TrueNorth Water Fast: Days 9-13

I am sitting here on day 13, the last day of my fast (tomorrow I will start “refeeding”). I can’t believe it. I have procrastinated putting together an update because I feel like they are quite repetitive at this point. I have been what Dr. Goldhamer calls a “boring” case. I still haven’t had any crazy symptoms at all. This is, of course, a good thing, and I am very grateful this has been the case so I can focus more on the mental, emotional, and spiritual aspects of fasting.

While I haven’t had the intense physical detox, I have continued to have a very intense internal detox. Every day has been another layer. I have journaled more than I have in maybe years now. It’s like I have had this flowing, clear channel from my mind to the paper in a way that cannot come without stripping back the noise and distractions. This has been such a gift and a tool I have done my best to utilize.

It has been an interesting study to observe the fluctuations of my mood and energy from day to day, and even hour to hour. Yesterday was probably my roughest day so far. I felt very weak physically, had some nausea for the first time, and felt the most mentally and emotionally taxed. It’s like I was just on the edge and vulnerable all day. Then today I woke up and felt back to “normal.” The last few days I have also developed the white-ish film on my gums that they talk about, my tongue has had that the whole time. This is normal though and comes from dry mouth, dehydration, and bacterial or dead cell buildup.

I did switch to broth today, though, so that helps. It basically just tastes like a savory, light tea, but any variety is welcome at this point. Dr. Goldhamer said in one of his Q&As that a “broth fast” is still 98% effective. Your results just may not come as quickly. They will usually put people on broth if they are struggling with electrolytes or, like me on this last day, need a small adjustment to keep going.

Today’s talk/presentation was all about stress, the effect it has on all systems and disease, and how to manage it. Dr. Veress shared that the number one complaint and reason people leave early is boredom. I found this to be very telling of the state of society and how we’re wired… and also very relatable. (I have lost my mind 100 different times from the monotony at this point.)

Some technicalities: I have consistently lost half to one pound every day, and all my vitals have remained consistent. I saw my blood results from last week, and all is good. When I came in, I had labs done from a couple of months ago that showed my liver enzymes were elevated. They are now down in the ideal range.

Another marker they really pay attention to is glucose. They don’t want that getting too low. Between that and based on how you’re feeling, they would put you on juice.

I think my green juice tomorrow morning will be the best thing I have ever tasted… I can’t wait.