How long was your fast?
21 days
When did you fast?
March 17 – April 8
What was your age, gender, height, weight before your fast?
Age: 27, Height: 5’4”, Weight: 117 lbs
What was your weight after completing the fast?
99 lbs
Why did you decide to fast?
Primarily to help eliminate the gallstones that western medicine told me required surgery to get rid of. I had been raw on and off for 8 months after being diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes last summer and wanted to give my pancreas a rest as well.
What was your biggest apprehension going into the fast?
The idea of not eating for so long, of needing emergency surgery outside of my country.
Did you ever consider ending the fast during the process? If so, why? Why did you continue/stop?
Many times, mostly out of fear of any given symptom that arose. But they always passed and then I’d be glad I hadn’t quit early. I feel accomplished in having gone the whole 21 days. I also did not come to lose weight and was apprehensive when I lost quite a bit in the first week. But it slowed after that and in the end it wasn’t so much to lose to gain a better foothold on my health.
Did you accomplish what you set out to do with your fast?
I accomplished the fast. I’ll need time to reap the results.
Would you recommend that people have their fasts supervised? Why, or why not?
I would recommend that long fasts be supervised, yes. In order to assure personal safetly.
Why did you choose to fast at the Tanglewood Wellness Center?
It was recommended to me by Alissa Cohen and Storm.
What was your experience like at Tanglewood?
It was difficult. I felt a lot of emotional and physical recall of past incidences, something I hadn’t taken into consideration before beginning. I also experienced movement of gallstones and activity in my upper abdomen. I was quite weak most of the time.
What did you experience during the fast?
Temporary recurrence of injuries from car accidents, emotional bursts, some good, some bad. And lots of abdominal movement. My ears became plugged and released a few times as well. My blood sugar was very low during the initial part of the fast and below “normal” after that until I began to eat.
How did you spend your time?
Mostly in bed. I laid out in the sun for 15 minutes if it was warm and I had the energy. Near the end I read and watched the Wednesday night movies.
Were you hungry during your fast?
Did I have stomach grumbling? From time to time. But I didn’t feel hungry, no. I did, as did everyone else, have cravings and dreams of food I haven’t eaten in a long time.
Did you get weak?
Quite.
What was the best part of the process for you?
The way food tasted like you’d never had it before in your life.
What was the most difficult part of the process for you?
At the start of week three, I woke up shaking and tense. I felt sick and my head was spinning. I wanted to “get out” but I didn’t know out of where. I wanted to stop. I held on though, felt really low for a day and began to feel better and better when it passed.
Was it ever painful? Did you experience discomfort?
Yes. I relieved old injuries in my neck, legs, and back, but they never lasted for more than a few hours.
What are you experiencing now after the fast?
I just finished it.
Did you experience any changes due to fasting?
What kind of diet are you following after your fast?
Raw. I’ll stick to the plan for 6 weeks and probably thereafter as well.
Is eating difficult for you now that you’ve complete the fast?
No. My blood sugar went a little crazy at first but is stable again now after 5 days.
Would you fast again?
?? Yes.
What advice would you give to other fasters?
Make the decision for yourself. Then remember that fasting, true fasting, is not going to likely be well accepted by family and friends. I told many people what I was about to do and they put fear on the table. When done right, it’s safe. Listen to your body and make sure you do what you fell is the right decision for you, when making the choice to fast and also during your fast.