I am not sure if the Reaper came knocking or just did a drive by, I decided not to take the chance and ended my Fast. I started it officially on Monday evening at 1900 and ended on Friday at 1600; a total of 93 hours without food. My only consumption was lots of water, black coffee, and a 20 oz Gatorade split over two days diluted in the water. I went from 230.6 pounds to 222.4 pounds in that time frame and slept about 40% less than normal. I also worked out every day. Other than what was reported, on Thursday I jogged with a 12 pound weighted vest for 25 minutes in 100 degree weather followed by 10 minute rest and another set of 35 minute speed walking. Then on Friday, I took an easy and inclined walked for 20 minutes at a moderate pace without the vest followed by 20 minute sauna time.
Bottom Line: I learned that I can control my hunger and push myself physically and mentally much further than I ever thought. I learned that by having big goals and not small ones are the key to achieving. And finally, I learned that knowing of my own mortality and actively making a choice not based on need is a Human and not animal trait.
Let me outline for you some of my mental/physical observations over each day:
Day 1: I was surprised mentally on how quick the day went without worrying about food. I think that since I was ready to do seven days, one day was nothing. This was the first time I have successfully fasted for one full day in years with at least 20 attempts within the last 2 years. Physically I was fine. Being on the OMAD diet for two months really tempered the level and timing of the hunger. Since I knew it was coming it was easy to overcome, and then it pretty much went away for the rest of the day.
Day 2: The night’s sleep was horrible. I didn’t anticipate the level of hydration that would be required. It is one of those things that no matter what people say, you have to experience to believe it. I learned that I basically need to be drinking 2 - 5 gallons of water a day. At some point the body stops holding on to the water and needs constant replenishment. I heard about this but didn’t understand it until I went through it.
Day 3: The mental aspect of not having food started to play a much bigger role. The day felt much longer than normal because I became acutely aware of everything my body was doing. This hyper-awareness had me focusing on all the details around and within me that I would normally ignore. While I like the sense of mindfulness, I didn’t exactly like the fact my thoughts were becoming more and more focused on the question, “Am I O.K.?’
Day 4: The day of the Reaper. I wasn't sure if it was the tough early morning workouts or if it was the lack of water, but I started to feel my major muscle groups begin to cramp. For instance; I was speaking with a colleague near the coffee machine and I started to feel my core begin to cramp. It was a very odd sensation to feel my lower back, sides, and stomach begin to seize. I immediately needed to sit down and relax and consciously control the relaxation of my muscles. This was a real scare. Right then, I decided I would end my fast on day 4.
Overall, the experience was awesome. I am very glad that I did it and look forward to fasting the first five days of every quarter in the future. I feel mentally tougher and at my self-efficacy has increased dramatically. Just getting past the first day was a miracle for me. This gives me the confidence that I can do whatever I set my mind to and know that I can work through the hardship to get it done.
I hope that my experience has helped you think about the limitations you put on yourself and increased what you thought was possible.
Stay Savage.
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