Failing to begin a Fast - I'm trying again

The beginning of a fast is always the hardest one, and personally I usually fail the first couple of attempts before reaching Ketosis. Once I am in a good Ketogenic state, nothing can tempt me really, but this happens after approximately 7/8 days into a Fast.
I know I said I would start my new Fast on November 1^st, but after 18hrs of Dry Fasting I gave up and had something to drink, in the evening I had a big supper, but overall only one big meal for the day. It’s so easy for my mind to convince me that one more day won’t make any difference and indulge in food and sugar; I am very weak.
Today I feel more motivated though. Since yesterday I started to check my weight again; I have to admit I cried when I saw the number on the scale, never been so fat and the amount of time I would need to lose all this weight is beyond my estimations.
On the Internet I found various blogs talking about personal Fasting experiences; the number of days of the length of a Fast it usually different for everyone, it can go from few hours up to 100 days. I was reading yesterday about someone completing 92 days fast, impressive, and definitely not common to find online these numbers. It requires lots of patience I can imagine, and fat storage enough to support the body for 3 months. But one thing I learnt from this story, after 3 weeks or so into the fast I should start to take Sodium, Potassium and other supplements for my electrolytes or I will feel too weak to continue over 30 days. This time around I’m aiming for 40/50 days, let’s see how it goes, I will listen to my body….but the number 92 is always in my mind!
I can’t wait for these first few days to go by quickly, because I know that I will feel better once I’m over this period, not that I feel hungry or thirsty but soon I will feel sleepy, I’ll have a headache, I’ll be grumpy, stomach growling, sugar cravings (well those ones never go away!), and my focus on things will be definitely impacted negatively. And I’m only 12hrs into the Dry Fast!
But really, I cannot continue like this, I hate myself everyday a bit more, and not that I care on how I look, I just don’t feel good, I don’t even want people to see me; if I could I will stay home in my bed for 2 weeks….but I have to come to work and deal with everyone here and with my cravings. I hope I’ll be fine this time around; a long journey is in front of me, I pray the Lord to give all the strengths I need to not give up this time.

How to stay motivated during a Water Fast?

When approaching Water Fasting most of us struggle on being disciplined and continue the fast till the planned time or the hunger signal. The most difficult part of a fast is going through the first 2/3 days, till the body enters into Ketosis. Those days are the toughest one usually - since hunger, detoxing symptoms and headaches are a common thing. Desire of food and general unwell being can be hard on anyone. I myself experienced these difficulties too and gave up many times!

So how do we stay motivated and keep on going? Although I don't have a magic formula for that – since most of it can be self-motivation; I believe that knowing exactly that we just need to reach Day #4 and feel better, great - can be helpful in motivation. I suggest planning the first 3 days out of the house, busy with something; plan exactly what you are going to do in these days, set your mind to reach this goal no matter what. Once those days are gone you won't feel anymore hungry; temptations for food will always be there, we're humans at the end, but the chances to give up and indulge on eating will be definitely less.

How do I feel after 2^nd/3^rd day? I personally reach Ketosis around >48 hours into a fast, I can usually see some traces of Ketosis after this time, some people need more time, and apparently men take something like 72 hours to reach this stage. Once into Ketosis I feel always cold, energy is very good and the weight loss changes a bit, I can see reducing fat on my body. Maybe not in a single day but during extended fasts the excess fat tends to get down rather than muscles. I believe this is also another reason why I lose much more in the first days rather than when in Ketosis. Of course there is water retention, GI tract cleaning up but there's also muscle loss unfortunately. Muscles are heavier than fat and even a small muscle loss can show up on the scale more than losing unwanted fat. I would suggest being happy for the weight loss only once into Ketosis, that's the real deal!

Researches have shown that the Ketosis phase can also give a pseudo high sensation, and I believe it. Once few days into a Water Fast I usually feel way better with my mood and motivation. I suffer of anxiety and this is definitely improved after few days into a Water Fast. If you're struggling with anxiety and depression, definitely a prolonged Water Fast could give you some relief for that.

So don't give up in the first 2/3 days! I know it's hard like hell but the way you'll feel after will help you keep going with minimum effort. I personally don't have any problem between Day #4 and Day #21 really, but I noticed that if I set my mind with a Water Fast deadline, I cannot go longer than that. That's why I always suggest to Think BIG! Set for yourself an extended Water Fast, at the minimum 7 Days (if it's your first time), in this way there will be less chances for you to give up at Day #5 or #6 since you will be almost achieving your goal. May the force be with you!