another 24 hour fast - mission aborted

I decided to pull the plug on this fast after just over 6 hours.  I took a nap after work and woke up feeling weak.  Of course this is expected with a fast.  But for a novice like me to be in that place after 6 hours did not bode well for the next 18.  I had a lunch-size meal and am now feeling better.  So I'm starting anew as of 7:20pm and will go through the night and then see how I do tomorrow.  This was my first attempt during the work week.  I'm not going to draw any conclusions except that today wasn't the day.

another 24 hour fast - others' experiences

I've never been very good for keeping secrets.  If I try something bold, I usually tell people about it.  As with fasting, the conventional wisdom about telling others your goals is mixed.  Some say it's best to tell people so you'll be accountable.  Others say just telling people about a goal creates a false sense of fulfillment that prevents them from carrying it out.  I've spoken to friends and others that are for, against, and indifferent about fasting.  The people that are indifferent haven't done one.  But that doesn't stop non-faster from having an opinion.  A Colombian co-worker always criticizes fasting when I bring it up.  In fact, today she told me I was attracting free radicals.  A friend from California by way of Mexico is a huge champion, and says the body needs to take inventory through fasting.  Opinions are as varied as people, so I think if you're curious about it you should try it for yourself.  If you don't want to go to 24 hours, at least try 12 and see if you get hungry.  I have a co-worker friend that's trying it too.  Maybe trying something with another will help.

Starting another 24 hour fast

I've decided to do it again.  Getting back to work brought back to my old eating habits.  Cereal for breakfast, banana, peanut butter toast, carrots with peanut butter.  After eating Chinese lunch (salt and pepper shrimp) and downing two large diet Pepsi's I felt this would be another good occasion to fast.  I'll do periodic updates throughout the next two days.

24 hour fast - hour 24

I finished the fast over an hour ago!  I felt weak as the last two hours dragged on but knew the end was near.

I'd like to say that it was a positive experience overall and I recommend it to anyone without any kind of medical condition that prohibits fasting.  I believe 24 hours is a reasonable amount of time for a beginner.  I also strongly believe (but almost never practice) that humans eat much more than is necessary.  In the USA we are bombarded with advertising of food, and also eat three meals a day and snack too.  Fasting may be a way to fight back against this culture of eating and the habits we've developed for years.  I plan to do another fast soon.

24 hour fast - hour 21

At about 6pm I'll be eating some delicious shrimp poblano tacos with beans.  That's about the only solace I have for my growing hunger.  I have no reported physical benefits of fasting at this time but a small measure of satisfaction for not giving up.  It would be easy to quit now and say 21 hours is enough.  By the way, who decided the 24 hours was the magic number?!  My stomach is growling.  Shortly we'll be going out to an outdoor yoga fest/concert where a friend is performing.  I hope that will keep my mind off food.

24 hour fast - hour 20

After a slow 15 minute swim I went to the grocery store.  When checking out the cashier asked me how I was doing.  I said it was a tough day because I was fasting.  We got to talking and she has done three day fasts on various occasions.  She said she takes vitamins to help her get the nutrients she needs and is either working or cleaning to keep her busy during the fast.  When I asked how whether she felt better at the end, she said yes because her body needed those nutrients.  Based on how she looked I have a feeling she normally eats a poor diet which leads to dietary deficiencies.  Her fast allows her body to spend less time digesting food and more absorbing nutrients.  Only about 4 hours to go!

24 hour fast - hour 19

My wife made some pancakes for the boys this morning.  There are a few leftover sitting on the kitchen counter.  Oh how I would love to eat them.  Hunger plus sights and smells tasty food creates moments of discomfort.  My new tactic is not to even look at them.  This hour I'm going to take a risk.  I'm going to leave the house and go for a swim of not more than 10 or 15 minutes.  I'll report back in an hour.