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In university my brother and I traded bucket lists. One of the things on my list was: no food for 10 days. I had experimented with ketogenic dieting and intermittent fasts, even done a few 40 hour fasts. But 10 days would be the big one. 10 days would be epic.
I did the fast early-COVID, when everyone was truly in lockdown. Funnily enough, this is also when I started writing my personal memoir. It felt like a reflective, cleansing deep-dive ritual.
I made it to day 4 and then one of my friends had a birthday party and I cracked. I also learned a valuable lesson that I continue to use when I fast now: tell other people you are fasting. By having someone to check in with, you’ll have both support and accountability. I had told maybe one person on the first go, but a month later I gave it another go, and this time I told at least 5 people that I was fasting for 10 days.
Day 1: hunger cravings during usual meal-times. Kept myself busy with schoolwork and avoided the kitchen.
Days 2-3: less hunger cravings, felt quite light in the body, and clear in the mind. Focus was sharp and mood was excellent.
Days 4-6: not feeling hungry anymore as digestive organs go into hibernation, my tongue started digesting itself which leaves an always-thirsty, or dry-mouth feeling. Taking 2-3 naps a day, in addition to having good sleep at night.
Days 7-9: I can visually notice a loss of muscle mass in the body. I wasn’t having enough salt at this stage, meaning my hydration suffered, and my already low blood-pressure had me feeling light headed from even light amounts of exercise (walking or a few pushups). I’m napping and meditating often.
Day 10: I’ve missed the sensations of eating and experiencing food more than anything. The smells, tastes, and community. I break my fast slowly, intentionally, and with purpose. I feel a deep sense of gratitude for once again having sustenance. I feel liberation after intense discipline, and motivated to tackle more bucket list items.
My biggest take-away: Our bodies are capable of much more than we realize, and the mind might be the strongest muscle we have. Since this fast I’ve kept my longer fasts to 48 hours or less. I think going into day 3 when the digestive organs and hunger really quits, the benefits are not as great.
Today I coach clients through 1, 2 and 3 day fasts. They are often surprised how far they were able to go, and how good they felt in their bodies.
Anytime someone wants to fast, I do it alongside them so we’re in it together. Interested in doing a fast with me? Drop me an email and we’ll chat more.
-Armani
