Veronica's Journal

[Cream35]

Day 1 complete of my 19 days water fast goal

• Weight this morning: 196 lbs
• Goal weight: 176 lbs

I’m absolutely dedicated to achieve this goal. Lastlty things have been really hard for me and life took a toll for the worst. I gained back 20 lbs in a flash (4 months)… after having previously succeeded to lose 40 lbs on the keto diet over the last year and a half.

I’m so thankful to having found this community. Thanks for being there you are wonderful people and I am happy to come back daily to check on you all and to update on how I’m doing.

Today has been a little hard since I was really cold, and I was tempted to quit, but I kept thinking about my goal. It’s so important to me. I want to erase those last 4 miserable months.

I am strong!

[Dr_Kanmani_Srinivasa]

Hi there , today Is my day 1… Do you like to join and attain the goal together ?!

[Compdude]

When you have a strong enough “Why”, the “What” gets figured out.

[Cream35]

Yes absolutely! Your comment this morning really helped me to stay focused! Let’s do it together

[Cream35]

That is so true. Thank you for this reminder. You are truly a champion at this. I’m trying to dig into my ‘‘Why’’ deeper… I’ve always had issues with my weight since I was 8. I want to be all I know I can be and feel proud, strong, beautiful… And I hope this is not a shallow ‘Why’. I keep picturing my goal weight. Thank you for your reply. It helps to know I’m not alone.

[Cream35]

Day 2 complete of my 19 days water fast goal

• Weight this morning: 194 lbs
• Weight lost: 2 lbs
• Goal weight: 176 lbs

Today was hard, I slept a lot and felt very cold. I’m a little stressed about tomorrow since I’m going to visit a friend and her family for supper. I already told her that I’m fasting and she told her kids so things should be fine. I just don’t know how it’s going to go with being surrounded with a family supper like that. I know I will be strong. I know I can do it. It’s just stressing me out to be in that type of situation on my 3rd day.

On the same topic, I have a business lunch on December 18th. I’m wondering if I sould tell the host beforehand that I will not be eating. He pays for all our food and already asked my what I was having… I’m hesitant between faking a stomach ache on that day, or telling him about my fast. It’s probably going to be weird to be the only one not eating in a group. If anyone has tips for me I’m very open to read them.

Felt very cold today and cuddled with my big dog, it helped

I can do this. I tought a lot about my ‘‘Why’’ today. I will stay focussed.

I am strong. I am beautiful. I am doing this for me.

[Cream35]

Day 4 complete of my 19 days water fast goal

• Weight this morning: 187.8 lbs
• Weight lost: 8,2 lbs
• Goal weight: 176 lbs

I’m very proud of myself. Yeserday was a supper with my friends and I was able to stick to my water! I brought a bottle of mineral water and a little can of lemon flavoured sparkly water to drink with them as a ‘‘drink’’, since they were having drinks. It helped me feel part of the party in a sense. The supper was hard but I pulled trough. Those food aromas were making me salivate.

Today I felt cold and used a heating pad to keep me warm and my big dog helped me feel warm as well. I’ve been smelling food since I’m the only one fasting. I wonder if it’s a good or a bad idea. I don’t feel triggered since I’ve been focussing a lot on my ‘‘Why’’, I feel strong.

I’ve started to plan what I’ll be making for the New year’s eve party. So I’ve been looking at recipes and ideas online. I wonder if it’s good or bad. I stopped at one point because it was making my stomach feel acid. I think it may be causing salivation or activating acid in my stomach. I really don’t know.

I’m happy that tomorrow is day 5, I hope and think that it should start to get easier. I have a big work day ahead and I’m sure that I will wake up with the proper mindset.

I am strong, I am capable and I am doing this for myself.

I’m sending love to all of you fasting buddies. I love reading you and sharing my experience with you.

[Anna]

I really enjoy reading your posts!
I’m glad you’re doing so well, even though there’s struggles here and there!
I feel the same when I look at food, even if it’s just when I try to plan the shopping list for the refeed later, it’s really like the body is preparing itself to get it, and it’s very uncomfortable (but it’s hard to resist looking anyway ).

We got this! Happy fasting!

[Cream35]

Thank you so much for your reply Anna! It feels good to be validated like this, I was asking myself if I was being too on the oversharing side, but I guess I was right to listen to my intuition and just pour it out. I must say enjoyed reading your journal as well. I’m happy that you relate to the food aspect! I’ve been thinking about my refeed, and I want eveything to be an hommage to nourishment and an hommage to food lol!

Yes, I got a bit carried away. After all, if I achieve my goal of 19 days, I want the food to be thoughtfull and not just eat anything. If you have advice on refeeding please share If all goes well I’ll be refeeding on December 23rd, I was thinking of coffe in the morning, then broth, then a little bit of avocado and egg at noon, to prepare for the evening where I will try to eat a little bit of cheese and meat. All the best to you and happy fasting and studying

[Cream35]

Day 5 complete of my 19 days water fast goal

• Weight this morning: 186.7 lbs
• Weight lost: 9.3 lbs
• Goal weight: 176 lbs

Today was a busy day at work and my legs were cramping like crazy! I was always switching the position of my legs, stretching them, straightening them… whilst trying not to look like a weirdo (I think I failed that part). I did some research on the subject and I’ve found that it’s linked to the detoxification of the body and the toxins are concentrated in the legs. I was relieved to learn that and I hope I won’t cramp as much tomorrow!

Today I had a working lunch with a committee and I was just drinking water. Nobody asked anything and I was surely not going to touch the subject! I’m happy I stuck to my water and I didn’t feel deprived. Of coursed their food smelled good but I was looking at their food in a curious way. Like I was looking at a little puppy. Kind of like ‘‘Oww you’re cute, I might get you one of these days, but not now.’’

Sharing my daily struggles and successes here is helping me tremendously! I feel like I’m part of a group and I feel a sense of belonging. It’s such a gift.

Tomorrow is day 6, I’ve never fasted beyond this amount of days and I’m excited to reach and surpass this milestone.

I am doing this. I am strong. I am all I want to be.

Sending my love to all of you

[Compdude]

Love the puppy analogy!

[Anna]

In terms of the refeed part, I know lot of people do it in different ways, so I guess a lot of people have different experiences and advices.

In my own case, I’m going to follow some directions from Dr Goldhamer and Dr Klaper, who both work in fasting centers, and it’s gonna be a refeeding process for a about 10 days for me. (And you might not want to do a refeed that long, maybe it’s just being overly careful).

They suggested to firstly break the fast with some vegetable broth the first day and go over to some soup with cooked mixed vegetables for the next two days, then some steamed vegetables or fresh “watery” ones and see how it feels. I’m gonna start introducing some other vegetables, fruits and starches by time after that.

I think it’s important to still get a lot of water when breaking the fast, even if it’s by watery foods or remembering to drink a lot!

I hope you’ll find a way that’s gonna suit you!

[Compdude]

I agree with Anna. You just have to figure out for yourself the best ReFeed strategy that fits you individually and is in line with your goals. When I speak on this I start my presentation holding up a walnut. I point out that its a viable option to taking fish oil supplements and is considered very healthy part of any eating plan EXCEPT for a close friend of mine. For him it literally means death as he is extremely allergic. By accident he ate a baklava and didn’t know it contained walnuts. I had to rush him to Emergency because his throat closed up on him to save his life. I know its an EXTREME example, but I want to make sure people take my point seriously.

[Cream35]

Thank you so much Anna, I think I will read on the subject and figure out what I’m going to do for the refeed. I may reconsider my goal since it’s impossible for me not to eat solid food on December 23rd (xmas supper) which is my goal date to achieve 19 days. This broth situation really make me think. Thank you for all the information it’s very nice of you!

[Cream35]

Thank you for sharing, I really like your explanation, it illustrates your point. Also I’m sorry about your friend having to face this emergency situation, it must’ve been so scary, and for you as well. You seem to be a good friend to have I will be doing some research and think about my refeed strategy. I really appreciated your input, thank you very much.

[Cream35]

Day 6 complete of my 19 days water fast goal

• Weight this morning: 185.3 lbs
• Weight lost: 10.7 lbs
• Goal weight: 176 lbs

Today was hard for me. At one point I was seeing little sparkles of light flashing before my eyes. It was beautiful but very strange! My legs were still cramping and I’ve had acid reflux all day. I tried apple cider vinegar before but for me it’s making it worse. The electrolytes with water is helping a little. I’ve been thinking of taking an antacid but I don’t know if I should… Does anybody have insights on this topic?

I tend to feel very zen during the day but things get hard when I get home. My boyfriend started telling me I should quit. I asked him before the fast if he would support me and not tell me to stop, and he agreed. Anywhoo, my relationship has been hurting for a while now so I’m not that surprised, and it’s a whole other topic

On a positive note I’m so happy I made it today! Day 6 was always the day I couldn’t get passed, for unknown reasons.

Now if I could just get rid of that acid reflux I’d be dancing in the rain! Or should I say I’d be dancing in the snow

Sending my love to all of you out there!

I am strong and I am doing this for moi

[Compdude]

I went through several episodes of acid reflux during my 40-day I just checked in every morning to see if my condition got worse. It didn’t so I toughed it out. I believe Yaz has a post on the subject in another section of the forum. I forgot where it is because it’s been 3 weeks or longer since I read it.

[Cream35]

As I’m reading your reply, it’s morning and I’m actually not feeling acid reflux at the moment. I’ve seen her talk about apple cider vinegar on her videos but I’ll definitely sort through her journal to find the information. Thank you so much for your precious help!

[Cream35]

Day 7 complete of my 19 days water fast goal

• Weight this morning: 184.2 lbs
• Weight lost: 11.8 lbs
• Goal weight: 176 lbs

Today was my best day so far! I was energized all day, smiling and being positive. The acid reflux were noticeably less than the previous days. I was able to put on clothes that I wasn’t able to wear for months. I received compliments on my looks from a few people today. I felt rejuvenated! I notice that my body is changing, my stomach is getting flatter and the best part is my arms and shoulders are starting to look good. I have felt no hunger at all.

My dad called me up and wants to go out to eat breakfast this Saturday. I won’t tell him that I’m fasting (and I can’t pass on this opportunity, I a-d-o-r-e my dady-o!), so I think I will order tea and tell him that I have an upset stomach or something. My guess is that he won’t really care and he’ll be done with his plate pretty fast so we’ll be chatting over our warm mugs. I hope it goes well. I’m not too scared about being tempted to break my fast since I feel strong and truly connected.

I think I will book a therapist to look into my hurting relationship. I’ve been kind of hearing a voice inside… I need to open my eyes and face the music. I think fasting is helping me connect with my inner self or should I say true self. Yes, that’s it, today I felt like myself. Whew it’s been so long since I have felt this way. I wish everyone could feel like that. We all deserve to feel like our true selves.

I was facilitating so many meetings today and I was the one standing up with the marker in my hand and writing on the walls and helping people participate. It was strange to think they are all eating and here I am, the most energetic of the group, driving them to action. It was such a positive experience.

I don’t feel cramps in my legs anymore and I think that my skin is starting to glow. But I’m still cold. I can live with that part, no problem!

I can definately do this, and so can all of you. Let’s stay strong.

[Compdude]

Great job! Cheering for you for all aspects of your life!