Here’s a picture from my morning commute.
Today is Day 5 of my fast. As of 5pm tonight it will be 120 hours since I began the fast. During that time I have consumed water, the occasional black coffee, and a bowl of bone broth for dinner each night. That’s it.
According to an at-home Ketosis test strip, my body has passed the moderate stage and is in full ketosis. How do I feel? Pretty amazing. The last four nights I have slept soundly and woken up energized in the morning. My brain seems to be functioning at a heightened level of clarity. On a couple of the days I experience an almost tingling sensation all over my skin, something I can only liken to that of a Vitamin B flush. This may have been the result of taking a multi-vitamin on a couple of the days during the fast. There really were no moments when I found myself drooling over the dessert tray in the cafe at work. The smells during lunch time were intermittent reminders that it was time to refill my water. But nothing drastic or unmanageable. No moments of panic.
A totally unexpected benefit of the Bone Broth, I’ve noticed that the skin on my hands seems different, it’s tighter, younger looking, not as dry. Everything here in the north east is dry right now, it’s late fall. But my skin, my hair, feel great. Also, I lost 10lbs. Today I’m wearing a pair of corduroys that have not seen the light of day in a year.
Hard to imagine such a drastic change in 5 short days:
- lost 10lbs.
- heightened energy
- better sleep
- smoother skin
- achy joints have been silenced.
Also, I just feel sturdier on my feet, more centered, grounded, connected to the world, to people, to my day, especially the mornings, mornings are the best.
So, the big question now: What’s next? Tonight around 6pm I will eat my first meal in 5 days. It will be some wild duck and a red leaf salad. I’ll keep it light, portion small. But, what about the days and months ahead? Thanksgiving looms on the horizon, family get-togethers and lots of indulgences. I’ve given this a lot of thought, and I’m not sure where I’m going to land. Obviously, as soon as I eat I will gain back some of the 10lbs. lost.
But, being in ketosis, i.e. knowing that my body is working off of fat instead of sugar, seems so simple to me, so basic to understand—fundamental and easy to work with going forward. In order to maintain ketosis you must keep carb intake under 20-30grams, depending on your size. That’s hard to do. A single bagel has about 60g of carbs. Plus, I’m going to start working out again. So….
This is a work in progress. More to follow.
DoubleUnderDogs 