S: 20 days of Water Fasting
S G, 21 years old Female, weighing 62 kg / 136.4 lbs, 61 in /154.94 cm tall, United States
Doing 20 days of Water Fasting. Starting December 1, 2010
Reasons for Fasting:
Weight loss and to prove to myself I can work on my self control.Past Fasting Experience:
1-3 days occasionally but never got past that, especially because I always procrastinate and told myself I'll just "do it next month."Present Diet:
Usually not too bad, but a lot of junk food for the past two weeks, and on top of being stuck in bed with a cold, I've gained 5 pounds in that time. After the fast, plan to stick to a raw diet for as long as I can.Relevant Medical History:
Always been overweight and borderline obese for my height just from typical American diet, but I worked off 40 pounds in 2008 the long, hard way, which in the end backfired and I ended up developing a binging habit so bad that I dropped out of college and had to move back home--and my parents had to lock up the fridge and cabinets to stop me from eating all their food. Even then, I found ways to get food and gained nearly all the weight back. Ever since then (March 2009), I've had on-and-off binging habits. I'm hoping, if anything, this experience will help me control the urges.State of Mind:
Determined.Questions:
Not a question, just a comment: I really appreciate this website, I think it'll help me get through this "project" a lot easier. Now that I've announced to everyone that I'm going to fast for 20 days, it's like the pressure is on and everyone is counting on me. Everyone's posts are very inspiring, especially Luna's, and I intend to update every day or so like she did, and I hope I can succeed and inspire others too. If anyone wants to email me, maybe we can talk and help each other out when we're feeling weak. My email address is alouettenoire@hotmail.com I'll be starting in a couple days (just because it's easier to keep count of the days if I start on the first haha).
Cindy Pa-ac 
Amy Seery 
Totes Boots 
Grace Fawoye 
Clay Lapre 
This site does help make us feel accountable doesn’t it
I completely agree with Melissa:
Each day as you post you have a network of support. I’m using this site as my online diary to encourage myself and seek the support of others.
How are you doing? I hope you are ready to go tomorrow. I am looking forward to reading your updates.
I’m still feeling determined, but life has been depressing lately. I’d really like to get out and make friends, but it seems so hard. I really hope this experience will jump start my self confidence.
I’ll be just eating oranges today (gotta finish them before tomorrow). I’m not too worried about the hunger pains, because I tend to eat out of emotion rather than hunger. I’ll just have to keep myself distracted and find another outlet for my emotions.
Thanks for the comments everyone
I don’t feel so lonely as I did when I woke up today.
Hi:
Today was Day #5…I finally gave away all of my mints and gum. I like what you posted about self-control. I remembered that today when I walked into Walmart I headed straight for the water, paid and walked right out…I think if i can do this for 40 days…I can accomplish anything
Well it’s nearing the end of the first day now. Official starting weight this morning: 136
My roommate was eating fast food right next to me and even offered me some…of course, I declined, but it got me thinking about food, so I gave in and ate a small orange that I had leftover from yesterday. It’s not terribly tragic, so I won’t let this get me down, but I also don’t feel good about it. I think the idea of how temporary the “happiness” from eating brings me is something I need to remind myself often. Hopefully by the end of all of this, I’ll learn how to be happy without binging.
You have a good attitude. Don’t let it get you down and use it to draw on. Keep on keeping on!
Why not try a new reward system…such as .50 cent for each opportunity that you avoid emotional eating. I did that a few years ago it worked…I ended up with about $50 in two months. I was proud of myself and I added that to my savings. In retrospect I think my challenge was that I didnt stay motivated enough to work out to maintain that weight loss. But this time the stakes are higher.
I think you can easily pull of 20 days of water…that’s my half-way point…I cant wait to read your next post.:)
Well I’m a bit too broke to do that at the moment haha, maybe if I can think of some other reward system.
So nearing the end if the second day now. This morning: 133.5
The hard part about missing food is missing the taste, rather than the stomach hunger pains. I have some gum hanging around the house from a few weeks back, so I had just a couple pieces and tossed the rest in a place I can’t reach. “Extra” came out with some dessert flavors: mint chocolate chip ice cream, key lime pie, and strawberry shortcake. They’re great, if anyone is interested! But the calories can add up if you chew gum like I used to, so I’m chewing them even after the flavor is gone. Distracts me from thinking about something to eat.
Came across a tuna can in my pantry last night, gave in and ate it. At least I’m avoiding carbs for the most part, but woke up and was 132.5 so only lost a pound yesterday.
It’s getting harder to stay determined, with my roommate buying chips and making pancakes and all… I feel conflicted about giving in or not, but no matter what happens or how many times I stumble, I won’t go back to eating “normal” until I am 115 pounds, even if it will end up taking me past December 20.
Ahhh, I gave into some pancakes and chips, but I only consumed a portion before I threw the rest away, so I’m glad I was able to stop myself. I probably ate something like 1000 cal though. I don’t think it’ll set me back that much, especially since I’m still near the beginning, but since it was carbs, the idea of going into ketogenic state has been set back. I wish my roommate would be a bit more supportive–it’s fine that he buys this food, but then he keeps saying “you can have some,” when it’s a lot easier for me to resist if he’d just say “don’t eat my food,” which I keep begging him to say to me.
Oh well, I’m guessing this will set me back a day, but I don’t want to throw in the towel like I did in the past.
ok…it was a temporary setback…now you know what roadblocks are in front of you…keep that knowledge in front of you and if you have to talk to yourself when you find “you” in temptation then you’ll be better prepared for next time…take baby steps.
i’ve found myself talking through each of my temptation…going w/o food for the most part hasnt been the problem…it’s my love of chewing is the issue…LOL
keep your chin up…cant wait to read your next post
Thanks for the support! And I know how you feel, it’s nice to just have something in my mouth.
Day 4: 133 this morning
The food yesterday did not agree at all with my digestive system…and I am still feeling a little sick from yesterday. Hopefully I’ll keep that in mind next time I have a craving. I went back up half a pound, but that’s okay. Still 18 pounds from my goal. I’m back to feeling in a pretty good mood this morning. Oh, and I got my roommate to say “don’t eat my food” to me, so that will help me resist devouring all his junk food when he’s away at work.
I feel for you. My husband decided to bake pies when I started my fast. He has done a lot of the cooking, but not all, and most of the time I have to clean up the left-overs and do the dishes. It is hard standing at the kitchen, smelling the odors of what they ate. I salivate like Pavlov’s dogs… but I can’t say I am really hungry. I am bound and determined to do this though, and you can too. Keep venting here. The people are so supportive. If you end up taking a step back, as long as you took two step forwards, you are still ahead of where you would have been. Hang in there!
One day I will get to that 115 pound goal…I’m right on your heels…LOL
keep posting
Day 5: 131.5
My stomach feels a bit sick, tempted to eat something small with no carbs, like an egg, to see if that helps, but not sure I should. My weight loss seems slow, kinda makes me not feel so excited about this anymore. But I gotta keep going. Even if I feel a bit achy now, I know it’s to make me happier in the long run.
Last night, my roommate ordered Chinese food and even though he offered me some (and I did want it!), I declined even the smallest piece. I felt pretty proud of myself and he said he was impressed lol.
That sick feeling goes away thankfully! Good for you resisting temptations! No better feeling!
Keep up the good work. The sickness is your body processing out the toxins, hopefully that hungry feeling will go away. If you have lemon to put in your water that will help with the hungry feeling somewhat.
Your roommate sounds really nice. Perhaps just letting them know that not offering you the food would be a real support for your goal. Or maybe if a water only fast is just too much, going with a juice and water diet won’t be so severe on you? Either way you’re doing great. Hang in there!
Hah, actually turns out the sickness is just monthly cramps >_< I didn't even really think about it, but going through this time of the month will be hard for me. I usually get bedridden with pain and the only way to make me feel better is comfort food… But I've been able to resist so far and my cramping has settled down since this morning.
Ah the beloved monthly while on a fast! Happend to me last month and surprisingly I didn’t lose or gain one single pound during the whole thing. I’m having cramps right now too, it’s coming this week ffs. Anyway normally I have really light periods while fasting, great right!, but last month heavier than ever before, almost scary!
Hi:
Like you my cramps made things a bit challenging for me this month. I was watching one of the youtube videos about cramps, menstruation, ovulation and hormonal balance during a fast. I was okay, just really achy ~ As usual i dont take meds…but i was able to lie down take naps and I made it through. Now unlike Melissa…I did gain 1 pound but after a couple days i think i lost even more…maybe i shouldve drank more water…
Keep posting…I’m right on your heels with the weight goal….:)