i've been reading these messages for a day or so, and thankfully have learned a LOT of good information. so i thought i'd introduce my story too.

this is my first time fasting - i really don't know anything about it though i'm trying to stuff my brain and do this the right way, but i got that overwhelming feeling of NEEDING to do it, and knowing that i had to do it now if i ever wanted to do it at all. from the experiences i've read, a lot of people have had this same emotion, so i guess that means i'm off to a good start? my reasons for doing it was mainly to teach myself self control. i am disgusted with the fact that i can't control my feelings for food, and i figure it was time to learn. i hope that this will start me off to a healthier, more CONTROLLED life. maybe a third of the reason involves weight loss too (but only for that kick start to a healthy life reason) - by the way i've lost 10 pounds, unbelievable.

day 1 was difficult but i don't think it had anything to do with being hungry. i wasn't hungry. i hadn't slept in over 30 hours and was about to pass out - which i did, eventually. i think it was good though because it made the continuing weakness seem mild. day 2 was a little tiring, but i really wasn't hungry. day 3 was probably worse, because i had a few stomach growls finally and there was indigestion. not horrible indigestion, but there was some nonetheless. it's day 4 now and i feel better - but i keep getting bouts of nausea. since like day 2.

is that normal on day 4 though? this nausea is so annoying (even though i'm probably just being dramatic), when do you think it'll go away? i'm definitely in this for the long haul, and for a person that made practically no healthy choices in the past besides abstaining from fast food, i'd say that my symptoms are MILD. especially compared to what some people experience, yikes!

i've read to stay away from food or even the smell of it, but i have found those hunger cravings to be a little better if i prepare food for someone else. also, although i find myself very weak and wanting to just sleep, if i make myself exercise just a little bit it helps me. it gives me energy. i think i did too much this morning, but exercise is definitely my friend right now. it seems most people say the first few days are the worse for hunger - and i swear my family wants to torture me (they don't know i'm doing this) since i had to pass up pizza, cookies, and mcdonald's. normally i don't care for mcdonald's, but the smell was a bit miserable, not because i was hungry but because i had that want for salt and taste. i helped cut up my brother's hamburger and it helped, though.

last night my mom said, "you are so calm, and peaceful and relaxed. normally you're really up or really down." i was so happy because that is how i FEEL. it definitely motivated me to keep going even though i thought i was going to collapse yesterday.

thanks for reading! i love reading your stories, experiences, and journeys.