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| Evening view of Fuji |
The rules:
The allowed liquids: water, tea, fruit/veggie juice, coffee with a teeny tiny splash of milk, broth.
Day 1:
This is always the hardest day and I manage it by keeping busy. This year I was surprised that it wasn't as difficult and I wasn't feeling as famished as I remember feeling in the past. I did lead up to this fast by mainly eating large amounts of fruits and veggies, and very little other foods. I didn't weigh myself at the beginning of my fast, but I am guessing my starting weight was about 3 pounds above what I think of as my ideal. Drank about 24 oz of a fruit/veggie juice mix and about 12 oz. of coffee, also plenty of water.
Day 2:
During distance learning my routine was disrupted and I had put on the famous "quarantine kilo" but had also lost a bit of it again before I started this fast. (Thanks to our gym opening up and me getting my motivation back!) I do a form of fasting throughout the year to maintain a healthy weight (a restricted eating window most days of 12pm to 6pm- but I am flexible with social events.) However, my main reason for this longer fast is not weight loss, but rather the many health benefits that I have talked about in previous posts. I am convinced that it strengthens my immune system noticeably. Before my first extended juice fast in 2013, I used to catch one or two colds yearly and it would sometimes turn into a sinus infection. But since 2013 I have not needed to take a sick day for sickness even once. I have had 2 or 3 colds in those 7 years, but none were severe enough to keep me home.
Day 3:
LAZY Day. Sat around the house and listened to the rain outside. I love to cook and bake when I am fasting, which I know is weird! So today I made banana chocolate chip muffins and put them in the freezer for our upcoming trip. A little hungrier today than yesterday. Slight headache too. All normal fasting side effects. Two days to go!
Day 4:
Woke up this morning and was a bit nauseous. The last few times I have fasted, I have had one nauseous morning. This morning I sensed it coming and quickly drank some juice which took the edge off.
Did you ever notice how many pictures and posts on facebook have to do with FOOD? Another thing that I love about fasting is that almost everything looks and smells delicious. Also, it resets my focus toward healthier foods when I end the fast. I am not sure why this works but it does. Fasting makes me crave healthy food the way I crave junk food at other times. I wonder if it is just me or if this is a normal side benefit for others too?
Last full fasting day.
Last full fasting day.
Day 5:
I was so very ready to end this fast last night when I went to bed. I thought I'd wake up this morning and eat the golden kiwi I have been saving for the occasion. But when I woke up this morning I was feeling good and decided to push forward until I felt that strong desire to eat again. I am definitely ending today, just not sure what time. I am only planning to eat fruit today. Probably some cooked soft veggies tomorrow. The rule of thumb for ending a fast is to take as many days to return to your "normal" diet as you fasted. That has been about right for me in the past.
Yesterday I went through Allrecipes.com and looked up some recipes of things I want to make. Weirdly, this is another thing I enjoy doing when fasting! Also with summer break coming, I tend to take over a majority of the cooking duties from my amazing husband who takes care of it during the school year. On the menu soon are things like a Chipotle style burrito bowl, Roasted vegetables- Italian style, fruit salsa and cinnamon tortilla wedges, a strawberry spinach salad, and a broccoli salad. YUM.
I have talked about intermittent fasting and the different forms of it in prior posts, if you are interested in all the ways this can be done and all the ways it can benefit your health, scroll through or just google intermittent fasting. This news article just came out this week... check it out.
Yesterday I went through Allrecipes.com and looked up some recipes of things I want to make. Weirdly, this is another thing I enjoy doing when fasting! Also with summer break coming, I tend to take over a majority of the cooking duties from my amazing husband who takes care of it during the school year. On the menu soon are things like a Chipotle style burrito bowl, Roasted vegetables- Italian style, fruit salsa and cinnamon tortilla wedges, a strawberry spinach salad, and a broccoli salad. YUM.
I have talked about intermittent fasting and the different forms of it in prior posts, if you are interested in all the ways this can be done and all the ways it can benefit your health, scroll through or just google intermittent fasting. This news article just came out this week... check it out.
Until next year!! Happy eating. And if you are willing - give fasting for health a try!
