Water-fast Blogging – Day 1
Today I’m on day one of what I expect will be a five-day water fast. I do this twice a year, as a way to cleanse my body, drop a few pounds, and generally get more deeply in touch with my physical and emotional self.
I often find it a spiritual experience, in the sense of feeling more in contact with my own essence, psychologically as well as physically. So it’s been a worthwhile practice for me in general.
During my fasts, I generally feel more clear headed and serene than normal. Because I’m not spending time preparing, eating, and cleaning up after meals, I often have more time to do low-energy work (e.g., web development) as well as to rest. The rest is important, of course, during the fast.
Unfortunately, however, my last one or two fasts were unpleasant experiences, where I felt more tired and off-center than normal. Some days, I felt positively miserable. I ended the last fast early, after only about three days.
I’m not certain what caused me to feel so bad last time — it may have been related to a low-grade infection I was running prior to the fast — but I do plan to take plenty of time to rest, this time around.
While I’ve suggested before that I might blog the full process of one of my fasts, I’ve never actually followed through with it. This time, I’m going to make more of an effort, however, to share what the experience is like during each day of the process. Perhaps it will be useful to others who decide to undertake a fast.
Of course, you should always find a suitable doctor to talk with before undertaking a water fast. They can provide helpful guidance, including ways to make the fast a more comfortable and healthful experience.
Because of my previous postings on the topic of water fasting, I get many e-mails and blog comments from people who have decided to begin a fast, asking me for advice. I am always acutely uncomfortable if they have not already consulted with a qualified doctor. Please don’t put me in that position; it’s important that you find a doctor who understands fasting and can support what you’re doing.
If you’re thinking of undertaking a fast, the best course of action is probably to (1) do some research on the net, perhaps starting with my own posts on water fasting, and see if it still interests you, (2) buy and read some good books on the topic to educate yourself about the process in detail, and (3) if you’re still interested, invest the time to find a naturopathic doctor in your area who can address any remaining questions you may have and help you plan a healthful fast. Having a supportive doctor will also help if something goes wrong during your fast.
Anyway, back to my own experience…
So far today, it’s been a very good experience. I’ve not felt particularly hungry, but if I did notice my body longing for food or anything else, I would typically take a few extra gulps of (lightly sea salted) water. It’s worked well — I feel clear headed.
I took most of the day off from anything resembling work, to be fully present with my body during this first day of the fast. This past week, unfortunately, I had gotten in the habit of staying up late (2 to 4 in the morning), and I’d like to get my sleep schedule back on track while I’m on the fast.
My first night’s sleep is often the most difficult, because my body is still missing food. I will be shutting down my computer shortly, so I can doing restful activities in preparation for sleep.
I look forward to giving my next update sometime tomorrow.
Current weight: 176.5 lbs. Last night I weighed 179.
