When you first begin your fast, what helps you get through the first few days? Also, do you maintain keto in between?
I tried to do an extended fast after doing a week of keto, and made it only 25 hours. I’m back to fasting again, yet my confidence is shaken 
Willpower. Affirmations. Stubbornness. The big wall of fasting stickies that needs to go away. A bottle of cold water at my side eternally. My list of “whys.” My self created schedule that I need to do because it won’t do itself. Focus on being mindful. Thinking of how good I will feel he to my goal.
Not really. I’m low carb, but I might slip in a chip or cookie. I sometimes feel like crap after doing so - and that kicks me back.
Low carb will alleviate the headache from carbs. The headache passes, and I know to stick it out.
It’s just as much a mental challenge as a physical one.
Jill, thank you for this meaningful feedback. I really appreciate it! Onward and upward.
158.5
My brain thinks it’s in the 180’s
My belly doesn’t appear to be going anywhere. But it’s going to have to go because I’m playing hardball and it’s got no more place around my waist.
One more week after today.
Have lots to do on the list today.
Wow! I hope you feel extremely proud of all your hard work! My belly is stubborn too! It’s got to go sometime, like you said!
My brain hasn’t caught up to 60+ lbs yet.
I’m sure some would tell me to just shut up. 
I managed to take a shower and now I’m back to lounging.
Maybe I’ll take a brief nap.
My brain says go and my body has no umph today.
I might need a coffee.
Here’s some of yesterday’s good news. First time this was normal (according to Dr. Walmart)
What an amazing non scale victory! I love gathering data and I hope you can savor that moment!
Yeah.
On the non victory side I’m getting bouts of wanting to toss my cookies - which I obviously haven’t eaten.
Not sure if this is a visceral fat thing? Happened day 16ish on my first fast. Some detoxing?
I’m really fighting it. I woke up craving a kalamata olive.
Anyway, I’m making red cabbage sauerkraut today and hope it’s ready by Halloween.
Need to get my Octoberfest going.
Congrats on good health!
158.5
The slowdown is here. And I’m all good with that.
I feel like my waist is slowly shifting. There’s some upper belly fat trying to hide there under my ribcage so I don’t notice it. Well I felt it this morning. Sneaky.
Day 15 or day 50 - what’s the difference? 
This fast is really dragging ass. Every fast is so different when I kick past 3 days.
In contrast to your first prolonged fast, how was the first fast different than this one in, say, the first week to 10 days?
The first drop down was the first long one.
I went in after totally pigging out - knew I would have a headache.
I was a little more nervous as I had no idea what to expect long term.
The feed me gremlins were persistent non stop. I don’t seem to have that at all now. Occasional lonely taste buds (I’m a foodie) but no real hunger. Yesterday I was in the store and thought about how creamy a bite of avocado will feel on the refeed. Didn’t buy any yet (too soon) and not tempted by any small snacks currently around the house because I know I have to ease in and work up to those so I don’t feel like crap.
I lounged and napped a lot on the first one - and was up in the middle of the night sweating ( it was hot here in Florida). This time around I’ve learned to pace myself and I’m awake more. I only get all sweaty at night on occasion. It was cool out last night so just get up to use the bathroom and then back to sleep. This wake up sweat thing only happens during fasting more than 2 days so I know it’s just burn off from fasting. If I eat I sleep like a rock.
I had a lot more trippy dreams going on the first round. Visits from dead people included. A bit more of a spiritual exploration.
This time there is much more peace.
I came in partly to get my hormones in balance. I’ve not had a period for 2 months now but I don’t believe that is the fasting. One tidbit I got out of my sister before she passed was her cycle ended at 52 - my current age.
If nothing else I think I started this just in time to reduce any more serious perimenopause issues.
I have made slight adjustments - not afraid to pop a vitamin. I know I lose more quickly if I stick to pure water.
I did 4 weeks in a row of 5 day fasts and each of those were different too.
I’m happy with how I’ve broken the fasts down and mixed things up. It is reprogramming myself towards maintenance. I think one huge fast for this whole thing for me would have left me lost at the end.
I had a few runners highs ( without running) that were more extreme on the first fast. I get bursts now but not like the first ones.
Nothing is bad - just different.
In all this time I’ve become more aware of the processed crap and making my own fermented veggies. My culinary expertise has expanded.
Your experiences will be different. But hope you get to experience some of my better ones as they’ve been very positive.
That’s some really good information. Thank you! Sleep is an issue right now for me. It seems I’m up every 1.5 hours in the restroom. On the other hand, I’m happy to see it go 
I’m pretty sure I will need a morning nap at this point. Lucid dreams are unsettling; not looking forward to any of that. Maybe if I could sleep, I’d have one
I like this. I agree.
Happy Fasting 
Yep, it’s a love hate to get up to pee all night.
I’m a tad sad about the Thanksgiving situation this year.
They’re discouraging gatherings.
I’m going to have a ton of leftovers.
Going to focus on packing some into frozen meals I guess.
We’re going to chalk up the last week of this 21 day fast here to super dirty.
I was feeling extremely physically weak even though my head was clear (as far as I could tell) and my stomach was just giving me such a tough time. Wasn’t hungry - just felt like total crap.
I wound up having a highly salted cup of bone broth and a swig of pickle juice. Feeling much better. Proceeded to have a creamy coffee this morning. I needed some umph to get some massive shopping done to prepare for refeed.
I think I really needed the salt.
Went up to 159.
Purposely bought some unripe avocado that won’t be ready for a week.
Got a ton of chicken feet to get the broth going. I like cooking that for a couple of days.
Finally got my red cabbage so I can make sauerkraut - and some juniper berries.
Really excited to start cooking some things soon.
You’re at the home stretch and doing so well Miramar. You must be so proud of yourself. Great work!!
Finishing clean today.
Wanted to stay cleaner obviously, but it’s not like I started on a food frenzy.
Not hungry at all - that has not been an issue at all on this fast. Very surprised by that.
My vitamins and electrolytes were obviously off though.
I have a harder time swallowing pills while fasting.
So today I realized I have a jar of pickles with almost no juice left. I found some pickle juice recipes and I think a batch of that is on my menu. 
Good Morning!
Day 17 woot! And around day 16 was where I had issues on the first fast too. But this time we’re pushing on another 5 days even if it’s dirty. I’m not hungry, just missing flavors. Coffee I think will fix that this morning and boost me through the day.
Very fall like today. Windy and cool and overcast. Just heard a giant coconut fling off the tree out back. I have sooo many coconuts right now and need to get the flesh out of them but it’s a bit of work.
I need a new vegetable peeler too.
Time to make the chicken feet.
I just made red cabbage kraut yesterday!!! And I will be onto kimchi next, when I go to the market tomorrow!
