Very touching post. I like that question ’what is this misery’. Probably, everyone has a different answer. For me the best explanation came from Mate Gabor. He is MD, author of several books, known for his unusual heroine addicts treatment. To me he explained so well why some people become drug, alcohol, food, shopping addicts (himself) while others not. It was interesting to learn that out of all Vietnam soldiers who were taking drugs during the war, only 10-20% of them, became addicts once war had finished. He is arguing if drugs were addictive per-se, all of them would be addicted. You ...
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Hi Archus, I read somewhere that the main culprit for sugar craving is salt; so I stop salt intake and it worked. Anne   [End]
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That is a very good point; ‘the Biggest Loser’ can’t be more awful; people are needlessly tortured just to have ‘a good TV’. But even worse, we are all brainwashed with these type of information which serves only (so called) ‘medical’, ‘losing weight’ and other industries. For example, it is sad that none of my friends, not even the closest one, know how I lost weight. I mentioned once going through the weekend without food and for a month I was getting ‘how desperate, dangerous and stupid was that’ feedback. And recently I’ve heard, from the friend of mine who happened to be MD ...
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Thanks. I couldn’t believe that my stomach shrinked so nicely. At one point it was over 50”, now is the half of it without any loose skin. I did occasionally apply some body creme, but as we know, those things never work anyway. My arms (I was wearing my weight in the upper part of the body) are not perfect, as they were in my 20-ties, but I’m ok wearing sleeveless dress. I lost 7” of fat in each arm and now I have 1/2 of inch of lose skin; I think that is a very decent result. My breasts, of course need lift, but that would happened anyway. The best things happened with my face ...
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Thanks. It is a good feeling. I’m having seafood 2-3 times per week, juicing veggie and berries every morning, doing my own sprouts for salads. I’m still little cautious about fruit. In that frame I’m trying to be as flexible as I can. But of course, sugar and any processed food is out of question.   [End]
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Hi, Sorry for confusion. I went through only one 21-7-21 fasting session. First 21 days were easy, except for the initial 3-4 days which were pure (PURE) HELL. Every single cell in my body screamed for food. I felt that my brain and body were bursting, attacking me both at the same time, trying to trick me to eat: at least a little bit of a juicy peach, or a tiny slice of a bread crust, etc. (Things that usually turned to a binge.) I had a HUGE emotional breakdown and felt like the miserabli-est mess in the world and cried and cried … you’ve got a picture. On the fourth or fifth day ...
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Thanks. I wish you all luck.   [End]
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Dear All, these are my two cents to those who are in the same position I was almost a year ago. First 40-50 pounds was easy (or relatively easy), or much easier than any diet I’d tried before (and I tried them all). I was fasting 21/7/21. During a week off I didn’t eat fruit as recommended but rather some veggie and fish, up to 400 cal per day. And I weighted myself only two times, I pretended that weight issue does not exist and I concentrated more on mental and emotional clarity, smooth skin, bright eyes etc. The next 20 pounds was painful. I was on 160 pounds plateau for ...
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Well, ’mighty’ this is an additional nonsense from you. Just because you went through 36 days fast without any problems doesn’t mean that is safe for everyone. And just because you read a book or two on this topic doesn’t make you ’expert’ either. Every fast over 20 days should be supervised especially if person is not overweight. And being skeleton look like is not a figure of speech. How would you feel if your daughter is in question and some ’expert’ is telling her to go on with fast because being skeleton is just a ’figure of speech’. Maybe her ’poor’ father is right, m ...
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Mighty Sun Tzu, with all respect, but I think that you are overextending the limits of this Forum, at least how I see them. There two main problems with the water fasting. First is that official medicine doesn’t support it i.e. we can’t talk to our doctors about it and the second one is that fasting resorts are not easily affordable. As a result of those, we are trying to fast on our own and the purpose of this forum is to educate ourselves, share experience, literature etc. The key words--which I believe we should follow--are being SAFE and REASONABLE. And to suggest someone who, ...
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Hi, I’m not trying to be antagonistic either, but the way you described yourself is very disturbing. You wrote: ”Also i look extremely ill, like something out of a concentration camp, my teeth look too big for my head, very dark circles, like a skeleton really and i just feel a little frightened.my poor father thinks iv an eating disorder. can anyone help me please? is this all normal?” And you ask -- is this normal? No it is not. Do you expect from anyone to tell you that it is. You are obviously playing with your health and with your life. Perhaps, someone has to tell you tha ...
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It looks like you are starving yourself. You should stop fasting immediately. Forget silly acne and take care of your health.   [End]
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Hi All, Today is an important day for me, I weight 159 pounds. Officially I’m not overweight any more. I’m not part of scary USA statistics -- 70% of population being overweight. The fact that I’m not contributing to that number any more, it is just so amazing to me. As if I pulled myself from some muddy pond or mean, dangerous quick sand. Totally, so far I lost about 40 pounds. I started my first water fast on 8/31 and fasted for 21 days. Then I had a break of a few days and started again. Today is my 17th day of the second fast. I have to say this time is harder. I’m not hun ...
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Try warm water, it helped me.   [End]
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Forgiving/forgiveness is a long-term psychological state not a momentarily act of will; therefore to suggest someone that he/she has to ’forgive’ is just a fashionable mantra. Which would not matter except that may cause guilt in those who are not in that state. To suggest that water fast or chopping veggies should open us to ’forgiveness’ it is utterly superficial.   [End]
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Hi bb23, I’m not sure if this is a case with you but in my experience whenever I spent my fasting days on a sofa doing nothing but reading I would afterward become extremely sleepy and lethargic. However, when I involved myself in some housework, gardening, walking etc. I would feel completly fine and I would have enough energy to do whatever I wanted. As I understand that was a trade-off; more activities caused less cleaning and vice verse. Hope this may help. M.   [End]
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Hi, I’m 5’7” as well, before my 21 day fast I was about 205 pounds (so we are about similar size) and I lost about a pound (1/2 kg) per day. I didn’t weight myself during the fast because I know I am impatient, I always was, and any number on a scale would be a disappointment. Usually, the scale number was a reason I would break a diet. I would advise you to forget the scale because there is absolutely no faster way to lose pounds/kilograms, so whatever number is, it is the fastest, and think rather about all other benefits the fast will do for you. This is what kept me going. I ...
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Hi sunfood, I didn’t have any preparation. I went straight from junk food to fast and it worked fine. First three/four days were challenging but after that was easier than any diet I went through. I do not know much about autoimmune disease but I know that Fuhrman in his book Fasting for life was writing specifically about it. All best M   [End]
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Hi, I fasted for 21 days and I lost a pound per day. However my starting BMI was 31. But even if I didn’t lose that weight I would not be disappointed. My skin improved significantly, my wrinkles are almost gone, pores diminished, no sagging skin. Not quite sure, but have a feeling that even my eyesight is better. I’m more than pleased with results and I’m looking forward to fast again. For me it is too early to say about re-feeding and a weight gain but for now I have a strong repugnance toward junk food I ate before the fast. All best M.   [End]
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Chris, thank you for your comprehensive answer. Yesterday, I was able to eat only about 25g of carbs, some strawberries and a small salad; anything more felt like overeating. So, I suppose some of my protein is getting converted to carbs and at this point there is nothing I can do about it. I guess this is a downsize of going into and out of fast but considering benefits, I believe we can live with it. Thanks M.   [End]
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Just to let you know, today morning, no salt cravings, absolutely none. Glad that I asked. M.   [End]
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Hi Andre and All, Thanks all of you for your mail. Today, I’m trying to figure out how many grams of carbs I should eat per day to be anabolic. If I follow 80/10/10 diet and assuming that I need 1000 cal per day, it seems that I need 200 grams of carbs (?). (1g of carbs = 4 cal) It seems outrageous. Or it is not? Thanks M.   [End]
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Chris, thank you for your thorough answer, so as you suggested I will go through this without salt. I didn’t want to diminish Fuhrman’s work by calling it ’theory’; English is my second language and sometimes/often my word usage and syntax are not the best. Thanks again. M.   [End]
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Hi Chrisb1, Thank you for the link. I’ve never craved salt only sweets. Yesterday, I broke my fast with a cucumber/celery/apple juice which tasted perfectly ok but I was tempted to add a lot of salt in it. I do not have any other cravings, for any food at all. Tomorrow, I’m planning to have my first salad and I’m dreaming about putting a lot of salt on cucumber and tomatoes. I’m familiar with Furhman’s theory and I do not want unnecessary salt my body after 21 days of perfect cleaning, but then, could it be that my sluggishness is caused by the lack of salt. I’m not sure what t ...
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Hi C, a book about spiritual/mental aspect of water fasting would be a fabulous thing. This is what is missing on Amazon, unless someone fast because of religious beliefs but then these are not fasting but religious books. During the fast I came to the very similar feeling/state, (except that I can’t describe it so well) about going somewhere far away, usually in desert and staying there watching sunset or just endless sand. Mentally and emotionally it was such beautiful vacation. We know what is going on physically during fast but it would be interesting to see if there are men ...
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Hi Chris, yes definitely. I’m very lucky that he sent me those information. I broke my fast yesterday. I feel ok but mostly sleepy and I crave salt. Somewhere on this forum I read that body is adjusting so I’m not sure should I ignore this craving or should I take some salt and if so which one. I have sea salt with iodine, sea salt regular and Himalayan-- at least that what labels say. Thank you for help M.   [End]
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Hi, to me a quantity of water intake made all difference. I felt very lethargic and weak when I was over-flooding myself. But when I was drinking sparingly following only my real thirst, I was completely fine. And that helped me with hunger as well. M   [End]
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Hi André, thank you very much for your mail. I was really not sure what I’m doing, other then breaking the fast and staying in ketosis at the same time. Your input is very valuable. I can’t take a credit for my ’endeavors’ though. WF is the easiest thing I ever try, by far easier than any diet. Thanks again. M.   [End]
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Hi C, that is a very, very good point. Thank you for those words. It is so easy to slip from ’guilty me’ to ’poor me’ state, I didn’t even realize. If I was not in ketosis I would probably end up my day with another binge. Thank you for warning me. M.   [End]
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Hi All, today is my 21st day of WF. Tomorrow I am going to break it and switch to veggie juices for 7 days and then I will start WF again. Physically, I feel fabulous. Yesterday, I was driving 40 miles without any problems. I lost about 20 pounds so far; I was about 200 when I started. Today I’m 182. I’m 5’7” tall. In the last six years I never lost more than 4-5 pounds and of course I gained them back. But much more than that I feel so free. Food is just a distant memory. Addiction to food is absolutely incomprehensible, food commercials make me throw up. McDonald disgusts me, an ...
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Most of the day I spent starring at myself in a mirror. My wrinkles are gone!! Except for a small line on my forehead. My under-eyes disappeared as well and my skin is smooth, pore less and silky. I look better than when I was 25. I had the black, deep under-eyes then. And that was twenty years ago. I do not remember being so beautiful, youthful and fresh. This is the best experience I ever had. I do not mind not eating ever again.   [End]
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Thank you Chrisb1, I appreciate information.   [End]
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As per my understanding ketosis is induced due to lack of carbs not by adding oils, fats or protein to a diet. I’ve heard about coconut oil benefits but personally I think they are overestimated.   [End]
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Food looks different on this side of the world. Yesterday, I went through the some cooking books that once I admired, with those fabulous pictures and I found every single recipe almost disgusting; all that butter, oil and cheese cream. It is a newly found simplicity that I cherish the most.   [End]
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Thank you all for your responses. I didn’t plan to go on Atkins diet; I haven’t been eating meat for years although I ate all other junk. I believe Furhman’s diet approach makes the most sense and he is definitely on the opposite side of the meat, diary, oil-eaters spectrum. I was wondering--if someone breaks water fast with low carb veggie juices (up to 15 grams per day) instead of fruit juices, would it be possible to stay in ketosis even after the fast is broken. Beside of ketosis, what are we loosing i.e. what kind of disadvantages we face if instead of having 30 day water fast we ...
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I’m on my 7th day of water fast and I would like to stay in ketosis forever. Only kidding but is it possible to stay in ketosis by eating/drinking only green vegetable up to 15 grams of carbs per day? This is quantity of carbs allowed by Atkins diet (yes, I went to the enemy’s web site) in his ‘induction’ phase. I don’t think I will have any problem to water fast for the next two weeks, but after that I’m not sure whether it is safe considering that I’m living alone. But I would like to have benefits of whatever is currently going on in my body as long as I can. Thanks M.   [End]
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Hi sunshine, Currently, I’m on my 6th day of fasting and I feel fabulous, very light and absolutely hunger free. This was my second attempt. First time I failed on the 3rd day, the hunger was just unbearable. I believe, water intake made a major difference.The first time I was drinking plenty, whether I needed, wanted or not, this time I drink only if I feel like, without any pressure that I would dehydrate otherwise. I wish you all luck   [End]
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Hi V, I found your e-mail regarding swollen eyelids. It is happening to me as well, I’m on my third day of fast -- it seems it is caused by a slight disturbance in thyroid. M.   [End]
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Hi, I’m sorry to see that someone who went through 40 days of WF went back to junk food. I do worry that same can happen to me. I suppose gradually the bad habits sneak up on us. To me the biggest issue is how to be free of cravings and appetite. Although, I’m currently 60 pounds overweight, even when I was only 5 pounds heavier, the problem (the torture), was the same. I have girlfriends in sizes 2 who live in hell of deprivation and cravings, supported primarily by coffee, diet sodas or nicotine. It is a miserable life, nothing to be envy about. I do not care how fat or thi ...
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Considering aging benefits that you mentioned in your post, do you mind if I ask, how old you were when you took the enclosed photo. Thank you.   [End]
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Seems like some people think sarcasm will make them smarter...   [End]
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Don’t worry, today is another day and perhaps, Sept 1 is a better date to start. I was ok yesterday, but it is a daunting task...   [End]
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Hi Laura, I understand your suggestion regarding the doctor visit, but it would not work. A typical primary care physician would vigorously refuse any idea about fasting. And I understand them, after all, if anything goes wrong, they should protect themselves. This is why this fasting forum exist. This is, may we call it, an ’underground’ medical help, since the mainstream one failed us so badly. Also, I have to say, I really do not have a high opinion about the medical doctors and their ’expertise’ level especially here in the US. The medical doctors in the US have two years of medi ...
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Failed the first time. Today I’m starting again.   [End]
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Excellent! How long do you plan to fast? I will try as long as I can, but we will see. I’m in NJ. M.   [End]
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Hi everyone! Thank you all for your e-mails, help and support. This is my Day 1 -- the second time. I started fast 6 days ago but I gave up on the 3rd day. The craving for food (peaches, tomatoes and bread crust) was just unbearable. It was not just my brain playing mind games with me, but all emotions I’ve ever had were ’hungry’ at the same time and my stomach was in a pain. So, today I’m starting again. What will this time, that I believe, make a difference? I left my car at a repair shop. It has a few scratches and I decided it is time to have them fixed. Since, I live in suburbi ...
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Applied for it several hours ago but nothing yet... Does anyone know? Amazing forum, I read almost all posts. For some reasons all these posts are more convincing than books. My Day 1 went very well and there is a little more to go...   [End]
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Tell her truth. All moms deserve it.   [End]
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Great. Thanks for help.   [End]
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hi, how did work out the second time?   [End]
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hi daisy how did your fast plans work out?   [End]
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did you make it?   [End]
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Hi V thanks for the response. Glad that is working for you. After four fasts do you feel any loss of muscle that everyone is talking about? thanks   [End]
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Hi there, I read some folks are able to measure muscle loss during the fast. Any idea how that works? Since we know that in the first few days everyone loses about 1.5 pound of muscle, shouldn’t repetitive fasts be considered as very unhealthy? Thanks   [End]
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Hi Mighty.Sun.Tzu How do you measure muscle loss? Thanks   [End]
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Hi V, I’m shocked that you are able to work, or to drive car after 14 days of fast. Do you still have any unwanted pounds after those multiple fasting? Sorry, if questions are too personal.   [End]
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Hi, I will join you. Today is my first day. And this is my first fast ever. I would like to go ’until hunger returns’, but who knows. We will see...   [End]
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Which water has high pH?   [End]
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Hi, how many days have you been fasting so far? 6 weeks? Do you feel ok?   [End]
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According to prof. Shelton (thank you chrisb1 for the link)the less activity the better fast results. But is it vacuuming and cleaning a house acceptable? If you say it is not, I will gladly oblige. How about painting a laundry room? Thanks   [End]
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The early morning started with the reminiscence on the veggie burgers I had yesterday and ridiculously hard sour-bread crust which I am so fond of and which I will never ever have again. But sometimes, we have to accept, it is part of the growing up process, the memory is all we have. It is like the first love, which we left at an early teenagers age, and then after years and years have passed by, we still can’t figure out why. Somehow, from the tall, dark-eyed, wide-shoulder guy I switched my love to the hard sour-bread crust. Will I ever love in my love anything, anyone else? I wou ...
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I’m planning to start with Poland Spring, to deplete inventory I have. But it is a very good question. Why not just boil regular tap water?   [End]
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To lose some pounds (have 60 too many) and to clean arteries; the last three years have been living on McDonald and similar junk. I feel very irresponsible starting this without my doctor approval, but if I tell her she would call police or suicide watch or something else nasty. Confession - any attempt to restrict my food intake NEVER EVER lasted more than three days. Otherwise, I’m healthy so I hope, in the worst case scenario, I should always have enough energy to drag myself to a fridge and to have some food. I hope to get some clarity as well. I read some books ...
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Thank you for the article, I found it very useful.   [End]
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if you feel ok, i would not worry   [End]
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is there a link to it?   [End]
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I’m starting tomorrow. Curious how this will work out. Any encouragement is welcome.   [End]
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that is great to hear. i’m starting my first fast tomorrow. how many have you had so far?   [End]
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