Staceys Daily Journal 7 day fast

[staceysfast]

Started my first 7 day fast today… with option to go up to 14 days. Very excited! I’ve been trying to do this for awhile and have done up to a 2 day almost 3 day (once) fast before and felt great afterwards.

Pretty nervous and stressed due to wildfires very close and possible evacuation… But this is very important to me. I gained 13-14 pounds during covid already. and before that was about 13-14 pounds above my pre menopause weight of about 135 where I was during my 20’s - early 40’s. I feel best between 125-130… though might feel better little thinner as I don’t know and haven’t been below 127 before.

Starting weight: 163.6
Goal weight: 125
height: 5’3”

Day 1: 9/11
Starting weight: 163.6
total lost : 0
how I feel: stressed about wildfires close to home possible evacuation, teens home schooling and needing me and my mom in SF getting to end stage Dementia and maybe needing to go down there to figure out game plan…
I feel pretty strong? but not 100%… Just did my fasting stickies and that helped encourage me!
Luckily I’m off work until Sunday night which I hope will get me jump started.
I’m worried if my family finds out they will discouraged me from the longer fast and think I’m “starving myself”. Going to try not to let them in on the “secret” haha.

[staceysfast]

DAY 2

Starting weight: 163.6
todays weight: 159.8
total lost: 3.8

Today wasn’t as hard as I thought. Being cooped up due to the wildfires is definitely helping. Usually I’d be a lot more active. The loss was really encouraging and didn’t expect that big of a jump.

My why is really to feel happy in my body again. To feel good moving around and in clothing. I feel pretty withdrawn and self conscious since I gained so much weight and I’ve lost a lot of confidence in myself with the weight gain.

I’m proud I made it clean through day 2. My kids even had pizza tonight and I stayed 100% strong.

I think I can easily make it through day 7… I have to work night shift tomorrow night and that will be my next challenge… staying up until 4am with no food…

I will do it…

[Kristy]

As someone who worked overnight most of my career I soooo empathize with how difficult night shifts can be! Good luck

[beita]

Hi Stacey! I’m feeling my family pressure as well. It was pretty clear for them that I wasn’t eating after my first weekend day of the fast. My husband asked me how long my fast was going to be, so I feel the pressure to end it on day 7. I hope I can find ways to deal with this today (Sunday, usually a family/eating day).
All my best,
Beatriz

[staceysfast]

DAY 3. (late entry)

Starting weight 163.6
todays weight: 158.4
total lost: 5.2

Today started out crazy with my son having asthma problems and not being able to find his inhaler because it was packed. I felt extremely dizzy and faint. I went back to bed but it persisted so I had a mandarin orange and some broth.

I decided not to feel bad about this considering all the conditions I’m battling right now, even though I shouldn’t use food as a crutch I feel that extreme stress does affect health, blood sugar and blood pressure and I needed the extra boost to power through.

The day wasn’t too bad after that I was surprised how much I recovered! I kept going strong during the day!

[staceysfast]

Day 4. (Monday) (late Entry)

Starting weight 163.6
today’s weight 157.4
total lost 6.2 pounds

Well I had an overnight shift in the ER near the evacuation zone and although I stayed strong half the night I cracked after midnight and had some nuts and cheese crisps. At that moment I decided to switch to ADF. Maybe this is a copout… but at the time I felt stressed about the refeed from an extended fast during the issues I’m facing right now - evacuation, physical symptoms from smoke inhalation, possibly needing to drop everything to go take care of my mother in California. Yes, all potential excuses… I’ll just have to see how it goes.

I’m going to be proud that I made it 3 full days plus 8 hours. And I have a plan and not just going to stuff my face.

[Kristy]

Those aren’t excuses! You are facing serious emotional and physical challenges! What is best is to take care of yourself and your family in these crazy times. It sounds like you’re making healthy choices. There is plenty of time to fast later when you do not have to be razor focused due to impending crisis.

[staceysfast]

DAY 5 (Tuesday noon)

Starting weight 163.6
todays weight. 158.: 5
total lost : 5 pounds
yesterday was eating day ADF

So yesterday I ate and wished it was little more uniform and planned out/healthier. It wasn’t bad. Also had another busy night shift. I’m happy I only went up about a pound and today is a fast day.

I might try OMAD every other day for 14 - 21 days instead of a hard fast… just so I have the clarity to deal with some of my stressors right now.

I didn’t like feeling like I was going to pass out - at my age (54) and working in a ER I just have too much I’ve seen and it worried me.

I think because I haven’t done extended fast before beyond 2 days or so I don’t know my body well enough.

Oh did I mention I just went through a divorce? haha

My big “why’s” are mainly just trying to feel comfortable and more free in my own body

Also, to fit into some of my fun size 4 and 6 clothes I have packed away… I’m tired of wearing the same frumpy few things that cover me up. for several years now.

Also I’m wanting to start dating again and I know I’ll feel more comfortable at my old weight (like 8 years ago weight not when I was 20 haha)

OK today is a fast day! I’m going to stay strong! Even through my night shift until tomorrow afternoon where I”ll have my 1-2 meals over a 4 hour period.

Cheers everyone!

[staceysfast]

the family pressure is the hardest! In the past I found I would break it because of a family meal… which lasted like 20 minutes then everyone went on with their life and I was left thinking - was that worth it? Still hard… I have older teens so I think it’s easier than it was when they were younger. Maybe have a bowl of watered down broth and say you’re having “soup” ha
Good luck and whatever your decide you can always change course next time. As long as you keep going! We need to keep the big goal in our mental frame! You can do it!