Yesterday, I published an article entitled The Anatomy of a Long Fast. Today, I will conclude the article by telling you about the last 3 days of the fast. If you didn’t read that article yet, give it a look before this one so you get the whole story of my 6 Day Fast.
Although I have done many fasts of 10, 15, and 20 days, these days my routine is to fast 6 days every week and eat on the 7th day. Let’s see how days 4, 5 and 6 went for me on a recent fast.
Day 4
My weigh-in for Day 4 resulted in a reading of 228.0 pounds (103.6 Kg). So for the first 3 days (weighed in on the morning of day 4, so day 4 was not completed), my results were a total weight loss of 7.4 lb (3.36 Kg).
My normal routine is that I don’t exercise very much on days 4, 5, and 6. When I have done this in the past a few times I got a bit dizzy, so I just don’t do it any longer. I feel that as long as I keep my electrolytes in balance the dizziness would not be a problem, but I play it safe. I just hang around my office (which is at home) and take care of my work (desk/computer type work). This has worked out well for me.
So, other than just walking around the house and the yeard, normal stuff, I did not do any real exercise on Day 4.
I felt no hunger at all and all around felt just fine. No problems at all.
So, Day 4 went just fine.
Day 5
My weigh-in on Day 5 resulted in a weight of 227.2 lb (103.2 Kg), a loss of nearly a pound. Generally, while doing a 6 day fast, this is about my lowest amount of weight that I lose during any single day of the 6, but I still consider it a good weight loss.
Again, no exercise, just general office work.
I felt some “mental hunger” a few times during the day. I thought I was hungry but when I really thought about it I realized that it was only my mind trying to play tricks on me and get me to eat. When this happens I usually get busy on something that will take my mind off of it, and the feeling goes away quickly.
Feeling fine on Day 5.
Day 6
My weight at the beginning of Day 6 was 225.6 (102.5 Kg), so that was a nice loss for a single day, 1.6 lb. Very happy.
I did not sleep well last night. This is common for me while fasting. My mind kicks into overdrive. Mental clarity and I get a lot of ideas. I am an Entrepreneur, and when I get ideas they tend to keep me awake considering the possibilities. It happens often while fasting. Because of my lack of sleep that night, I took about a 2-hour nap in the afternoon of Day 6.
On my last day of the fast, I tend to have food on my mind. I have gone longer than 6 days many times, but just knowing that it is soon to be my feasting window, my mind starts thinking about food. I hate that, but it happens every time. Taking that nap helped me not have to think about food.
Relaxed day, no exercise, other than mental exercise!
Final Weigh In
As the clock changed over at 6 PM, I took my final weigh-in, and for the entire 6 days of fasting, I ended up at 225.4 lb, for a total loss of exactly 10 lb. (4.5 Kg).
This loss is kind of a “middle of the road” weight loss for a 6 day fast for me. Sometimes I lose more than 10 lb in the 6 days, sometimes less, this is about average.
One thing I can say for sure, though, is that after eating just 1 or 2 meals, I will gain back about 3 to 4 lb. So, when I start fasting again, in 24 hours, I will likely start the fast at about 229 lb or so. That is fine for me, I am very happy losing about 6 lb in 6 days! In fact, I am super happy with that. And, this is fairly common when I fast week after week for 6 days at a time.
I hope you found my articles informative and useful for you on your fitness journey!
I am so happy for you, Bob! I hate to pester you with questions, but I have another couple. How much water do you think you drink daily? Do you drink black coffee or plain tea? Congratulations on taking charge of your health, you are an inspiration!
I really don’t know how much water I drink, I don’t measure it. If I am thirsty I drink. If I had to guess, maybe a gallon of water daily. I do drink black coffee and tea from time to time. Thanks!
Great read and will definitely put aside the fears of those wanting to start fasting.
Thanks Jeff.
What do you drink on your fast days.
Bone broth ……..?
I enjoy your emails. I am new at reading your blog
How much have you lost
Hi Patti – Thank you for reading, and I am glad you enjoy it!
Usually, when fasting, I drink water, black coffee or tea. I try not to use bone broth because the protein will halt autophagy. But, if I need it to continue the fast, I do use it, but that is rare.
What is Autophagy.
Hi Pam, Autophagy is a scientific process that was only discovered in the past decade or less. It is something that happens while you are fasting and your body starts eliminating unused or unhealthy cells in your body and replacing them with healthy cells.
Probably the #1 benefit from autophagy, for people who lose a lot of weight, is that your body will eliminate loose skin and replace it with healthy cells elsewhere in your body, meaning that you won’t need skin removal surgery.
So glad you have lost so much weight and your health is so much better these days. Great job!!
Thank you. I appreciate that very much.
Bob Martin dunno how you do it but great job. I can’t fast even 1 day, but i like to eat.
Believe it or not it is actually been very easy. If your body is hint ketosis, meaning that you have train your body to burn fat for energy, you really don’t get hungry.
Bob Martin i love my carbs lol
LOL. I used to but I don’t eat that stuff anymore.
Bob Martin did you get cravings? I need to do keto as I am on a lot of insulin. But I don’t wanna give up noodles and rice.
At first there are cravings but it goes away. My diabetes is gone now. I used to inject 100 units of insulin per day. Now, no insulin or meds.
Great stuff and certainly inspirational!!
My first fast as such was in Manila 1997, for 16 days but only because I was stuck with zero money!!
Since then though I have fasted every year but usually just a few times per annum,and last year only once for 18 days, so I need to start my fast for this year soon!!
I started to get diabetic symptoms last year after I broke my foot and went inactive for a looong time…sadly no gym near here…
Good luck to you, Francois!