Why I Tried Water Fasting (And Why You Probably Shouldn’t)
Look, I’m not gonna sit here and pretend I’m some kind of health guru. I’m just a guy named Tom who’s made alot of mistakes in his 52 years. But last year, I decided to try water fasting. You know, one of those things where you don’t eat anything for a while. Sounds crazy, right? It is. But here’s what happened.
It all started when my buddy Marcus—let’s call him Marcus because his real name is embarrassing—told me about his 36-hour water fast. He said it was life-changing. I rolled my eyes. But then, about three months later, I found myself in a conference in Austin, bored out of my mind, and I thought, “Why not?”
So, last Tuesday at 11:30pm, I started my first ever water fast. I figured, “How hard can it be?” Oh, honey. It’s hard. Really hard.
Day One: The Honeymoon Phase
The first day wasn’t so bad. I mean, I was hungry, but I was also kinda proud of myself. I felt light, energized even. I told myself, “This is gonna be a piece of cake.” Spoiler: it wasn’t.
I spent the day drinking water like it was my job. And honestly, it was. I kept checking the weather forecast update today because I was bored out of my mind. I mean, what do you do when you’re not eating? You stare at your phone, that’s what.
Day Two: The Wall
Day two hit me like a ton of bricks. I woke up with a headache that felt like my brain was trying to escape through my eyeballs. My stomach growled so loud I thought my cat was in the room. I was irritable, tired, and honestly, a little scared.
I called my friend Dave, who’s into all this health stuff. “Dave,” I said, “I think I’m dying.” He laughed. “No, Tom,” he said, “you’re just detoxing.” Which… yeah. Fair enough. But it still sucked.
Day Three: The Breakthrough (Or Was It?)
By day three, I started feeling better. Not great, but better. I had this weird sense of clarity. I mean, I could think straight again. I wasn’t constantly thinking about food. It was kinda nice.
But here’s the thing: I didn’t feel like some kind of superhero. I didn’t have boundless energy or some magical glow. I just felt… normal. And honestly, that was enough.
Why You Probably Shouldn’t Try This
Look, I’m not gonna tell you to go out and try water fasting. In fact, I’m gonna tell you not to. Unless you’re really, really committed—and by that, I mean you’re gonna stick with it no matter what—it’s probably not worth it.
I mean, think about it. You’re gonna spend days feeling miserable, and for what? A few days of feeling “normal”? Maybe. But is it worth it? I’m not sure but for me, it was.
And let’s talk about the science. There’s some evidence that water fasting can be good for you. It can help with weight loss, improve metabolic health, and even boost brain function. But there’s also a lot of risks. Dehydration, nutrient deficiencies, muscle loss—it’s not a walk in the park.
A Quick Digression: The Time I Tried Juice Fasting
Before I wrap this up, let me tell you about the time I tried juice fasting. It was a completley different experience. I thought, “Hey, if I’m gonna fast, I might as well do it with some vitamins, right?” Wrong. I spent three days drinking nothing but green juice and feeling like I was gonna throw up. It was awful. But that’s a story for another time.
Final Thoughts (Or Lack Thereof)
So, there you have it. My honest, unfiltered take on water fasting. It’s not for everyone. It’s not even for most people. But if you’re curious, and you’re willing to put up with some serious discomfort, it might be worth a shot.
But honestly, just eat a salad. You’ll be fine.
About the Author: Tom Johnson is a senior magazine editor with 22 years of experience. He’s written for major publications and has a love-hate relationship with health trends. When he’s not writing, he’s probably eating pizza or complaining about his cat.
