A
few months ago, I would do this one day fast every Monday. Somewhere down the
line, I got out of that habit, and my body gave me indicators about a week ago
that it was time for a body over haul. I love how the body gives you indicators
of what can be going wrong or right for you, I guess we just have to be aware
of how we feel, and that by itself can be quite a challenge.
Over
the last week I was waking up tired despite 7-8 hours of deep sleep. I was
sluggish thru the day. The things that motivated me and that I loved doing
seemed to suddenly transform into something boring and monotonous. I was
getting angry quicker, more irritable and in general just feeling low for no
reason I could actually pin point. I even missed a couple or work outs and I
kept battling with sugar and outside food cravings. So I loaded up on my
favorite foods, right from fully loaded caramel frappes to chocolate pastries,
burgers and yeah, even a samosa..the last option kinda shocked me too……..and
then there was Easter eggs and chocolate bunnies,,,and my body started slowing
down.
I
decided to get back on the water fast at exactly 8pm on Sunday. I broke the
fast this morning at 7:30am.
I
slept by midnight on Sunday, woke up to a liter of warm water. My activity on
Monday morning included a bit of training and then a drive to office. Hunger
pangs hit me by noon, I sipped on water and kept my mind engaged in my work.
By
2pm I should admit I felt a little cold ( natural on a water fast), but my
hunger pangs had disappeared. I drove home around 5pm, I was feeling light
headed, but I was focused. Keeping your mind engaged in some work really helps.
What I noticed was my clarity of thought.
On
reaching home, I had some warm water and sat down to mediate for a bit. I think
that was the best part of my day.
By
7pm I definitely felt a little weak and decided to retire to sleep by 9pm and
break the fast in the morning. Over the day I noticed a change in the color of
my tongue, from a light white to a pink, which is an indicator of how clean your
stomach may be.
Slept
fitfully, no disturbance, no hunger pangs. Woke up by 6:30, absolutely fine,
not hungry, high on energy levels. Consumed a liter of water , practiced some
light yoga and meditation and broke my fast with 3 bananas and an apple.
That
kinda stuffed me and 2 hours later I consumed a handful of almonds.
I'm
not hungry right now. I'm super high on energy levels. I have not craved my
morning coffee which I feel I have gotten addicted to over the last few months,
the thought of chocolate or anything unhealthy is actually not appealing in any
little way right now. I want fruits, nuts, vegetables, lentils
It’s
true that a clean body craves clean food and an unhealthy body craves junk. I’m
feeling that now…the overhaul was definitely necessary, and I plan to do this
once a week.
What
could go better the next time is selecting a day when I’m more free and relaxed
with little or no driving involved, especially in Mumbai traffic.
I
recommend this to everyone. If you can’t do 24 hours start of with 16 and then
build it up as you get better.
The
more difficult you find it to do, it means your body has a lot of toxins to
clean out and you may even get a headache.
Good
luck !!!! Use nature and natural
ways as your best medicine.
