Water Me Please!

3 Day Water Fast

So I decided to do a water fast! I know you all thinking, “ARE YOU INSANE???” No, I’m not insane—I don’t think. It’s questionable. I mean, we’re talking about over 72 hours of nothing but water! This was quite the journey, but after all is said and done, I feel like a new woman!

There were a couple reasons why I decided to do the fast. I wanted to improve my physical, mental and spiritual health. I read that fasting has been associated with several potential health benefits, including weight loss, as well as improved blood sugar control, heart health, brain function and cancer prevention. I suffer from endometriosis, adenomyosis (both inflammatory diseases), and recently got fibroids removed from my uterus. I read that water fasting decreases levels of inflammation. I was pleased to confirm what I’d read—throughout the fast I did not have any pain in my stomach. That almost never happens!

My ultimate goal with this water fast was to potentially reduce the risk of chronic disease and help ensure that I live a long life. The weight loss was a bonus but not the main reason for my doing it. Water fasting also boosts brain function, and I was so ready to reap all of these benefits by committing to the inexpensive water fasting journey. This was the most frustrating, difficult commitment that I have ever made. Self-control was very important and I am so proud of myself for pushing through. Water fasting taught me to accept suffering that comes my way and to be very patient. I knew that it would not last forever so the discipline definitely taught me to trust in a higher power for my strength. I would like to share my journey with you all.

Check out my fasting diary to read all about my experience. Detoxifying myself and clearing my mind and body for only a few days was one of the best decisions I have ever made in my life.

DISCLAIMER TIME: I AM NOT A DOCTOR AND THIS BLOG IS SOLELY FOR INFORMATION PURPOSES! PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE TRYING A FAST OR ANY OTHER NEW HEALTH PRACTICES.

~Aja

Day 1 – Sunday, December 6, 2020

I stop eating at a minute shy of midnight. Don’t judge me, but I had to eat one last delicious piece of grilled chicken before committing to my Monday morning death, er, I mean life reboot!

I wake up at 6am, take my vitamins and start drinking my water. I make my children breakfast before school—which, honestly, isn’t the best idea. The smell of turkey bacon and eggs fried over hard fill the kitchen. My mouth waters as I watch my kiddos pour hot sauce over their eggs. At first I think to myself, ‘…one bite won’t hurt…’ but steel my resolve and commit. ‘Nah,’ I think to myself, ‘I’ve come too far.’

I’m in graduate school so I keep myself busy with homework and cleaning the house. The day goes by extremely slowly. After the twins get home from school around 2pm, I cook them a turkey meat loaf and macaroni. At this point, I feel like they should be on this water diet with me. This is not okay.

At 5pm I decide to take a nap because I feel hungry and drained. I can’t sleep and my twins keep sending me pics of burgers to taunt me.

I get up and go to help my friend, which keeps me out to almost midnight, then I return home to bed. Throw the whole day away!

Day 2 – Monday, December 7, 2020

I wake up at 6am feeling dizzy. Nevertheless, I get up and go on with my daily routine: kids to school; me to work. I’m actually supposed to be working from home but I decide to go into work in-person so that I don’t get into a fight with the refrigerator at home. At  work, my lunch bag is filled with grilled water, sautéed water pieces, freshly baked water, shaved ice cubes, and come lunch time, I wash it all down with a large cup of—you guessed it—water.

It’s hard to concentrate on my cases but every time I crave food I keep chowing on my water.

After work, I’m not necessarily craving food, but I do notice that my anxiety is spiking, migraines are beginning to develop, I feel dizzy, my eyesight is blurry and overall I feel drained. I get home and I literally go right to sleep—well, I tried, anyway. Insomnia strikes again! 51 hours in and I feel even more dizzy and I can feel a panic attack coming on!

I fall asleep for about an hour and dream that my sister and I were shot by police. Very scary dream. I think this is because tomorrow I have a Children’s Rights Summit that I will be speaking at on race and the criminal justice system. Look at my dreams trying to scare me lol.

Around 2am, I pray and my brain starts feeling less fuzzy. I start talking out loud without knowing that I’m talking. Migraines are back and I’m hungry again! I just want to sleep!!!!

Day 3 – Tuesday, December 8, 2020

I wake up late, so I’m behind with my water drinking. 9am is here and my children are still in bed, grrrrrr. “WAKE UP AND GET READY FOR SCHOOL,” I yell. Yes, I am irritated and hungry!!!! I immediately start drinking my water. I feel like shit. Still. But I have to get on with my day and prepare for the Children’s Rights Summit hosted by Baker McKenzie and the National Network For Youth (NN4Y), the world’s biggest law firm. I don’t know if my nerves are bad because we will be discussing systemic racism or if it’s because I haven’t been eating for the past 57 hours. ‘I hear you, growling stomach,’ I think to myself. After some quick research I find out that I should have been drinking water with electrolytes! I was only consuming purified water! After switching waters, I do feel a slight difference.

It is 3pm and I am 64 hours in! Omg I’m almost to my 72 hours!!!

6pm and the day is going by so slow! I feel tired and restless and this water is irritating. I’ve never been so tired of water. I don’t feel too bad but I definitely feel like I’m crashing. I really want some peanut butter. I’m sitting here watching movies with the twins counting down the hours.

It’s 10pm and I can’t take it anymore. I’m going to bed and setting my alarm for midnight.

Day 4 – Wednesday, December 9, 2020

Midnight is here!!!!!!! I feel exhausted but I’m heading to the kitchen! I am so very proud of myself as this is one of the hardest things I have ever done. My self-control was definitely tested! Mentally I feel great! My mind is so clear and I went from 179 pounds to 168 pounds in just 3 days! I would definitely recommend water fasting. I learned a lot from this! There are things to consider in preparation for a water fast, though:

1. Do your research and know your body! PLEASE CONSULT YOUR DOCTOR AND DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH BEFORE TRYING A FAST OR ANY OTHER UNUSUAL HEALTH PRACTICES. Your body will tell you if you need to stop the fast.
2. Have all of your water (with electrolytes) at home already.
3. Minimize interaction with people so that you are not distracted or tempted (I almost drank some Remy Martin!).
4. Meditate and pray.
5. Know your WHY! If you are just doing it for weight loss, your journey may be a bit more difficult.

Thank you for taking the time to read my blog and stay tuned for new journeys that I plan to explore in the future!

---

Follow My Blog

Get new content delivered directly to your inbox.