Day 1

Having gone through a Day 1 before, frequently in fact due to 5:2 fasting, today was no great suprise or hardship, I don't want to belittle the efforts of anyone who has or will struggle with the first couple of days of a fast in saying that, because it can be hard and it can be worrying if you are not used to the way both your body and your spirit are going to be affected.

I didn't really suffer any hunger issues, the occaisional stomach growl and of course the desire to eat something because eating is or has been one of my "relieve boredom" vices.

I've been feeling a bit battered from Saturday nights boxing match, stiff neck today more than anything and a low level headache has kicked in that is probably a result of caffeine withdrawal rather than anything else, also a bit tired today but I think that is general lack of decent sleep the last few days rather than the fast. My sugar levels will be normalising but that shouldn't create any real fatigue yet. 

I don't really get time for lunch at work, so most days it is taken at my desk, so today I broke the day by finding a quiet spot to do a couple of rounds of pranayama breathing and sun salutations, it takes me away from the norm and takes my mind off of the fact that everyone else is eating around me.

From a hydration point of view I have drunk about 3 to 3.5 litres of water, that probably sounds a lot, but continual small sips through the day is the key, a mixture of still (tap) water and sparkling spring water tjust to add some excitement and to savour the bubbles bursting on my tongue. the downside of lots of water intake is of course more frequent visits to the bathroom, but staying hydrated and the full feeling that water can give you are vital tools in the fasting amoury.

One of the things that I notice particularly when I fast and I guess as my metabolism slows down, is the cold, particularly in my hands and fingers, which is also where I suffer arthritis the most. After a beautiful sunny weekend here in Guernsey today was misty and grey and the temperature to me seemed much lower, more layers tomorrow and I will hope that as the fast progresses so does the advent of spring proper!

measures today are just weight, resting blood pressure and pulse:

195.4lbs

114 over 77

65 bpm

all were taken at 6pm, so about 22 hours since my last meal and after a hot bath.

Now I'm going to make a first attempt at a video log that I will post up on youtube and link to here, although fair warning if it is insufferably cringeworthy it will never see the light of day!