Fasting is an ancient practice that has been forgotten in the past 80 years. It’s slowly building popularity again amongst health enthusiasts. Religions such as Islam have always encouraged fasting, and Muslims still fast for at least one month in a year. As a Muslim myself, it’s something I’m familiar with and have always taken part in the holy month of Ramadan. Recently, I’ve taken on a 3-day water fast. Here is what happened.
Day One
My first day wasn’t too difficult. I managed to get a workout in some studies. I didn’t feel hungry or tired and made it through the day. I made sure I took a heap of electrolytes and felt good for the most part. Before bed, I experienced stomach cramps and had disturbed sleep.
Day Two
This was the hardest day for me. I felt weak, lightheaded, and the stomach cramps were getting worse. I made sure I took all my electrolytes, but the pain would not go away. The weather was chilly, but I still felt colder than usual. I couldn’t get any work done but managed to make it through the night. The stomach cramps lightened, and I had a decent sleep, surprisingly.
Day 3
I woke up weak but felt much better. I wasn’t hungry throughout this fast, but I did start getting hungry towards the 60th hour. The cramps came back again, and I decided I would break my fast after 66 hours. I prepared a delicious beef bone broth and started with that, followed by an egg and sausages. I didn’t have any bloating or side effects. The cramps slowly went away. I do feel like I could have gone 5 days, but I honestly felt so bored without eating.
What did I learn?
Prolonged fasting is a great tool you can use to kickstart your body into ketosis, or if you just want some health benefits. Personally, I prefer a 20:4 and OMAD lifestyle. Depending on your needs, you might need a 3-5 day fast. For me, it’s unnecessary, but I would consider it again in the future. I love food, and it’s something I look forward to, especially during these colder months.