I started my 3-day fast today.
The goal? A reset. A jump start. A little “let’s get it together” moment for my body — because at this stage of life, hormones are doing whatever they want, whenever they want, and I’d like to at least feel like I have a say in the situation.
Food plays a bigger role in all of that than we sometimes want to admit. Fasting gives your digestive system a break, and from what I’ve learned (and experienced), it can help your body shift into repair mode — you’ve probably heard the word autophagy floating around. That’s the idea.b
But let me be clear — this is not just physical.
Fasting is a mental game.
And Day 1? That’s where it starts.
Morning: “Not Today, Satan”
I usually don’t eat until after 10 a.m., so I figured this wouldn’t be a big deal.
Wrong. It was like my body knew.
By 8 a.m., my stomach felt empty. Not starving… just aware. Like it was checking in to see if I had lost my mind.
My “coffee” this morning was hot lemon water. Some people say lemon breaks a fast — others say it’s minimal enough (about 10–12 calories) that it doesn’t matter. I’m going with the second camp.
I also added a pinch of Celtic salt for electrolytes.
Because here’s the deal — hydration is everything.
And drinking water during a fast does a few things:
It keeps you busy.
It hydrates you.
And let’s be honest… it also gives you a few extra trips to the bathroom, which oddly enough feels like activity when you’re not eating.
We take the wins where we can.
Midday: The Snack Window Struggle
Around 1–2 p.m. is usually my snack time.
And today?
That was the hardest part.
I walked past my bowl of fruit and just… stared at it like it had personally betrayed me.
But I realized something pretty quickly.
I wasn’t actually hungry. I was bored. Or just mentally tired from sitting at a computer all day — which, by the way, I don’t think humans were designed to do for 8+ hours. That alone makes you want to snack.
So instead of eating, I went for a walk on the trail by my house.
And it worked.
I came back feeling more alert, more focused, and less like I needed to emotionally support myself with food.
Late Afternoon: “This Isn’t So Bad”
After work, I did some yard work.
Normally, that’s when I’d grab a cold drink — something bubbly or maybe a beer.
Today?
Water.
And honestly… I felt fine.
My stomach had settled down. No growling. No drama.
Real Talk Moment (Because No One Talks About This)
Around 6 p.m., I had a moment I remembered from my last fast. Bathroom trip.
And let’s just say… not a normal one. Loose stools.
Yep, we’re going there.
Nobody really talks about this part, but it’s a thing. I think it’s your body going, “Oh, we’re fasting? Cool. Time to clean house.”
Last time, this didn’t happen to me until Day 2.
This time? Day 1 came in hot.
So just a heads up—your body has its own timeline, and it doesn’t ask permission.
Evening: The “Now What?” Hours
Evenings are usually my routine time — dinner, projects, maybe some TV, and/or a little rowing.
Tonight? No dinner.
Which left me with a lot of… time. I am not used to having time.
I actually sat in silence for about 15 minutes — my attempt at meditating. Not sure if I reached enlightenment, but I didn’t eat, so we’ll call it progress.
I even considered going to bed at 8 p.m. like a responsible adult. That didn’t happen.
Instead, I grabbed some weights and did a quick little routine — curls, triceps, leg swings, calf work — nothing crazy, just moving my body and to occupy my time.
And here’s what surprised me:
👉 I still had energy.
My stomach felt hollow, but it wasn’t screaming at me.
Did I think about food?
Of course.
But I kept reminding myself:
“I’m doing this.”
“I control what goes into my body.”
“You’ve got this.”
Night Routine: Small Wins
Before bed, I made a cup of lavender tea using leaves from my plant.
It was calming, warm, and honestly helped take the edge off.
I also took another pinch of mineral salt.
The last time I fasted, I didn’t do this — and I paid for it with leg cramps.
So lesson learned:
👉 electrolytes matter
End of Day 1
Day 1 is done.
Was it fun?
No.
Was it doable?
Yes.
Also, from my past experience, Day 1 is actually the easiest. It’s mostly mental.
Day 2?
That’s where things get interesting — mentally and physically — because your body starts realizing you’re serious and may push back a little.
And then there’s the other tricky part people don’t always talk a lot about:
👉 how you break the fast
Because after 3 days, you do NOT want to go straight into “eat everything in sight” mode.
Trust me on that. Been there done that before and it is not pretty.
Final Thoughts (Day 1 Reality)
Day 1 feels like:
- awareness more than hunger
- habit disruption
- mental negotiation with yourself
It’s less about starving and more about:
👉 realizing how often you eat when you don’t actually need to
What’s Normal (and What’s Not) During a Fast
Let’s keep this real—fasting isn’t just “skip food and feel amazing.” Your body is adjusting, and some things are completely normal.
Normal:
- Feeling hungry at your usual eating times (your body runs on habit)
- A hollow or empty feeling in your stomach
- Thinking about food more than usual (especially when bored)
- Energy coming and going in waves
- Mild headaches (especially if you’re adjusting or low on electrolytes)
- More trips to the bathroom
- Changes in bowel movements (yes… including loose stools)
Not Normal (Pay Attention):
- Dizziness that feels intense or unsafe
- Feeling like you might pass out
- Heart racing or irregular heartbeat
- Severe weakness where you can’t function
- Persistent nausea or vomiting
If something feels off beyond “this is uncomfortable,” listen to your body. There’s no award for pushing through something that doesn’t feel right. If you are feeling that way. Please eat something: fat or protein if possible.
Real talk:
This isn’t about being tough—it’s about being aware. There’s a difference.
What’s Next
Day 2 is coming.
And if Day 1 was the warm-up…
Day 2 is where things usually get real.