Hi. So I’m on day 5 of my first “extended” water fast. I was originally planning on doing 3 days, but decided to extend it for maximum benefits, especially since I learned the real stuff starts happening AFTER the first two days. Technically my 5 days / 120 hours would end at around 9 pm tonight because that’s the time I had my last meal on Tuesday and today is Sunday (I know I know, my last meal should have been at like 6 pm but, life). I obviously can’t eat that late for my first intro back to food. I plan to start with veggie broth btw. So, my question is should I break the fast tonight at 6 pm with the broth (that would mean about 4 hours shy of 5 days / 120 hours) OR should I just wait until tomorrow morning? My concern with breaking tonight is I don’t know how my GI tract will react and don’t want any runs to the bathroom throughout the night after the broth at 6 pm (just broth though… so maybe that’s a non-issue). Also, maybe more importantly, what if those last 4 hours are important for the healing magic lol. On the other hand, waiting until tomorrow kind of sucks too because well, that’s more time on just water (although it is a lot easier than I thought it would be) and also my ND doesn’t even know I extended it past 3 days yet (she’s been gone for the holiday). I’m torn and probably over thinking. But… thoughts?? Thanks!
When should I start re-feeding
I know you posted this yesterday and have already made this decision. But for me (I assume everyone’s a little different), it took a day at least after breaking a 42-hr fast before things moved through my gut enough to need the bathroom (other than for urinating, of course). I would have thought you’d be fine breaking it last night. What did you end up doing and how did it go?
+1 - sorry I didn’t see this earlier. Me, I’d start my refeed about 3 hours before the meal if possible. Have a bowl of broth with some butter added about 3 hours before my main meal. Give it an hour or so, then have a nice big salad (just greens, a couple slices of onion, maybe some nuts, with a healthy vinaigrette dressing).
I’m also a fan of ACV water before each “meal” / step - that additional acid will only help your body get back into feeding mode.
Then, an hour and a half after the salad, I have my meal. Usually includes a vegetable - especially after an EF.
I was pretty surprised after the 6 day I did earlier in the month just how quickly I filled up - so don’t force yourself to eat more than being full - you want to ease back into it. If that means you only have a scant amount of calories that day, so be it. You could always have the other part of your meal a few hours later if you feel you need it.
Thanks for your replies! I did end up waiting. If anything didn’t want the broth to make me more hungry then be up all night with that. I just broke the fast at 11 am with two mugs of veggie broth. In about three hours I’ll have some soup. Then see about something solid from there.
+1 for belated - I find my GI gets active right away - and vigorously too 
I break with 3-4 TBSP of psyllium husk with water. 30 mins. a little liver wurst, or other meat. 30 mins - a gasric delight meal - anything!
I am lucky that now, having worked my fasting muscle a lot (50 of the last 150 days), I only need a routine for fasts longer than 3 days. upto 3 days, I can just re-feed as if nothing happened, and nothing bizarre happens.
Hah wow that’s impressive. I’m definitely not there yet I don’t think. And you don’t notice that affecting your results in anyway to go that hard? I guess if your GI tract says it’s okay…
I have always had an iron constitution. I guess you have to go from 150 to 300lbs.
It’s serving me well now. After a 3 day, I break with pork rinds, liverwurst, chicken wings, sausage, any meat, etc. in generous quantities. Like 25 buffalo wings deep fried in lard with Anchor Bar Suicidal sauce - no issues!!
Lucky me!