Fasting Log: Day 10

Saturday, July 12th 2008 by Shanel Yang         Email this article to a friend

[For “Fasting Log: Day 9,” click here.]

FASTING LOG: DAY 10

Another pound gone, and I’m down to 131.0 lbs.! Just two more, and I break through the 130.0 impenetrable wall!

Readers have been asking for more updates about how my body has changed, so here goes. I seriously look at least 5 years younger! My complexion is actually dewy again! My double chin is completely gone—even when I pull my head down into my neck like a turtle retracting its head. My cheekbones, jaw, and chin are more noticeable. The bags under my eyes are still there, but much diminished. And, all my wrinkles are virtually invisible!

My upper arms are starting to show actual definition of deltoids, biceps, and triceps when I flex. (I used to work out a lot at the gym, but I haven’t been doing any real weight training in years! Good to know those muscles do have some memory!) But, the loose flesh still jiggles when I don’t flex. *Sigh!* But, much less so than before.

My ribs are faintly visible in the front and the back. My waist continues to shrink as the fat melts away from that area. However, I can still pinch way more than an inch on either side of my navel. I still have slight thigh and upper arm “jodhpurs.” My knees have reappeared nicely. Even my varicose vein (I only have one behind my right knee) seems to be receding its advance toward the front of my knee!

The veins on my hands and feet seem bigger. But, that might have more to do with the fact that I never really noticed them before, and they look huge to me now.

As for my strength and clarity levels, I still feel weak, but no longer achy. I still have to take a few deep breaths every time I get up from sitting or lying down. And, I still have to go the bathroom about every hour on the hour, from all the water intake. My mind gets preoccupied with my new diet. What will I eat now that my body is so pure? Will I allow myself some of my favorite Korean food once in a while? So salty and so spicy! And, what about my favorite frankfurters, Hebrew National? They’re so easy to prepare and so delicious! But, the sodium nitrites!

Since my last fast, I was successfully able to drastically reduce my consumption of some of my all-time favorite foods: big, thick, juicy steaks and baked potatoes with the works; rice pilaf; fried chicken and biscuits; pizzas; burgers and fries; tacos and enchiladas; creamy salad dressings; creamy pasta sauces; beer; and, absolutely no smoking. What I continued to indulge in, however, was: fried rice; Hebrew National franks; eggs every which way; pasta with butter and/or olive oil; all kinds of ramen; tortilla chips; and, brandy Manhattans, margaritas, and sake.

I was hoping my cravings for these foods would fade away with this second fast. But, so far, no dice! I’ll just have to go with my instincts and trust that I’ll make the right decisions when the time comes. I’m feeling so zen (or perhaps, dao) about life these days. Fasting will do that to you. I feel at peace with myself and my surroundings. Everything is as it should be. I am living the life I always wanted. : )

TO BE CONTINUED …

More on the benefits of fasting, the possible side effects, and how I’m doing in the next installment of my Fasting Log. If you want to share your own fasting experiences or, perhaps, your concerns, please do so in the comments below!

[For “Post-Fast Log: Day 1,” click here.]

[For entire “Fasting Log,” click here.]

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