Nola's 7 Day Water Fast Journal - 5/14/20 Challenge

[NOLALady]

Hi I’m Nola,

I have been struggling with my weight for the past three years after giving birth to my youngest daughter. I am 5’4 and it pains me to say but I am 200.9 pounds as of this morning. Prior to my pregnancy, I was an OK weight, of 160 pounds.

I naturally have an athletic build and have only had an issue with my weight when I was put on a steroid medication but was able to lose that weight once I stopped taking the medication.

After having my daughter, I went through a series of issues including a failing relationship and friendship, a toxic workplace, and a lack of self-esteem. I let myself go and resorted to using food as a crutch. I developed a pattern of emotional and binge eating.

I am the highest weight I’ve ever been. I’ve tried keto and had great results with that but it wasn’t sustainable since I do not consume a lot of meat. I’ve also tried intermittent fasting and OMAD but did not stay on track and binged during my feeding periods.

Why

I am doing this because I want to improve my health, I am depressed, and I hate the way I look. I wear leggings and graphic t-shirts every day. I dread going to stores or any public setting because I am in fear someone from my past will see me.

I want to bring my daughter to the park (once we are off of quarantine) without getting out of breath chasing after her and being paranoid that someone will see me.

I want to take a family portrait.

I want to improve my self-esteem.

I want to be a good example for my children.

I want to meet new people and hang out with them.

I want to go to the mall and enjoy shopping for clothes.

I want to reap the mental clarity benefits of a prolonged water fast.

I want to live a long, healthy, life and not be a burden on my children.

I want to break my addiction to food and stop using food as comfort and entertainment.

I want to relieve myself of the back and knee pain caused by the extra weight I’m carrying.

Long Term and Short Term Goals:

Long term goal: Reach my ultimate goal weight of 140-145 pounds

Short term goal: Reach 160 pounds

What are some struggles you face or you have faced in the past

I tried Keto and had good results but was not able to sustain it because I don’t eat a lot of meat and it got boring.

I attempted a 3-day water fast a few days ago but started during the week. I broke it because I became so irritable at work I had to do something before my irritability affected my job.

I’ve tried OMAD and intermittent fasting but my addiction to food destroyed my progress.

What is your game plan?

Complete this 7 day fast to jump-start my weight loss, reset my hunger queues, and improve my relationship with food.

Once this 7 day fast is complete, proceed with a consistent 36-48 hour fast then refeed routine until I reach my goal weight of 140-145 pounds.

Once I reach my goal weight, I plan to maintain my weight by intermitting fasting on the 16:8 schedule.

How do I feel right now?

I feel optimistic! Ok, ok and a little worried about days 3 & 4 of this water fast when the hunger and irritability kicks in.

How will I feel once I achieve my goal?

I will be so proud of myself and motivated to accomplish any goal I set for myself.

I will feel confident and beautiful.

Daily Affirmation

My desire to change is stronger than my desire to stay the same. I will reach my goal of 140-145 pounds by 9/14/2020 (4 months from today).

[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.

[NOLALady]

Thank you!

[Overcomer]

Welcome indeed! You have it planned out, it is a good start. You will succeed and we are all here for you. Make sure you have your electrolytes for when you feel like giving up.
My weight is similar to yours, but i am shorter and have much more to lose as i am small built All the best.

[NOLALady]

Thank you so much for the encouragement and the reminder about electrolytes…I have to get some more salt! The supported is greatly appreciated.

All the best to you. I’ll be looking forward to seeing your progress.

[NOLALady]

Day One DONE!

Daily Positive Affirmation: Keep going, and three months from now I will thank myself.

How I Feel Today: I feel good. I just woke up an hour ago. I was so happy to pull off my first sticky and complete 24 hours!

Starting Weight: 200.9
Current Weight: 200.3

I weighed myself today and was slightly disappointed that my weight only went down .6 ounces. I may weigh myself later on because last time I fasted, I noticed that about 3 hours after I woke up, my weight was lower. Maybe it’s because I didn’t drink a lot of water and my body is holding on to it. (I read something like that somewhere.) I have to purchase more water. I probably will purchase a cute cup so that I can feel fancy lol.

So far no weakness, dizziness, or irritability. I’ve got my electrolytes in.

I’m a little nervous about tomorrow cause that’s when I was VERY irritable last time I fasted…around the 60th hour but the good thing is, I’m going to be home alone and I only work 4 hours.

I’m going to have some black coffee and get some herbal teas. I have green tea later in the day.

Thank you all for reading and for your support!

[NOLALady]

36 hour mark: I wanted to log when I reached this point so I can keep track of how I’m feeling since my game plan is to do 36-48 hour fasts until I reach my goal weight.

*I still feel good. I’m not weak, dizzy, or irritable. I have hunger pangs, not too bad though. I can tolerate the smells of food and even looking at it without being bothered too much. My stomach is growling like crazy. *

I’m not going to weigh myself anymore today…at least try not to.

[NOLALady]

Day Two Woo Hoo!

It’s late at night but I feel great! I kept myself busy, drank a lot of tea, and had my electrolytes of course.

I kept myself busy by working, reading everyone’s posts on here, watching fasting videos on YouTube, cleaning up, and doing homework. OMG, my mind was so clear. Usually, when I do my homework, I struggle with organizing my thoughts. It usually takes an hour and a half to complete on assingment…I was done in one hour! If only I knew about this when I was younger lol.
I was surprised when I looked at the time a realized it was 11:00 pm!

I went to the grocery store and did not feel tempted. Of course, I stayed away from my trigger areas like the bakery.

I purchased some dandelion tea, green tea, water, and some things that I will use to break my fast.

I took some before photos. I’m not too sure about posting them because I am so ashamed of the way I look. However, it definitely was an eye-opener. I stayed away from a camera for so long and to see how much weight I’ve gained was definitely a motivator to keep going.

I use the LIFE app to monitor my time fasted. I add a new day each day so that my goal doesn’t seem too far. I enable the notifications to alert me when I hit a new day and it makes me happy and feel accomplished.

I don’t feel sleepy which is bothering me a little and I had a hard time falling asleep last night. I wasn’t tired or felt the need to nap which is surprising.

Most likely, I’ll weigh myself in the morning since I just hit 48 hours.

I’ll update this post in the morning. Now I’m off to pull my sticky!!!

Update: 64 hours in

Daily Positive Affirmation: I am worthy of having the body I desire.

How I Feel Today: I have a bad headache but otherwise I’m good. I didn’t get much sleep but have a lot of energy. No physical hunger either.

Starting Weight: 200.9
Current Weight: 195.5

I am now 64 hours in. I could not fall asleep last night. I fell asleep around 3 am and had to wake up at 7 am. I’m not tired but woke up with a bad headache. I only had to work 4 hours so that was great. I had enough energy to clean my home, next, I’m going to organize my closet.

I was surprised when I weighed myself and was down to 195, I know it’s water weight but I’ll take it! I feel lighter today and my clothes feel a little looser.

I’m so thankful I’m not irritable like I was around this time on my last fast. I’m not physically hungry AT ALL! It’s all mental. If I see something that’s tempting, my mind is telling me to eat it but my stomach is not interested. I’m hoping I stay this way. Fingers crossed.

I have to go to Whole Foods to find an item to break my fast. That’s going to be a challenge but I’m not giving in. Keep going, everyone!!!

[NOLALady]

Current weight 194.7

Daily Affirmation: This too shall pass.

I made it through days 3 and 4. These days have been rough. I was very weak and my head still hurts. I won’t leave a long post because I’m drained. I almost caved today. Not sure why my hunger cravings were strong.

I read that day 5 on up, it gets easier. I hope so. I hope everyone is ok.

[Compdude]

They are symptoms of a slowing metabolism. If you’re body is not experienced in transitioning from glucose to fat burning, it slows the metabolism down since it doesn’t know where the next source of energy is coming from. It will ease up once you’re in Ketosis. If you are also breaking a refined carb addiction that exacerbated the slow metabolism symptoms.

[NOLALady]

Thank you! That makes sense and yes I had a HUGE refined carb addiction. I used ketone strips this morning and confirmed I’m in Ketosis. The headache is gone but I’m still weak. Hopefully my body will get to this fat for energy soon!

[Jewell]

@NOLALady, how are you feeling today? Hope all is well and that the weakness has subsided?