21-day fast for the new decade!

[NAEByrd]

For the past few years I’ve been struggling with consistent health issues including migraines, acne, digestive issues, overactive metabolism /hyperactive thyroid. I’ve tried to deal with these issues through diet changes, supplementation with vitamins enzymes and herbs. All of which provided some benefit but none of which provided true and complete healing. I have finally decided to let go and let God by doing an extended fast. Hopefully fast for a few weeks but I can’t know for sure because I plan on ending the fast whenever my body tells me it’s time.

My longest fast has been just four days which I felt was very beneficial in cleansing. But I don’t believe much healing takes place in that short of a Timeframe. Hence the extended fast.

My Fast begins January 3rd. In preparation I will consume only fruits and veggies and eat once a day between 5 and 7 p.m.

My overall goal is to balance my metabolism dissolve uterine fibroids and heal my thyroid. Unlike most people on this forum I’m actually fasting to gain weight not lose! I miss my athletic physique

Any advice will be helpful.

Also I plan on journaling throughout the duration of the fast so stay tuned

[Compdude]

Have you done your research to create your own customized treatment protocol? That’s what I had to do since my primary physician’s advice was worthless. I found 4 research scientists whose work formed the basis and I learned of their work through YouTube videos and following their Twitter accounts. It’s how I achieved my goal of being medication free.

I’ve run across several YouTube thumbnails on Thyroid and IF. I don’t recall any on prolonged fasting though.

For example, I don’t use ACV in my protocol because it’s harmful to people, like me, that suffer from CKD.

[NAEByrd]

Yes I have a “healing” protocol, (the term treatment to me means addressing symptoms which isn’t my goal.) I’ve done a lot of research via YouTube, books, podcasts, health professionals I know and my own personal experimentation throughout the years.

You are right! Not much on extended fasts and thyroid. There is a ton of information to help people lose weight and even increase metabolism, but very little information on how to gain weight and lower metabolism. So some of this is more experimental than I’d like. But overall I know the body has innate healing powers which applies to the thyroid.

After the fast I plan to continue my shortened eating window. Ill focus on eating nutrient-dense foods that are easily digested ( i.e most fruits and many vegetables) and eating no more than 1500-1750 calories. The primary purpose is to minimize the burden I put on my digestive system. Currently the more I eat the Faster my Metabolism gets and the harder it is to maintain weight

[Compdude]

Agreed we are on the “bleeding edge” of this knowledge. When I completed my 40-day and went into ReFeed I did it with an expectation of personal experimentation since there is almost no English-translated documentation on water fasts this long (Russia has long been working with fasts as a viable treatment for various ailments but none of their documentation has been translated). I finished the ReFeed based on my energy level returning to pre-ReFeed levels and that took 21 days. My current Restore Core Strength & Rebuild Muscles is also being taken with an attitude of experimentation. But here I’m on firmer ground as a former Certified Personal Trainer with 5 years experience and can evaluate all the various YouTube workouts and pick and choose or modify to my needs.

I hope you are documenting everything. Before I started my program I talked to an ex-client who owns a bookstore. I asked her what books are on the market regarding T2 Diabetes, she told me only cookbooks or scientific journals. What I would be offering would be unique. I’m sure you would be in the same position to help people as I am.

[NAEByrd]

Yes, I will keep meticulous documentation: journal, video, pics, metrics like hearty rate and blood pressure.

I really appreciate the research don’t in Russia! Its great to know there are countries that take fasting seriously.

Thanks for the feedback

[NAEByrd]

My Fast beginsin less than 2days! I’m very excited.

To prepare I’ve weaned myself off of dairy, bread and meat to prepare.

I also have a Fasting Journal where I will keep track of blood pressure, etc.

If anyone has preparation advice Im all ears!

[Compdude]

Sounds all good to me.

You may want to come up with a standard template for your daily entries. Then you just copy, paste and just change the variable information.

[NAEByrd]

On Day 1!

Weight 108lbs
Hydration 66%

Im feeling fine. Nothing eventful yet. Made an easy 3-hour car trip to Dallas. And spent time with family.

No problems with hunger all day. My throat is dry which makes me think I’m not drinking enough water. I will have 80 fl oz in total for the day. I’ll try to drink more tomorrow, about 96 fl oz.

[Compdude]

Good to see you start your journey since it’s unique from everyone else’s here. Look forward to reading your next entries.

[NAEByrd]

Day 3 of 21
Weight 104.5 lbs

Experienced a lot of muscle fatigue in my arms and legs this morning. It eventually got better in the afternoon. Overall I can’t do too much or Ill catch a round of fatigue.

Other than that no major hunger and no pain, nausea etc. Its been a relaxed day

[Compdude]

@NAEByrd. Yep, I had to rest a lot after my daily walks some days during the 40 day. Allow for that and you will be fine.

[NAEByrd]

Day 7
Weight 99 lbs
Hydration 64.5%

The Bad
Muscle weakness in my arms and legs. I’m pretty much in bed all the time

Nausea and a little gas

That’s it! Not too bad at all

The Good
My mind is alert and I am actually getting a lot done. I’ve been making calls, sending emails and reading. Its great!

No hunger at all although my mind thinks about food and new recipes daily. My mind is playing tricks on me!

[Anna]

I though a lot about food throughout my fasts as well, with the exception of the last one I did!
It wasn’t until around day 20 that it kind of disappeared, so it took a long time for me! But it was much easier the next fast to not think or care much about food!
The mind is fascinating
I’m glad you’re doing so well! Keep staying strong

[Compdude]

Congrats on reaching Day 9 in good shape.

I can’t tell about my thoughts regarding food as I deliberately did NOT include in my journaling and my last fast ended in November so I can’t remember.

Question: Since you are doing this for health reasons and not for fat loss, I’m assuming you don’t have weight issues around the hips and thighs? The reason I’m asking is if you do, you might want to be prepared for detox episodes, if not then you can ignore this.

[NAEByrd]

No weight issues around the thighs and hips, but please explain the detox issues that arise from that…

[Compdude]

One of the protective mechanism of the body is to store heavy metals and toxins (i.e. pesticides in the food we ingest) in our visceral fat. As our body accesses that old fat for fuel it releases those toxins in the body. During a water fast these toxins can only be ejected through breath and urine.

For myself, I had 3 detox episodes. With CKD, my kidneys had to work overtime to expel this crap and expressed itself as pain in my lower back. One episode was so bad, all I could was curl in bed and moan like someone had kicked me there. Also I experienced what I call the Keto Breath Horror which to me was the mix of acetone (a keytone) and toxins that caused me near the end of my fast to brush teeth and rinse mouth every 3 hours.

As I said everyone is different. @anna did not have the same experience I did during her 30-day but she wasn’t as burdened as I was with all the metabolic diseases I was suffering at the time. Also @Cream35 didn’t appear to have any severe detox episodes during her 14-day.

[Cream35]

15 day
@Compdude is right, I didn’t experience this firsthand. I did however go through severe muscle cramps in the legs and pain in the lower back during days 4,5 and 6.