Why I Decided to Try a 7-Day Water Fast

The Challenge That Tested My Body and Mind

It started with a conversation about accountability. I was talking with a teammate about my weight loss goals and transparency in the process. That’s when he mentioned something that caught me off guard, water fasting. He spoke about his own experience and suggested I look into True North Health Center, a place known for medically supervised fasting.

At first, the idea seemed extreme. No food? Just water? For days? But the more I thought about it, the more intrigued I became. It also reminded me of my sister’s short water fasting routines that she has started doing recently.

Though I couldn’t make it to True North, I decided to take on the challenge myself, a 5 to 7-day water fast, right at home. What followed was a week of discipline, unexpected struggles, and revelations about my body and mind.

I chose a water fast over a juice fast because of the deeper benefits, including autophagy, the body’s natural process of cellular cleanup and regeneration, which is more deeply activated during a strict water fast.

Without the intake of sugars (even from juices), the body fully shifts into fat-burning mode, leading to:

• Deeper detoxification

• Reduced inflammation

• A more significant reset for both metabolism and cravings

Plus, not having to wash a juicer daily was a major win.

(Note: If you are not experienced at fasting, a juice fast is a great way to start. Be sure to consult a health practitioner.)

I prepared for the fast by eating primarily fruits and veggies for days before the fast. I ate lots of watermelon, smoothies, and salads. I also froze any ready-to-eat food I had in the fridge to avoid temptation and put away all nuts, seeds, and any other food in the cabinets so I wouldn’t see it when walking by the kitchen.

Here’s What the First Three Days of a Water Fast Are Really Like

If you caught last weeks email of my fasting story, you know I dove in curious, excited, and maybe a little nervous. But what I didn’t expect was how much it would challenge me and teach me in ways I never imagined.

Day 1: This was probably the easiest day, full of determination. I had lots of energy and just had to get used to the jarring feeling of being really hungry. I took my regular walk in the morning and tried to go to bed a little earlier than usual and drank lots of water.

Day 2: Still had lots of energy and was getting used to the hungry feeling, which seemed to subside a little. Went for a shorter walk this morning. I still had good energy, although a little less than yesterday, and it was hot out, and I didn’t want to overdo it. So, while the walk was about half as long as the day before, I spent some extra time sitting outside chatting with a friend and enjoying the weather with my neck fan to keep cool. I added a pinch of sea salt to my water to keep my electrolytes balanced, especially since I did sweat a bit on the walk. I decided to take it a little easier today to

conserve energy.

Day 3: I wasn’t feeling my best. My body was deep into the detox and I was getting bouts of hiccups. I woke up with a slight headache, and energy dipped. Definitely no outside walk today. I realized that my water filter, ZeroWater, not only removes common toxins and fluoride, but also most minerals. Since that was my primary water, I became more concerned about and electrolyte imbalance, so I made a little homemade electrolyte water and with sea salt for sodium, a pinch cream of tartar for potassium, and magnesium citrate. Apparently, my body did not like this concoction, which is why I wasn’t feeling so well. So, I just ordered some mineral water and trace mineral drops and ditched the concoction. I also ordered sparkling mineral water just for a little pizazz and variation. Once I got the mineral water, I started feeling better and just worked from the bed most of the day. Was still feeling hungry, but I was getting used to it. To stay motivated, I kept reading about the benefits of autophagy and the deep cleanse and I didn’t want to interrupt that process with a bite of food.

Even though these first few days were challenging, they were full of learning. I discovered how adaptable my body really is, how mental clarity emerges, and that hunger isn’t a punishment, it’s a signal.

Each day had its own lesson: patience, awareness, and the surprising adaptability of my body. It was a reminder that sometimes the biggest growth happens when we step outside our comfort zone.

Curious about what happened next? Stay tuned for next week, where I’ll share Days 4–7, including breakthrough moments, surprises, and the lessons I gained from completing the fast.