After 32 hours of fasting I feel pretty good; energy level is normal; able to concentrate on work and so forth; slept great the night before. I watched some TV and found the commercials on food very enticing; food that I normally wouldn’t give a second thought to looks so damn good! I’ve decided to flip the channel whenever a food ad appears. Other than that, my first day went by rather smoothly.

Have slept great the past two nights; however, when I awoke this morning I could feel a weakness throughout my body; a sign that my body is at work eliminating toxins. Getting out of bed was hard because of that weak feeling. Noticed that the usual phlegm built up around my throat is dissolving; haven’t had to clear my throat hardly at all. One of the things I love about fasting is how the body goes through its internal “house cleaning.”

Overall, I feel a bit weak and my mind feels somewhat sluggish; yet I’m able to concentrate on work. So far this has been the calm before the storm; based on past fasting experiences, those feelings of weakness and sluggish concentration will get much worse before they eventually pass. My biggest concern is overburdening my kidneys with too much toxins, which could result in having to prematurely end this fast

Tossed and turned all night; an aching back would just not let me sleep. Experienced a similar back pain during my last long fast, which was five years ago. Not sure why fasting is causes my back to act up, and it’s been acting up all day; stretching only seemed to make it worse. My guess is that it may have something to do with calcium depletion. Haven’t drank milk for almost 30 years and don’t take calcium supplements; however, I do eat cheese on occasion. For the most part, I’ve avoided dairy products. Use to take a supplement called dolomite, which is a natural mixture of calcium and magnesium; after my fast, I plan on going back to taking dolomite.

Feeling sluggish and lightheaded today, though not as bad as I would expect after 4 days of fasting. Concentration is slightly below normal; able to function at my work, but experiencing moments of procrastination and some difficulty deciding what needs to be done first. Find myself switching between tasks before completing any. Typing is not as fluid as normal - more deliberate. Did my usual deep-breathing but decided it would be best to sit down instead of being upright; don’t want to risk getting lightheaded and passing out.

Experiencing an unusual taste on my tongue, even after cleansing. Along with the kidneys and skin, the tongue is a source of toxin excretion when fasting. You might be surprised at the amount of toxins the body accumulates. Over time these toxins build, particularly in and around the joints only to cause stiffness and inflammation. Pre-mature aging along with a plethora of maladies have been attributed to toxin buildup.

One of the first things you notice when fasting is the elimination of mucous in your throat and sinuses. I enjoy rich foods, such as real butter, fried foods, dressings, et cetera – all of which contribute to mucous buildup; the same with potatoes and un-toasted bread. Anyway, I can feel my throat and sinuses clearing up nicely.

Getting out of bed was tough. Throughout most of the day I experienced that debilitating, light-headedness which is to be expected from a long fast. My concentration has been really affected and my thinking is sluggish. That funky taste coming from my tongue seems to be more noticeable.

My energy level in the evening is surprisingly high, given how low it was earlier in the day. My back is still bothering me and since I’m fasting medication is not an option; as long as it doesn’t get any worse I should be okay.

Ran a couple of errands today; man did I feel week and faint; that means the toxin flush is starting to takes its toll. Currently I’m drinking about half a gallon of distilled water per day; I may bump that up to help my kidneys during the increase toxin flush. Even with all the water I’ve been drinking, my throat has been dry all day.

I’m trying to avoid doing anything strenuous, since I don’t want to work the muscles; doing so would tear down tissue, which would then be metabolized. The idea is not to exert your muscles during a fast; therefore I’m trying to relax and just letting my body feed on the fat.

Feeling pretty darn good today; my spirit is high, energy level is good and so is my concentration. Still experiencing cotton mouth and my body odor is stronger than usual.

My sinuses are as clear as they have been for a long time and I have hardly had to clear my throat these past few days. My body has been giving off a lot of heat; not sure what to make of that. My only complaint thus far has been my lower back continuing to act up; what is weird is that it only acts up when I go to bed; still don’t know what to make of that.

Feeling extremely week and faint. Having second thoughts about going the distance; the next 32 days seem like an eternity. I have this craving for junk food and good beer; normally I don’t eat junk food, but there are times when a juicy, tasty hamburger with fries just hits the spot.

My six-pack is starting to reappear; I started losing it about 4 years ago. Speaking of which, a friend of mine sent me an email attachment which was one of those before and after pictures of movies stars. One of the celebrities pictured was Arnold Schwarzenegger; I couldn’t believe how the “Terminator” has let himself go; he’s the last person I would have expected to throw in the towel.

Felt pretty good this morning when I got out of bed. Throughout the day my energy level fluctuated, but it did not drop to the low level it did yesterday. I feel that I can go the distance, but that still remains to be seen.

Have been reading online articles on fasting to keep my motivation up. One article in particular caught my interest. It was written by a 35 year old man that stated that he had fasted 57 days. When I read that I didn't believe it. Upon further reading, this person went on to state that during his fast, he partook of juices and soup. Okay, that it explains the 57 days. Not to burst this person’s bubble, but fasting is abstaining from any source of nutrients; both solids and liquids. What this person engaged in was nothing more than a diet, not a fast. That’s not to say that nothing is gained from this method. In fact, if you feel unable to do a real fast, you can still reap some benefits from a juice “fast.”

Fasting beyond 40 days is dangerous if not lethal. At some point your body will consume all the fat and anything else that is not part of the body. After that, the body begins to consume itself; once the body consumes beyond 45% of its muscle mass, you have crossed a Rubicon. In other words, you're in deep ca ca.

Well it’s been 10 days now. The fast is moving along too slow for my liking; and there’s still 30 days to go. Besides cotton mouth, there’s a funkiness coming through the pores of my tongue, along with an indescribable taste – I think it might be the aftereffects of hydrogenated fat that have been stored in my cells for who knows how long. When I look in the mirror I see a light milky substance coating my tongue; I’ve tried brushing it out yet it remains.

Your tongue is a perfect indicator of your health; it’s a mirror that reflects what’s going on inside you. There is a branch of Holistic medicine that deals specifically with the tongue; disease and other maladies can be detected by an expert just by examining the tongue. When you’re healthy, and I mean really healthy, your tongue should be as clear and pink as that of a new born baby’s. To my knowledge I do not know of any modality that can detoxify the body to the extent that it restores the tongue to its rightful condition, other than through fasting.

The funk excreting from my tongue is beyond annoying; it’s hard to swallow and my mouth is dry; the chemical taste coming from my tongue is aggravating to say the least. You’re probably wondering, “is that normal?” It’s to be expected. Fasting is intended to eliminate the junk from your body - and it has to come out of your system some way.

For the most part, I eat healthy; vegetables, salads, fruit are a big part of my diet. As for meat, it’s mostly fish and chicken, but typically will have red meat once or twice a week. Have considered giving up animal flesh, and may revisit that after my fast. When you think about it, vegetarianism is the way to go; it is certainly a lot healthier. For example, have you ever known a vegetarian who was obese? Every vegetarian I have ever met was of normal weight, had a full head of hair and great skin tone. Another thing to consider is the number of accounts in the news concerning tainted meat; that alone is enough to give it up.

Not sure which is worse, fasting or keeping up with these daily updates. I feel week, faint and crave all kinds of food; I also long for a good, hearty beer, or two. Energy level seems to fluctuate every hour going from low to lower. Can't wait for this to be over with.

This day has been the hardest to endure thus far; spent most of the day off my feet because the slightest exertion was more than I could handle. This is the most difficult part of the fast and it is during this period when one’s commitment to follow through can be challenged; thinking of any excuse to end my fast has been the focus of my thought. My throat continues to remain parched, no matter how much water I drink; swallowing is difficult and annoying. But on the flip side, my sinuses are as clear as they have ever been, concentration is good and I can still function at my computer.

One of the biggest misconceptions that people have about getting old is that you have to look the part, that is, if you’re 40 you’re expected to look 40, if you’re 50 you’re expected to look 50, and so on. My question is why are people convinced of that? The fact that most people look their age doesn’t help my argument; nevertheless, physiologists believe that under the right conditions humans are capable of living beyond 600 years. Does that seem absurd? Well, when you consider cell regeneration and the fact that every two years you essentially have a “new” body, living 600 years doesn’t seem so far fetched. So you have to wonder, is advancement in years the same as “aging?” Could the two be independent of each other and influenced by different circumstances?

Have you notice how some people age well and then within a couple of years suddenly look so much older? How do you explain that? I believe there can be only one cause, the buildup of toxins in the body reach a point where the body can no longer coral their deleterious effect and consequently these toxins respond by making up for lost time - reeking havoc on the body.

There’s no getting around it, if you expect to enjoy optimum health in your advanced years, without looking your age, you are going to have to begin a fasting program. I recommend that you start with a one-day fast once a week, every week without fail. In addition, you should do a 5 to 10 day fast four times a year. You do this and you will transform yourself.

Well, I am beyond the 1/3 mark of my fast; it feels like I’ve been on this fast a lifetime. I’ve lost a considerable amount of weight, which my daily photos will bear out; can’t say exactly how much since I don’t own a weigh scale. Television seems to be the only activity I have sufficient energy for, which is a letdown since there is seldom anything worth watching. Why are there so many commercials on food? Could there be a connection between food ads and obsession with food? In light of the obesity epidemic sweeping this country, why haven't food commercials been banned just as cigarette ads were banned?

Woke up this morning with lots of energy, but as the day went on I grew weaker and weaker; spent most of the evening reclining on the couch, unable to do anything else. Looking in the mirror and noticing how much weight I’ve lost, doubt began to creep in and I wondered if I should continue with my fast. Nevertheless, one look at the mucus that still coats my tongue was enough to convince me to continue on.

There’s a condition known as I.B.S. (irritable bowel syndrome) that apparently affects millions. Essentially, it’s a condition where you have no control over your bowel. This condition keeps many from venturing outside their home, making them virtual prisoners since the fear of an attack while in public might prove to be embarrassing. The cause of this malady is uncertain; I would suspect either parasites or acidic build-up; also, certain food combinations can have a vehement laxative affect. In any case, a long fast will restore your intestinal system back to order.

Reached a new low, energy-wise. Unable to articulate the dynamics behind my condition, since this listlessness has gotten the better of me. Suffice to say that each movement requires energy that my body cannot seem to muster. I'm hesitant to stand up out of concern that I'll get lightheaded and fall down. Concentration has become difficult and even the most simple computations seem a challenge.

Have been experiencing a slight discomfort originating from my kidneys; this is of concern and I'll have to keep an "eye" on that. Funk and hyper-dryness continue to engulf my mouth; on the bright side, it seems as if the mucus on my tongue is starting to recede. This low energy level that I'm experiencing has hit bottom; I don't expect this condition to get any worse; although I may continue to experience this same low level.

Started the day with plenty of energy, but the evening turned out differently, as to be expected. It’s been 17 days and I have yet to have a bowel movement. The last meal before undertaking this fast was steak, eggs, potatoes and toast; wanted my last meal to be kind of a splurge. Anyway, I should be due for an evacuation, but no sign is in sight; a couple of times I have passed gas but I wrote them off as false alarms.

“Experts” say that one bowel movement per day is normal; nothing could be further from the truth; it's more like the average and certainly not normal. Paul C. Bragg, a mentor who I never got to meet, stated that “outtake should equal intake.” In other words, you should experience a bowel movement after every meal. Unfortunately, only a miniscule percentage can make that claim; even I can’t make that claim, though I typically have two a day. What’s scary is that whatever does not get eliminated gets stored in the intestines only to wallow in the recesses and putrefy. Several reliable sources have stated that the average person carries around five to ten pounds of putrefied waste. The long term consequences of this can be and is devastating. Disease, lethargy, accelerated aging, irritable bowel syndrome are but a few of the manifestations.

Despite the continued funk buildup in my mouth, the mucus on my tongue is clearing up. This is a good sign that toxins are being removed, which is to be expected during a long fast. Ten more days into the fast and my tongue should be perfectly pink, free of any mucous. Swallowing is getting easier and the cottonmouth is gradually going away.

Haven’t taken a shower in almost two days, yet my body odor is practically negligible. Could there be a connection between toxin buildup and body odor? Does detoxification eliminate body odor? Diet is believed to influence body odor, but whether toxins play a part remains to be proven. It’s worth noting that during the first fifteen days of my fast my body odor was pungent, but now that I’m into my eighteenth day the odor is practically non-existent. This is not exactly a scientific process, but it does provide some insight and a reason for further follow-up.

Spent the whole morning and most of the afternoon in bed; too weak to even contemplate getting up. Towards the latter part of the day I felt my energy level increase and was subsequently able to rise. My sleep intervals have been sporadic; it’s difficult to fall asleep, but once asleep I sleep soundly.

Experiencing slight stinging sensations in my brain; not sure what to make of that. Feel irritable and anxious for this fast to be over with; this will be the last time I do a 40-day fast; it’s just too difficult. However, I plan to do shorter fasts on a regular basis. By resolving to do a 4-day fast once a month, I should be able to rid my body of most of the toxins accumulated during the month.

Energy level today exceeded my expectation; concentration is good and overall feeling is positive. Today is a milestone of sorts for me since it marks the halfway point of my fast; that’s not to say that the next twenty days will be a cake walk.

It seems as if most of the toxins are finding their way through my tongue. Cotton mouth is still plaguing me and it’s trying my patience; although it may be abating. I’ve yet to have a bowel movement, and that’s been a concern; though there is plenty of time remaining to be preoccupied with that.

Cotton mouth continues to torment me; don’t understand why it’s taking so long to get past this hump; this should have cleared days ago. Slept for most of the day; too faint to be up and about. Concentration is good, but the energy to maintain it is not there; so I find myself watching TV. Watched a program titled, “Taste of Ireland”; didn’t know the Irish could prepare such great food. Did you know that the average Irish person eats 300 lbs. of potatoes a year? And they can prepare some pretty amazing dishes using potatoes.

Find it difficult to concentrate; consequently reading or working at my computer is too arduous given the energy level I have to work with. To top it off, a tinge of melancholy hangs over me. Swallowing is starting to get easier and the funk in my mouth seems to be receding along with the mucus buildup on my tongue. Experiencing infrequent light flashes from my right peripheral vision; have never experienced this before.

Woke up this morning with clogged sinuses and dry mouth; in addition, my tongue was coated with an extra layer of mucus. As the day drew, my sinuses cleared and so did the mucus on my tongue; yet, the dry mouth continues much to my chagrin. After 23 days of fasting, there are still a lot more toxins to eliminate.

Looking in my “medicine” cabinet, I was reminded how I don’t have any medications – not even aspirin. I am 53 years old and don’t take any medication whatsoever; I don’t need to. How many people my age can make that claim? Obviously, I must be doing something right. I’ve been health conscience for many years and have tried to live my life based on this consciousness. Over the years I have learned a number of things about achieving good health. But of all the things I’ve learned, there is one tenet that supersedes all others, “Stay close to nature.” Unfortunately, most people prefer the opposite, “better living through chemistry.”

Still have a ways to go, but if my fast were to end tomorrow I would still feel a sense of accomplishment. I have lost a lot of weight, which my daily photos do not really bear out, since the camera tends to make you appear 10 pounds heavier. While on the subject of losing weight, rapid weight loss will cause the skin to sag around the stomach, arms, neck and elsewhere. During my fast I have been using a product called "Shey Butter," which I sell online. This is an amazing product that rejuvenates and maintains the elasticity of the skin, which prevents the skin from developing a sagging appearance.

Cottonmouth continues to persist and last night was the worst it’s been; it just wouldn’t let me sleep; not sure how much longer I can endure this. I can handle the fluctuating low energy and debilitating faintness keeping me from carrying on a normal routine, but this funky dry mouth is driving me crazy. I had figured by now that most of the misery to be expected from this fast would diminish.

I’ve neglected to mention that my sleep has been affected for the past week or so. Restlessness prevents me from sleeping a normal schedule, so I’ve decided to retire to bed only when I can no longer stay awake. Consequently, my sleep pattern is unusually sporadic.

Getting tired of complaining of cottonmouth; but it does however continue to vex me. It’s sort of a relief knowing that I am two-thirds into my fast; curious to see how the last two weeks will unfold. Energy level continues to fluctuate from moment to moment; I continue to lose more weight. The distilled water that I’ve been drinking has had a sweet after taste as of late; I can only attribute that to whatever is being excreted from my tongue and influencing the taste of the water; it’s actually a welcomed change.

The first thing going into my stomach once my fast is over will be a tomato juice cocktail that will consist of: whole tomatoes, freshly juiced celery, cloves of crushed fresh garlic, and two tablespoons of salsa; all these ingredients will go into a blender and voilà.

Have started doing deep breathing exercises in the late evening while going for a walk. The cool night air is invigorating and the air quality is much better.

Thought that I was done with mucus buildup, but apparently a small amount remains; it drains into my nose and throat, particularly during sleep. More stretch marks appearing as I continue to lose weight. Felt too weak to go out for my evening constitution, but I went anyway; glad I did because it was invigorating; breathing in the fresh cold air raised my energy.

Just 11 and 1/2 days to go before returning to normalcy; have never been more anxious to finish a task. My body continues to eliminate toxins, and it (body) doesn't appear to be letting up. Had hoped that the allotted time would be sufficient for a thorough cleanse, but it's beginning to look as if 40 days won't be enough time to finish the job. I don't expect to ever fast this long again, so I'm hoping to get the most from it.

Growing up I lived on a poor diet. My mother insisted on frying just about everything. I hardly, if ever, eat my canned or frozen vegetables; and I had a craving for salty foods; in fact, I used to eat salt by itself. Needless to say, I was often sick. I turned my life around in my twenties by getting involved in nutrition and exercise. When I discovered the benefits of fasting, my whole perspective and experience on health took on a higher level.

People who are overweight or not as healthy as they would like to be are always looking for the easy way; they search in vain for that one diet or magic pill that will allow them to continue with their destructive lifestyle, yet bring their weight or health back to normal. Every year health fads and diets come and go, but before they fade into oblivion they take with them ten's of millions of dollars from the suckers who fall prey to those scams. What everyone needs to understand is that health, real health, is up to each individual; only you can make yourself healthy. And there is no getting around it...it takes EFFORT!

Feeling too innervated for my evening constitution, so I just did a few minutes of deep breathing. Tomorrow will mark another milestone - my 30th day of fasting; beginning to see the light at the end to the tunnel.

When I was in my mid twenties I fasting regularly; as a result, I went over ten years without so much as catching a sniffle. By my late thirties I was no longer fasting and consequently catching every "bug" that came around. I returned to fasting five years ago; however, it was a one time deal; I had decided to do a forty day fast, but managed to only do thirty days. I regretted not following through on that experience. Now, five years later, I'm attempting another forty-day fast; barring any unforeseen circumstances, I intend to finish. More importantly, I need to re-incorporate fasting into my regular routine.

Thirty days ago I had some reservations about whether I would actually get this far along in my fast. And although I still have about 10 days remaining, I feel a sense of accomplishment that only comes from doing something extraordinary. I hope that my experience will convince others that your physical well-being should never be placed under someone else's control. To be the master of your body is to master your life.

What do I mean by giving up control of your physical well-being? If you have been reading my daily updates you would have some idea of how I feel about taking charge of your health. Fasting is the only sure method of restoring your health and vitality; drugs and medicine are not the answer; they can only be of some use after-the-fact; that is, after you have contracted an illness. So why wait until your body reaches a diseased state, a state of inharmony, when you can prevent it by exercising control and taking charge of your physical well-being? Don't let pharmaceutical companies control your life!

Although I am still experiencing moments of faintness, there is a strength that grows inside; getting stronger by the moment. And though my body continues to eliminate toxins, which may temporarily disrupt this surge of strength, it will not deter it from reaching its full expression.

It feels as if I've hit a wall; energy level is low and I've grown weary from this fast; I want it to be over with, if for no other reason than to go back to my routine. I fear that the last nine days will drag on longer than the first 31 days did. Funky cotton mouth continues to torment me; dealing with the annoyance of not having had a bowel movement only makes the situation worse.

It's getting difficult to rouse the motivation to keep on; my only consolation is that I've come too far just to give up. Giving up can’t be an option; I feel that I have more at stake than I’m willing to admit or even fathom. I may never get another opportunity to reach this pinnacle again, with its potential grand prize just an arm’s reach away. The number forty, as it applies to fasting, is not an inconsequential number; it can’t be. When you consider the great men from the past that arrived at the same awareness to fast 40 days: Moses, Elijah, Jesus, Pythagoras, Zoroaster, just to name a few, one cannot help but wonder if there is some significance in that number. I do not know what to expect at the end of 40 days, other than a healthier body. Yet I sense that more than physical benefits await; perhaps a spiritual quickening, or epiphany; to quit now would haunt me the rest of my life.

Energy level was sufficient to get some tasks done, but late in the afternoon that level dropped leaving me no choice but to lie down. Later in the evening my energy picked up again and I was able to enjoy an invigorating walk, after which I returned to my computer and posted comments on a couple of social websites that I belong to, in addition to other things. I'm loath to keep harping over the same ongoing issue, but I can't help wondering why my tongue and mouth continue to vex me. By now my body should have removed the bulk of the toxins that have accumulated since my last long fast.

Kidneys where acting up again; nothing that a little massage couldn't restore back to normal. Nevertheless, my first thought was that they might be overworked. I did after all eliminate a ton of toxins today; I know this because I was too weak to do anything but lie on the couch practically all day. It's in the late evenings that I seem to have more energy; that's when I do my updates and take a photo of myself to post for that day; speaking of which...

Last two days have been insufferable; barely able to muster enough energy during the day to move from the couch to the toilet. Feel irritable, bored and anxious to put food in my mouth. When I examined my tongue this morning it was caked on with mucus; this I find perplexing, since I estimated two weeks ago that my body would be rid of this gunk long before now. Feel almost certain that 40 days will not be enough to eliminate all the toxins I've accumulated since the last long fast I undertook; this will be a disappointment should that turn out to be the case.

Too weak to provide an update, other than to mention that I'm experiencing a sharp pain in my right bicep; it feel like a tare; I can't explain its origin.

Today was more of the same as yesterday and the day before - and the day before that. If I had another 10 days to go I would quit my fast, but since there are only 3 1/2 days remaining I'll just suffer through it. I've been giving a lot of thought to food; in particular, how to streamline the way I prepare certain meals; I also want to add more variety to my diet and I plan on going back to including raw vegetables with every meal.

The light at the end of the tunnel appears brighter with each passing hour; less than 2 1/2 days left to go on my fast. My body continues to eliminate a great amount of toxins, which is evident by my energy flux; one minute I feel great, the next minute I want to recline on the couch. The dreaded cotton mouth that has haunted me for the past several weeks has abated somewhat; it's become tolerable.

When all is said and done, I hope that I'll be able to look back and count this experience as one having been worth the time and agony. There's a skepticism that hangs over me; an imminent doubt as to whether I'll experience that euphoria and enlightenment that I'm expecting after my fast is complete. I say this because my body continues to eliminate toxins; and as long as the body continues to eliminate toxins could this state of euphoria and enlightenment take place?

Less than two days to go and I'm as anxious as a bride the day before the wedding. I suspect that I will have trouble sleeping the next two nights; restlessness is the best I can hope for. It doesn't look as if I will have eliminated all the toxins in my body; consequently, disappointment looms over me, albeit a minor one. Forty days should have been more than enough to eliminate all the waste and toxic buildup, but apparently not. I could fast another couple of days or so, but I won't; I have fruits and vegetables that I bought days ago in preparation for ending my fast; these items have reached their peak, so I don't want them to go to waste; besides, they look so damn appetizing.

With less than one day to go you can't imagine the exhilaration finding its way through every cell of my body. My energy level, though not over-flowing, is high and continuous; though I regret to say that cotton mouth and mucus buildup persist, but to a miniscule degree. Nevertheless, this is a great moment for me and I'm taking full advantage by wallowing in its evanescence.

It's done; it's over with. Forty days have passed and during that time I managed to sustain myself on only water. Had doubts from the very beginning whether I would succeed in accomplishing this feat; I was beset by obsticles that I had not anticipated from the outset. I am releaved that's it finally over, but dissappointed that not all toxins were eliminated from my body. In fact, I estimate that it would have taken another 5 days of fasting to completely remove all toxins.

The task before me now is to put back the weight that I have lost and to do so with the least amount of impact on my body. Breaking a long fast is something not to be taken lightly; it takes patience. To think that you can eat whatever you please would not be in your body's best interest. So the next few days I will partake of only raw vegetables and fruit; after that I hope to add other food items, mostly nutritious foods, with an occasional junkfood fix.

It's my hope that I have provided some encouragement to those thinking of making serious, long-lasting changes towards developing the kind of body and health that you deserve; in my opinion, fasting is the only way to achieve optimum health - coupled with exercise and a healthy diet; it's certainly the only way to completely remove toxins from the body.