I’m embarking on a 14 day water fast

I have done 10 days. If this is your very first one you might want to shoot for 5 days to start with, especially if you are struggling after 2 days. Yes, the hunger goes away. You might need some electrolytes. A few sips of clear chicken or beef broth won't undo the fast, and can really help the hunger pains. Baby step your way into the process. Also, if this is your first time doing a water fast, or if this is the longest you've done one, break it gently and be sure you are very near a bathroom. TRUST. ME. ON. THIS.

Can I have your stuff?

^^Seconded. Especially the bathroom comment.

Attempted a month fast and ended it after 25 days. Towards the end, weight was literally dropping off. (And I was small to begin.)

Learned a great deal. Helpful. Keeping up with electrolytes for me was key. Magnesium seemed to be most helpful, and I absorbed it by soaking in epsom salt baths.

EveryBODY is different, though. And your mileage may vary.

Best wishes, OP.

Why are you doing this, OP?

Oh, and my first 4 days were the most difficult. (The body transitioning into ketosis.)

Bump

Thanks for everyone’s responses so far! I have previously done water fasts the longest was two days so basically where I am at now. I’m also taking electrolytes (salt, potassium, zinc and magnesium). I’m doing it for weight loss but am also keen on the Autophagy aspect. What were your experiences going into ketosis R3?

Is it diarrhea after breaking fast?

That’s called an eating disorder. Learn to control food intake every day.

r8 That is a very polite term for what escapes from you with basically no warning after re-introducing food.

r9 Get bent

I’ve already been experiencing diarrhea, I have new found respect for the saying “never trust a fart” not sure why that’s happening at the beginning of my fast I’m assuming from the salt?

Glad I'm not bored enough to go for recreational starvation....

Maybe try sipping hot/warm water throughout the fast.

Hunger is nature's way of telling you to EAT SOMETHING!

So, "water fast" huh? The "water" part seems unnecessary? Seeing as how a "no-water fast" is just "suicide", am I right? Or do people do that too, to flush the water toxins or something?

r11 It could well be from the salt, or your body taking a bit more time to do the initial clearing of the decks.

I had surprising flu-like symptoms, OP.

I have worked exceedingly long hours as a surgical resident and would go for periods without eating for 24 hours or longer. And as a former marathon runner, I felt I had an easy rapport with my body, so I thought the water fast would be no problem.

But in those periods, I was not solely on a water fast; I was still obtaining glucose via other non-pure-h2o liquids. So on the 3-4th day of the h2o fast when I felt as though I had the flu, I was rather astonished. I distinctly recall walking up a steep flight of stairs and feeling light-headed and achy.

This dissipated around the 5th day, and then things improved. Towards the end, the hunger actually eased.

But I became fascinated with all things relating to taste. And developed a huge interest in the subtleties of food; which persists to this day. I did not think much about it until the water fast; but taste is an important sense. And one that is easily taken for granted unless issues of lack or starvation come into play.

The fast was important for me on many levels: physical (obviously), but psychological, and emotional as well.

I found my mentation and emotional state achieved a level of rare crystal clarity as the fast progressed. It was astonishing AND surprising. I had some read reports of this beforehand.

I would have continued the fast to my end date, but my parents became concerned of the acceleration in weight loss I experienced. As I was not fasting solely for the weight loss; I decided to end it early to reassure their fears.

Many find the idea or prospect of a water fast concerning; especially in The States. But fasts are a part of many cultures and have played a very large role in generations past.

I researched for 6 months prior; and with a medical background, this made it slightly easier for those around who expressed strong opinions against fasting.

One of the greatest benefits of the fast for me was developing a greater alliance and understanding of my corporeal self. I found it very beneficial. It is a unique journey, though individualized and may not be for everyone.

Trust yourself. And attune yourself to your body.

Best, R3

PS: Would consider doing it again at some point....

To be clear OP were you in ketosis before you started the fast? If not then you'd find the transition into a water fast much easier if you already were. Fasting like that before being in ketosis already is more dangerous.

Wow, thanks for the in depth reply R3. I’m really hoping to experience the lack of hunger like you did around day four but I’m worried I might just get hungrier and hungrier. I also hope to achieve some sort of clarity as you described.

No I wasn’t in ketosis before beginning my fast R18

OP, R11 LOL "never trust a fart" I used to work for this guy who called them G&Ls...Gambled and Lost.

R20 Okay watch yourself if you feel lightheaded, dizzy or if you feel like your face is flushed. If that happens lie down for a bit and have some of your electrolytes or some sugar in water. If you experience those symptoms you could consider breaking the fast and instead later on you could try a keto diet for a while.

Some bodily mechanics activated during waterfasting can be experienced with a keto diet. Or keto diet + excercise. Or keto + intermittent fasting. And waterfasting is definitely easier if you were in ketosis first.

I agree with the other poster that magnesium is important during this and another way of getting Magnesium is drinking mineral waters like Pellegrino.

Thanks R22 I will definitely be on the look out for those signs and symptoms. I’m experiencing headaches quiet frequently but have read this is normal for most people?

R21 that’s hilarious I like that one. My bed sheets are the ones that lost that bet sadly.

I should have been clearer in R22 that I meant the autopaghy and the weight loss results happen on a keto diet alone. Though of course it's all enchanced during a waterfast so I can see why OP and others do waterfasts.

R23 Yea headaches are normal though a migraine would be a sign that something is off especially if you aren't prone to migraines.

For the past two nights I’ve had a really hard time falling asleep has anyone else experienced this?

Yes. Your cortisol levels go through the roof due to the stress response. Also rapid heart rate. I had to stop after 6 days but did feel pretty good for a while. My Dr. thinks that I experienced hypoglycaemia. My electrolytes were on point and I transitioned through a keto diet at first. Almost ended up in the darned hospital.

Good luck with water fast, OP. I just sat down for a Golden Girls marathon with some freshly baked cinnamon rolls, edible cookie dough and just put a meatloaf in the oven. Hope that didn't make you hungry.

When I think of someone embarking on something I think of something pleasant like a trip not starvation.

Good luck with that. A water fast is not that difficult if you do three things:

1) Ease in to it. Like others have said, being in ketosis makes it easier.

2) Do a bowel cleanse before starting. Get two 32 oz bottle of Gatorade, an 8.3 bottle of Miralax, and Dulcolax (the fast-acting kind). Mix the entire bottle of Miralax and both bottles of Gatorade, pour it back into the bottles. The day before your water fast, take two Dulcolax in the morning, two hours later drink one bottle of the Gatorade/Miralax mixture (within 30 minutes), then three hours later, take two more Dulcolax, then one hour later drink the other bottle of Gatorade. You will obviously need to stay near a bathroom the majority of the day. You CANNOT eat anything. I’m not sure why but when you do this not only does it clean your system out, but it pushes out a good amount of bile as well. This really works in suppressing your appetite for the first few days.

3. Magnesium and Potassium are your friend. Take them daily.

Um, you're going to die.

Why not swallow a tape worm instead?