I have become aware that my food is taking longer and longer to digest and I’m fed up with taking medications such as Lansoprazole (PPI), sodium bicarbonate (not a medicine but a balancer) , and that dreadful sickly pink stuff, Gaviscon, which ‘does it’ for my Barrett’s acid stomach when all else fails but should not be relied upon.
Why a fast? Too many mornings I wake up with a stomach ache, not a severe type, but not that which is asking to be fed, which I regard as normal. I start my day with a toast and one or maybe two cups of brewed coffee. That will last me until an increasingly late lunch. Normally I can have lunch at 2:00 p.m. and feel quite content. I don’t have another meal except for maybe a snack in the evening.Even so I feel I eat too much.
My stomach needs a rest – and a reboot or so I summarize. The analogy that comes to mind is if you drive a car all the time you cannot service it.
I know that the body has a great ability to heal itself but do we give it a chance? In my case I would say probably not. Anyway ……time will tell.
The other important point is to figure out what proportion of my discomfort is caused by bad diet, drinking something that is not right for me, having too much food, eating food at the wrong time, so I feel it’s what I’ve got to do is to tune into my own body; I reckon the enhanced awareness of doing this during a fast will be helpful and informative. I also know that I eat food too fast.
I spoke to a friend about fasting; he said he had fasted for 10 days and he felt great afterwards. Evidently you can last 40 days without food then the body starts to break down.
Talking to AI about this
Stages of Prolonged Fasting
Days 1–3: Glycogen Depletion
- Your body uses stored carbohydrates (glycogen) for energy.
- You may feel tired, irritable, and hungry.
Days 4–10: Ketosis Begins
- Fat becomes the primary fuel source.
- Hunger often decreases.
- Mental clarity may improve, but physical weakness can begin.
Days 11–21: Muscle Breakdown
- The body starts breaking down muscle protein for energy.
- Significant muscle loss and weakness occur.
- Mood and cognition may fluctuate.
Days 22–40: Severe Depletion
- Fat stores dwindle; muscle and organ tissue may be used for energy.
- Risk of organ failure, immune suppression, and death increases.
- Symptoms may include disorientation, immobility, and extreme fatigue.
I will update this diary as I go along so you my readers can keep track. I did some dowsing on this and found that my first fast can be for 29 hours. So ….I started at 8:30 this morning Tuesday the 12th of August, and I will next eat at 1:30 p.m tomorrow Wednesday. That’s the plan anyway. I have never done this before so I’m quite interested in how I will manage.
I am told that pangs of hunger will disappear after some time (see videos below) but I am going to keep a full report which will hopefully help others who are thinking of doing the same.
My current weight at the start of the fast was 72 kg and my height is 5’8. My Body Mass Index is 24.1
Here is my record:
Tuesday 12 Aug
08.30 Ate last piece of toast. Excited
12:30 felt like a coffee Researched and found that ‘coffee itself has few calories but I should avoid additives such as milk, sugar, cream etc. Such black coffee may even help by curbing appetite and increasing alertness which can make a fast easier’.
13:30 Francoise eats her lunch The smell is alluring but I am not that hungry
19:00 not hungry. I would have expected to feel more hungry but if I don’t focus, all is OK
23:00 I cannot believe it but I do not feel famished. Just quiet
Wednesday 13 Aug
07:00 I feel a light buzz. Had a black coffee x 2. No interest in food
11:30 no hunger. feel quiet. Feel neutral towards food
13:30 Time is up. I could choose to continue but I decide to eat.
What does AI Say?
Me to AI: I have just been fasting for 29 hours and I do not feel hungry. Why might this be?
AI says : That’s fascinating, Brian—and quite impressive. A 29-hour fast without hunger suggests your body has adapted well to the metabolic shift that happens during extended fasting. Here’s why you might not feel hungry:
Hormonal & Metabolic Reasons
- Lowered Ghrelin Levels: Ghrelin is the “hunger hormone.” Its levels often spike at mealtimes but tend to stabilize or even drop during prolonged fasting.
- Ketosis: After 24+ hours, your body may enter a mild state of ketosis—burning fat for fuel instead of glucose. Ketones can suppress appetite and provide stable energy.
- Parasympathetic Dominance: Fasting can activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting calm and reducing cravings.
- Mental Clarity & Focus: Many people report heightened mental clarity during fasting, which can override typical hunger cues.
Psychological Factors
- Mindset & Intention: If you approached the fast with purpose or curiosity, your brain may be less focused on food and more engaged in the experience.
- Routine Disruption: Skipping meals breaks habitual eating patterns, which can reduce psychological hunger.
Physiological Adaptation
- Stable Blood Sugar: If your blood sugar remained steady, you’re less likely to experience the dips that trigger hunger.
- Hydration: Drinking water, tea, or electrolytes can blunt hunger signals.
⚠️ A Gentle Reminder
While not feeling hungry is a good sign of adaptation, it’s still important to:
- Reintroduce food gently when you do eat
- Stay hydrated
- Watch for signs of fatigue, dizziness, or low blood pressure
What now?
I might just repeat this but for a longer time. I could fast one day a week. I could fast maybe three days a week. I could have one day devoted to say eating apples and surviving on that. It is too early to say so watch this space. Anyone else tried fasting? The comment box is below.
Useful videos
6 ways to ruin your fasting benefits
