The Fast

It wasn't a long one, but it was useful.  Tuesday started with light fresh foods--veggies and fruits and smoothies and broths.  Wednesday was a full fast day with only liquids.  Thursday was mostly that with a very light lunch of veggie and a small piece of omelet.  Friday was another small bit of omelet and cooked turnip greens for lunch, fresh fruit for dinner.  Saturday (today) will be three meals, but light and small, emphasizing fresh foods.  Have included oatmeal for breakfast.

Some changes over the fast days:  down 7 pounds--what is that??  It's got to be water weight, for one:  I feel less bloated but have had at least about 128 oz of fluid each day, which means I've been doing a good job flushing stuff out of my system.  I have not had any caffeine since Tuesday morning except for a few glasses (total) of watered down green tea.  Today I've had my first full-strength cup of green tea.

Things I like:  

I haven't been especially hungry.  I would drink more when I did get hungry, mainly herbal teas or homemade potassium/veggie broth that I will make again--it was good! 

I had up and down energy, but enough to do my work and get in exercise every day except one when I did a lot of house cleaning instead.  I've been getting up early-ish, sleeping a solid 8 hours, and waking refreshed and relatively alert--more so than before. 

As mentioned, I don't feel as bloated, especially in my tummy.  I can move more easily--my joints don't feel as weighed down.  I've been continuing to exercise and today was able to do some push ups from the balance ball and another exercise that requires arm strength better than I could before.  My muscle strength does not feel impaired at all.

Things I didn't like:  not much, except having to pee so often! 

I would like to keep up the lean feeling and not get started again with large meals.  This helped last summer when I lost as much weight as I did.  I also have not been drinking alcohol and would like to continue that as well.  I also want to eat my last meal by 7 and only have broth or herbal tea after that.

Things to watch out for:  

Salt.  I really think I am especially sensitive to salt--I had Chinese food earlier this summer and was up 4 pounds the next day.  That means making my own broth or buying no salt or very low salt broth.  I need to watch sodium everywhere--good thing I'm not eating much processed food and will increase that avoidance. 

Making my own food to take for lunch once I return to classes.  That means I need to get back to making a pot of something on Sunday and using it for the week.  According to a diet guide I'm going to try to follow for some meals, leftovers are not a good idea, but I don't know how I can find the time or inclination not to use them.  All their recipes result in 4 servings.  What do they expect a single person to do?  Divide an egg in 4?  So . . . .  I will ignore that advice, but also try to make as much fresh as I can and be sure to have some fresh food every day, such as salads and fruits.

Eating out:  that can interrupt good eating habits.  I need to stay with small portions and fresh foods; avoid alcohol.

Exercise:  I still don't know how much to do.  I don't want to do so much that my body expects 1.5 hours a day when I return to school--I just won't be able to keep up that pace.  So I think I'll vary between 1/2 hour and 1 hour, perhaps with an additional short walk each day.