Let Me Tell You About the Worst Idea I’ve Ever Had
Okay, so picture this. It’s January 2nd, 2023. I’m sitting at my kitchen table in Las Vegas, staring at a glass of water. Just water. No ice, no lemon, no nothing. And I’ve decided that for the next seven days, this is all I’m gonna drink. No food. No coffee. No wine (which, honestly, was the hardest part).
I’m Sarah, by the way. Senior editor at a major magazine, self-proclaimed foodie, and—apparently—an idiot.
Why did I do this? Well, I’d read alot about the benefits of water fasting. Weight loss, improved mental clarity, even extended lifespan. Plus, my friend Marcus had done it and swore by it. “It’s like a reset button for your body,” he told me over coffee at the place on 5th. “You feel amazing afterwards.”
So, I figured, why not? I mean, how bad could it be?
Day 1: The Honeymoon Phase
Day one wasn’t so bad. I felt a little hungry, sure, but mostly I was just proud of myself. I’d committed to something, and I was gonna see it through. I spent the day working from home, sipping water, and feeling pretty good about my life choices.
Then, around 8:30 pm, I hit a wall. I was exhausted. My stomach was growling like a bear, and I was starting to question every decision I’d ever made. But I pushed through. I watched some TV, drank more water, and eventually passed out.
Day 2: The Hunger Games Begin
Day two was worse. I woke up with a headache that felt like someone was using a jackhammer on my skull. My stomach was still growling, and I was starting to get irritable. I snapped at my cat, which is never a good sign.
I called my colleague, Dave, for moral support. “I think I made a mistake,” I told him. He laughed. “You’re only on day two, Sarah. You’re gonna regret this.”
“Thanks, Dave. That’s really helpful,” I said, hanging up.
Day 3: The Low Point
By day three, I was a mess. I was lightheaded, weak, and my head was pounding. I could barely concentrate on work. I kept reading articles about the benefits of water fasting, trying to convince myself it was worth it. I even checked out Las Vegas business news local economy to distract myself, but even that couldn’t hold my attention.
I called Marcus again. “How did you do this for seven days?” I asked him, my voice weak. He chuckled. “It gets better, trust me.”
“Yeah, right,” I muttered, hanging up.
Day 4: The Turning Point
Somewhere around day four, something shifted. The headaches started to fade, and I actually felt a little more energized. I wasn’t hungry anymore, just kinda… empty. It was weird, but also kinda nice.
I started reading more about the science behind water fasting. Turns out, after the initial shock to your system, your body starts to adapt. It switches from burning glucose to burning fat, which can lead to all sorts of health benefits. Who knew?
Day 5: The Boredom Sets In
By day five, I was bored out of my mind. I had nothing to do but sit around and drink water. I tried to keep myself busy—cleaning, reading, even attempted to learn a new language (which, by the way, was a completley terrible idea).
But, I noticed something else. My mind felt clearer. I wasn’t distracted by food or snacks or meals. I was just… present. It was a weird feeling, but not entirely unpleasant.
Day 6: The Final Stretch
Day six was a blur. I was tired, but in a good way. Like, I’d run a marathon kind of tired. I felt accomplished, like I’d achieved something. I could see the finish line, and it felt good.
I started thinking about what I was gonna eat when this was all over. I dreamed of pizza, burgers, tacos—basically anything I couldn’t have right now. It was torture.
Day 7: The End (Finally)
Day seven came, and I was ready. I’d made it. I broke my fast with a small, healthy meal—some soup and a piece of toast. It was the best meal of my life.
Looking back, I’m not sure I’d do it again. It was tough, and honestly, I’m not sure the benefits outweighed the suffering. But I learned alot about myself, about my body, and about what I’m capable of.
Would I recommend it? I’m not sure. Maybe if you’re really committed to your physicaly health, or if you’re looking for a mental challenge. But for me? Once was enough.
And honestly, I think I’d rather just eat a salad.
About the Author: Sarah has been a senior editor for over 20 years, specializing in health and wellness. She lives in Las Vegas with her cat, Mr. Whiskers, and spends her free time reading, writing, and trying not to eat too much pizza.
