fast regularly

Tuesday April 8 is week five. I did Tuesday instead of Monday because I drank too much wine on Sunday night. This fasting plan was supposed to help me take it easy on Sundays. Heh.

Anyway, here’s what my day looked like:

• morning – a shake made with hemp protein, almond milk and greens powder and ginseng energy tea with honey
• evening – butternut squash soup (which had a bit of oil and flour in it)
• late evening – pineapple peach mango juice

Over the weekend, I had some fresh-squeezed carrot ginger cucumber juice and it was to die for. I’ve tried several different flavors of vegetable juice and had literally, just days before, threw in the towel. I’d given up and resigned myself to fruit juices supplemented with veggie broths and soups for my fasting. One sip of that juice however, and I’m saving for a home juicer. What a difference!

I’m also getting better with the water. Today, I should finish one-and-a-half bottles. I’m getting there!

Overall, I felt pretty good today. I had a ton of running around to do which kept my mind and body occupied and happy. For someone food-obsessed like me, it’s nice to have a reason to take a break like this each week :)

Monday, March 31 was week four. This was the first week where I really just wanted to eat. I’m blaming it on my period :P

No work on Monday, so I fasted Tuesday. Although I did make an effort to drink more, I was only able to drink one, not two bottles of water. I even did cardio at the gym, but couldn’t seem to drink more. Odd.

I was tempted to not fast this week, but I’m glad I stuck with it. We had a birthday brunch on Sunday for my dad and although I didn’t totally overeat, I did eat more than usual. On top of it, because I hosted, all the yummy leftovers are in my kitchen. Talk about torture!

This second week was much easier than the first. I was not nearly as out of it, foggy or headache-y. In fact, I tried to eat some soup before my Pilates class, but I couldn’t—I wasn’t hungry. It’s amazing how quickly my body has adjusted even after just two fasts. It seems to be welcoming the 36-hour break and is satisfied with easy-to-digest liquids.

• morning – a shake made with hemp protein, almond milk and greens powder and a ginseng energy tea with honey
• mid-morning – a small glass of pomegranate blueberry juice (I guess leftovers from brunch did find their way into the fast!)
• late afternoon – small bit of juice
• evening – butternut squash soup (which had a bit of oil and flour in it)
• late evening – peppermint tea with honey

I’m finding it hard to drink lots of water during the fast. I think that’ll be my focus for next week, to make sure I drink at least two bottles (I have a 38-ounce water bottle) throughout the day.

I’m doing this as part of my big thing, detox.

I’m not sure what “regularly” means right now, but I’m thinking one day a week. I used to do a liquid fast every Monday; it was a great way to start the week and to help me not indulge on Sundays. We’re on the cusp of a balancing equinox and since I’ve not been drinking (another thing), I thought it’d be a good time to get back into a fasting routine.

• morning – a shake made with hemp protein, almond milk and greens powder and ginseng energy tea with honey
• afternoon – butternut squash soup (which had a bit of oil and flour in it)
• evening – more soup, a small glass of veggie juice and peppermint tea with honey

I’d like to stick to fruit and veggie juices, veggie broths, herbal teas and water, a regimen from Optimal Wellness. Today’s fast was steered a bit from that, but it’s what I had on hand :)