Good for you! I have fasted for several days many times for cleansing (was was reared on a farm where lots of pesticides were in use). Generally most people find that it takes 2-3 days while the sugars in the liver are being used up before they really get the big uplift of a water-only fast. But it is an excellent form of self-discipline whatever length of time. The biggest thing is to super hydrate with mineral water like Gerolsteiner or Perrier.

I might try it again. Just 24 hours made me see things about my eating habits. Do you go for 2-3 days at a time?

I generally do 5-10 days; have one for 10 days coming up in late October at a Buddhist center in Nova Scotia where I will do a solitary retreat. I’ve done two 30 day protest fasts (yes, I am an activist liberal has-been hippy, my sil definition). Virtually anyone who is not ill, pg, anorexic, & of normal or more weight has enough fats stores for 4-6weeks, but most people are afraid out of misinformation. It’s best if one can be at some  remove from normal environs, but most of mine have been done while working, exercising mildly, and in my regular routine; even cooking for spouse. I got into it years ago realizing I had a huge store of poisons in my system causing skin & other problems. For long fasts I’ve had my dr keeping an eye on me, and only had to add a little salt via mineral water. 

5-10 days sounds scary but I imagine it’d be easier to do in the right setting. Going 24 hours showed me that I often eat even when I’m not hungry. “Three square meals” was drilled into my head at school as a kid. I might try this again, maybe after Halloween… Please let me know how your retreat goes!

Keep in mind that we evolved to feast for times when we woukd have to fast; ie, we are designed to do both—which was not a problem before we had all this highly processed and refined foods, and sugar.

The downside of fasting is that it does slow your metabolism, and you can very quickly regain lost weight unless you follow a lower carb diet for at least as long as you fast.

I once read that those who eat less live longer. Truth be told, I had a burrito after my fast and felt like I ate a basketball! Live and learn…