up after juicing). Besides, you don’t get the same benefits of a water fast, mainly, giving the digestive system a vacation period to get some serious R&R, heal, and allow all that blood to flood other areas to heal. I drank mostly ozonated distilled water (spiked with minerals) and took a lot of ozone baths as well, but that’s not necessary. Just drink good water, and lots of it, and take it easy during your fast (don’t try to do “too much”) and you’ll find you’re not hungry after the first few days, you have a lot of energy and focus, and you feel GREAT!
Your experience sounds a lot like my husbands’s Mike. Thanks for sharing! ~Tiffany
For the good of the thread… Two months to the day and I am again on my 3rd day of another 10 day water fast. Prior to my 10 day 2 months ago I hadn’t fasted for several years so the 1st 3 days back in April sucked. 2 months later now and I’m here to report on day 3 its already easier. The body is an amazing instrument already transitioning to ketosis faster than before making this fast even more pleasant…
Hello! I’m soooo excited to find your site. I’m enjoying all your older posts. I was particularly intrigued with this post. Could I ask…what kind of water did Mr. Crumbs use? Tap water? Distilled?
Thanks!
Hi Madetobemom, I used filtered water, from the tap. I will probably use distilled next time.
Hello mr.crumbs
I got excited when I found this site! Everyone usually talks about juice-fasting. Water-fasting seems almost rare-) I did do a 4 day water-fast 3 yrs. ago and I was so weak..and I was a student then too.. I don’t think I was drinking much water..anyway since 3 yrs. ago, I’ve done a 9 day master cleanse..successfully, I’ve done a 40 day Juice-fast..but gained all the weight back from bad eating;( I am ready to begin eating clean.. I really want to do the water-fast because I’ve tried the master cleanse and the Juice-fast and they worked but I was back to craving sweets and chocolates upon finishing the fasts. I have not tried just drinking water for a good amount of days. I heard water really heals the body and kicks out bad cravings and bad habits better then juicing so I want to give this a try. After completing a 10 water-fasting I plan on following with juicing for another 10 days then afterwards incorporating fruits, salads, vegetables & lean proteins back into my diet slowly. I want to begin eating plant based foods for the rest of my life. (Tired of yoyo dieting)I seriously don’t want to do another long term Juice-fast as I feel I can do a shorter water-fast and get a cleaner body and lose as much weight then juicing. Is it ok to waterfast monthly? Ie like doing 7 day waterfast monthly to keep the body clean and prevent weight gain? I read your article and I love that you respond as well! I saved this article on my homepage as motivation:)
Hi China !
First of all, congratulations on completing a 9 day master cleanse. That’s hard work !! And congrats on the 40 day juice fast. Very few understand how difficult it is to complete a lengthy fast.
While I’m a big fan of fasting, I’m not sure that I’d try a 7 day fast once a month, every month, for an extended period of time. That seems a bit extreme. That very well could be too hard on your body over the long term. However, by no means am I an expert and whatever you decide – please talk to your doctor before attempting. They know more, and can at least monitor your health (during a fast) should you decide to go that route.
I’ve read on other sites where individuals perform 3 day fasts once a month, every month, for the cleansing benefits… which doesn’t seem to extreme to me. However, I don’t know if there is an exact science for what is/isn’t healthy in how frequently/how long you fast.
My yearly goal is to complete a 7-10 day water fast every 6 months. While juice fasts have been considered, it seems that the water fast is more beneficial detox wise, and it’s just plain easier to drink a glass of water, than it is to fresh squeeze juice (and clean up) every day. Call me lazy 🙂
As for diet, I understand that you want to kick the cravings and get the sweets out of your diet. Consider fasting (water, master cleanse, juice) for an immediate detox, and go through your pantry, eliminating ALL processed foods. Make it a goal to eat only foods prepared by scratch. It doesn’t take long to kick the cravings, but it’s easy to go back into the old habits.
Mrs. Crumbs has a great guide here: http://dontwastethecrumbs.us5.list-manage.com/subscribe?u=174ddbeb0d5689543e624c877&id=095107c6ff – with 22 days to a fresh start. If you sign up for the newsletter, you’ll get her free e-book on how to clean up your kitchen (food wise). You can always unsubscribe if you don’t want the newsletter (we don’t hold your email address hostage .. lol), but it may give you a jumpstart, and help you get started !
Take care, and keep us posted !!!
I posted a little while ago and lasted 3 days (too much temptation)
My head was banging and my concentration levels were at an all time low – My weekdays are up at 6.45 at work for 9 back from for half six …. does this happen all throughout the fast ?? does the hunger become less as the days go on !
just out of interest did anyone drop a dress size ?would be a massive help if that happened.
Good luck to all !
Also agree with China having reponses helps so much so thank you !!
In my experience, and many others who have documented their fast, usually once you get past day three – it’s smooth sailing.
Youtube has a lot of video documentaries on people who have gone up to 40 days !! Try checking out some of those, as they document symptoms as they go through the fast !
Thanks Mr. Crumbs for the informational replying:)
Today is day 1! I will update my progress on here every couple of days. My goal is to do 10 days and if I reach day 10 and I feel ok, I may do another 10 day making it 20 days max! (Won’t go over 20 days) but I’m quite happy doing 10 days. As I’ve fasted before so I know what I’m getting myself into:) I will come off my waterfast by juicing for 2 to 3 days.. Before I start applying clean based food back into my body. I believe you are right, 7 days waterfast each month is extreme. So i wont be doing that i will adopt a regime of doing 10 day waterfast 2x a yr like you. My “french” fiancée doesn’t believe In having pantry’s so he makes sure no junk food comes into our apt) he’s supportive of my fast, he actually just completed a 5 day juicefast & lost 11pounds. @RT you CAN do it! Off to sip some water:)
Thanks Mr. and Mrs. Crumbs for your post. I just finished reading the book The Pleasure Trap to help me get a better understanding of what drives my food addiction. It was a great read and also suggests a water fast as a way to begin a new life free of food cravings as well as the health benefits. I am excited to begin my 20 day water fast today and this post is a great reinforcement of what I have to look forward to. I completed a 60 day juice fast successfully last year and am rebooting this summer with the water fast. The juice fast last year was very successful at jump starting my quest for a healthier lifestyle and I have changed my eating habits drastically to a whole food diet. I did hit a wall recently with the sudden passing of my mother and felt the pull of my addiction again. I was better this time only gaining 8 pounds back as a result, but I am looking forward to regaining my love of fresh foods with no salt or sugar added as I was before I began eating high salt, sugar and fatty foods again. Also, after eating healthy for so long my body has let me know that I need to give it some needed healing (I have been sluggish, having acne and yellowing eyes). So again thank you for all of your advice. I am so glad that I found your site. You will definitely hear from me again as now I am a fan.
Hi Danielle,
You’re most welcome! It sounds like you have a good head on your shoulders. Our standard advice is to always check with a medical professional before long term fasting, which your goals of 20 days certainly counts as. I hope you’re able to overcome the addiction of food – I know it can be tough! Never underestimate the power of prayer too. 🙂 We look forward to hearing your update! ~Tiffany
A couple of people mentioned hair loss. I’m wondering if others experienced hair loss. Anytime I reduce my food intake I see hairloss big time and it doesn’t quite grow back fully. Anyone know why so much hairloss? Is there anything that can be done to prevent the hairloss while on this water diet. Thank you.
Best,
Shamim Pirani
Hi Mr Crumbs, and everyone else,
I found this post while searching the web for testimonials from people who have experienced water fasting. I can recommend the work of Steve Hendricks on this subject, he has done great research on the topic. It was after reading his article in the March 2012 issue of Harpers I began my first water fast. I wasn’t sure how long to go, but the euphoria and increased focus I experienced kept me on the fast for 21 days. I lost 26 pounds (from 167 to 141) but as a 5 foot 11 inch male, this wasn’t really the point. Nearly a year and a half later I can report that I gained back half the weight, and today is the forth day of my second water fast. For me it is about the focus and control I feel, so I guess it is a kind of self-medication and self-improvement tool.
My personal experience of fasting is that the first three days are tough, but I have not experienced any of the negative effects others have reported. I resent the physical weakness that Mr. Crumbs reports, but this effect seems worth it for the increased productivity that I experience.
Also, nobody told me that you needed to slowly introduce food back into your system. I broke my 21 day water fast with a lox and cream cheese bagel with all the trimmings. And I can tell you that that bagel was as close to a religious experience as I have ever had. I experienced no problems from doing this; it was like my digestive tract just turned back on like a light-switch.
Thank you for creating this post, good luck everyone with your fasts and eat smart when you do eat!
David A.
Oak Park, IL
David – thanks for the great write-up of your experience. 21 days is a long time, definitely required a lot of self-control and will power. Congratulations and good luck on your second fast.
As for breaking the fast, I bet that bagel was good.. lol. But, please research the possible effects of breaking a fast improperly, as it can actually be harmful to your body, and a shock to your digestive system.
Thanks again for the feedback – let us know how your second one goes.
Hello Mr. Crumbs!
I am on day 6 of my water fast and I found your blog very useful! 🙂
I’m worried because I have not had any bowel movements, but I read on some forums that this is nothing to fret about.
The most peculiar thing for me is that while on this fast, I’ve had vivid dreams about food!
However, like you experienced, after day 3-4 it gets MUCH easier. My stomach still growls, but my cravings have significantly decreased.
I was also worried about my electrolyte balance, so I have been drinking some mineral water high in potassium, sodium and calcium.
So far, I have lost around 10lbs. I presume some of this will be gained back since it is water weight.
If you don’t mind me asking, how much weight did you gain back after the fast?
Cheers!
Youme,
Congrats on making it to day 6 ! The bowel movement thing is normal, as mine shut down after day two or three into my ten day fast (this is why it’s important to re-introduce foods properly when you end the fast).
As for electrolyte balance – that would be a doctor question (which I am not one). My assumption has always been not to drink to much water at one time – otherwise you’ll flush all the electrolytes, and the results can be fatal. Here is an article : http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=strange-but-true-drinking-too-much-water-can-kill – you probably have to drink a LOT of water for this to happen – but you can also die from dehydration. Moderation, right?
When going through my ten day fast, I would never guzzle water. Just sip it here and there throughout the day if I were thirsty. Probably to the amount of 6 glasses of water per day. Occasionally, I would treat myself to a glass of hot, sugar free tea before bed, and maybe even squirt of lemon in water to break it the monotony.
Good luck ! And remember, any concerns talk to your doctor ! I was fortunate to have a health care professional (my sister and brother in law) monitor my progress. I would check in two times a day with them.
As for weight. I lost around 15 lbs, and gained about 12 of them back within 2 months of ending. Weight loss was not my goal though – I did it more for the detox benefits.
Entering day 5 of my third extended water fast, the first done 34 years ago – I’m 74 now – the second some 30 years ago. The motivation this time for jumping in was to knock out a gastrointestinal virus, nip it in the bud. Worked to a T. Done with the malaise by the end of day 3. So why am I continuing? I’m in good health, trim except for a mini-bulge, swim competitively, gardening is one of my passions. Except for excessive consumption of beer and wine my diet gets at least four stars. So why introduce this hiatus in to my life, this period of time when I’ll definitely need to slow down, need to not accord my To-Do’s list its usual power in my life. Very simply, it’s the changes. I breath more easily, my gums get healthier, my thinking gets crisper, I CAN smell the roses for once in a long while!, I get more things done in my domestic setting, I have easier access to my inner life, tears come more easily – – I’m just in a better space with myself, even during those first three days. And I’m thinking there may be a medical benefit as well: keeping my prostate cancer (the tame version – Gleason 6’s all the way) at bay.
Glad Google got me to this site. Good reading for me at this point, day 5 coming up.
Thanks Crumbs and Crumbs readers for sharing your experiences!
I am considering doing a fast myself – not for weight loss, not for “cleansing,” not for spiritual purposes, but because for the last week, I have felt simultaneously nauseous and ravenous, and it’s getting worse. I am starting to think that a fast would be my “reset” button: recalibrate my sense of hunger (mentally, mostly) and give my digestive system a chance to get out and recover from whatever’s been ailing it, and literally “zero” itself out. I contacted my medical provider to see if she thought it was a dangerous and hair-brained idea, or if she’ll give it her blessing. If I get the professional go-ahead, I’ll start it the day my boyfriend leaves for a long weekend, sparing him and my office the miserable Day 1-3 that I has learned about from all you people generous to share. Since I have food allergies I figure I should capitalize on the digestive “zero” by slowly and very methodically breaking my fast one food at a time, and hope that I can identify whatever it is that’s still in my diet and causing such a ruckus inside of me!
Good luck Val!
Hi! I was very excited to find this page! you have no idea how much I have been wanting to lose more weight to feel better. I recently lost 15 pounds through better eating and the last 8 by doing the ’17 day diet’ but I only did the first set. Part of that diet was drinking a glass of green tea after every meal to speed metabolism to help burn food faster. would you recommend doing this on this water fast? if so how many times a day? caffine or decaf?
TIA!!!
Congrats to you and your husband on the amazing diets!
Hi Samantha 🙂 My husband and I are not medical professionals, so I cannot recommend drinking anything in regards to a fast. This post is only describing our own experiences. Congrats on your weight loss, and thanks for understanding. 🙂
Hi… great thread… I have literally read each post in this thread…very very helpful. I completed a ten day fast about five months ago. I lost thirty pounds. Unfortunately, I gained it all back quickly BC I did not break the fast correctly :(. I am starting another water fast tomorrow. I plan 3-4 weeks.. hopefully I make it. The ultimate plan is to wait until my body let’s me know it is done healing. However, I just obtained a job that requires three months of physical training (correctional officer)… so, once I have my official start date, I can plan when to come off the water fast… according to the company…it will be 4-6weeks from today BC that is when the next training courses begin.:). Wish me luck!!!
I do have a question though. I know Mr. Crumbs mentioned hot tea a few times throughout this thread… is it OK to drink a natural laxative tea at night…. for example, senna? If it is…. how often can I do this… and can I have organic grade B honey in it for a sweetener? If I cannot sweeten it, that’s OK… mainly just want to know if I can have the lax tea or not… my thoughts are that it would help clean me out….. even if it was only for the first few days of the fast… I didn’t use it last fast… but I’d like to this time if it is OK to do….
Also, I know that you’re not medical professionals… but and experiences and advice would be helpful. 🙂 thanks!!
Thanks Brandy, and congrats on the new job – good luck!
I can’t tell you what’s ok and not ok ;), but I can share our personal experiences. Mr. Crumbs drank hot tea (chamomile) at night just for something different. I can only imagine plain water being kinda boring after so many days! I don’t think a laxative tea would offer any additional benefits, as Mr. Crumbs eliminated everything after day 3 or 4, and then there wasn’t anything left to eliminate (since only water was coming in). As for the safety of lax tea, you’d have to check the labels on the tea itself. Raw honey has awesome health benefits, and I don’t believe 1-2 tsp would hurt the long-term affects of your fast, but I do wonder if it would defeat the purpose of a water fast (since it’s not water?).
I hope this helps. Come back and update us on your results if you can!
I’m currently on day 6 of a water fast. I had done my first water fast (5 days) last February, which went fine. That one was limited because I was in the mindset and determined to give it a go but I had to plan to stop in time to allow for appropriate “refeeding” before a road trip. I had been on the GAPS diet for approximately 4 1/2 months leading up to that time and already eating a relatively clean diet long before GAPS. So I had very little of the misery that some people describe, just hunger for part of it.
This time around I had been off-track from the type of diet that works for me on and off again over the last several months and had even given in to fast food twice (both over the last two weeks while on road trips) so its easy to see why I got in the mindset to really get a hold of myself and get my mind and body prepared for a return to the GAPS intro diet.
I’ve definitely had some detox symptoms and a kind of rough go of it for the first five days. But I feel relatively nice today and have even been able to have some increased activity level after a lot of weakness, and listlessness. I’m not sure how long I’ll go. I try not to set long term goals to have to stick to (or beat myself up about) with my water-fasting mindset. But I am tentatively thinking of maybe a truly long-term fast if my husband can cope and not get too worried about me, and if nothing comes up that requires me to become available for travel or huge activity levels. Only time will tell… 🙂
Thanks for posting about your experiences!
Perhaps I should have mentioned that I am trying to do a real water fast with no extras or helps. I’m not taking in any lemon or maple syrup or honey or tea at all.
Over the last few years I’ve been trying to eliminate some of my meds and choose natural alternatives. Just in the last couple of months I finally found a natural alternative that really works for me for my legs kicking like I’m running a marathon all night long. Then I was down to really only having to consider my armour natural thyroid, which almost more like a supplement but does require a prescription. I decided not to take it for the fast. And yet at the same time to remain open to possibly starting back taking it if I decide I need to. So far so good.
So I am taking in purified water all day and in one small glass of water I am adding in my concentrace liquid mineral drops (20 drops-for my legs) somewhere in the middle of the day. I also have prescription vitamin D which I easily gave up along with all my other supplements (excepting the liquid minerals of course). Oh and I have B12 shots to give myself once a month which I will go ahead and give myself even if I’m still fasting when the time comes.
It is morning of day 11 for me. I’ve been journaling daily through a facebook community that no one else is really using. There seems to be lots I have to say once I start typing. Apparently journaling is really very therapeutic.
I’m still in the mindset where I want to keep going and do a long term fast right up until “true hunger” sets in, if at all possible. But I am also still open to the possibility that something could come up in life important enough to require me to start refeeding and make myself available to deal with what is needed with more energy and stamina. Some days I think about the potential healing and potential weight loss and hope that not only will I get to do that, but that it will take me a really looong time to get to that point where hunger returns! Oh the thoughts that run through my head! Imagine wanting to fast and not eat through October and November! I know that would sound crazy to a lot of people, but I am really very comfortable in my mind with what I am doing. 🙂
Hi Sheril! I want to congratulate you on your water fast so far – 11 days is a huge feat! I must advise you to consult with professionals regarding long term fasting and your health. I don’t want you to do anything that’s unsafe. 🙂
Healing and weight loss will come with short term fasting, but more importantly, it comes with long term health changes. When you break your fast, do so slowly, and make permanent changes to your diet. I think that’s when you’ll see the most improvement. 🙂 Blessings!!
Aww. Thank-you. I do have another Dr.’s appointment coming up. And as always, while I want to go on, I’m totally open to starting refeeding whenever it comes up that I need to. 😉
Oh.. and I never could have or would have done this back when I ate a garbage diet. I’ve been on a journey for several years now to learn to eat in a clean and healthy way that really works for me.
It’s Late afternoon, day13 now. And I’ve realized that even with praying everyday and having great prayer times I had gotten too focused on the physical stuff about fasting. It is a lot to take in and process and it is most of what people talk about on the internet. But I had wanted this to be a spiritual activity above all else when I committed to do it. So I have been re-centering myself and praying a lot more last night and today.
I feel better spiritually. 😀
Funny thing happened on day 13. I’d had the feeling a couple of times before I last replied that I really needed to eat but it passed very quickly and I figured that if it was the real deal it wouldn’t. Luckily I did listen to it enough to double check that everything was ready for my refeeding. Then shortly after I replied it returned with a vengeance and did not subside. So it was later that night that I started with a tiny amount each hour refeeding. It is hard to describe the sensation in any other way than a real need to eat. I wasn’t having any negative symptoms or side effects. But I was listening to my body and it for sure told me that my fasting time was over.
-feeling blessed 😉
Congrats on making it through Sheril, and for listening to your body. 🙂 It sounds like your fast was a success!!
Thank you for having such an informative blog post. The comments are very helpful too. Fasting is fraught with dogmas, so it’s nice to see that you aren’t plagued by the typical ones (only water fasting should ever be done, intermittent fasting is useless, nothing but water – not even herbal tea, etc… are examples of dogmas I dislike).
I used to fast regularly when I was about college age, but now in middle age, I was really worried about doing it again. It’s definitely more of a challenge with an older body, but the rate of weight loss (which I do want) is wonderful.
I’ve found that on day 6-7, I often become dehydrated, so I researched that a lot, going so far as to try and understand things like “intracellular water content.” I just wanted to share that once I got my electrolyte balance correct, I no longer suffer from dizzyness or brain fog. But I can’t follow the typical recommendation of Lo-salt use because it’s not a complete electrolyte. What I use is one packet of Emergen-C either daily or skipping every other day.
I also try not to waterlog myself. That’s harder to do because your body can’t even respond to water intake for 30 min. I find myself drinking about 2x16oz of water per day, sometimes 3x.
I could talk forever about the differences between being young and middle aged while fasting, but I won’t bore you. As implied, I didn’t need anything special when I was young.
That’s why I appreciate this blog and comments. Most places you’d expect people to tell you what works for them and expect you to follow it too, but your body is smarter than outside advice. The nice thing about fasting is, it sharpens your mind so you can work on problem solving with a high probability of success. Never underestimate your body’s survival capability. Fasting is a survival stress and your body will tell you what it needs.
I now define fasting as abstaining from the macronutrients as much as possible (Emergen-C has 25 sugar calories, I may switch to sugar free, but I think that would be chemicals, so…). If the extent that someone can do this is to juice/smoothie fast, so be it, it still shows amazing results. There are many paths to the same place.
@Brandy,
Some options for cleaning out before a fast (these are method I’ve actually used):
Magnesium citrate – comes in bottles of liquid at the pharmacy for around $4. Benefits: instant diarrhea, used for colonoscopy prep. Cons: drying, can lead to loss of potassium, not the best thing before a fast, but if you are aware of this and supplement 2:1 ptassium-sodium, you’re fine.
Miralax – since this isn’t absorbed by the body, you can use during a fast, completely non nutritive, pulls water into bowels – pharmacy or online about $30 for a regular size bottle. Benefits: can use during fast (non-nutritive), but may cause loose stools if overused – I’ve never had it cause actual diarrhea though. Cons: expensive
Enemas: yeah I know, yuk, but trust me this works wonders – kit may be purchased at some pharmacies (bag kit or bucket kit both work) Benefits: introduces clean water during a time when body is dehydrated, I’ve found this to be the BEST way to stop dehydration, stops headaches. Cons: Yukky, bathroom must be very very clean, even the floor (you’ll be lying on it with a towel down but anything the probe touches will add germs and you don’t want to introduce germs to your body, just clean water), may be hard to find good instructions for exactly how to do this.
Some theories suggest continuing to cleanse the bowel during the fast but I’m not sure, I think washing the skin and exfoliating is more important… that is, after the first clean out.
The major benefit I find of doing this cleanse before fasting is that I don’t end up with a hard stool that gets dried out and ends up as a plug in my system when I begin eating again. For short fasts (up to 10 days), that’s an issue, but not an awful one, but imagine if that had a chance to dry for 40 days! Ouch.
I completed my first 10 day water fast. My main objective was to reduce my blood pressure. I was diagnosed with high blood pressure in my mid-40’s. I was an active runner and “ate healthy”. My blood pressure was 180/118!!!
I was immediately placed on meds. I did not want to be dependent on meds for my life, so began search alternatives to treat root cause of my blood pressure, not just symptoms. Of course, there are others in my family with high blood pressure but did not buy into doctors claim that was all genetic. I changed my diet to a no salt, no oil vegan diet. I had never even consider a vegan diet before this. My blood pressure did drop (without meds) to 135/90 range. My blood pressure was better with just the diet change than on meds! Despite continuing on my vegan diet, my blood pressure was not making any other significant improvements beyond this. It seems that I reached a plateau. Perhaps from the build-up of so many years of animal products and “junk” in me.
I read an article that included clinical trials with statistically significant results that used water fasting for the treatment of high blood pressure. One of the authors, Dr. Goldhammer had a clinic, True North in Santa Rosa, CA. I decided to pursue a medically supervised water fast and very thankful that I did. Since I already was a vegan diet (with no processed foods, oil, etc.) I did not need to do a special 2-3 day prep prior to the water fast. My 10-day water fast started on distilled water only. After Day 1, I did not even feel hungry. My days were quite uneventful.
I understood that rest was just as important as the actual water fast. I did not work during the 10 days, I did not even check emails. I watched lots of informational videos, attending lectures, journal-ed, read, took naps, socialized with others in various phases of fasting, went to cooking classes (yes, this do not bother me), light yoga (no upside moves), etc. I was fine until Day 5. I was simply just walking to go back to my room and suddenly felt light-headed and flushed. A doctor and staff assisted me to my room, my pulse had dropped drastically. Once, I was layed down with knees up and shortly started feeling better. However, I was also feeling quite nauseated with dry-heaving symptoms. I was given sparkling water (instead of distilled) and it was the most amazing tasting water I have ever had. I spent the remainder of my fast mostly on bed rest. I could not sit or stand without feeling nauseated. So, 5 days of bed rest was making me a bit stir crazy.
Initially, I had thought I was going to do do a 20 day water fast. On Day 10, I realized that I was “done” (more out of feeling “bored” from just laying in bed, and the constant nausea if did anything). By Day 10, my blood pressure had reached 90/60!!! Incredible! There is no medication that I know of that could have even come close to this blood pressure drop.
I broke my water fast on Day 11. The amount of energy that I had was absolutely amazing. I felt that I could have run a marathon! I felt like I could not expend all the energy I had. My head was clear. I felt completely at peace with myself and life. I spent 5 days re-feeding and each day I had even more energy. For a few days, I went walking, running, bike riding for miles and miles each day. It has been a year since the fast.
The biggest challenge for me after the fast when I got back to “real world” was integrating a daily exercise routine. My doctor did tell me that I needed to do 30 mins of cardio to help boost my metabolism back up after the fast. I was not feeling 100% and did not do this. I not only gained back the 10 pounds I lost during the fast but also another 7 lbs. )-: I realize this is my own doing by not incorporating the daily cardio post-fast. My blood pressure has remained in the 115/75 range (some days better than others). I have started to reignite a daily exercise routine. My goal is to get back to the weight I was before the last fast before embarking on another. However, I do hope to incorporate another 10 day water fast late this year/early next year.
I’m a 14 year old boy and go to high school. I’m planning on starting my water fast on Sunday, to get the worst over away from school. But I’m not sure if it’s safe. My reasons are simple, my taste buds are in shutdown. All I eat is Pasta, Pizza and fish and chips. I don’t eat at school to avoid getting food stuck in my braces. I would like to try more foods with pleasure, but it’s sickening. I have an extremely high metabolism and I went through an extreme addiction to chocolate, but managed to cut it out. I am fearing that my body is still clogged from it. Also I’m eating at least a bar a week, which may not sound to bad, but it will get worse. I’ve been having constant headaches, and have incredible back pain. My body is a mess. My acne got so bad we even went to my GP and he prescribed some cream that is helping to clear it up. I’m trying to drink more water in general, but it’s never at the top of my mind. I also have constant tiredness and lack of energy. I am thinking 7 days, because we don’t have any exams, and finishing on a sunday would be great. I’m worried about the temptation too. Can I have some advice please?
Hi, I want to do water diet, I have done 24 hr water diet few year back, I have a question can I take my reqular vitamin.
inspired will start today wish me luck
good luck!
Thank you for this post! Super informative. I’m currently on day 7 of 10 and the taste in my mouth is making me nasues. I can not make it go away. Brushing, flossing, rinsing etc. Anyone else have this issue?
My foray into fasting for has been interesting. Although when I was younger, I had indulged in 24-hours no water, no food fast yearly. I hadn’t kept it up
So I decided at this time to try a 3-days water fast, but on getting into this blog and reading about very successful water fasts especially their health benefits encouraged me to for longer for its health benefits. I was going to try for 10days, but will now stop at day 7, not because I could not continue, but because my husband will be traveling and I cannot take care of the children alone in such a weakened state.
I undertook the fast while still being responsible for cooking the family meals, getting youngsters ready for school, doing the shopping, etc. By day 5, I was so weak and sluggish that I wondered if I could keep it up.
My husband then undertook the responsibility of getting the kids to and from school depending on work schedule and eating pizza for dinner. LOL.
It has been a journey. The most difficult part, after day 1 to 3 was dealing with the filmy coating on my tongue. I didn’t like that at all. It actually prevented me from drinking lots of water. Whereas typically I drank 2 litres of water daily. I was struggling to get 1 liter in.
Day 4 onwards was smooth sailing although I am extremely weak now. I now have one more day and I have to thank this blog for helping me realise this was possible and some of its health benefits.
Breaking my fast gently. I was not sure how to go about it, I decided to go real easy and listen to my body: So I thought, 3 days of the addition of 2 glasses of pure-pressed fruits to the water.
First day – 2 glasses of pure-pressed apple juice. I found it saccharin sweet. I could only do a half glass and my stomach could really not handle anymore. 4-hours later, I did better with the second glass, but still didn’t like the taste. My energy-level though increased tremendously. I could function normally, although not anywhere at top-level. It was passable. The 2nd day, I went for several fruits, instead of just apple and it was more tolerable, although I still found it too sweet. I also added multi-vitamins in liquid form.
I am going into the 3rd and final day of this, then I will be adding light soups for 3 days, then soft vegis. My energy level is increasingly by the day definitely. I can feel the difference.
The spiritual element has been most beautiful as well. Along with reading. (I had to use books by reading because after a while it was just too difficult to keep reading prints). I spent a lot of time meditating as well.
Overall, challenging as this seems, it is a journey,I am glad I am taking.
Wonderful to hear your fast is going well Darlyn! You should be on day 6 or so – how’s it going?
Dear Tiffany:
Please allow me to introduce myself. I’m a retired Vietnam Vet, white male, 66 years in age, “Blessed” with a great wife, of 42 years, 3 children and 6 grand children, and, over the years I’ve become very complacent, respective to my own personal health.
In my mid twenties, and, right into my mid thirties, I water fasted religiously,……36 hrs./week and a 5 day water fast every 3 months and once did a 15 day fast. That, however, was close to 35 years ago. In regards to my physical, and spiritual health, those years were the most optimal, apex, years of my entire life, and if I can get anywhere close to that feeling again, I’ll have been truly blessed.
Thank “GOD”, I presently enjoy good health, but, I am at risk, with high cholesterol and high blood pressure . My exercise is extremely limited to getting in and out of the car. I’m 6 feet tall and as of this morning, I weighed in at 194.6 pounds.
Anyway, as a direct result of your inspirational website, Tiffany, I commenced a 10 day fast, as of yesterday, Tuesday, 8:00 pm. I now feel that I can maintain the perseverance and determination to see it to its end.
In closing, Tiffany, I want to offer up my sincerest Thanks. Your website was most refreshing, unique, informative, and, for me awe inspiring. A true “GOD” send.
Again, my sincerest, heartfelt “Thanks”…..Bravo!, and keep up your great work.
Anyway wish me luck……I’ll be in touch.
Regards, have a great day,
Gary Wolford
Tiffany….A sincerest Thank You, for a fresh start…….we’re never to old.
Gary, your words are so sweet, and so encouraging to to the rest of us who aren’t perfect either. Thank you for taking the time to introduce yourself and sharing your store. Best of luck Gary – we look forward to hearing the update. 🙂 True blessings to you Gary.
Well, Tiffany,………so much for my 10 day water fast, I lasted 2 full days. However, I will continue to endeavour. I’m going to try having one nutritious meal daily.
Thank you ever so much, for your reply back to my original post. I can well imagine how busy you must be!
“GOD” Bless,
Gary
In 2007 I went on a 40 day liquid fast which included a protein shake every day or two. The other liquids included some decaf coffee – about twice a week, and as much juice or tea or water as I wanted, and vegetable “drinks” that I made myself from fresh veggies and water. Some would argue that this wasn’t a “real” fast, but it was what I felt led to do. I lost about 35 pounds, but I wasn’t doing it for that reason – for me the spiritual benefits were what was amazing. During this fast, my prayer life and my mental clarity went through the ceiling. I did not exercise. Among the things that resulted were a major financial breakthrough, and my daughter split for good from her toxic, abusive boyfriend. The worst day was day three – after that, I wasn’t even hungry, and along about day 18 it just got better and better every day. I was able to continue to prepare meals for my family after my hunger went away without being tempted to eat, and even attended a 50th anniversary party and several other major family functions where food was the main event, and had no problem. I was actually very sorry when it was over. I might have continued, but my husband was getting really impatient for me to start eating again. It’s probably just as well!
Now, the key is that I felt led by God to do this. I am confident that there is NO WAY I could have done it otherwise. I have tried fasts since then that did not work at all on any level. I think the longest I lasted on any of those was about 10 days, but they did not have any of the same benefits, either physically or spiritually. It is definitely not a formula, and not something you undertake because it seems like an interesting idea!
I also wish I could say that I maintained all those benefits. I did maintain my weight for a couple of years, but it was just too hard to go against the flow at home. It is important that your family supports you fully, because otherwise they will sabotage you.
I have recently done a 24 hour fast. It turned my tongue white and gross. I was wondering how long it will be there after i break the fast? Its been three days and still is on there.
24 hours or 24 days? Wasn’t your tongue like that before and you only noticed because you were fast? 24-hour fast is hardly something to worry, unless you are already very sick.
Hi,
I am a faster. I started fasting when I was 30 years old (I am now 53 and still fasting) I did this because I felt the Lord wanted me to fast (I’m Catholic so we fast on Wednesdays and Fridays). I have reaped tremendous health benefits. I was getting severe seasonal allergies when I started fasting. So I did a day of fasting and got relief! Then I did a 3 day fast and cut out wheat from my diet. I have never had a problem with allergies since this time (20 years ago).
Currently I am embarking on a 10 day fast to lose weight and cleanse. I am on day two and have little side effects and feel quite strong. I’m a kindergarten teacher, so I have to be alert and strong. As long as I feel strong I will continue this fast until next Tuesday! I’m on the D’Adamo diet right now and have a protocol to follow, however, I am just doing lemon + water + stevia during the day and at night I have chamomile tea + stevia. I feel fine!
Stay tuned
I have been studying water fasts for awhile, and have been nervous to start it. I have 6 kids and homeschool…so I need to be able to remain on my feet all day. In my study, some sites recommend bottled water (spring or purified/distilled). My questions for you are, did you drink special water, or just tap water? And how much did you drink each day? I would like to do a 10 day fast to start, but if I am doing well, I want to continue it for a full month. Thank you so much for posting your experience. It gives me courage to go forward with my fast.
Wow Cherie! A ten day fast at first? My suggestion is that you don’t do just distilled water, it’s super hard on water alone. Add a little lemon and stevia and you’ll be fine. Also have some tea. Don’t over do it at first. Perhaps just fasting a day a week and then moving into a 3-day fast, then 5-day, then 10-day. I know when I started fasting it was really quite a triumph to do one day. If you set small goals and word your way up, you’ll feel great. However, if you set a big goal and aren’t able to accomplish it, you may get discouraged.
He drank tap water filtered through a Brita pitcher. He probably drank 4-6 glasses a day? More at first, less as time went on, but he only drank when he felt like he needed to, if that makes sense? There wasn’t a goal to hit. Good luck with your fast Cherie! Keep us updated on your progress!
I just finished the first 24 hours. I have a slight headache, and have been running way often to the bathroom. Hopefully tomorrow goes smoothly. I haven’t felt hungry, but it was hard to smell dinner. I locked myself in my room until everyone was done. Im using you as a support system. I figure I will be more likely to keep it up if I report to someone. 🙂
Completed a 9 day water fast about 6 weeks ago. Hard part was hunger the first few days and the no-coffee headache I had for a couple of days. ALL my parents and grandparents died of high blood pressure related heart attacks and strokes. My blood pressure went from 156/116 to normal and has STAYED NORMAL. It was 107/71 this morning.
Wonderful news Briteleaf! Congrats on completing the fast! 🙂
Hi, I am new to this site and reading all the results of the water fast is encouraging. I am starting water fast due to HBP I’m on two meds and they don’t seem to be lowering it at all. So I’m not new to fasting but water fasting I’ve never done, and I have to do something to lower it and get it under control of course Doctors only know to give more meds which I don’t believe in because of all the side effects and that’s all most of them been trained for. I will take my meds while on the water fast unless it drops and will cut it down to one of them during the duration of the fast. I have a Doctors appt in two days and see what she says.
My fast has been wonderful. Don’t get me wrong it’s not easy, but the rewards are amazing! I’m finally getting my beautiful skinny self back, acne on my neck has cleared, arthritis symptoms are clearing out of my body, I feel them move. I’m on my 9th day and will go three more days so I can break the fast on the weekend. Any tips about breaking the fast would be much appreciated. Oh and did I mention that my skin is beautiful. I’m 53 and no one believes it.
Good job Christine, I started right after I read this page and your blog…I have read up some on fasting and they all say to start off with fresh fruit juice then add your vegetables I am on day 3 I am going for 10 then go on from there I really want to try for 21 days but I will listen to my body on day 10 and move from there. I know it will be extremely hard especially starting in December.
Very informative …I am starting a 10 day water only fast tomorrow 12/13 . I will stop by and give a little inside on how it went. If I handle this well then I will try for 21 days but I will take it one day at a time. Great site
I’ve been attempting to fast for the last couple of weeks. I just purchased Dr. Furhman’s book “Fasting and Eating for Health” and with reading that and your personal story – it just clicked for me. On my 45th birthday (10 years ago) I did a 40 day juice fast. I lost 40 pounds but I’ve gained it all back plus a few pounds. I just turned 55 and I’m ready to do a water fast; not 40 days but at least 10 – 20 days. Thank you for sharing; it was (is) most helpful. I am a certified raw food chef and lifestyle coach (80% raw) but have fallen off the wagon. This will certainly jump start me back to healthier eating. God Bless You!
that was amazing story , i am going to water fast from tomorrow , i want to know is there something like overdose of water or i can drink as much water i want ?
Hi dhrumit. For those types of questions, you would need to consult with a doctor as I can’t give medical advice.
I can tell you from my experience that I sipped on water throughout the day, but never in large amounts. I was always fearful of flushing out all my electrolytes. Also, keep in mind that I had medical supervision and reported stats to two family members several times a day.
I just wanted to say that this article was amazing for me. In 2008 my husband and I seperated after almost 15yrs. I was 17 when we got together and I found myself wondering who I was confused and unable to focus I too decided to fast. I agree the first 3 days were the hardest but then it became a wonderful experience. I fasted for 4 weeks. I lost an incredible amount of weight, at that mark I did start to have problems with my hair thinning I believe because I couldn’t sustain anymore weight loss so I began to eat again. I received a lot of negative feedback about the fast but shared with friends and family to plz not ask me to eat during that time. I had more energy than ever in my lite, all of my medical problems went away. I was unable to have a child after trying with my ex for almost 10 yrs., 6 mos after seperation I was preparing to become a mommy. There are so many benefits to fasting, no one could convince me otherwise! I continue to fast during the month, now it has become a part of my life. Thank you for sharing your story.
finished day 3 of my fasting .. feeling great .. my only concerned is i havent had toxic removed from inside …
Hello. I constantly try to embark on longer water fasts but my will power is so lacking. My mind says lets go eat and i go running to food and my water fasting attempt becomes a failure. How are some of the ways that other fasters avoid temptation to eat? Advice would be much appreciated. Please note that the absolute longest i have fasted is 24 hours exactly.
Just completed a 12-day fast (but I drank water with organic lemon or lime juice and stevia and organic hot tea with stevia.)
First of all, the fast was probably one of the easiest (if there is an easy fast) I’ve done. My mind was made up, and I just kept focused. During the fast, I read lots of fasting books, watch lots of fasting videos, to keep me motivated.
Once again, I’ve done water only fasts (two 7 day fasts), the water only fasts are very difficult and if you plan on working and carrying on, you may want to consider a bit of a compromise. Also if you get a juice fast under you belt, you can plan on a water fast in the future. The idea is to be successful and that may take a little compromise at first.
Benefits of my fast included: Healing of my broken neck (I was in a car accident and broke C1 and compromised C2, 3 1/2 hours of surgery and lots of recovery a year later I was having neck pain at night but it’s now gone after the fast.)
Arthritis cleared up.
Skin cleared up.
18 pounds lighter.
Lots of new energy.
Able to workout now.
Race walking, sprinting and weight training.
More creativity (writing children’s books and poems)
The list goes on…
Going into the fast I felt strong and stayed strong for 12 days.
Remember baby steps in fasting so you get experience and success.
So the first time I tried doing a ten day water fast, I made it 28 hours. The migraine was excruciating, and I ended up eating so I could safely take some Ibuprofen. This time I made it to day four (or 3 depending on how you look at it. Day 1 I drank 2 8oz glasses of juice.) I am breaking my fast with a smoothie, since I didn’t make it the full 10 days. I decided to quit because my left arm was aching really bad from the shoulder to the fingers. My medical training (basic emt) told me to be aware of possible cardiac issues. I don’t want to die…so I gave in and ate. My question is, when is it safe to eat bread? I don’t want to hurt myself. In the past hour, I have had an 8 oz smoothie (which was divine!) and a 4 oz yogurt. I feel really good. I want to keep it that way. Thanks!
Hi Cherie,
Thanks for commenting ! First of all, I can’t give medical advice – but I’ll do my best to “relate” from my own experiences in any way I can, that may point you in a helpful direction.
Secondly, I’m glad you stopped your fast – and you listened to your body. Especially after trouble with your left arm.
Regarding the arm pain: you need to discuss this with your doctor. Your symptoms may have been nothing, or they could be a symptom of a larger underlying issue. During my fasts, I never had any unusual pains – but I also reported to two health professionals daily, because of the unknown.
Bringing food back into your diet… Let’s see, one time I broke a three day fast with a burrito – let me tell you, that was painful. The 10 day, I started with fresh juices and soft fruits for a couple days, then steamed veggies… Basically, the idea is taking it easy on your gut.
If you’ve gone 4 days without food, there is a chance your digestive system has shut down, and needs to be brought back to life. If you did well with smoothie and a yogurt, consider a soft fruit like watermelon or steamed vegetables. Take it slow – listen to your body. For me: after 10 days off, I was eating normally again about 5-7 days after.
I am on day 7 of my first water only fast and was hoping to feel better than I do. I haven’t had any hunger pains to mention though I do think about and look forward to having fruit when this is completed. I am working on a 14 day fast in total.
My withdrawals / side effects have been a headache and a disgusting amount of sinus drainage. I attribute this to 30 year of sinusitis. I have had a good amount of stomach cramping or pain. I attribute this to 30 years of stomach issues. I have had muscle pain in my middle and low back….reason unknown other than this is a biochemical action which will make my body healthy.
I read a lot of articles to prepare written by Dr. Shelton and Dr. Fuhrman. The side effects I mention are well documented by Dr. Shelton but remain uncomfortable nonetheless.
I am a regular faster. every few months I normally do one for a period of about seven days, its hard for the first few days, in fact its a killer, you need amazing will power, but I love the feeling of getting to the end, somehow feeling like i am full of energy, and ive shown myself I have got the will power to finish what I have started. I find this also helps maintain my weight without having to live on a constant diet, i enjoy my chocolate and takeway too much, I can give them up for periods but not cut them out. However my circumstances have changed slightly now and I have to drive over 100 miles a day, I am worried that after the indulgent period over christmas the usual drain of the first few days will hit me harder. I am planning a two week fast, im feeling sluggish, my fast is due around now as my last was late november, and im moving house in two weeks, i want to feel refreshed and on top of things… however during the first week of this I am allowing myself a hot chocolate in the morning for the extra boost this is made with water only, low calorie and no added sugar. no food will pass my lips and during the second week, i hope to be on a full water fast. any cheers of encouragement will be appreciated, here goes day one ….
Hello, thank you for the great information in the article as well as in the comments. I hope this isn’t too gross of a comment to be left here.
I’m posting this in hopes of getting some thoughts/advice on my current water fast. This is my third extended (longer than a couple of days) water fast. I did my first two years ago for a duration of ten days and last year I completed a nine day fast.
During my first fast I vomited bile on days three, four and five but afterwards felt great and rejuvenated. During my second fast I had absolutely no vomiting at all. However, my current fast has been quite brutal!
I first vomited bile on day two. On day three I vomited twice and vomited once ever day until day seven on which I vomited twice. On day eight I vomited three times and on day nine I vomited FIVE times. I thought seriously about breaking the fast after that but after waking on day ten and vomiting again I felt much better. However, I still vomited on day eleven. There was no vomit yesterday, on day twelve, however today, on day thirteen, I’ve already vomited three times and I’m back to feeling miserable.
I had intended for this to be a fourteen day fast but I’m unsure how to handle this.
Any tips/advice/comments/thoughts etc. are appreciated.
I’m sorry your fast isn’t going so well Curtis, but I would recommend seeing a medical professional.
The doctor I saw was of little help other than letting me know that vomiting bile during a fast was not altogether uncommon. He did advice me to break the fast but I set out to complete a 14 day fast and today is day 14 so I’ll break the fast tomorrow.
I’ve never looked forward to a green smoothie more in my life!
I am encouraged by this blog and all the comments left. I started a 10 day water fast after being prompted by Holy Spirit. I am on day 3 and my biggest question is how to break my fast best. Do you have suggestions? Thanks!
Hi Kate! To break a fast, start with fresh fruit or vegetable juice for a day. Then add soft solid foods, like banana, mango, soup, etc. Day 3 can be firmer foods and then finally add in starches, dairy and meat at the end. Go slow as you reintroduce foods, and if your system can handle heavier foods sooner than day 3 or 4, then you can go faster. As always though, listen to your body and consult a physician if issues arise. Remember that we are not medical professionals! 😉
Hello. I started a ‘fast’, today is day three. On day one I had 1 cup worth of funnel cake and freshly squeezed lemonade. I drink Coffee with cream and sweetner. I also drink diet soda, Green tea, and Black Tea. And water of course. How will this hinder any progress I could make by doing just a water fast. What about fruit infused water (lemon mostly).
Hi Melissa – I’m not sure I understand your question. If you ate food on day 1, then that’s not technically a fast. However, it’s never to late to draw a new starting line. 🙂 And feel free to add fruit to infuse your water (without actually eating the fruit), if it makes the water more pleasant to drink!
Since my 10 day fast I haven’t had my usual digestion… I have been having problems with constipation. Have you or anyone you know had to work through this issue after a fast?
I’m on day 6 today. I had bowel movement on day 1 morning and that was the last one. I assume I wouldn’t have any bowel movement since I haven’t had anything to eat, but I was expecting to have bowel movement at least until second or may be 3rd day of the fast. Before I started the fast, I didn’t really prepare for the fast by eating healthy. I had burger and chips the night before I started fasting and domino pizza for lunch on that day. I did a lot of research about the fast though. I usually go to the gym 5 days a week but I haven’t been to the gym since the week before I started the fast. I read that there are many health benefits from doing this water fast but my main purpose is to lose some weight as I have a wedding to attend. Im intended to do it for 12 days and break the fast on that day I’m travelling as the wedding will be held overseas. My flight will be at 10pm so I’m planning to have fruits on that day I’m travelling from 8am. I’m not sure if I can break the fast properly as recommended as I will be on holiday. I have ordered raw vegetarian meal on the plane though, I’m hoping I wont gain all the weight back the week before the wedding :/ as I will be arriving a week before the wedding. I believe my appetite will shrink after this fast and I probably will only be able to eat small portions. Even though I wont be breaking the fast properly by eating only raw fruits and veg, I will listen to my body and will not start bingeing. I will stop when I feel full. I will see how this goes and might do another water fast properly, prepare and end the fast properly when I’m not going on any holidays. It’s my Day 6 today and I’ve lost about 4kg (8.8 lbs) I’m really pleased with the result even though I know this is just water weight. I’m hoping to lose another 7.5lbs from day 7-day 12. During my fast, I haven’t had many side effects as mentioned by others ie pain from old injuries (perhaps I do not have any?) neither have I felt amazing. My crave for food hasn’t disappeared at all, probably because I love food so much 😀 I crave for all sorts of food – healthy and unhealthy food like crisps, cakes, fruits etc. I was even asking myself if I should break the fast today (almost everyday since day 4) it’s only the start of my day 6 now.. and the time is dragging! The only thing that keep me going is to stand on the weighing machine every morning. I do feel dizzy and lack of energy sometimes throughout the day, other than that, I am perfectly fine physically. I work in an office Monday to Friday and I’m still able to travel to work and work 8 hours a day. I’m not sure what I will be like after 7 days though. I’m trying to read a lot of testimonials left by those that have done this water fast for as long as 14/21 and 40 days as an extra motivation. These 6 days have certainly been dragging and I would say I did not enjoy the process but I love the result (weight loss result) 😀 I’m not sure if I have gained other benefits mentioned by others from this fast ie better vision, more energetic (I certainly do not feel energetic at all without any food but I do not feel any worse either). This is probably the biggest challenge I’ve ever taken in my life since I love food so much 😀 I’ve been on many diets this year – (low calories/low carbs/atkins/oat meal diet/fruits diet) and I did lose some weight but I gained them back pretty fast as I binge a lot due to cravings I have very poor self-control and had a lot of yo-yo effect after each diets. I will try to control on the next 7 days of the post water fast as I’ve mentioned earlier, the wedding will be held a week after I arrived in Malaysia therefore I still need to stay slim during that week but after the wedding I’m intended to eat all the food I could before I travel back to Manchester. During this fast, I’ve been thinking what I would like to eat after my fast and really look forward to be able to eat again!
Thank you for sharing your experience. I’m in the middle of a 7 day fast and enjoy reading about other people’s experiences. So, I thought I’d share, too.
I water fast quite frequently. One to three times per month, I water fast for 60 hours Thurs p.m.-Sun a.m. I do a 7 day fast a couple times a year, and in the past few years, I did one 10 day fast and one 23 day fast. When I began the 23 day fast, I was planning to go for as long as felt good. Day 22 wasn’t great, day 23 felt awful, so I decided it was time to end it and did so the next morning.
I always break my fast with a banana because bananas are binding. Except for the 23 day fast, I don’t find re-feeding difficult. In fact, I usually eat a big bowl of oatmeal with applesauce, raspberries, hazelnuts, and milk about 20 minutes after eating the banana.
I tried juice “feasting” and found it to be just awful. The hunger and cravings it created just weren’t worth it. I’ve had juice “feasters” tell me they could never water fast, but I think it’s easier.
By the way, I gave up caffeinated beverages years ago and don’t experience those headaches and difficult first days. I go into ketosis usually by 48 hours.
Hey, it was a wonderful article! Hope you are going your fast this year too!
I am planning for water fasting for last 10 days of this month~!!
Somehow I hate celebrating my year end~new year with alcohol and fatty foods! Its very tempting though…
I have earned huge weight and calaries this year. And just want to spare 10 days of rest to my body.
I had done 6/7 days water fasting last to last year. But being a huge foodie.. I couldn’t continue it. I am determined to do it this year. Would be glad if somebody else also in other corner of the world joins me virtually!!
#BTW…I am Indian!! May you have a great Christmas and new year!
Thanks.
This is Day 2 of my water fast and I haven’t been hungry at all; just this afternoon my stomach made a few noises but no hunger pangs. I am keeping a journal and I needed to read your experiences which were helpful to me; tomorrow is Day 3! Thank You for sharing your story.
How much water to take each day during the water fast?
greentea and water with lime/lemon is alright right
I love water fasting. I have been doing so since 2013 and am currently on day 3 of another 10 day water only fast. I often do intermittent fasting but every year do a full 10 day. The benefits are unbelievable really, from spiritual awareness, to mental clarity, to physical rejuvenation, the feelings throughout and after fasting are very desirable. As stated in this wonderful article, the first few days are most difficult but after about day 5, you really feel like you never need to eat agin. Hunger pains are minimal past day 3 and all senses begin to feel awakened.
After finishing I always reintroduce with a small amount of watermelon for at least a day and half, then move onto raw veggies. I am eat a predominantly vegan diet, so this is not difficult for me. For anyone wishing to try water fasting, as this article states, it is best to eliminate coffee (and animal products) prior to fasting, as this will lessen unpleasant symptoms during the fist few days. Water fasting really is a magical cure and almost everybody can reap the benefits. Many blessings to you all.
I have been doing intermittent fasting and lost 22lbs to date. Today I start my 10 day water 💦 fasting!🎉 I am excited and look forward to the spiritual and physical healing benefits. I attempted a ten day fast 2 yrs. ago and made it to 5 days. My downfall was cooking for the family and because my sense of smell was healed first the temptation of eating was intense and I gave into it😩 Things have changed where the kids are now out of the teens and in their twenties and the hubby has gotten into cooking 🍳 So, I don’t have to cook 👨🍳 Wish me luck guys. This fasting testimonial string is motivating and encouraging glad I came across it. Happy 😊 fasting 🎉
I am on day 1 of the water fast and my family is telling me I have to do this with doctor’s guidance. I had a physical last month. But just recently decided on the water fast. Did you work along with your doctor?
Yes I have fasted before not a complete water fast though. I’ve done 21 day fast the beginning of the year on fruits and salads.
Thank you.
By the way I signed up for your free ebook but I got an error message from Converkit.
If you can email customerservice (at) dontwastethecrumbs (dot) com, we’ll get you taken care of!
I found it interesting and I want to go through this kind of fasting but I’m thin and I’m afraid that I will loose weight .. I need your advice 😊
I really want to do a water fast but I’m kinda scared to. I regularly donate plasma, which always leaves me really dizzy after and my job is one where I walk for 13 hours a day 3 to 4 days a week. Obviously if I fast, I would stop donating plasma, but I’m worried that because donating plasma makes me dizzy, this would make me dizzy.
I used to calorie restrict and intermittent fast– not eat until after 3 pm each day, limit 900 calories, and stop eating by 10 pm. That made me dizzy as well and I always felt really weak. Then I moved and stress made me start binge eating and now I’ve put on 25 lbs in 3 years. I really want to get my health back under control and stop binge eating.
Do y’all know of any water fasting support groups? I feel like if I were to be successful with a water fast, I’d need a support system.
Ash, I believe that before you undertake a water-only fast it is important to get your eating patterns under control. If you binge eat every now and then, that’s not a problem in itself, as long as you do it somehow in a pattern (for example, once a week as the “Diet for Life” suggests). Maybe the pattern teaches your body that it doesn’t need to store fat, because you are going to binge again next week, I don’t know. I only know it works for the friends I have that follow the Body for Life program (I do not). My point is that fasting is a tool that will not work alone. You need the support of an entire life-centered system of behaviors around you. Full-Disclosure: I did a three-week water-only fast in 2012 in response to an article I read in Harper’s magazine (“Starving your way to Vigor” by Steve Hendricks). I recommend the article without reservation. If you are serious about fasting, get it, read it, and then read it again. My fast was an amazing experience, and I experienced no dizziness outside of the first 2-3 days. (I have a history of low-blood pressure and I have fainted a couple of times after giving blood.)
On intermittent fasting you should eat with in a four hour window and make sure it’s three hours before going to bed.
I have been fasting since 1976 I. Kept my weight down in woman it rejuvenates the skin I am 66-years-old and no one believes im that old of course I never wore makeup which eventually dries out your skin and I don’t drink alcohol if you smoke stop while you are on a fast it helps another thing by the 3rd week all that cellulite starts to disappear moderate exercise is recommended lots of walking
Hi, I wanna try this water fasting but am not sure where to start.. I’ve seen this guy on YouTube who lose 10 kg within a month.. I wanna try it.. Any suggestions?
Hi Ben – we’re not medical professionals, but also do not recommend water fasting as a means to lose weight. We’ve shared our experience, including where to start, in this post.
Please could you tell me asap what to eat as I am coming off a fast of four days and am scared to upset my gut !! I need to eat asap and just don’t know what to do. I am vegan. Will mushrooms and greens upset me too much or can I just eat small amounts of anything I normally would eat ?
Your blog is amazing and so helpful
Thanking you for your reply
❤️ Peace compassion and great whole foods ☺️
I have water fasted four times in the last couple of years: 5 days, 11 days, 7 days, and 10 days.
– usually I lose around 8-10% of my body weight during the fast and another 1-2% post water fast, when juicing
– I add back about half the weight lost within the following month or so
– after day 3 the feelings are excellent. I would note, as well as feeling clear head and energised, which others report, you also experience kinder thoughts for those around you. You can become more loving and giving during a water fast.
– for my height (195m) & weight (100kg) I recommend water fasting twice per year, once in the summer and once in January, after the Christmas feasting. Add 20% either side of water fasting, in terms of days, to transition in and and out
1 x day soups & smoothies, anything liquid you like. Start to clear out your poop tube as much as possible
1 x day juice fast including prune juice for a full poop clean before you fast
= = = = =
8 x days water fast
= = = = =
1 x day juice fast including a banana.
1 x day soup & smoothies, for at least a day, or more if you like, before moving onto raw veg & whole foods
= = = = =
= 12 days fasting
= = = = =
I am on a hunger to hunger fast (goes from the time hunger leaves, until the time hunger returns, which is before starvation starts). I was on a ketogenic diet and stuck at 160 lbs for over a year. I am 5’2″ and should be quite a bit smaller. I started getting ready for this by using intermittent fasting and pushed back to one meal per day. I decided to just start since I was losing weight on the one meal thing and wanted to get this done before I lost too much weight. I figure I will do this for 30-60 days. I am on day 5 and still dealing with false hunger, it’s very frustrating. False hunger is not as bad as it was, but it’s still there. I call it false hunger, because the body doesn’t have true hunger until it runs out of fuel, right before starvation starts. I will be adding in a multivitamin after day 14 to combat malnutrition. Day 3 has been the worst, I felt awful, lots of detox going on. Enemas and detox bath helped some. I didn’t start feeling really good until today. I highly suggest looking into Dr. Jason Fung. He is a kidney specialist in Canada who uses fasting to treat diseases. He has done the research to show what happens during fasting. Common misconceptions that he addresses include metabolism slow down. This does not happen during a fast, the exact opposite happens. And yes, some lean protein is lost, but it is protein that needs to leave the body, either damaged, or old.
Forgot to mention, I have lost 12 lbs in the last two weeks, not stellar, but in the right direction!
Congrats!!
Currently I’m doing the water fasting it’s day 3 for me
I’m doing this because I suffer from psoriasis..
I can’t reach the fourth day!!!!!! Any tips or some help….? I don’t know what to do
What has helped me when going into a fast, is first switching to a keto eating style…lots of fat, then pushing my intermittent fasting to once a day having a large high fat meal. Once your body gets used to eating once a day and using fat for fuel, switching to a full on water fast is much easier. I ended up stopping my fast at day 10, and losing control and gaining most of my lost weight back. I am trying to incorporate fasting into my life on a 5:2 schedule. I would like to fast monday thru friday, then eat saturday and sunday. All the good benefits start happening around day 3 and 4, metabolism increases, autaphogy happens, and hgh production shoots up. Sometimes I have to play mind games and tell my body there isn’t anything to eat in the house….just my personal experience.
Hi there,
Thanks to everyone for sharing their experiences. Been doinh some reseatch on fasting and read the fasting part of Fasting and Eating for Health (very interesting).
Also bought from Jen’s (author) web the pdf version of the “Water fasting for wellness” but never recieved the pdf and when trying to contact her by email I get a message saying the email address no longer exists (watch out for this). If anyone nows any other way of getting the book, could you please let me know.
Thanks,
Agustin
Great Article! I’m on day 11 of a 28 (or maybe 30) day fast. The first few days were pretty easy hunger wise but I too had the splitting headaches. I noticed that they lessened with water which is needed often in the first week of fasting. My tip is to purchase a food grade pink Himalayan salt rock and give that a few licks every other day. It helps your body hold on to the water which reduces the headaches.
So anyways….. I’m noticing that I can smell food like crazy! The loaf of bread was sitting on the counter in the bag and I could smell it through the bag! I can smell food from across the room! Its a little annoying but at this point, not eating has become common for me so it doesnt make me want to rush to the fridge 🙂
1. PLEASE READ ABOVE SO THEY DON’T HAVE TO KEEP ANSWERING THE SAME QUESTIONS LIKE HOW TO BREAK THE FAST!!!!!!
2. Some people who have responded have GENUINE food issues (bulimia, true overeaters etc.). I encourage you to seek organized help (medical, functional, psych etc). A fast will not solve your ROOT problem. I’m speaking from experience. YOU MAY ALSO HAVE ALLERGIES OR AUTOIMMUNE ISSUES RELATED TO YOUR WEIGHT. This may be helped by a fast temporarily or permanently but you should look into this.
3. I have undergone supervised food elimination diet for allergies /asthma and this is the next step for health reset. I have been vegetarian for 18 years then vegan, low fat, then no wheat, dairy, paleo. Finding the right thing FOR YOU is different than it will be for others as we will all experience different results from a water fast and other health journeys. BE RESPECTFUL of others. We are all learning.
4. I’m amazed no one has mentioned that generally that white coating on your tongue is usually a result of intestinal yeast overgrowth and/or die off. If you are a candida prone person or this white coating is showing up, you are probably having a minor or major overgrowth. Quick fix: consider a few days of probiotics and a brief hiatus from sugar – – including FRUIT and GRAINS. Long term lower/eliminate these in your diet. That is not from me but a doctor, a nutritionist and a functional med. Also mentioned in Lyn Genet’s book The Plan a book on how to tailor an elimination diet to your needs.
GOOD LUCK AND THANKS FOR THE INPUT!!
I am on day 2 of a water fast.
I have uncontrolled diabetes. I have severe side-effects from insulin and it does not lower my blood sugar, it does raise my blood pressure to stroke level. My blood sugars have been between 330-400 for the last few months. The doctors have no idea what to do because this is not a normal reaction and he keeps telling to increase the insulin. I had this same issue in the past and was injecting over 100 units and could not function. I do better without taking the medication. At one point I was on i med for blood pressure, six oral meds for blood sugar, 2 med for severe acid reflux and insulin. My blood sugar went up to 456 so I stopped taking everything. My diet isn’t perfect but, according to my doctor, is not causing the bad sugars. My blood pressure returned to normal/low after discontinuing the meds, the reflux and stomach pain is also gone.
Today my blood sugar is in the low 200’s and blood pressure on the low side. I have a bad headache – but not nearly as bad as when on insulin. I am hungry but due to the side effects of the meds I have gotten used to eating very little so I am confident I will succeed.
I initially thought I would do a five day fast and then go into a keto diet. I decided to search the internet to learn about doing water fasts and am now questioning if I should do 10 day or longer fast? I am hopeful this will be an answer to my health issues. I will be 60 this year and need to lose 40 more pounds.
I think I will see how I feel and what my numbers say at the ends of the 5 days, if things look good I will keep going.
I’m currently on medication for psoriatic arthritis and painkillers. This may seem a daft question but can you still do water fasts on these? I have blood tests fortnightly but I’m that fed up with the pain I’m hoping a water fat might help
I’d recommend speaking with your physician Sally.
I am currently fasting for a week. I drink water but also herbal teas (tea maybe 2 cups a day). I have done this in the past but find anything more than 7 – 8 days a bit much. I mainly do it to cleanse the system, but also the challenge of doing a fast is always intriguing. Kind of like running a marathon (I have done 20).
I find that my sleep is deep and incredible.
On the negative side, it is really boring, esp the weekends.
One thing that I did not see is having an enema. I was told to do this 20 years ago when I did my first fast. I was told to not do this was allowing toxins to remain and one would get sick during or after the fast.
Happy fasting!
Hi there
The point about longevity in the article, and the possible reasons can be explored by reading up on water fasting and autophagy…its a fascinating process of cellular restoration that our body performs when water fasting.
🙂
I always find it interesting to read different people’s experience with water fasting. I set out to do a 40 day water fast several months ago, I unfortunately only made it 26 days. On about day 24 hunger returned and I fought through it assuming it would disappear, but by day 26 I couldn’t handle it any more I was so hungry.
I eased back into food much easier than what I had read. I drank some fruit juice and waited a couple hours to see how that felt, I felt fine so I moved on to fruit. Waited a couple more hours and continued to move up the complex food ladder. By the next day I was eating a juicy cheeseburger and I never experienced any stomach pain or issues in the restroom. I definitely think you should listen to your own body, but mine apparently can jump from fasting to food relatively quickly.
I experienced weight loss of of 40+ pounds in that time frame. I almost immediately gained 10lbs back….pretty sure this is water retention, because it occurred in less than 2 days, but after 2 months I have probably gained back less than 5lbs. I am now on day 2 of a 10 day water fast. I plan on incorporating a 10 day fast every few months. My day one was fairly easy, day 2 is tough my stomach and mind both want food. If it is anything like my last fast though, the hunger will be gone by day 4 and then it’s smooth sailing to day 10 😁
I am on the 4th day of a 10 day water fast. It isn’t that difficult since I had done 8 days in February. I’m actually feeling great and fulfilled save for being a bit tired and feeling lazy
I am only worried that I can’t really stop going to work though I have really slowed down my pace. I ran my own business so I’m in control.
Is it advisable to work the entire period during a 10 day water fast.
I am doing a water fast right now also 7 days in so far. Im doing this to help me reach enlightenment the main goal of every human being. The first three days were not horrible but now feeling great. I prepped my self for months before. The only water you should drink during a fast or everyday should be distilled only. Distilled water has no chemical in it whats so ever it is the best water you can drink. The main article guy was wrong to say about the berky water system works i had this system for along time dosen’t work test the water when it comes out not good. Distilled only no tap water bottle water etc, it all causes cancer. If you don’t know this, when you get your water report from your local municipality, check out the chemicals that are in your water supply. Please look up the chemicals you have including fluoride all cause cancer it is done on purpose to make us sick so we can’t reach the ultimate goal enlightenment.
Spreading love,light,truth to the greatest good to all
Were you able to keep the weight off?
I’m trying this as well. I’m down a bit and wondering how successful people were at keeping the weight off.
I made it 25 days on my water fast and lost 55lbs. 10lbs of that literally came back in 48ish hours. I know it has to do with water retention which is counterintuitive that when only consuming water you don’t retain it. So that left me with 45lb loss. It’s been 8ish months and I’ve probably gained back about 15lbs of that 45..mostly do to not eating well…we moved and had like 3 weeks of eating out everyday during the move process that certainly didn’t help…I do plan on doing some shorted fasts every few months to help maintain a bit.
I hope that helped answer some questions.
I have completed several fasts and what I notice the most is not being able to eat the large quantities of food that I used to eat. The best way to describe it is as if my stomach shrunk and I fill up faster, I feel full quicker and don’t have the urge to eat more. That result has been a large part of keeping the weight off. Though I must point out that I complete fasts for other health reasons and not as a weight loss remedy.
Hi Jamie,
This has been my experience. in 2011 I was chubbier than I wanted to be and at age 48, I didn’t like where things were going. I read an article “Starving Your Way To Vigor” in Harper’s Magazine (I highly recommend this article) and started a 21 day water only fast the next day. Some of that was salt water, I got worried, but it was great, I had a good experience. I found myself with more energy during the fast than I had before. it was a liberation of sorts. In the third week when I had a client meeting and I was dragging I remember I drank 4 ounces of Coke, what a rush.
ANYHOW, I lost 26 pounds, which was more than I wanted to on purpose. I gained half of the weight back almost immediately (within a month) but this was what I expected. After this I leveled off and today I am only one pound above that.
But it is a fight. I won’t lie to you. Look around and see all the large people there are in the world. If it was easy to stay where you want to be, the landscape would look a lot different.
Good Luck!! Remember that it is your one life, do the best you can with it.
David A.
Nuremberg, Germany
Hi Mr. Crumbs, Tiffany and everyone,
I would like to go on this water fasting. Has anyone experienced hairloss while on this fast. A couple of people mentioned this and am wondering if that is common. I have gone on reduced calorie fasts and my hair got the brunt of it. Thank you.
Shamim
No hair loss at all.
Anytime you shock your body, you can have hair loss. I personally have thinning hair (not fun for a woman) but I have noticed that I have had more hair growth since I’ve incorporated regular fasts in my diet. I flip back and forth between water fasting and dry fasting. My understanding is that if you do lose hair, it will grow back at least as well if not better than before.
I have done quite a few water fasts many 3 days a few 5 and 7 days and a 12 day. I agree cutting all carbs before the
fast helps to not have a toxic day 3. Two cups black coffee does no harm and prevents the caffeine withdrawal. I totally disagree they coming out of the fast is a problem. When our ancestors found food after a week I am sure they ate heartily with no ill effects. I break my fast with fat and fermented food to train the body to continue metabolizing fat and to colonize my gut with “ good bacteria”. I work and exercise during the fast and from day 4 I feel great
Does anyone know if it will help with diabetes?
It will ABSOLUTELY help diabetes. Listen to Dr. Jason Fung, he is a kidney specialist in Canada and uses fasting to get people off diabetes meds all the time. If you like a little more hardcore motivation, Cole Robinson coined the Snake Diet. He is like Dr. Fung, but more intense and pushes for longer fasting time.
Just search Jason Fung on youtube. Most of his stuff is free.
Thanks Jennifer
Fasting has done wonders for me. I stll had my morning cup of coffee with cream. Don’t care if you disagree with me, it helped me feel better about knowing that my whole day would be only water! The smell cheered me up in the morning, that fresh coffee smell, YUM. And the cream, even the little splash that I used, helped me not be hungry. I think state of mind is very very important when you fast. That little “crutch’ got me through the rough stuff. Everyone might have a little trick they use, actually NO ONE is the complete expert on fasting, every person will have a different experience. In my case, fasting totally broke my addiction to sugar and booze. I came out of it craving fresh veggies. I had incredible energy and glowing skin. Also, a nagging back pain I’d had on and off for years disappeared. I lost at total of 12 pounds, I didn’t really need to lose much to begin with so I’m glad it wasn’t dramatic weight loss. Most nights I slept great (with the exception of nights 2 and 4).
HI, That was really intrestig! Thanks 🙂 I am on my seventh day water fast and started taking my blood pressure and pulse. I feel great but am a bit worried. What is the limit for pulse rate, that should be like a red line I shouldn’t go over? Same what numbers for blood pressure should be dangerous? Thank you so much! I know every one is different (my blood pressure is usually on the low side) but I would really like to have some numbers…
Hi Maggie! I’m so sorry, but I can’t offer medical advice. I would suggest contacting your local doctor. Good luck on your fast!
Hi there, What laxative did you use? Thanks for the info!
You left out such an important piece of information. What was your starting and ending weight and BMI?
Hi Ravi! Since my husband didn’t do a water fast for weight loss, we didn’t consider this information important. 🙂
Don’t know how I came across this site by typing in leg pain by water fasting; but was a interesting read Mr. Crumbs.
This is my 11 day on a ? day I hope but we’ll see how it goes. Your body will go through changes but until your tongue swells you can continue; if you have the will power.
I have several illnesses caused by MS, and the drugs they put me on for each new illness. I’m Lakhota and believe in holistics which they won’t allow. So I do fast on occasion. Usually intermittent but have done water fasting for long periods of time.
This time though seems allot harder. Don’t know why,, other than usually I take the drugs I most definitely need and this time I’m taking none. Other than I did finally give in this morning and take some potassium because the pain in my legs was getting to bad. Sometime I wish to go to sleep.
My svc partner (dog) changed worlds 2/18/17 and that year I gained a 120. Pds within 11 months. Something needs to be done. This is a way to get a good start then will go into intermittent 4:3.
I wanted to add to some of the comments in answering… That you just take it one day at a time. Do a five day eat and two day fast and then four day eat and three day fast if you want, in starting.
Fasting is to cleanse your body and anything with caffeine is not good for you not fake sugar… Meaning coffee and soda is a no-no. You wish to do coffee enema that’s a different story; but not on a true fast Chicken bone broth or chicken broth on a day that you think you just can’t drink another bottle of water; that’s ok.
Just remember stay clean, as your cleaning out all the toxicity in your body.
When you come off the fast you should start with water dense fruit then the same water dense veggies. Smoothies (green) and when starting food stay real. No processed only whole. No can food, they all have chemicals in them.
You just went to the trouble of cleaning out your body so try to keep it that way. Needed a cheat day, take it. Always remember though, that taste will keep calling you afterwards.
Someone said it is harmful… I’m not religious, I’m a Traditional Wiya (spiritual) of the Red Road but I’ve listened to enough dogmas to know that if your religious then “Jesus” went on a fast and Catholics do it every year for Lent. So walk your talk. But don’t say it’s not healthy or a fad if your religious.
Be positive. If you knew how much your thoughts affected your soul, life, I don’t believe you’d ever have another negative thought.
Think this gentleman explained this in a most explicit way. Main thing is drink half your body weight on water. Heart it up and pretend it’s coffee if you wish. Don’t exert yourself. Plenty rest. No drama. Do some yoga or deep breathing exercises. Take one cup of Epson salt to a bath and sit in it for twenty minutes then scrub towards your heart. Scrubbing the toxins out. Sit in Coconut oil a great natural moisturizer.
Believe.
Did anyone have success with fertility and falling pregnant after the water fast?
I have PCOS and had entrometriosis (which was surgically removed). I am slightly overweight with a bmi of 27. My husband and I have been trying to conceive for 12 years, I am 37 and my husband 38. He is overweight (bmi of 47) has sleep apnea, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and chronic acid reflux.
Can water fasting help infertility and assist my husband with his medical issues?
Im still reading and searching for safe ways to help him, but we will try shorter fasts at first and monitor his blood glucose and blood pressure levels.
Any feedback would be greatly appreciated.
I’ve been fasting for more than 5 years now. I’m 54, average build, average health.
the longest was 13 days (2nd time), shortest 5 days. first was 8 days.
what I noticed was I’ll experience headaches or nausea or some other psychosomatic – like my legs burning during second fast, then after the “pain” comes a short respite, I guess this is when the body is “choosing” the next area to detox.
I decided not to set a specific time to stop but to wait until whatever effect is occurring on my body then stop once I’m in the “green zone” or rest point.
it’s why I did 13 days – the good point came at about day 7 or 8 and I kept going, day 9 I started getting flu like symptoms then waited till they subsided late day 12.
anyway I’ve been doing it twice a year and am currently on day 3 of my next fast . . .
I’ve scrolled down the article and the comments for clear details on how you managed a 10 day fast with also details on preparation before and recovery time aftwards.
At no point is it made crystal clear that the writer fasted for 10 straight days with only water to drink.
e,g.
“Once your digestive system shuts down around day 3, it takes a few days to bring it back up to speed. You do this by very slowly introducing food to your digestive system… drinking juice for 1-2 days, fresh fruit for another couple days, steamed vegetables for another day or two.”
This is confusing. Reading this suggest s that after three days, food is introduced on day four?
Or can we assume after the 10-day period of only water, the writer is describing “bring up their digestive system upto speed?
It would be very helpful if the writer / 10 – day faster could include a breakdown of consumption be it only water over what seems to be a continuous 10-day period, then the post-10-day fast introduction of food etc.
A clear response would be much appreciated.
Thank you
Andy – My husband drank only water – ate no food – for 10 consecutive days. This article was a documentation of our personal experience. If you want specifics, I must refer you to your personal physician.
Hey, Tiff. Coffee totally counts as water! It’s water with coffee bean… uh… EXTRACT! Yeah, that’s it! It’s water with coffee bean extract. Right???
Ha! In all seriousness, good post! I’m an IFer. I generally keep a 6 to 8 hr eating window every day. Since I’ve been doing keto the last couple of years, it’s been pretty easy to just not eat in the morning. My fasting blood sugar is normal (former hypoglycemic), and my belly takes a while to actually growl. Why not IF? I’m not sure I’m brave enough to attempt a 10 day fast, though. I’ve done 24hrs before, and it can be rough. Most of the pain is psychological. It’s absolutely possible to be emotionally dependent on eating.
And on the topic of caffeine, if you’re a major addict (like I am), it’s generally easier and more sustainable to gradually cut back. Caffeine withdrawal can last for months. Again, this is usually an issue for those of us who are hardcore addicts. I got up to 6+ cups a day. I’m not sure of the number, because I would lose count. I’m down to 2 coffees, 1 black tea, and a cup or 2 of lower caffeine tea (oolong, yerba mate) per day. The idea is to gradually taper the caffeine down over the course of the day and prevent a crash. Anyway, it’s working for me. I’ve been at this level for a while now (I found the lower you go the harder it is to go down further), and even though I’m not where I want to be, I’m a far cry from where I was, an out of control caffeine addict with a kidney panel that was getting scary. I’ve now replaced all that coffee I no longer drink with water.
Water is AWESOME. I’m feeling very inspired to drink more and to try to use it to expand my fasting.
Thanks for another very informative post!
I regularly do extended fasts of 6-12 days. I don’t do it primarily for weight loss, but it is a bonus.
Work up to an extended fast or you will be miserable and doomed to fail. I started intermittent fasting and gradually transitioned into 3+ day fasts. Now, it is a piece of cake for me and I feel amazing.
Dr Jason Fung is the guru in the area – plenty of books, articles and videos on it. Do what works for you – safely . Dr Fung says coffee & green tea (plain) are fine. Also recommends supplementing with pink salt, magnesium, and potassium – electrolytes that your body needs to function. Listen to your body. Hydrate, if you feel lightheaded, add in the salt, mag, and potassium. Take it an hour at a time if you feel you are struggling.
Great tips, SC!
Thank you for the information I read in this post. I found it “gentle” and “encouraging”. I am on day 8. Although this is my second fast, my first was 100% water only, a few years ago. This fast I hot water in the morning with ACV, one squeezed lemon, honey, and a dash of cayenne pepper. My BP 110’s/60’s.
I will restart eating using your advice. I only weigh weekly, but on day 5 I had a doctor’s appointment and was down 8 lbs. Bless you all and all who go this route. Let’s lobby to get healthier foods more widespread. -Mager
There are many ups and downs in life, but those who struggle never lose, you have written such a beautiful post that I have been encouraged to struggle more by seeing this post, I also want to write good posts like you, the design of this post. It is very beautiful and the content that you have written in this post is even more beautiful.
Ishika, we are so humbled to hear all of your beautiful comments!
What if IM on chronic meds for BP/Cholesterol/TBI?
You should always take the medications that are prescribed by medical professionals in order to stay healthy.
What about chronic Meds like BP and Cholesteral meds? Can I still take them?
You should always take the medicines you need to stay healthy according to your medical professionals.