Re: I Think I Know What Went Wrong From the Get Go Chrisb1

lownskater. I know you're feeling traumatized about all the unpleasant stuff you're going thru. Some of the alarming symptoms you're reporting aren't problematic. Your blood pressure is actually in normal ranges and it's expected to be a little low while you're fasting. Insomnia is totally normal. All fasters suffer this side effect. I haven't fallen asleep before 6:00 in the morning for three nights running now (today is day 8 of my water fast). Becoming pale and looking haggard is also very normal. You get a little dehydrated while fasting, even if drinking adequate water, so having dry skin and mouth is to be expected. I agree with #159682, I don't think a little tap water has anything to do with your symptoms. I think your symptoms are primarily healing crises. About the bloating, as I wrote in a previous post, I think you might be consuming too much. When you bloat it's your body's way of letting you know it's not handling the food well. Either because of the choice of food, or the quantity. Watermelon, coconut water, pineapple, these are all acceptable foods, but if too much is taken in at one time, it will stress your not-up-to-speed digestive system. The sodium in the broth and the acid in the citrus probably weren't the best choices, but they weren't that bad. Bad is breaking a fast on meat and dairy and wheat - that's bad. I'm currently reading a book by a doctor (PhD) that I'm really enjoying. She's fasted hundreds of people and really knows her stuff. She talks about the importance of not fasting when you're feeling fearful of the process. Our emotions play a hugely significant role in how our body functions. You're understandably feeling distressed, nervous, frightened over these symptoms that you don't understand and are wondering if they're really serious. You would have really been well served to have conducted this fast in a fasting clinic (such as TrueNorth in Santa Rosa), but I understand that that's not feasible for a lot of people. Though I should say, work schedules aside, they're pretty reasonable in price, (just putting that out there). Anyway, I think you perhaps should stop fasting and focus on habituating yourself to really healthy eating. Don't feel bad cuz you didn't reach "true hunger". That's a goal your ego is pushing, be patient with yourself. You have all the time in the world to reach that goal and maybe now's not the time. You are to be commended for what you did accomplish. Twenty days took a lot of self control and focus, so kudos to you. Whatever you choose to do, I hope it brings you health and happiness. Tweet