First fast. Two days in and I feel HORRIBLE. Need advice.

[ashdown]

Water fast. I feel so weak and tired. My mind feels clouded.

I started seven days ago cutting down on food. I went from a chicken breast and lots of fruits and veggies, to a small can of tuna with lots of fruits and veggies, to half a can of tuna with a carrot and an apple. By the last day before my fast I only had a cup of grated veggies. So I believe I eased into it as I was supposed to.

I am 22 years old. I quit smoking two months ago. I smoked for seven years. I know, I know. Lets dwell on the fact that I quit though. Ate a lot of red meats until a few months ago. Definitely had junk food in my diet. Not the "average" American diet, but not... Ideal. Did far too much drinking. Something I have also cut completely out in the last couple months. So basically I have a lot of toxins in my system.

Today, my second day of the fast, I went into work. Made sure I got ten hours of sleep. I still felt dead. My work is somewhat physically demanding and I had a lot of trouble making it through the day. I had an hour break and passed out like a rock. I've read that you are supposed to take down time when you fast. Unfortunately that is not an option for me. School/Work. Both full time. I'm going to take the hit tomorrow and call in sick.

Is it unhealthy to be physically active while you fast? I'm not sure if I should break my fast tomorrow and wait to do a longer fast until I am able to find the time. After getting this far, the point when, as far as I have read, the hunger pains start to ease, I would hate to end it. But I'm no expert and I don't want to do something that is going to harm my body, I've done enough of that already!

[Aleesha Sattva]

when you water fast... resting for much of the day is essential. it sounds to me like a raw food diet would be a better way for you to detox.

[Dimond]

A water fast you need to be at home for especially when you're new to it and healthy eating. A juice feast would've been a better option if you have time to make all the juice you need in the morning. Otherwise it's best to wait till you have the time to do it properly. Another option is a green smoothie fast. Just being raw alone is cleansing, so with your schedule that sounds like the best option.

[montyloree]

wow.. i can just imagine...

I did 30 days on 2 juices and one salad and then some maintenance nuts and seeds etc...

I feel that I'm pretty clean as far as initial detox goes...

Going into a water fast without doing a little detox is going to make for a few long days... IMO... this process takes time...

[ashdown]

When and how should I break my fast? It has been over 60 hours.

[Aleesha Sattva]

drink some juice and then eat some soft fruit. it doesn't take much to break a short fast like that.

[ashdown]

Wow ate half an avacado and it came right back up. Had some thick juices this morning too. Trying for half an orange now.

[shakin_jake]

I concur with the others. When you fast drinking water only, you need to take time off work to do this. Part of the idea of fasting is to let your body rest and you can't accomplish that while working a job

I've been fasting on and off for 17 years. I did my first fast (21 days) under supervision at Dr. Esser's Hygenic Rest Ranch in Lake Worth Fla. (1993). My second fast was done a year later (36 days) with Dr. Esser. Since that time I have done a bunch of 10 day fasts (water fasting) on my own but never more than 10 days unsupervised

I got into fasting a little different from you. First I read Fit For Life and in that tomb the Diamonds talked up fasting and mentioned the the American Natural Hygene Society based in Tampa Fla. I was intrigued with the idea of fasting but I wanted to read more about it before I tried it. So I bought close to 10 books on the subject (fasting) from the library at the Nat. Hygene Society HQ in Tampa and read

All of the books I read said pretty much the same thing. Fast under supervision. Sadly, as far as i know, the Nat. Hygene Society isn't around anymore. Someone please correct me if I'm wrong

Anyways, my advice to you would be for you to read up on fasting before undertaking your next fast. BTW, I just broke a 9 day fast a few hours ago

And, my hat's off to those that are involved in the raw forum, spreading the gospel of raw foodism. In our crazy and often hectic world, raw food like eating a banana has got to be one of the perfect 'fast foods' So many other fruits and vegetables fits that term as well

Jake
Reddick Fla.
The man is wise who from time to time withdraws from the insanity of today's graceless living for somber contemplation of true and eternal values.
-Dr. William L Esser

[Conscious Midwife]

Extensive water fasting requires supernatural power in my opinion so tap into you Spirit/ Higher Power/ God Force/ Inner Light. No religion required just power above our everyday flesh. Mediate or pray on it next time. Just my opinion!:)