It is the end of the third day of my fast, and it is all suspiciously easy. I have been drinking plenty of fluids, and have no worries of being at risk for a vitamin or mineral deficiency. But I have a few notes that may be of interest.
The Toothbrush: Your New Best Friend
Each sunrise has brought with it the most ungodly morning breath. If you plan on being active during your fast, or if you will be around others for extended periods of time, please do them a favor and bring your toothbrush along with a travel size tube of toothpaste. It might just make a difference in your daily life.
Along with the dragon breath, there is a thick coat to the tongue each morning. It is a very thick, mucoid-like material. Your new best friend will help you out with that.
The coat on the tongue only seems to happen in the morning, but the breath rises from the dead every few hours. I have read that both will pass eventually during the fast. I am looking forward to it.
Energy Levels
I seemed to have an abundance of energy throughout the day. I was able to take two walks for one hour each, which surprised me. I don’t plan on having two each day, but if one has the energy, why not?
The evening was a bit rougher, however. As I sit here typing this, it is difficult to write fluidly. You may have noticed this already. Each sentence seems to be a chore requiring a ton of energy. It also seems disjointed and lifeless. This will pass before too long. It is generally the first week of a fast that plays havoc with the functioning of the organism. I have begun to notice this in small ways.
Diminished Focus
Today was the worst day so far concerning one’s ability to focus. It was difficult to gather the focus to just read. Being is of course, unaffected, but the attention or skill needed to perform physical tasks seem to quickly lose momentum. The mechanical processes of the mind seem to take a few seconds more to find their footing. It is a terrible environment for learning something new.
This too will pass before too long, but one needs to be diligent to sit and see this as it arises. It cannot be taken for granted.
Detoxification
I have read on fasting websites that it may take up to two weeks for the bowels to begin a heavy clean-up process. I won’t be overly descriptive, but it seems to be happening already at day 3. It is in no way an elimination of “fresh” material.
It is good that this is happening, but I feel bad for the next person waiting for the loo.
The skin is also more waxen than usual. But this is to be expected at some point of the detoxification process.
Benefits
So far, the greatest benefit seems to be easier sleep. Not only is it easier to fall asleep, but it is much easier to wake in the morning. It is a very “clean” awakening with no remnants of the last night’s culinary indulgences. Going to sleep on a completely empty stomach might be of benefit to one that is not fasting, as well.
Goodnight
It is difficult to continue, so let’s just say goodnight.
{ 6 comments… read them below or add one }
Wow – you really are going right into detox. That’s the tongue too. Ayerveda maps the tongue, with the intestines down the center, from about 1/3 of the way in. It will show whats clearing by where the crud is.
One technique I picked up many years ago is to look at the tongue in the morning to see what’s up, then scrape it back to front. It works better than brushing the tongue. You can buy tongue scrapers but I found a nice wide sugar spoon in a junk shop from Kuwait Airways has served me well for decades
Thanks for the tips, Davidya.
My head is still a bit foggy, and the other symptoms are still here to some degree, but it is all slowly easing itself out.
Hey Takuin,
I wish you luck in fasting. I know your “organism” is going to be quite pleased with the results. I think it’ll function much better. For me, I realize that, as I begin to fast, I’ll be releasing emotions stored in the organs too.. I don’t know how its possible but apparently it is because some people who fast note strong emotional reactions as their bodies purge. My mind tricked me into breaking my fast two days ago due to “deficiencies” but I will be doing it again. I honestly think its going to help my consciousness as well
Thanks for the luck!
I have also heard about emotional “releases” during fasts. But I am not at all sure it is actually what others have pointed to. As I sit here, I can say that elements of this process are very unpleasant. At this moment, my upper back – especially the trapezius muscles – are very sore. It feels like I have been shrugging with heavy weights for the last 24 hours. But it is a physical sensation and not really different from what I have experienced before.
For others, it may be what they add to these sensations; the ideas or stories they put on top of how the body reacts. It may be true that certain things can pop up during a fast, but these same things are available during any drastic disruption of the organism (or at any time, really).
Haha…I understand what you mean. But did your MIND trick YOU? Or is this separation another trick?
I have noticed something interesting. Yesterday, for some reason, I had a desperate craving for takuanzuke. I can’t explain why. I have had it many times before, and actually, this kind of food is commonly found in so many dining situations in Japan, but it is not something I have craved. Yesterday I was walking outside, and I couldn’t get the image of those pickles out of my mind. It was so very strange.
Maybe there is some mineral in the takuan that my body feels it needs? I really can’t say. But I have decided that the food I will eat first in March will be Takuanzuke.
Or maybe it is a craving for something crunchy?
I am glad to find you on this site…. I am on day 3 have experieced my worse suptoms… diahrea, dizziness, weakness., foggy thinking, bad breath. Looking forward to getting past today.
Thanks, Beranda.
Things will seem to even out for you in a few more days, most likely. But please continue to be careful and always be sure to drink plenty of fluids. If at any time it feels strange or ‘wrong’ to you in any way, just stop and eat something. It is interesting to perform a fast, but we must always do so carefully.
Good luck to you, and please let us know how it turns out for you.