For starters, I'd like to state that I'm not anorexic, nor am I self-conscious about my body type. Originally I chose to try out a once a week fast for a month due to health problems. I was diagnosed with fatty liver, high cholesterol and a weakened immune system. I was prescribed pills, one that gave me a severe headache every morning that made it difficult to function and/or think straight.
So upon advice and my own google searching, I had decided to make two changes to my diet.
- Completely cut out alcohol.
- Fast once a week (only drinking coconut water and regular filtered water).
- Stop taking the damn pills I was prescribed.
I did the following for a few months and it was tough initially, but after the first week, it was easier and easier to do.
Here were the results (somethings that I didn't expect):
Vastly improved sleep
I've suffered from insomnia for a long time, whereby I couldn't sleep without taking pills. Now I'm able to sleep without them.
Lost 10 pounds
This was never my goal, however I did end up losing 10 pounds of unwanted weight (mostly fat loss). I will accept that this could have also been as a result of cutting out alcohol. I had read that your body goes into a starvation mode from fasting, I think this is absolutely preposterous. In fact, most of my fat loss were from the visceral fatty areas (hips, thighs, lower abdomen).
I can think clearly and meditation has improved
My anxiety levels have dropped a great deal (my monkey mind seems to have calmed down) and I'm able to focus on things a lot better. I've started taking courses on coursera again, I find that I'm able to digest complicated topics much better. My overall thoughts used to be really cloudy sometimes (some of it was from the pills, but also in general it was that way), but now I'm able to think clearly.
Vastly improved immune system
Upon a recent blood test, the results came back showing that my previously low hemoglobin levels were back to normal. In fact, my blood test was that of a healthy person again. My ALT levels were normal again, where as previously they were out of whack.
I still have yet to get an ultrasound done of my liver, but all in all, I have not suffered any side effects from fasting once a week.
Warm regards,
Sam