Day 6

I'm ready for this fast to end.
The only issue I really have right now is extremely low physical energy. Otherwise I feel ok.
it's weird, in previous fasts I had good energy levels.

I went to yoga last night, but modified the poses to be restorative, and I also rested a lot.

I'm not used to being so physically weak- this is a new experience for me and I can't say I like it very much.

But it has given me a depth of empathy and understanding for people who are physically weak all the time, and how difficult that is.

Tomorrow I will break this fast right at 2pm.  I'm not going longer than that physically or mentally.

Although I did not weigh myself before starting the fast, I am estimating that as of last night I have lost close to 9lbs. I am at a weight I haven't been at maybe since high school or college, or I guess my early 20s. It is still a safe weight for me to be at.

I have read that the average person, depending on how much extra weight you have, could fast for 6-8 weeks.  But I'm not sure about that for an average normal-weight person. I could probably fast safely (at my pre-fast weight) for about 10 days, but after that I might cross the line at being underweight, and underweight people should never water fast. I guess it depends on your body.

I know I'm still ok because hunger has not returned. I know I can safely lose a few more pounds without becoming officially underweight.

When you really critically have to break a fast, the body switches on an intense hunger mode.  I have never experienced this.  Generally, fasts should end before this occurs,

7 days is a good time frame for my body, going by my pre-fast weight.

I have really cleaned out my body's pantry! And that is a great thing.  I feel so good about it, although weight loss was absolutely NOT my intention for water fasting.

There are many scientifically-;proven benefits to water fasting. From my research to get the deep cleaning/regenerative benefits, you have to go for more than three days.  It really starts after day 3.
Intermittent fasting is also extremely healthy, but it isn't a full system re-boot like what I am doing.

There are counter-indications to undertaking something like this, and you have to do your research and know how to do it safely and what to expect.  And it is extremely mental, it makes your mind so strong.

The only thing that I wish could have been different with this fast is being away from my normal environment, because my mind needs to take a break and it hasn't been able to. I desperately need a (child free) vacation.

And it seems I have survived the layoffs that happened this week.