Lifestyle

My 4 Day Water Fast – My Experience & Helpful Tips

May 17, 2021

On May 10, 2021 I decided to start a water fast. Why? Why in the world would I want to not eat for several days? Because I wanted to experience what it would be like.

NOTE: I am not a doctor or health professional. I am doing this purely on my own with no help from a professional. Before partaking in any fast be sure to consult your doctor.

What’s on the menu

I drank 60oz of water each day.

Day by Day Diary

Day 1– I was not feeling too hungry at all during the day and I had no symptoms.

Day 2- I woke up hungry and with a headache but throughout the day my hunger went away but the headache stayed. Otherwise I felt okay.

Day 3- I was a little lightheaded today and really really hungry but just like yesterday, as the day went on I wasn’t as hungry. But my lightheadedness stayed. In the evening I went to bed pretty hungry.

Day 4- Symptoms- lightheaded, weak, my joints hurt which was weird, a little moody and hungry. But it was my last day of this fast so I powered through.

One symptom that was consistent throughout this who fast was that I was very bloated each day even though I was not eating at all. I looked this up and it is a common symptom of water fasting. Interesting considering you’re not eating, so why would I be bloated? Something I will have to talk to my doctor about.

I broke my fast the next morning with my favorite fruit smoothie – here’s the recipe on my blog and then for lunch I has some more fruit and dinner I had a small bowl of pasta and cauliflower.

My experience/thoughts

This journey was not easy. Water fasting is hard, especially after the first day but it was something that I did enjoy and will do again, possibly for 1 week? I decided to water fast because I wanted to challenge myself with something that I knew would be a challenge and there were times were I did want to eat but I didn’t. I pushed through and let me tell ya, one of the best feelings is crossing the finish line knowing that holy crap, I just did that! I am so proud of myself for completing this water fast for 4 days. I feel great physically and mentally and am excited for the next one! 🙂

Helpful tips

Weird tip but if you’re really hungry, smell the food. Trust me, it really helps with the cravings.

Drink lots of water. Do not only drink a small 12oz bottle.

Don’t exercise. Whether it’s 1 day or 10 days, don’t exercise on a fast because you can hurt yourself. You’re already weak from not eating so if you start running or lifting weights then you could injure yourself. Devote your days fasting to resting and doing nothing strenuous.

Plan ahead. Don’t fast if you know you have a strenuous week at work ahead or a party that weekend. Plan your fast at a time when you know you can take it easy.

Re-feeding. When you being re-feeding don’t binge on tons of food. Start with broth or a smoothie, something that you don’t have to chew and can easily digest. Wait an hour or two then try something soft, fruit is great! Wait a day or two being eating anything hard to digest like meat or pasta, especially if you’re fasting for an extended period of time.

My biggest tip: If your body doesn’t feel good then stop the fast. You know your body and the last thing you want to is hurt yourself. And don’t punish yourself for breaking it early. Think about the progress you did make and be proud!