WEEK #01 - INTERMITTENT FASTING

A week ago I began my intermittent fasting journey. It was recommended to begin fasting 16 hours in a 24 hour period (1 day) allowing 8 hours to eat food. This time frame is referred to as 16:8. I do not eat fast food (restaurant or grocery story purchase) and have not for decades. For over a decade now my body can no longer tolerate junk food (such as potato chips, candy, chocolate) or wheat products (bread, cookies, cakes, sugar). One can always find alternatives for snacks, such as nuts and making cookies/cakes from wheat and sugar alternatives but this will left to future blog posts.

As with any natural alternative medicine there can be side effects. However these side effects are indications that your body healing unlike pharmaceutical medicine. It is extremely important to listen to your body on a daily basis because it will advise you when you need help and/or when you are experiencing detox symptoms.

The experiences of side effects will be listed daily and any health improvements will be summarized at the end of the week. It is really important to get into the mindset that natural healing can cause you to be uncomfortable, this is normal. Many people stop when symptoms seem to be getting worse, however, the old saying holds true here. It has to get worse before it gets better.

Here are the highlights of Week #01 fasting experience:

Note: The morning routine was ingesting an 8 ounce glass of filtered water with a supplement. All natural supplements are still taken anytime of the day or night as deemed necessary.

Day 1 - This day is easy. Eating as usual during the day from 9:00am until 5:00pm (the time frame of 8 hours chosen). Still drinking water after supper and tea before bed, I retired for sleep without any hunger pangs.

Day 2 - I have already mastered eating healthy for decades. Eating only eggs, meat, vegetables, fruit and drank minimal juice with my 2 meals and unlimited filtered water or herbal teas anytime during the day/evening. My digestive system has minor stomach pains and my digestive system is bloated in the evening...signs that my body is already starting to detoxify naturally.

Day 3 - This is still relatively easy for me, however, I am feeling fatigued with sharp stomach pains accompanied with diarrhea. In the afternoon feeling so tired I accidentally napped a short while after work. Still physical symptoms are nothing major, I continue to function normally and innerstand my body is detoxing naturally. My immune system is healing in high gear and although it can be uncomfortable, it is certainly worth the effort!

Day 4 - Waking up early at 6:00am the hunger pangs began around 7:30am. I drank my herbal tea to stop the hunger, it worked! No stomach pains today but the fatigue returns temporarily mid-afternoon. By the time I go to bed my digestive system is very bloated but by experience that will be gone by morning. FYI, being diagnosed with irritable bowel system (IBS) over 30 years ago, it is no surprise this issue is kicking up its heals! Many make the mistake of thinking symptoms are causing problems in their body. This is not true, the body is healing in a natural way with all discomfort being temporary and worthwhile.

Day 5 - Again waking early and feeling good. This morning my sinuses seemed to be draining for a few hours then dried up to normal. After eating breakfast the minor stomach pains returned so I took a few doses of Celtic Salt with water over the course of the day. Celtic Salt replaces electrolytes by taking just one small kernel of salt (under tongue) with a full glass of water. My hunger pangs were stronger today around 12 noon but snacking on nuts and fruit filled that void. My digestive system is still not happy but it's minor. It definitely seems the detoxing of my body is working slow and steady!

Day 6 - Finally, no stomach pains today which could be the fact I am now ingesting a kernel of Celtic Salt with breakfast. Seemed to be more hungry this day (after eating breakfast), so ate small snacks before my final meal prior to 5:00pm. Still feeling a bit tired but not to the level of previous days. Uncomfortable issues continue with my digestive system, feeling like my body is struggling to heal in that area. Night sweats indicate additional detoxing during sleep.

Day 7 - Basically a duplicate of Day 6 and feeling very motivated on this healing journey!

Summary of Health Improvements (this week):

• Sweet cravings completely disappeared

• Sleeping better

  • the need to relieve my bladder at night has lessened

  • sinus congestion during the night has disappeared

  • dreams are returning

• An itchy rash that has been present for almost a decade is beginning to heal

• Weight loss

  • my clothes are getting looser (do not use a weigh scale)

Having completed an entire week of 16:8 intermittent fasting it is decided to step it up to 18:6 which is 18 hours fasting with a window of 6 hours to eat during the day.

Stay tuned for Week #02 of my fasting journey!

Feel free to check out these past posts related to fasting:

INTRODUCTION to INTERMITTENT FASTING (inpursuitofhealing.org)

This blog details my personal healing journal over the past 2+ decades. I am not a medical professional and offer this information freely as personal research only.

Please click here to read my disclaimer.

Questions? 

Contact Ali … info.inpursuitofhealing@gmail.com