Re: I am starting my water fast today.

I water fasted for 21 day in the end of April-May this year. Before I had only a short (6 days) Water Fast in June 2006. I had to work for the first two weeks. And that was hard because the body wants to conserve energy and you feel like you are forced to waste it especially in talking. I took the third week off not to stay in bed however but to do house chores etc. Anyway, regarding the bad habits. I have been a vegetarian for 16 years, but (and I don't want to say it in the affirmation mode because it deepens the habit, they say) sweets, coffee, cakes (vegan included) were my friends for a long time, so I gained about 50 lbs in 9 years (I am 38, 5'5, 125 originally, 170 before the fast, 145 after the fast, now, a little more than a month after I ended the fast, I am 153 lbs).
Interestingly, during the first month after the fast I had no desire for sugar, pastry, coffee, tea, chocolate or fried foods (like tofu, fried vegetables etc). My taste has really changed and for the first time in my life I was not even interested to taste them. But this week (about 40 days after I ended the fast)the bad habits are starting to come back slowly. I know why. I broke a few rules (was eating a little more than needed of good stuff, was not waterfasting once a week) and the digestive system became less efficient. That is my experience. You may know and do better. Wish you a successful fast. Just make sure you have a plan to keep the body clean and light after the fast. I may join in a couple of days, I have to make up my mind first. Good luck. Julia