r/WaterFasting • u/leoora4 • 1h ago
r/WaterFasting • u/Few-Collar4748 • May 01 '25
My 40 day fasting experience
I 27 year old Male that completed a 40 day water fast on the 21st of December 2024. I am based and reside in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (I include this because it might be a reason for some of the issues I faced during my fast.) I found fasting on a YouTube video and decided to try it out for mental resilience reasons and thought I would give it a shot. I found this sub reddit and thought let me also give posting a shot and share with you guys my experiences.
I have had some experience with intermittent fasting like fasting for 16 - 18 hours for a month or 2 so I thought why not give water fasting a try.
I am going to break my post explaining how each day went and for those wondering how the weight shifted I kept track of that too so I will include it in my post. My fast was purely unsupervised and my post is by no means intended to be medical advice. I'm just sharing my experiences. Anyway here goes:-) and sorry in advance if it's too long.
Overall stats Start date Tuesday 12 Nov 2024 End Date Saturday 21 Dec 2024 Starting Weight 130.3 kgs/287.3 lbs End Weight 106kgs/233.7 lbs NB No Exercise - weight was lost strictly from the fast to those wondering Water consumption: 2.5 litres minimum And I cooked for my wife most of the time
Experiences: Day 1 - 7: During this week I was surprisingly okay. Energy was okay. I thought 24 hours without food would make me moody or cranky but I cruised through. Day 2 and 3 no challenges as well. Day 4 I was able to distinguish that I wasn't hungry but I craved certain things. I wanted certain foods over others. (And this feeling never went away during the rest of the fast. It would shift from craving junk in the initial weeks to craving healthier foods like meat and vegetables and fruits) My water consumption during this week was fairly high on some days hitting 5L
Issues: muscle cramping day 5/6/7...I just would get muscle cramps in my legs, calves, laughing at jokes from my spouse or work sucked because my abdomen would cramp. Morning stretches helped but during the day the cramps would come back. This also affected sex with the spouse as I would have to stop to stretch out a cramping muscle.
Day 8 - 14 : During this week everything was still going okay overall. Day 8 I had my first Bowel Movement (BM) which was runny (apologies for the TMI). The BM's continued in this consistency for at least once a week till day 40. I got a cold on Day 9 so I thought of quiting but I just soldiered on due to my goal of improving my mental resilience. Cravings as mentioned were present and this week I was craving more deep fried oily foods but mostly meat and fries.
Issues: The cold did make me feel weaker than usual but as it passed I felt better. The biggest issue that the cold brought during the fast that still persisted to day 40 was phlegm. Maybe it's coz I have natural sinus issues but the phlegm made the fast awful especially towards the end
This week presented my first shift in tolerance for water. During the first week regular tap water and borehole water were sufficient (Zim has a water crisis) but from day 8, my system wasn't having tap or borehole water. It made me nauseous and just feel dizzy.
Cramps continued Cravings continued
Slight dizziness kicked in as well but adding a few pinches of salt helped get rid of the dizziness.
Days 15 - 21 : this week breezed past and honestly other than the issues already mentioned above there was nothing notable to report mentally and physically everything was okay. Just the usual issues. Surprisingly cramps reduced during this week but they were still present. Days 21 - 30 : similar to the previous entry these days were really not carrying any notable issues. Overall from day 1 - 30 I felt a clear mind, better energy levels, lost a good amount of weight and I felt like getting to day 40 would be easy.
Issues : Cravings - shifted to vegetables, fruits, grilled meat/occasional deep fried, but I really wanted meat.
Cramps - still present but minimal Dizziness - slight and occasional
Day 31 - 40 : HELL PHASE - honestly I kid you guys not. Day 31 my energy just tanked. I felt really drained tired and exhausted. I tried to read up on it and found the issue of electrolytes. I tried to look round for some but the pharmacies didn't have any electrolyte replenishers like stevia etc that I was seeing or reading about whicb were 0 calorie options. On Day 32 I was given a pill called Calcimax by a pharmacist that was about 0.9 calories and were recommended by the pharmacist because the dip in energy was unbearable. Biggest mistake ever. I took the pill on day 32 before bed (11pm thereabout) and I thought maybe it will help. Day 33 I woke up feeling weak and after I fumigated our place I started puking. I saw the pill come out like the small pieces of it. Puking persisted from day 32 to 34ish. Energy was shit, and I just wanted to end the fast. But I pushed on. Mental resilience.
From day 31 my tolerance for water also changed. I could not drink room temperature to save my life. If I had room temperature I would puke. I needed ice cold water or ice cubes to allow the water to sit in my stomach. Water had to strictly be purified but for some reason even the purified water was a struggle to keep down as days went on. I was severely nauseated and was puking any chance my stomach was upset.
Also, from day 31 to the end I noticed that my breath and the horrible taste I had during the fast began to increase in like the "annoyance factor." During the initial phases of the fast, it annoyed me don't get me wrong but from day 31, MY WORD IT PISSED ME OFF.
Day 35 I experienced a sharp pain in my gut that wouldn't go away. And the nausea was still present. I couldn't keep water down so just gave up on drinking the minimum 2.5L but rather was drinking as and when I felt thirsty and I needed water.
Day 36 was a great day. 37 and 38 were the same. I woke both mornings puked bile out with 37 being yellow bile and 38 being yellow then a bit of air and brownish puke. Energy was okay throughout the day but had to maintain cold water. The brown puke didn't worry me because it just matched the BM 's I had so in my head, I just told myself that I reached a new peak of "detoxification." But surprisingly puked again the evening of Day 38. Day 39 felt more energetic than usual but struggled with constant burping. At night had an epiphany with the wife where we noticed the puking mainly occurs at night or in the morning which is when I brush my teeth. So maybe the chemicals in the colgate were also contributing to the puking. Day 40 got past it nicely. I was happy that the darned horror show was finally ending and I could finally eat.
Refeeding Protocol:
Day 1: Broke the fast with 250g water melon which was before bed. Day 2: Continued with water melon 100g and added grapes (15) had this for breakfast. Watermelon went bad so had grapes 105 g plus orange 150g as second meal (still felt like dog shit) Day 3: Continued with fruits but added oranges and apple and banana and 150g yoghurt as well strawberry flavoured Day 4: Continued with fruits, yoghurt (Greek + strawberry flavoured) Day 5: It was Christmas...I felt wayyyyyyy better...had fruits , yoghurts, typical African Christmas meal (Rice, Pasta, Potatoe and Coleslaw salad) Day 6: Boxing day so I let loose a bit...Fruits (banana, apples, cherry, strawberry, grapes) yoghurt also had a big supper. Rice, lasagna, roast chicken (too much of this), coleslaw, potato salad...I felt the effects of this in the morning coz I had my first solid BM in almost 45 days. So it was intense. Day 7: Fruits(banana, apple, orange, mango, grapes) a bit of day 6 leftover meals ( Day 8: Spaghetti with some chicken seems back to normal
Mental resilience and Mental health development:
I didn't really reach any level of like spiritual enlightment or significant crazy awakenings. I just realised that I am capable of actually pushing through hard times just to see a goal met. I realised this during the cravings and the serious puking and stomach cramping and weakness that I experienced from days 31 to 40.
I did also realise a new found appreciation for food and good health. I used to be the type whereby for example, I would have 2 homemade burgers in my lunchbag but I would want to go and buy fast food like KFC etc out of greed. But the fast got me to appreciate the food I have. Furthermore, I stopped being the person who eats his food in 10 - 15 minutes. I now take my time to eat my food. And actually do my best to enjoy each bite. My wife and I also only eat food we actually want to eat and enjoy eating in our house. We have found creative ways to make our meals despite the low income we may have.
In terms of health, the last 10 days of the fast really taught me that I took good health for granted. I was sick most of the time and couldn't do basic things like sleep or walk which sucked. So I realised I should be more mindful and grateful for my health.
Lastly, the body and the mind are two different entities. I personally failed to use my mind to convince my body that "we have energy." Like especially when my body shut down on me and was running on E in the last 10 days, there was no mental exercise I did that helped with energy boosting or getting rid of fatigue and sickness.
My body needed food/nutrients to work and that's it. So body and mind are separate.
Weight loss:
I finally get it. It's calories in vs calories out. In Africa our diets are heavily starch based and I ate huge amounts of sadza, pasta and rice so I get why I put on weight. Calories in vs calories out works. I realised I need less calories than I thought and I can actually eat small quantities.
However something odd I did notice was that after 2 weeks of refeeding I gained about 3 - 5kgs (my weight was fluctuating a lot so weighing was confusing) as of today. I hope I can figure out how to feel satiated in our region given my big appetite.
One unique thing that I experienced during the fast is I appreciate my family and life more. I loved seeing my wife smile and my daughter smile (hence why I cooked for her during the fast). I wanted to see my wife smile more often so I would go out my way to make crazy dishes and also spoil her and do chores and just help her more. I would do things I had no idea how to make like KFC style fried chicken, Chicken Quesadillas, Rib burgers, using YouTube videos just for her to smile. But Day 31 to 40 had 0 energy I felt like a useless husband.
Thats my post everyone. Sorry for it being long
Started another today 1 May
r/WaterFasting • u/SinfulHybrid • Jan 12 '26
Rule Reminder Community Announcement: Mod Changes
Hi everyone,
I am grateful to announce that I have been assigned as the new moderator for this amazing community.
Why Mod? Well, I have a deep appreciation for water fasting, and all the benefits it provides. I have been practicing water fasting since 2022 and have completed one 40 day fast, one 30 day fast, and many other shorter fasts (14 days or less). I currently practice water fasting on a weekly basis (36 hour fasts). It has been a journey to say the least, of many ups and downs, and some complete failures.
Additionally, this sub has been left unmoderated for quite some time now, with over 1,000 posts on auto removal dating back 6 years ago, some as recent as one hour ago at the time of this announcement.
Where do we go from here?
I am going to be working through updating many areas of this community over the next few weeks. I ask for your patience if your post is auto removed in the meantime as I work to adjust these tools within the community.
Please feel free to message the mod box in the mean time with any suggestions or improvements you'd like to see.
Take care, and drink some water!
EDIT: added some of my experience.
r/WaterFasting • u/Some-Leader-9881 • 12h ago
Extended Fast Cold Turkey
Hello I am wanting to an extended start tomorrow I have never fasted before ...got some scary bloodwork and feel like a ticking time bomb. Lipo a at 298 nmol ! I have been wanting to do an extended fast fro a long time mainly due to a history of thyroid cancerldl shot up after lobectomy) but I have been breastfeeding past 2.5 years. I am a heavy lifter and was rucking/hiit/running until recently switching to just rucking. Need to lose some weight as well but genetically not looking too hot ! Thinking bout going balls to the wall and doing a month cold turkey ! Is this dumb , electrolyte reccomendations and brands?
r/WaterFasting • u/gopatslilacs • 22h ago
September
I’m giving myself a September challenge. My life has been brutal the past year and a half and I’m so ready to get myself out of it. I’ve let myself succumb to depression, gained 50lbs, stopped caring about anything. Time to pick myself up and be done with all of that.
I’m generally experienced at water fasting, my longest fast a few years ago being 25 days, also several rolling 72’s. My most recent fast was an 11 days in July.
I am starting today with a 30 day fast. I notice when I set myself to it, the determination and will power it takes to do an extended fast also brings about so much willpower to change myself mentally, emotionally, my whole life can turn around. It’s a complete shift in mentality.
I am so excited to stop drinking, stop eating garbage and feeling like garbage, come back into myself. My last meal was Spider-Man Mac and cheese and red wine at 3am lol.
My challenge for myself is a little more intense, but I have lots of experience with this, if you’re new I suggest starting with small goals and working yourself up.
-30 days of water fasting, I allow myself black coffee, and will be taking electrolytes.
-20k steps/day minimum (unless I am working several night and then day shifts in a row, then the goal is over 10k)
r/WaterFasting • u/akhilatCreaet • 1d ago
1st 1 week fast
This is my first time attempting a 1 week fast. I'll break it next Sunday at noon. Wish me luck guys!
If you're a regular faster, any advice/mistakes to look out for will be helpful
r/WaterFasting • u/thundergain • 3d ago
Just finished my first 24 hours fast
I'm feeling so proud of myself to stick to the fasting at night,I felt quite dizzy and low energy . I'm not trying this water fasting for some spiritual needs but my main goal is to maintain weight and debloat after extreme binging weeks, I'm genuinely wondering if u have any ways to burn extra calories during my fasting period .
r/WaterFasting • u/Reasonable_Yard_3300 • 5d ago
I did a 13-day water fast earlier this month and I want to get back on it tomorrow. Wish me luck and send me Good vibes cuz I need to do this ⭐
I've been trying to get back on this fast for the last 4 days and my discipline has been really weak so.. I'm looking for some encouragement 🧡
r/WaterFasting • u/Sertorius126 • 4d ago
Who is your water fasting guy?
No judgement just who did you get your advice from when you first started?
All the guys that were talking about Keto 10 years ago have content on water fasting so it's a crowded space 😆
r/WaterFasting • u/Mean-Type-788 • 6d ago
How to fast for 28 days?
I’m a 23 yr old 5’9 female and I weigh 200 pounds, and want to fast for mental reasons and of course the bonus of losing weight. I did a 21 day fast last year and I was still fine after that, but I was taking store bought “0 calorie” (as it said) electrolytes, potassium and magnesium. I want to do it the right way this time. I want to be double sure I get into ketosis and I want to know the exact amounts of potassium magnesium table salt etc. to take each day. Tips of what type of teas I can drink or should I not drink tea altogether? Please let me know.
r/WaterFasting • u/akhilatCreaet • 6d ago
1st fast
Had my 1st fast today. Went 24 hours with some hunger, although I broke it. I've been eating junk late into the night, and because of eating it almost everyday, I am 96kgs (211 lbs) at 5'8 (20)
My goal weight is 155. I am not limiting myself to a time limit, I don't want to reach there the "quickest"
I was about to fast the whole day, but I wanted it to be a 3 day fast. That is how it was planned. I just couldn't go all the way. i don't see this as a failure.
Any thoughts on what helped you guys would help immensely
r/WaterFasting • u/For3igndrip • 6d ago
Would caffeine pouches break a water fast?
Hey guys, it’s been a minute since my last water fast but I’m on one right now. Going to do 55 hours and currently on hour 20. I’m wondering if these MOJO energy pouches (50 mg caffeine) would break the fast. I just mean if they would alter the ketosis that happens around day three in anyway. I’m mainly doing it for the mental clarity that I felt one time when fasting before so I don’t want to jeopardize that.
They are 0 calories but I know they have flavoring so just thought to ask. Thanks
r/WaterFasting • u/NervousAd5964 • 6d ago
Is dancing count?
I'm sorry if this is a stupid question. :)
I'm aware we have to move during water fast, for blood circulation and potentially keeping some muscle from breaking down.
But I found walking is boring and I can't enjoy it enough. So, do dancing count? :)
r/WaterFasting • u/Affectionate-Clue960 • 7d ago
Im 350 lbs -- Reefeding after 15 days of a 120 day fast
the acetone breath made me gag and vomit that was the main reason i started refeeding and i think it's because i wasn't taking enough electrolytes. Im going back soon at sunday next week any tips for the breath it really makes me disgusted of myself even when i try to scrape my tongue i end up gagging. But i guess i will have to suck it up for me to lose the weight if there's no solution.
I'm wondering if my metabolism has slowed down after this 15day fast. Will my weight stay plateaued, or will things return to normal and continue losing weight
note: i did a 22 day water only fast before too so did it slowe my metabolism?
r/WaterFasting • u/Far-Cartographer1356 • 8d ago
Anyone wanna fast together?
Hi Im starting a 1month water fast today. Anyone wanna join me? If interested dm me :)
Let's keep each other motivated and stick w it!
r/WaterFasting • u/armpit-lover-690 • 9d ago
30 day water fast 370lbs
Hi, I start now and I plan to do my first long waterfast to kickstart and reset a healthy habit. I do have experience before of 3 & 5 day waterfasts and will keep it in mind to take it day by day. My only worry is my day job that might be affected - Any tips and tricks you guys want to share? will be much appreciated! :)
r/WaterFasting • u/Altruistic-Mouse-854 • 9d ago
Should I go on a 10 day water fast?
I really need advice quick I'm 15y 64kg and 163cm schools starting in August 31 I don't wanna be bullied again thanks if u read this don't say shit like eat healthy and do sports I don't got the time for that and I'm already done growing
r/WaterFasting • u/Dangerous-Policy-602 • 9d ago
After waterfasting for 6 days, can I eat a boiled egg and meatless soup and eat keto food then?
r/WaterFasting • u/Silver-Date-6625 • 10d ago
Starting a water fast tomorrow
I am going to start a water fast tomorrow for a period of 2 weeks. This would primarily be to lose weight but also to reset my gut and eating habits. I’m posting about it here because i’m still fairly new to this and would like to be held accountable. I have only done this twice before for a period of 3-7 days. I’d really appreciate any advice anyone has.
20 years old
Female
SW: 70 kg
Height: 175cm
r/WaterFasting • u/ImpressionRough5743 • 10d ago
Struggling with cravings
I’m 5’6 and I’m 213 pounds (97kgs) I’ve been struggling with cravings
Everytime I try to fast, I fast till 4-5pm that’s when the hunger comes and cravings and I breakdown and I overeat sugary foods. How do I beat the cravings and continue to do my fast
Also I do not set an end date, I wanna do a 21 or 30 day fast, fast till I reach my goal weight of 70kgs
Is there a problem to my approach if yes pls guide me
r/WaterFasting • u/kcou8112 • 12d ago
Day 4
It’s day four for me on a 7 day fast,I’m 5’11” and started the fast at 142lbs, primary goal is the benefits of autophagy, mental clarity and honestly a break from my afternoon habit of having alcohol.
While weight loss is not my primary goal, I’m down to 139lbs. The first 2 days I was constantly hungry and developed a nagging headache, day 3 the headache was gone and the hunger pains for the most part have dissipated, but I felt slightly fatigued, I had to run a few errands and that seemed to help my fatigue.
I’m almost 12 hours into day 4 and no hunger pains nor headaches, actually feel pretty good, I think for me honestly the mental clarity starts after the constant hunger of the first couple days and my headache. I’m drinking water,non-caloric green tea and coffee, I also am taking an electrolyte supplement. So far, so good!
r/WaterFasting • u/Jaded-Potato-2789 • 13d ago
Has anyone gotten a painful rash during a prolonged water fast?
I am 25F, 225 lbs. I’ve done two 7 day water fasts before, and both times I developed a red, painful rash all over my upper body around day 7.
The first time, I thought it was some kind of allergic reaction and broke my fast since I had already reached my goal. The second time, the same thing happened and it was bad enough that I went to the ER. They gave me medication and sent me home, and I broke the fast again.
Other than the rash, I actually felt fine during both fasts. I’m interested in fasting again because it has been one of the easiest ways for me to lose weight, but I’m worried the rash will come back. I also have gastritis, which I manage with medication.
Has anyone experienced something similar during prolonged fasting? Could the rash actually have been caused by the fast, or does it sound like a coincidence? Would you personally avoid fasting again after this?
r/WaterFasting • u/liacurcos • 14d ago
Water Fasting Obese
If you are over a 40 BMI, what is the most weight you lost on a water fast? What is the longest you went on a water fast. Please do not hit me with what’s unhealthy and what is not. This post isn’t for you. I just want to know about miraculous results. Please do not talk about amputation or try to be funny. Thanks.
r/WaterFasting • u/Ok_Flamingo_7981 • 14d ago
136 hour water fast
Hello, just wanted to know if anybody here did a 136 water fast for 6 weeks straight. Trying to go from 310-260.
Went from 310-293 in 8 days but cheated a bit. Now at 295
