Day 1 (Hours 0–24) — The Permission to Begin
(Disclaimer: I’m not a doctor—just a science nerd who loves how our bodies respond to how we treat them!)
What’s Happening in the Body (Day 1 Highlights)
Your body begins a profound internal shift—from external supply to internal provision. Within the first 24 hours:
- Glucose remains your main fuel , but insulin begins to drop, signaling the body to stop storing fat and start unlocking energy.
- Glycogen stores in the liver and muscles become the primary energy source. Fat-burning isn’t fully activated yet.
- Digestion slows —enzyme production, gut motility, and overall GI activity begin to pause, conserving energy for repair.
- The nervous system starts to rewire , shifting away from fight-or-flight and toward parasympathetic rest.
- Immune surveillance kicks in —your body begins low-level detox, targeting weak or damaged cells.
- Electrolyte shifts begin —you may urinate more as the kidneys shed excess sodium and water.
- Hunger is often more emotional than physical , revealing how deeply we’re tied to rhythm, reward, and routine.
Even if you don’t feel the shift, your systems are already realigning.
Personal Snapshot
I started this fast with intention—literally telling my body it could go on vacation. There was no hunger on Day 1, just a sense of quiet. I was at a conference, which helped distract me, and I stuck to water throughout the day.
I drank hot water with Real Salt and trace minerals (ConcenTrace) in the morning, and enjoyed sparkling water (unsweetened and unflavored) later in the day. My gut felt still. My emotions were steady. It almost felt like my body was saying, “Thank you for the break.”
Honestly, it was probably still content from the glorious final meal we had the night before at our favorite Indian restaurant. This fast is about healing and recalibration. I’m giving my body space to rest, repair, and reset what hasn’t been working right. Along the way, I’m wanting to learn to better understand the voice of my body.
Are You Fasting Too?
I’d love to hear how your Day 1 felt—physically or emotionally. I’ll be sharing short daily insights: one part biology, one part soul.
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