Introduction
I hope my experience might add to the common pool of information about Water Fasting and allow others to make good choices....

I started a Water Fast on 21st December 2015 and finished it on 2nd February 2016. A forty two period with out food, just water.

My motivation was to try something else to tackle Psoriasis and Arthritis and to some extent lose weight. I didn’t look for a “spiritual” outcome – whilst reading the literature about Ghandi and fasting for peace etc I just took it with a pinch of salt. More on that later.

I’m a 54 year old male. I started the fast weighing 20 stone (280 lbs) and lost about 4 stones (56 Lbs) I used distilled water.
I have been in the fortunate position because of lack of work commitments and living on my own to undertake this “inner adventure”. I can imagine other people feeling constrained by family members.

I had hoped to post this under something I’d posted in late January. Curezone doesn’t seem to have a way of letting you see where your last post was – although of course I have the highest regard for this site !

Reading
My literature on fasting was general web stuff and particularly two items:
1/ A book by Herbert Shelton :
http://soilandhealth.org/wp-content/uploads/02/0201hyglibcat/020127shelton.III/020127.toc.htm
And
2/ This post from Curezone:
//www.curezone.org/forums/fm.asp?i=1159441

I read these excellent pieces many times. The book by Shelton, I selected what I thought were important passages and copied to a quote collection page.
I disagree with Shelton on two things. The first is , there was no way I was going to stay in bed, which seems to be his recommendation and despite entertaining the idea of a vegan diet as recommended, I rejected this intention for reason I won’t go into here.

Experience
The first few days were the most difficult. I had fasted for a week several years ago, so I knew what to expect. Overall, a Water Fast is far easier than restricting calories for a longer period.

I passed solids on days 1,2,3 and 5 which was a micro movement so to speak. I also had an “average “ bowel movement on day 19 curiously enough. This matter was a more of a reddish colour.

The literature says that interest in sex diminishes. I didn’t find that, although to be crude, for the sake of the fasting information available, I was producing semen in smaller amounts past day 30.

On most days I would go for a short walk. I would read the fasting literature. Also came across and read the literature on the Blood Type Diet – I’m “o”. I found it convincing. I have been trying to follow this.

Mentally I was fine. I’m a chess player hence my Curezone ID “Ruy Lopez”, and played some competitive chess matches. I would say my mind was very sharp judging by successful results -more so than since -)

My joints were more flexible during the fast. My Psoriasis may have improved slightly. I am puzzling the fact that the skin is supposed to turn over about every thirty days and my fast lasted forty two day - so why would I still have plaques at all – if you follow the logic of Psoriasis being solely a dietary problem. (I haven’t express that too well – but hopefully the “question mark” I raise on this is understood a little.)

After a week Water Fasting is very easy. It’s one of the easiest “hard” things you can do.
My tongue never cleared at all. It gradually got worse. I didn’t particularly feel hungry when I broke the fast but my sleep had been disturbed for a couple of nights and had wretched a little on one occasion. It just felt like it was time to give up. This was my call.

I broke the fast with fruit juice. I later had some dry fruit.

The “Spiritual Dimension”
On the morning of breaking the fast I had brief argument with a neighbour regarding a long standing matter. The air was cleared a little and we agreed to work together on an issue that affected us both. There had been animosity between us for over ten years. After I reflected on this with regard to the “Ghandi” thing regarding “fasting for peace”....I hadn't looked or sought for this - but it came.


Conclusion
I don’t envisage ever doing another long fast, but do see some wisdom in shorter faster spread throughout the year. I may fast for a week at the equinoxes and solstices for a few days.

My psoriasis is about the same as before or very slightly better. My joints aren’t so clever. Perhaps because I mistakenly have been thinking rye bread was gluten free – which I’ve now ditched.

I intend doing another liver flush. I’ve done about twenty five in the last six years. Twenty or so 2010/11 and six in the last two years. I think I may have built up quite a few liver stones during the fast because of old stuff coming out.

The main benefit, which I can’t rationalise, has been the neighbourly “peace” aspect. I’m far from a hippy liberal type. I shared my experience with a friend who is a Christian minister (I’m not in his club myself but respect it). He mentioned that, I think the book of Daniel , “Daniel” (?) fasts for twenty one days (?) and the archangel Michael(?) is then able to intercede in human affairs when previously he hadn’t been able to. (I tried to find this reference)

My own metaphysical position is I believe there are entities that feed off our emotions and the expression “don’t feed the demons” has to be understood in more than just a “figure of speech” sort of way.