Day 0- The Night Before

When the clock strikes twelve it will be Easter Sunday and my fast will begin. I haven't done any prep for this fast but I'm not really worried. For the past week I have been trying to start fasting but always end up giving in to food on the night of Day 1. This time is going to be different. Let me tell you why I personally want to complete a water fast.

Why Fast?

1) Gain control over food habit and cravings.

2) Get rid of my sugar addiction. 

3) Clear up my skin.

4) Give my body and mind a rest from food.

5) Become more spiritually connected.

6) Lose fat. 

7) Exercise self control and gain more in the process.

8) Test out other fasting myths to see if they are true for me.

9) Have more time for school and religious studies.

10) Feel that freedom from food that you feel when fasting.

I am a normal weight and in good athletic shape. I can run for miles without stopping and lift heavy weights in the gym compared to most of the other girls I see lifting. My diet has just spun out of control lately (it was going good until recently). I have tried to eat healthy but I always mess up. I just want to fast, lose a few, gain some self-control and lose addictions, and then start up my old healthy regimen. I plan to continue to lift weights while fasting. I may drink juice if I feel faint in the gym because lifting weights is important to me. While I  am concerned with my body fat percentage, I am also very curious about fasting. My first fast was not a total water fast and my second fast was not very long. I want to see if my scars really will start to heal, if my skin does become soft, and if I really do feel more spiritually uplifted and creative. If this final attempt ends in failure, I will go on to a more traditional regimen (5 small meals per day and exercise). I plan to sleep on the floor (carpet with a sheet and pillow) during the fast as well. I am debating whether or not to wear makeup. Obviously I will be keeping this detailed online journal.

Below you will see my fasting history. I am not a complete beginner but I have yet to complete an extended water-only fast. 

My fasting history:

When I was 18 I did a partial fast for weight loss only (I was trying to lose the Freshman 15). For ten days I only ate lettuce here and there and maybe a few nuts every once in a while. I drank water like crazy every time I felt hunger for the first few days. My weight dropped from 140 to 128. It stayed off for a few weeks until I started eating sugar, the cravings came back, and I began to overeat in extreme amounts. I honestly believe that the weight would have stayed off if I had reintroduced vegetables first as opposed to junk food. 

About 1 month ago I performed a 3 day fast. I did not track my weight but I was visibly thinner on the morning of Day 4 (just before I broke the fast). On this fast I did experience the white-coated tongue on Day 4 but the cravings never went away.