Written by: Dr. Frannie Koe, MD
Fasting for such an extended period is not without challenges. So, what were the hardest parts of fasting?
Most people usually experience some hunger the first two days and the second day is typically the hardest. For me, I am always hungry the entire fast, no matter how long it lasts. It is easier to ignore my hunger when I am busy, but sometimes I feel very irritable and “hangry,” as some people tell me they often feel when they go without meals. I have fasted several times and much of the time I feel hungry.
Others have reported a euphoric feeling when they are fasting, but aside from the hunger, I feel normal. I don’t feel too bad most of the time. During this 11-day fast, I had a couple of days when I did not feel well. Once was around the seventh day, and I think I was drinking too much water and not eating or taking in any salt.
I got some leg pain that began at my hips and went all the way down my legs. I could not go to sleep. The pain began after I got into bed. I got up after about 30 minutes of struggling and made some bone broth with salt and then I could sleep. When I woke up, it was gone.
The second time I did not feel well was the day I stopped fasting. I was unsure how long I would fast, but by day 11, I was ready to eat. For the duration of the entire fast, I had been working, and I think I was more tired from attempting to do both at the same time. I am much older than others I have read about who typically fast for long periods. Perhaps this was a contributing factor to me feeling unwell. But I was very proud of myself for fasting for so long!
I have attempted several other fasts since my 11-day fast. I will continue to write about my experiences and my successes and failures. There have been times when I wanted to fast, but life got in the way! Future posts will include topics such as how to come off of a fast safely, what personal benefits I felt after fasting, and what happens when a fast doesn’t go according to plan.
