## Would you ever consider going without food? 5 days ago, I told you all that I was planning on starving myself for 3 whole days... Why, What and How I did a 3 day water fast. Here's how that went... ![Fast Collage.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUHhqZPjdoeuqoJQitWBccUguKv88s6Mc5aT2DvKCfzn4/Fast%20Collage.jpg) If you're anything like my parents (or former me), you might be thinking this: [![can't stop eating.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNWfiVvqMPBS3Z5fvryDA5jbL7pMFMZ7VuFCBTbBWuJ2K/can't%20stop%20eating.gif)](https://biohackingentrepreneur.com/common-intermittent-fasting-questions/) I hear you! I love eating! Honestly, you'd be surprised how often I eat considering how small I am but food is one of my passions and I have a deep respect for it. ## So why would I give it up then? [On my first day I wrote you all a blog, *here*](https://steemit.com/life/@heart-to-heart/i-am-starving-myself----on-purpose-thats-right-no-food-at-all-why-would-you-do-that-youre-wondering----let-me-tell-ya--1500555729-6644444) that talked about **what I was going to do, why I was going to do it and how I was feeling while doing it.** I had originally planned on following through and writing about it day-by-day but the thing about my fast this time was that things didn't go as expected (*nor do they ever*) and through it all, I decided that I would do a recap version for you instead focusing more on what you had brought up in the comments. If you're interested, you can definitely ask me any questions you have if I don't touch on them here! Let's start off with this video I made, I let my thoughts free flow late morning of the day after my 72 hour mark ended to give you a look into how it all went. Take a look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIYIL9KoP_0 I want to address some questions that were brought up to me before that I think are really important and failed to mention. ## How I Prepared: + **Mentality** *We are talking mind over matter.* When you first start anything, you can never really know what to expect despite how much you research or ask around, nothing in life is certain, right? It's the same with fasting so I find that it's important to go in open minded, anticipating that there may be challenges, rewards or surprises along the way. I learned this lesson the hard way the first time I fasted which I'll tell you about another time. + **Remove Judgment** It's OK if I 'fail!' A perceived failure is judgment based on expectations. I will try my best, give it an honest attempt and ultimately listen to my body. If it's too much, I'm too tired, I can't do the things I need to do in my life, I know it is OK to give up (I can always try again, practice makes perfect!) I used to judge myself and put myself through unnecessary stress trying to make sure I got to the finish line. I can tell you it caused me problems physically, mentally and socially for no good reason! When I was studying to be a nutritionist, this part was strongly exaggerated to us- *"make sure clients feel safe to stop if they are not comfortable finishing their protocol."* Well that was hugely influential to me because I always feel the need to finish everything I start- movies, projects, conversations, you name it! Now, if I do need to stop before I had planned, that doesn't mean I should chow down on the next greasy thing that comes into sight, the exit strategy is still incredibly important if I want to receive positive benefits. (*I remember one time, I was fasting and decided mid-way through to eat some Arby's meat my friends had... I can't tell you how bad of an experience that was for me!*) + **Physically:** I have found diet to be really important. I struggled with fasting when my body craved artificial flavors, processed sugars and deep fried pogos/corn-dogs (that was a big one for me!) I have changed my diet to be plant-based, I eat 'clean' all the time, my daily meals are mostly fruits, veggies, nuts, beans and seeds. I don't eat wheat, dairy, processed foods or sugars and no meat products. Since changing my diet, it's made the transition into fasting a lot easier for me and the cravings less harsh and easier to dissuade myself from giving in to them. The 'prep day', the day before most things stay the same for me, however I usually stick with liquids (fruit smoothie for breakfast, green shake for lunch and dinner.) Alternatively, I might have a salad or some type of vegetable dish for lunch or dinner, I just ask my body what it wants and I go with that. I try to plan ahead so that I have used up all my fresh foods and don't make the excuse that I need to eat them so they won't go bad *(my favourite excuse in the past!)* This time, being especially un-enthused to give up food, I ate a veggie stir-fry the night before and still managed to get through my fast with no problems! I am motivated by listening to my body's wants and needs and finding a recipe/protocol that works well for me! **Socially:** + The Emotional Attack: I have to warn everyone, my fasts can come with emotional outbursts! Why? Well my body is releasing a lot of built up toxins, energy and you got it... stored emotions! I know it might not be convenient but I know it's important to view any releases as positive. When I think about it, if I don't like whatever it was that was in me that's coming out, isn't it better to be out now? In my experience the answer has always been, yes! + No To The RSVP: I let anyone that is close to me know what I am doing, before I do it. Since I have been doing this for a while (and have some wild tales of when my emotions went rogue) my social circle understands and are supportive. To alleviate any pressure on that, I try to just seclude myself a bit more than usual so that if I am feeling overwhelmed, I don't accidentally misplace those feelings onto others. This has helped me tremendously. I usually do everything I can to avoid parties, gatherings, anything where there is going to be food involved as it will be tortuous to have to turn down those delicious smells and sights tantalizing my sensitive senses. + The Partner Fast: Wooo-ey. Fasting together is a trip! I have learned a lot about fasting together- through experience, I know that things might come up, arguments might ensue, it's all part of the process! I just try to be kind and forgiving with the other knowing that each of us is processing. It can be hard, I have had a few big blow ups when I knew that fasting (being highly emotional) was the problem but because I was fasting, I was more emotionally unstable and unable to fully handle the situation. At the end, things always come clear to me, but it can be eventful (*and stressful*)! ## The Aftermath: ![Kombucha End Fast Collage.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmeKiocxaiSw4y7F5gmEBHKzDwWhqLDMp3kRwKPQ6YMid7/Kombucha%20End%20Fast%20Collage.jpg) *OK so I've done it, I made it to my goal and have completed the fast!* ### Now how do I transition out? + Tricks I Have Picked Up: The transition out is really important, my body has just done some serious cleaning and now, it's going to need extra love and care. If I dive too quickly into solid foods, my body gets confused! I encourage myself to ease out with a gentle smoothie or fruits, I try to stick with liquids for a day or 2 coming out, again it's up to my body and I find that over time I am becoming better at knowing what my body needs and when it needs it. This time, as I tell you in my video, I ate a piece of raw garlic. It's intense I am not going to lie to you- but I use it for its natural antibiotic and anti-fungal properties. I look at it like dropping a love-bomb down into my stomach to get rid of anything hanging around that I don't necessarily want in there! Another trick that I learned from some medicine women in Belize, Central America was to eat a small spoon of papaya seeds. These are another natural antibiotic and anti-parasite and serve a similar purpose of the garlic. Depending on where I am and what I have access to determines which route I go, this is something I find highly beneficial for me (*even thought the taste is absolutely dreadful!)* + 72 Hours: I drank a lovely, papaya and water smoothie, with nothing else added as fruits have enough natural sugars for me as it is! I want what I first put in to be gentle and not irritate my empty tummy. I felt amazing after my smoothie and being bedtime, I got some (*very clear-minded*) writing done, then had a wonderful night's sleep with vivid adventures in my dreams. + The Next Morning: When I woke up I was excited to eat but I didn't feel I needed to. I started with my big glass of water (as always) and I had this shot of homemade kombucha vinegar (amazing pro-biotic, this way I can put some good organisms back in my stomach) before I had another smoothie with my leftover papaya, some sweet soursop and water and drank it slowly over about an hour. My body was slow at responding. My mind was clear and my thoughts were racing through my head trying to get my attention so I sat down and let this energy create itself to life! I am serious when I tell you I actually wasn't feeling hungry yet! But I was excited to get into the kitchen and make something delicious- my food brain went crazy and I started making an amazing masala with garlic almond cheese... but wait... my burner wouldn't turn on (I have a gas stove)... maybe that's a good thing. My stomach wasn't ready for that kind of meal yet so instead I decided to go for a kale and spinach salad with cucumbers and a garlic vinaigrette and some homemade sauerkraut (more beneficial gut life) on it. ![salad fast end.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcj9E3y8rgQZbyjJoP58UDimwTH5TmYcWDj7wdTcU8A7j/salad%20fast%20end.jpg) That felt wonderful and was received with open arms from my stomach. I'm happy that happened. I was about to jump in too deep too fast I think. ## Diary (*for those wanting a more intimate look into things)*: I am going to share with you my journal entries and give a quick overview of the social, physical and mental aspects each day. ### Day 2: ![diary day2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXbYFh68qN7B9nVDfgd9KNC5SbszpKzmCbpKvCqAWoVBf/diary%20day2.jpg) **Social:** + In the morning, I was full energized, swimming around in here talking to you wonderful people but by the afternoon, my mind was tired... foggy. I couldn't read to respond and had to start typing I can't read this right now, need to come back later. + I spent most of the day by myself with little interaction. **Physical:** ![gymday2.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmW12QL6Z5d4uKQb85FvLwH1RyutwXMhzxj8p2i4DixTqV/gymday2.jpg) + I woke up at 4am this morning! My mind was racing so fast, I couldn't sleep anymore- so many ideas to explore! + I couldn't write things down fast enough or read fast enough, I felt like a sponge taking in everything excitedly! + I didn't feel hungry or thirsty in fact, I was having a hard time convincing myself to drink water! + By mid-day my mouth was so dry (I wasn't drinking enough water) and I started to want to eat (*not need to, want to!*) + My workout was really just me laying on the mat, looking at the ceiling, creating new recipes in my head. My body was weak, tired and not impressed but my mind was at peak performance! **Mental/Emotional:** + I found it very emotional to be a part from my love, food. + It's astounding how much my mind drifts to food. Normally I would be perusing recipes, creating in the kitchen, looking for something delicious to make and so without this huge part of my life, I felt some longing. + My emotions remained pretty stable this fast which is a surprise! I found myself overwhelmed with joy over a hot shower that almost brought me to tears however ;) ### Day 3: ![diary day3.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSaXC84TQjTpD5Kx5mrgC3sFtCkHJZuRQoTWtVpwUULPx/diary%20day3.jpg) **Social:** + This was the worst. It was Saturday, the one day I go to the farmer's market for my... FOOD. + I went back in forth a million times in my head about going vs not going and in the end drug myself over there but the swarms of people were too much. + I managed to handle my interactions but all I wanted to do was get home and lie down. + As far as Steemit was concerned, I had a hard time reading other posts... I couldn't get inside their head. I could read mine because I know how I think but everything else was too much! **Physical:** + When I got out of bed, I thought I was going to faint. My head was fuzzy, my body so heavy and everything was a blur. + I could hardly walk and kept needing to sit down on the floor. I had no idea how I was going to get anywhere. + Walking around seemed to help a bit but I felt very flimsy. + I came home and sat down for a while before I decided to push my body to stretch, after that I felt worlds better! **Mental/Emotional:** ![emotionalday3.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmfQsNERFM9TpfGF8URRmHX9B4gaye9yNhQbNZ4MsSjTRR/emotionalday3.jpg) + The market was hard, I placed a lot of judgment and expectation on myself which caused me to stress. + I couldn't write, I could barely read and my mind started taking me for a ride. + I thought I was going to crack but I kept looking to the clock, I was so close! + Finally, I made it to 72 hours by dinner time and was so grateful for that! I had ideas of what I wanted to eat the next day! ## The Day After: First Day After Fast! ![Chocolate Collage.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQma96XRGmiroa6rECLgJgamrvUfSDd9K3D5Y1KrcCUURZV/Chocolate%20Collage.jpg) Well, I told you I was missing being in the kitchen! ;) See the [recipe for these delicious, healthy peanut butter cup treats here!](https://steemit.com/food/@heart-to-heart/how-to-make-mouthwatering-peanut-butter-cups-vegan-healthy-and-super-quick-easy-great-for-kids-and-the-kids-within-us) These chocolates were a treat for me to make but I will save them for later (it's still too close after a fast for these, for me!) Those 3 short (*even though they felt long)*days lead me to a feeling so much better than when I had started! I mentioned to you that I felt like I was coming down with something- not anymore! I feel energized (*even though my energy took a hit at one point*), my creativity meter is filled up and I am ready to take on the world again! :) I hope this piece helps get rid of some of the stigma attached to fasting and act as a window into what it was really like doing a fast and why someone might want to do it! I love sharing this kind of information with you and am looking forward to hearing from you! PS: It's been 5 days since I started my fast, 2 days since I have ended and I am feeling like I'm walking on sunshine! 💜 PPS: Here's a picture of the veggie masala I ended up making for dinner instead of lunch... I sure did appreciate it so much more after missing it so much! ![IMG_6350.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmdVVZX5GaqZqAo52JYbudsHv2Z4eafKaF4SNnP5Vcvjxc/IMG_6350.JPG) Sending love your way today and everyday as I try to inspire in new ways! XO, 💜 ![heartofthematter.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbCRnggBQw7iETc1dpLbw8XCNpWVcMg4zMwJAjXaQDCyv/heartofthematter.jpg) ![hearttoheart signature.png](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbrCAcXHHXAH1PdznaAe1dcTwFQ2PDs9SyQqqZMA8Y42o/hearttoheart%20signature.png)