fasting journal

I haven't posted anything about the fast since I started fasting, but suffice it to say it only lasted two days (Friday evening to Sunday evening). It is really hard to go without food even if I am not hungry, and I will need some more practice (perhaps fasting a couple days every month) before I'm ready to do the full course. Here's what happened during the two days I fasted:

Jan. 20 Friday evening -

Drank the senna leaf tea (a laxative) before going to bed. Has a subtle taste and not very strong.

Jan. 21 Satuday -

Had two bowel movements first thing in the morning. I prepared the saline wash (sea salt + 1 qt. warm water) for me and Rocky. He drank his in one go, although I had a hard time drinking mine. I could drink half of it and the rest I have to drink a few swallows at a time - otherwise I'd feel like vomiting. We had to make the hot water in the coffee maker, and the slight coffee taste in the water made it worse.

About half an hour later the salt water started coming out the other end. Yes, I was pooping water, along with some other stuff that washed out with it. It's not like diarrhea; you poop normally and water comes out instead of solid stuff (the water does not get absorbed by the body since the salt content is the same as blood). I guess the saline wash works! I had to run back to the bathroom a few times, probably since I didn't drink my water all at once. After that I made lemonade enough for the day for two of us. Was not hungry all morning so didn't drink much of the juice.

In the afternoon, we went to the Cerritos Library to "study" (I played my DS mostly). Rocky teased me about food every time we drove by a restaurant, although my will power was still working at this time, so I wasn't too tempted. Got really hungry at the library and the juice would only keep me satisfied for maybe half an hour at a time.

After we went home to Rocky's place, Rocky insisted on watching Food Network. They were making lamb on Iron Chef America and it was too good!! By dinner time I was hungry for real food, and I made up my mind to give up the fast. When I told Rocky, he was like, "I was just joking around." I got pissed and told him if I gave up on it today the next time I'm fasting by myself! I cried and threw a fit, and he kind of toned it down after that and convinced me to wait 'til tomorrow to see if I still want to give it up.

Jan. 22 Sunday -

I felt better in the morning. Still wanted to eat, but the urge wasn't as bad. Had a BM in the morning with a little poop, then did the saline wash. It went down slightly easier this time, but I still had to drink it a little at a time. We watched Food Network in the morning (it was a cake contest) until I said it was making me want to eat again. We went for a motorcycle ride and then I went home to take care of my chores. On my way home I decided I didn't want to miss the Chinese New Year festivities nor make Rocky miss them, so we would stop the fast and try again after the we return from our Big Bear trip in February. We went to a Chinese dumpling restaurant that evening and had dumpling soup and fried rice. I was so happy to eat food again!

Some impressions afterwards:

If nothing else, having fasted for two days really made me appreciate food. I appreciated good food like anybody else, but I never appreciated eating quite like this. I enjoyed the anticipation of looking forward to a meal, the act of sitting down at a table and waiting for the food, the act of eating, and the flavors and textures of the food. I am also a pound lighter than when I started the fast (this is after 5 days of eating again). Rocky said that he has more energy, and his gym routine (he runs 6 miles per session, 3 times a week) feels easier than before.

While fasting I realized how often I think about food, and I start to notice these thoughts because I'd be thinking about food when I can't eat. Around meal time I would start thinking about what to eat or to cook (if my parents or someone else isn't cooking), and being indecisive I end up spending waaay too much time thinking about food. I catch myself doing it now, and I try to make my food choices more quickly so that I'm not thinking too much about what to eat.

In any case, this was a fruitful if not entirely successful attempt at fasting. Will journal about the next try when I do this again late February or in March.