Megs Daily Journal

[Meg]

My Why: in November (covid permitting) I will be attending a beach wedding in Mexico! I would like to feel comfortable and confident in my body.

Short Term Goals: Complete a 7 day fast

Long Term Goals: Lose 45 or more pounds, not use food as a comfort

My Struggles: I have always used food to fill the boredom, to ease stress or to entertain. It’s hard to change habits I’ve had all my life when it comes to food.

Game Plan: OMAD, I’ve never done keto before but would like to try!

Currently Feeling: motivated!

Visualization and Affirmation: when I reach my goal I will feel comfortable and confident. I am strong and capable of achieving anything I set my mind to!

Last night I sat watching Netflix and eating mindlessly. I finished a bag of chips without realizing it really enjoying it. I hate that. Food has become such a filler in my life. Bored? Food. Stressed? Food. Happy? Sad? Angry? Etc. it’s always food. I feel like for short bursts I’ll get a good grip, start omad or IF and lose 10-20pounds and then I’ll get comfortable and happy with the progress so I’ll stop and gain it all back. I have 176 days until a big trip and I don’t want to be in the airport disappointed with myself that I didn’t just do it. Future me deserves to be happy, care free and confident on her vacation. I owe it to future me to stick with it.

Day 1 of my 7 day fast started today (last night at 10pm I suppose) and it’s the first time I’ve had a plan. I really want this.

[Compdude]

Welcome to our fasting community!

Technical note: to keep future entries on this single thread, click on reply in the lower right hand corner.

[Meg]

Day 2:

I did it! Nearly 35 hours in! I am so excited. I woke up with a headache today but am trying to get more water today, admittedly yesterday I didn’t even drink my usual amount of water. Today will be great; tonight will be a challenge! I’ve promised my kids a movie night and sleepover because my husband is out of town. I anticipate lots of snacks for them and a restless sleep for me with tiny feet in my back!

I’m going to make it a point to get outside, get in lots of walking and wear them (and me) out! I’m already feeling more confident about this than my previous attempts. When I make it through today it will officially be my longest fast!

[Compdude]

First, are you taking your required supplements? If not, they could address the headache.

Second, if you are headache is one of the symptoms of a slowing metabolism. When the body senses no food coming in it slows the metabolism to conserve its resources. Its a temporary condition until the body switches to ketosis and the body is reassured of a new source of energy. Transition takes anywhere from 3 to 5 days.

[Meg]

I’ve added some pink salt to the water today. Would you recommend anything else? I know magnesium and potassium are taken during water fasts but I didn’t know if that would help for my headache. I’m feeling a bit better than this morning and took the kids outside for a walk which lifted my mood substantially. I’m just going to try to take it easy and know this will pass. Thank you for your support!

[Compdude]

Here’s an article by the company that created the Zero app that should address the supplementation issue. Their Chief Medical Officer is someone respected in both the Ageing and Fasting communities, Dr. Peter Attia whose email list I’m a subscriber to. Dr. Jason Fung refers to him in his book, The Obesity Code. Personally, I use Himalayan Salt, Magnesium and Potassium Citrate. I can’t use ACV due to my CKD (Chronic Kidney Disease).

How to Stay Hydrated While Fasting - Zero

[Meg]

This is super helpful! I’ll add the supplements and hopefully start feeling better. Although I’ve had the headache I still feel very motivated and not hungry! You’ve got to be the most helpful person ever btw! I think I read in one of your posts you’re working on a book, please let me know where I can get a copy! Thank you again so much.

[Meg]

I feel so great this morning. The supplements and additional water REALLY helped yesterday! I weighed in this morning.

SW: 196.6
CW: 191.8

Just seeing the numbers move is all the motivation I need!

Last night was a true test of commitment and self-control. My kiddos got there sleepover and had pizza too! The most surprising thing was how easy it was for me to abstain. I’m not sure there’s ever been a time in my life I’ve said no to pizza. I am most proud of that today. I’ve always struggled with instant gratification and not having pizza, not being my kids garbage can when they don’t finish their food was a real milestone!

I’ve also thought of a new mini goal! To wear my original wedding ring! It’s been nearly 5 years since it fit and I’ve never allowed my husband to have it resized because I knew that would mean I’d given up on getting back to a healthy weight. I think 10ish pounds and it will fit!

Today’s already started better than yesterday. I’ve never been in Ketosis and I think that’ll happen sometime in the next 24 hours so that’s really exciting.

[Compdude]

Glad the supplements resolved the issue. Keep it up!

[Meg]

Finished day 3 like a champion! Onto day 4! I’ve almost made the halfway there in terms of hours fasted versus hours to go!

Stats so far:
…Weight …Blood Glucose
Starting weight Day 1: 196.6 …97
Start of Day 2: 193.6 …102
Start of Day 3: 191.8 …80
Start of Day 4: 189.8 …66

6.8lbs difference in 83 hours of fasting. I know it’s a lot of water but it usually takes me weeks of calorie restrictions and working out to get from the high 90s to see the 80s, so this is very exciting.

The blood sugar was concerning this morning but after a bit of reading it seems I can safely go as low as 40s. I’m going to keep watching that.

Last night my mind kept telling me I really needed something to eat. I even had some of the loudest tummy growls ever but I overcame and didn’t give in. I feel great this morning and so proud to have maintained some self control! Big milestones happening here.

I’ve really started thinking about how I’m going to end this fast and maintain my goals. I’ve committed to a keto diet and will move forward accordingly. Yesterday was my first day ever in Ketosis! I didn’t plan well heading into this fast and eating garbage all of quarantine didn’t help the first few days. I know I will achieve what I want if I move forward with keto. My husband is on board so it should be a smooth switch.

I know 100% I would not have made it this far without the support of this forum and all the invaluable resources I’ve found here. I get so much motivation from every post! Half way there!!!

[Compdude]

Yes, daily monitor that BGL. For myself, I dropped into the 40s for only a single day twice during my 1st 21-day fast.

[Meg]

111 hours in! I honestly can’t believe I’ve made it so far!
Weight and Blood Glucose
Start of Day 4: 189.8 …66
Start of Day 5: 186.8 …68

I’m .2 lbs from 10lbs down! How does one know how much is water weight and what to expect to come back post re-feed?

Yesterday evening I really wanted to give in. Mostly just because things sounded good, not because I was hungry. My husband has been super supportive and asked if I’d be happy tomorrow if I stopped right now. That was all I needed! I would have been very disappointed today, instead I’m more motivated than ever.

I’ve started making plans for moving forward. I did grocery pickup yesterday and had so many green veggies and meat I could hardly get it all in my fridge. I’ve spent the last 6 hours breaking it all into freezer meals and cooking easy portions for breakfasts and lunches for my family.

I have a shirt that says “a fat kitchen makes a lean will” and I thought of a lot it while doing all my cooking today. I didn’t have a single sample!

I did however, explode a 9x13 Pyrex in the oven cooking spaghetti squash… you win some you lose some!

I’m thinking strongly of continuing at day 7 if I continue to feel this great! Time will tell!

[Compdude]

From experience, the 1st 3 days weight loss is all water weight as the body will deplete glycogen (stored carbohydrate) over fat because its easier to break down. 4th day I either plateau or have a 1 pound loss and then it picks up to 2 pounds a day for 5 days to a week. Glycogen depletion is 32 to 40 hours for the liver and muscle glycogen exhausts after 90 minutes of exercise.

Again from experience my water weight average between 9 to 11 pounds.

Another sign you’re past the glycogen burning phase is you stop urinating so much! LOL

[Meg]

Day 6:

185.4 blood glucose 68

I’m feeling great! I just made 7 more stickies numbered 8-14. I never imagined I’d feel this great after not eating for 135 hours! I am going to confine my fast until I feel the need to stop. 14 days puts me right at the closing date of our home purchase and that seems like a great place to stop! But 21 days puts me at a week out from my birthday and that also seems like a great place to stop! In any case, I’m just going to listen to my body and go as long as possible!

Yesterday was a breeze! I cooked a ton of meals for my family. Cleaned, packed, lounged. It was a great day. I’ve been really reflecting on my successes so far and I feel so empowered. My husband called me “inspiring” this morning and it nearly brought me to tears! For the first time in a long time I feel like I finally have control. What a gift.

I’m not sure what else to add today. Just feeling very zen and reflective.

[Compdude]

A week out from your birthday to start ReFeed should be sufficient time to get your GI tract ready so you can eat what you want for your bday. Glad you are enjoying the fruits of all your sacrifice and hard work!