Greetings and salutations from myself to myself, as a friendly affirmation of my mind to my future self (even in the event of time travel, just send a subtle hint only you (I, me) would understand at a unique date to prevent a paradox and butterfly/chaos theory).
My goal for this specific fast is to initiate a 31 day of duration water fast that will allow for the following substances as needed:
Permitted substances:
-Water (at least 67-82 ounces per day, avoid dry fasting due to the dangers associated with severe dehydration)
-Coffee, black, no additives (New England Brand flavored coffee is preferred, but strong black classic coffee in the morning is acceptable)
-Herbal teas; yogi brand is preferred, specifically vanilla spice, caramel apple, or lemon zinger flavors.
-Caffeine; the chemical formula is C8H10N4O2. Always limit the intake of caffeine and do not go over the personal limit/maximum of 810 mg per day. Attempt to have 180 mg as a moderate value per day while fasting, unless there is a significant need for caffeine induced energy to face a deadline or remain awake.
-Vitamins and minerals: Sodium is to be avoided. Potassium and Magnesium are acceptable vitamins for this fast, combined with an optional B complex vitamin that has no sugar (non-gummy form). NOTE: vitamins may cause some gastrointestinal distress after day three, attempt to achieve a minimal substance addition in the form of vitamins unless urgently needed near the end of the fast. YOU SHALL ACHIEVE YOUR GOAL, future self.
Goal for this fast: last 31 days of duration, breaking my previous record of 21 days of duration and fasting for an entire month of duration. My primary goal is to reap the plethora of health benefits associated with fasting, but also the side effect of weight loss.
Preparation: I have been practicing intermittent fasting combined with a high protein ketogenic diet and strength training to gain muscular mass over the few months when not fasting (I usually add 1-5 day fast in a given week). I have gained muscular mass and therefore raised my BMR due to dense muscular tissue and mitochondria. Fat loss will result in this fast, along with some minimal (acceptable) muscle losses. I have psychologically prepared myself for this extended fast and am confident in my headspace being perfected for this goal.
Why:
I am fasting for the product of ketone bodies, the body and brains superior fuel source, and BDNF (Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factor) for even further advancement of my brain and mind. I have tempered, tested, and built my willpower as an experienced individual with fasting. Norepinephrine is another neurotransmitter produced by fasting and exercise. The anti inflammatory properties of autophagy shall also boost my health even further. I have completed a significant quantity of research on fasting and have even written a detailed research paper on the subject, covering the science behind fasting to the molecular level to the psychology and mentality of fasting.
I shall achieve this goal and my goal weight so that I can actually be happy in my accomplishment, accountability, willpower, endurance, intelligence and mental will all put into the fascinating and rejuvenating experience that is fasting.
(Previous comment on a Fast Forward to Health video, shortened to relevant sections for this journal as an inspiration and personal part of my story)
"My fasting journey began on the date of November 29, 2018 and I initiated thorough, meticulous research into the subject of fasting as well as the side effects, benefits, and my overall goals. I then decided to conduct research on myself (as in experiment with fasting) via fasting due to bio individuality, as each individual does indeed experience a different result and effect from fasting procedures and literally almost everything with a biological basis and related stimuli (in this case, the stimulus was fasting, the total abstinence from food/culinary dishes or sustenance other than water).
— Just as an additional intriguing fact, water can also be referred to as dihydrogen monoxide from the chemical formula H20.
I fasted for a total of 14 days of duration (2 weeks) combined with vigorous exercise and was able to lose 30 pounds, followed by ingesting something at the peer pressure of my family who were unsupportive but understood my reason for fasting without deeper support nor a deeper level of comprehension. I then fasted for another 7 days of duration followed by setting a schedule of fasting for 4-5 days of each week, decreasing to 3 days of duration per week on March 21, 2019.
My family was unwilling to change their viewpoints and aspects and still have yet to do so to this very day, hence the reason that I required to come to the deduction to remove all negative factors from my life and environment to promote productivity, positivity, and maximum benefit of my decisions with the primary focus on my mind and brains optimal functioning. Brain Derived Neurotrophic Factors, more commonly known as BDNF, is produced as a result of fasting and aerobic exercise. Additionally, cortisol is produced as a result of stress, hence I required to eliminate the stress factors and promoted such a beneficial journey that I have continued regular fasting even to this day.
Fasting has allowed me to become far more attenuated and insightful as to my physical body and has brought me significant impact and motivation that pulled me from a deep cycle of depression. I was able to commence the processes of improving my state of mind. I experienced (and still am experiencing) a transformational, insightful, and enlightening experience as a result of fasting and applying my accumulated knowledge "
Positive affirmation:
You are perfect, you are the embodiment of intelligence and willpower, you shall succeed, failure is NOT an option at any point, you will achieve every single goal that you have set for yourself in your mind, ensured by your mind. The power is within you to succeed! YOU SHALL ATTAIN YOUR ULTIMATE GOAL! No excuses! Set variable to in progress, continually calculate until your goal is comparable to reality shattering research leading to the Nobel prize that is your sound body and mind.
I shall succeed, I shall conquer my goal, I shall pursue this lifestyle that I have made so efficiently for myself, and I shall make a new record for my body and mind!