40 Day Water Fast for Great Reset: Final Attempt

[sublimedivinity]

Hello all!

I started another water fast today. I’ve been falling off the wagon pretty consistently lately, but I have been consistent also with not giving up. My goal with this current fast is to complete 40 days. The longest I have ever completed was 9 days. I really enjoyed how I felt after that fast. However, that was in 2019, before my daughter was born later that year.

Since then, I have been having to completely revamp how I eat and what I do for exercise, due to a birth injury I incurred. I have been emotional eating ever since having her, but lately I have been using audio subliminals to help with changing my mindset. A lot of times I would just want to eat because I was feeding her, not necessarily because I was hungry. That, in addition to emotional eating, has put me back near my highest weight (my highest was 331lbs). I am looking forward to completing this fast once and for all, so that I can change my life for the better, for good.

I would like to get back to my goal weight of 210 lbs, since that is the weight where I felt my best. I am pretty tall for a woman, so I actually looked smaller than I weighed at that weight. In addition to any weight loss, my goal is to clear up a psoriasis patch on my knee, regain my flexibility and mobility to its best, and reset my entire system in preparation to return to veganism. I also have seasonal allergies that won’t let up, but when I was vegan previously, I didn’t have any issues breathing or with my allergies as much.

My beginning stats are as follows:

Height: 5’9
Weight: 313.5 lbs.

I will update daily with how I feel and how my day went, as well as emotional, physical, spiritual and mental changes that happen throughout this long fast journey. I’m excited, and I know I can finish it out this time. Happy fasting!

Attempt 2 Update:
Didn’t make it one week, but will begin again! 2/15/2022 will be my new Day 1. Giving up entirely is not an option! On to tomorrow!

Attempt 3 Final Attempt Update:
New start date of 2/22/2022. I’ve taken some time to really sit and think about why I want to finish a fast this long. There are so many reason, including the ones listed above. I know I can finish, it’s just about gaining more control over my mind and digging deep to find the self-discipline I have had in the past. If I can’t finish, then I will just can it, so I don’t continue with the yo-yo action. I’m either going to complete it or I’m not. So, here goes (again)!

New beginning weight: 307 lbs.

[Minahil_Khan]

I feel you! If you need an accountability buddy, we can do it together! Today is my first day and I am aiming for 28 days followed with a keto program

[sublimedivinity]

I do need one actually, that would be very helpful

I’m on Day 2 today, but we’re not far off, so that works out perfectly. I’ve often wondered about Keto. I’ve heard mostly great things about it. Have you had previous experience with it?

[Minahil_Khan]

Yay!!! Yes, I was able to lose over 60 pounds with keto! But, I’ve been gaining weight since the holidays and just need a serious reset. I Plateatued at 160 and then started gaining weight again, so I want to fast in order to reframe my relationship with food and lose some serious weight before it’s too late

[sublimedivinity]

Wow, that’s great! And oooh the holidays, when we gain just by smelling the food lol

I’m with you on all of that, especially the reframing aspect. Most of my life my relationship with food has been draining instead of nourishing like it is supposed to be. I want to see food as fuel instead of comfort, and finally move past the issues I have surrounding eating the right foods for my body to thrive. The aches and pains I feel now due to all the excess weight aren not what I want to take into my future with me, and I’m glad I have someone else that feels the same way.

[Minahil_Khan]

I completely feel you!!! Whenever I feel like giving up, I’m gonna reach out to you. I REALLY want to stick to this fast this time. The longest I’ve gone is 7 days, but I KNOW I can do it physically, it’s just a mental game

[sublimedivinity]

That sounds wonderful, and I will do the same

I almost ate earlier when I was feeding my baby, but I thought about you, what day I’m on and what my ultimate goals are. Those food aromas were playing tricks on me. Can’t fall off the wagon so quick though lol! This will definitely help me to be accountable too. It will help to let someone on the same page into our mind so it doesn’t start to convince us to break the fast.

We’ve got this!

[Minahil_Khan]

I am SO proud of you! The first few days are the hardest. WE’VE GOT THIS!! Yes, it’s all about the mindddd and we have to be stronger than our excuses! No more delays! We can do it!

[sublimedivinity]

Day 2 Down👏🏾

Emotional: Felt really balanced today for the most part. Nothing I felt really triggered me to want to eat.

Physical: Still kind of achy in my lower back/love handle area, but it’s not as bad as it has been in previous weeks. I drank almost a gallon of water today, which is my goal throughout the fast. Got to stay hydrated!

Spiritual: I was invited to church tonight for lady’s night. One of the scriptures we spoke about mentioned not allowing our hearts to be troubled, because Jesus brings us peace when we accept Him. It really spoke to me, because that has been a major issue of mine, which has led to my emotional eating to cope. I know it was a reminder from God that I am in control of how I feel at all times, and all I have to do is catch myself and focus on more positive thoughts in times of struggle. I will continue to practice this.

Mental: The subliminal audio I fall asleep to seems to be working. It is a weight loss track with lots of positive affirmations not just about losing weight, but about maintaining good health and body positivity. At church, they had chili dogs, chips, desserts and of course chocolate. Surprisingly, I held it together well. I just mentally focused on feeding my daughter and threw away what she didn’t want. I had a few thoughts of eating just ‘to be nice’, to ‘not decline food offered’, to ‘not be the only one not eating’…but thankfully nobody questioned why I wasn’t eating.

All in all, it was a good day. On to tomorrow!

[Tabby]

Hi Sublimedivinity and Minahil!

If it’s okay with you, I’d love to join you guys so that I have some fasting buddies to keep me motivated. I am also on a mission to regain my confidence and figure after about 4 years of abusing my body with junk food (a lot of it!).

I have fallen off the bandwagon more times than I can remember when it comes to water fasting but I’ve surprised myself and here I am on day 11 my aim is to reach 28 days.

I find it easier to take it one day at a time because if I think too far ahead, I get overwhelmed and I have this strong desire to give up and eat! I also have a progress chart where I map my weight loss and a calendar where I can tick off each day. You may find these things helpful (or you may not) but I thought to share anyway

Have a great day ahead! We got this

[Minahil_Khan]

Hey Tabby! This is amazing, I can’t wait to be as far along as you are. WE’VE GOT THIS!!!

[sublimedivinity]

Welcome Tabby!

You absolutely can join us, the more the merrier!

It’s great to have someone further along than us, that just gives us something to strive towards too. I’m currently on Day 3 and feeling great so far . About a third of the way through my gallon of water. This is the first time I’ve had fasting AccountabiliBuddies. I just know we are going to ROCK these fasts and reach our individual goals successfully; I can feel it in my bones! I wish the both of you a great, productive day!

[Tabby]

I’m really pleased we’re on this journey together.

I honestly believe the first 4 days or so are hard (I remember last week I was THIS close to giving in) so you’re nearly at the point where your body gets used to the fast and your hunger subsides somewhat

Hang in there!

[sublimedivinity]

Hanging strong!

Yes you’re so right about that. In previous fasts I’ve done, within the first week or so can be the super craving stage, but this go around hasn’t been as bad at all. My stomach hasn’t even growled yet so far. Maybe because I’ve been keeping the water coming in consistently throughout the day. I’ve been putting my focus into my daughter, goal planning, language learning, and preparing to start a new job, so I haven’t allowed any food thoughts that may pop up to linger.

The only time I’ve thought about eating is if I am around the food & aromas too long. I’m glad I have you both here to be accountable to, because these oven roasted potatoes were trying to get me to break!

[Tabby]

Congratulations on the new job

Also, it’s lovely that you’re keeping busy with your daughter and goal setting and other (very impressive) self improvement stuff.

And yes you’re right, being around food is hard - yesterday my mum made my favourite food because it also happens to be my sister’s favourite food but my mum is aware of my little quest (no one else is) and she kept motivating me to push through it (and I did).

What I’m really struggling with though is 1. Consuming enough water. I love water and don’t really drink any other drinks but for some reason I just don’t want to and 2. I have been feeling nauseous for about a week now and I’m not quite sure what to do about that…

Have you guys experienced anything similar?

[sublimedivinity]

Thank you!

Yeah, I think our willpower grows everytime we are able to resist our favorite foods, or any foods for that matter lol.

As for your 2 points:

1. I’ve felt like this on a couple previous fasts. I would just take small sips of water more consistently throughout the day, instead of the 2 or more hours in between 3-4 cups. Just like we have to force ourselves to deny foods, sometimes we have to do the same with water intake.

2. Are you taking any electrolytes? I have these that I will begin taking once I start to feel any adverse physical effects. They are Keto electrolyte capsules I found on Amazon when doing research on what I would need for a prolonged fast. They also have liquid or another form of electrolytes out there, if you don’t like capsules. I may just open my capsules and add them to water.

[Tabby]

Thanks so much for the advice!

I think you’re right, I’ll just have to suck it up and sip water even if I don’t want to

Definitely will look into the electrolytes because currently I’m not taking any supplements and I’m feeling slight cramping in my legs. Hoping these also help with nausea.

Also, my keto breath is vile haha

[sublimedivinity]

No problem

As far as the water intake, I remember a time when I was fasting and I didn’t drink much water for about 2 days. Not only did I feel super weak, my urine began to smell terrible by days 3 and 4 due to dehydration setting in. I ended up having to break that fast due to that.

And YES, get some as soon as possible, especially if you are experiencing muscle cramping. If I’m not mistaken, that is signaling an electrolyte deficiency. They should help with the nausea as well. Also, do some quick research on nausea and prolonged fasting to find some tips specifically for that issue.

My main issue in previous fasts was acid reflux. I learned that I was drinking too much water at a time, which caused my stomach to produce acid thinking it was breaking down food. Now I drink just enough so I don’t get full off of it like I used to.

Do you have the white coating on your tongue yet? I think the smell means that your body is in a toxin cleansing state.

[Tabby]

Your point around water and acid reflux makes a lot of sense because even I get that when I chug the water. Definitely gonna take it slow now and sip a little at a time to reduce chances of any horrible symptoms.

Yes, I believe you’re right about electrolytes and how a lack of can cause cramping. I learned that on YouTube will have to order asap. When I fasted before a few years ago, one time I woke up in the middle of the night with the worst leg cramping ever! Do not want a repeat of that.

What Have you been up to today? And how did you pass the time?

[sublimedivinity]

Oh yeah, it took me two failed fasts due to acid reflux before I finally did some research on it. It’s been all good ever since. And yay, get those 'lytes in! We definitely don’t want wake up cramps anymore.

I’m at the park with my daughter at the moment. I took the chance to rest most of the morning while she was at daycare. This evening I’ll be practicing a language or two. I do that daily on the Duolingo app. I also work in the insurance industry, so I will be doing some work and research on that tonight as well. It’s been a great day so far though.

I thought about food a couple times, but then I turned the thoughts into something constructive. I plan on making a list of my favorite foods from my favorite restaurants, then finding or creating my own vegan spin on it. I also will make a list of appliances and special ingredients that I will need as well. I know I want to do meal prepping as well, so I don’t have to cook more than once per week.

How has your day been?