FINAL BLOG: Re-Feeding Day 4: 3:30 PM Pacific Time

I have had another fantastic day today, good food, high energy level. I walked about 4 miles today at a brisk pace and feel very good. I am now eating grains and gaining weight quickly. I gained another pound and I expect that in another 10 days I will be back to my ideal weight. Today cooked grains are allowed and tomorrow will be the last addition of beans. Then the next few days I simply continue to build my strength. So this will be my last blog since I am feeling great and functioning well.

Looking Back….

I am so pleased that I decided to fast. One of my friends asked me…Mitch, what is your outcome measure? How do you know anything positive happened? This is, of course, an important question. Of the many people who have shared my experiences here over the past two weeks, I believe almost all entered the facility with a medical condition(s) that they were trying to improve through the fasting process. These folks had very obvious outcome measures. Although I would not say they are “lucky”, I think it made it easier for them to fast. For example, these are some of the problems that my co-fasters talked about over the past two weeks, along with a potential corresponding outcome measure.

Condition/Symptom	Outcome Measure
High blood pressure	Lowered blood pressure
Abnormal blood chemistry	Improved blood chemistry results
Joint pain	Reduction of joint pain
Chest pain	Reduction of chest pain
Digestive disorders	Reduction of digestive symptoms
Skin disorders	Elimination of skin condition
Use of multiple medications	Medication no longer required
Obesity	Significant weight loss

Since I entered the facility with no obvious health problems, I did not have an easily identifiable outcome measure. My goal was simply to move to a higher level of health. I suspect that I may have had sub-clinical cardiovascular disease as do many men my age. I will never truly be able to determine if I accomplished my objective of eliminating this potential problem. However, it is clear from all that I have read and learned here at True North that it is likely that I did achieve this goal.

Looking Forward….

More importantly, however, is what happens next. The fast is simply part of the process of adopting a more healthy lifestyle. I thought I was eating well before coming here, but based on the education I have received at True North I now understand that I have a few more changes that I must make to achieve a healthy lifestyle. I will now discontinue the use of all oil in cooking as well as salt. With these two changes I will meet the recommended eating approach. There goes my favorite “snack: – popcorn. I will now have to use the no salt, no oil version.

I want to finish by praising Dr. Alan Goldhamer and the True North Health Center. It is a very well run facility providing an important service at a reasonable cost. The physical location is outstanding with very nice accommodations, beautiful courtyard for resting outdoors, wireless Internet, quiet and solitude and a beautiful neighborhood for walks. The staff has been wonderful, readily available for all questions and problems. The doctors are very supportive and their lectures were both educational and inspiring. They made me feel very comfortable and secure going through this challenging process. The education and message was presented well in the daily lectures. In addition, there were always many other people fasting and these people became a support group.

What brought you here?

How did you find out about True North Health Center?

Have you been eating this way long?

What are your trying to achieve….

These were the topics discussed over and over again in groups of fasters. Once the fast ended I quickly learned that the Chef here is marvelous and when the re-feeding stage began the food was also great and plentiful.

Of course, I also want to thank my wife for her many years of support. The fact that the two of us share a belief in this way of life makes all the difference in the world. Without a supportive spouse/family success would be more difficult to achieve. My children, as well, have been very supportive and two of the three live a vegan lifestyle.

Finally, thanks to everyone who was concerned and I hope this blog helped you understand what I was experiencing.

Re-Feeding Day 3: 2 PM Pacific Time

In just two days I have already regained about 4 pounds, leaving a net loss of 15 pounds. And this is with one day of only juice and the second only fresh fruit and salad. Today I am allowed to add steamed vegetables and soup to my diet so things are looking up. Remember that disturbing odor that plagued me for about a week? It was eliminated after the first day of juice. My voice is rapidly returning to normal and I expect it to be totally improved today.

Breakfast

Started with a large plate of salad with a wonderful raspberry based dressing followed by a large bowl of fresh fruit. Tomorrow I get to add oatmeal.

Lunch

This was the meal I have been waiting for – finally cooked food. After a large salad with avocado/corn dressing, I had a great plate of steamed vegetables and a cup of soup. Very satisfying and I am essentially back to feeling 100%.

Thus, tomorrow will be my last day blogging as this adventure has just about ended.

Re-Feeding Day 2: Pacific Time 3 PM

Another terrific day and I gained my first pound back!

I wanted to wait until I completed two meals on solid food to see how I would feel.

Breakfast

They had some nice looking oatmeal, but I cannot eat grains until the 4th day. So I had a large dish of fresh fruit; cantaloupe, pineapple, raspberries, strawberries and blueberries. Filled me up pretty quickly. But I wanted more and waited about 30 minutes and then I had a large plate of salad with a dressing containing no oil or salt. It was delicious with lots of fresh tomatoes and interesting sprouts. I took a couple pf fresh fruits to snack on between breakfast and lunch.

Lunch

For lunch, I was again restricted to fruit and uncooked vegetables and the buffet had some great looking grains and vegetables, but I had two large bowls of salad again with a different, tahini-based dressing. It will be much of the same tonight. But I can’t wait for tomorrow when I can have cooked vegetables and soup.

I felt so good this afternoon that I took a 3 mile walk around the neighborhood and felt pretty good.

Re-Feeding Day 1: 10:00PM Pacific Time

Wow! What a wonderful day.

They brought me a 12 oz glass of watermelon/celery juice at 8 AM. I just stared at it for a few minutes, wondering if I were dreaming. I was almost fearful of taking that first sip. Finally, I put the straw to my mouth took a sip and it was without doubt something I will remember for the rest of my life. The combination of watermelon and celery was so perfect and the flavor just made my taste buds tingle. The feeling of the fluid moving down my esophagus and entering my stomach was exhilarating. It may seem as if I am overstating my experience, but anyone who has not experienced this cannot imagine the wonder of that moment. After all, watermelon/celery juice may not even sound appealing.

I took it very slowly and the drink lasted about 45 minutes, that was followed by apple/celery juice and 12 PM and watermelon/assorted greens at 3 PM and another drink at 5 PM that I cannot quite describe. All the drinks tasted SO sweet and delicious and I feel very much better tonight. Some of my fellow fasters have told me that the juices made them nauseous. Fortunately I did not experience that problem. Lots of energy again and the fact that I accomplished by goals of completing this fast and have begun the re-feeding process is so satisfying.

My son Eli made an interesting comment:

Other than when you are a newborn, this is is the only time in your life where you will actually be tasting food again for the first time.

Then my sister, Jane commented:

Maybe, if you are as Eli says, like a newborn, you actually should be starting with Mother’s Milk!?

I am so glad Jane does not make the daily menu selections here at True North Health!

Tomorrow is another exciting day in the re-feeding process – solid food. I will be able to eat as much fresh salad and fruit as I desire. Can’t wait to bite into something and chew again. Because I will be eating solid food I will be able for the first time to take walks off the premises and explore the neighborhood.

Looking forward to another new experience tomorrow.

Fast Day 10 – 9:00AM Pacific Time

The final day has finally arrived, only 13 more hours before I go to sleep and awake to a large glass of fruit juice.

Today feels like:

• The day before my wedding day
• The day before my wife’s due date
• The day before the 7th day of the World Series (Yankees win, of course)
• The day before last year’s Super Bowl (Giants beat the Patriots)
• The day before the letter of acceptance to the college of my choice is to arrive
• The day before national board licensing scores are to arrive

There may be many other examples that I could add, but you get the idea. I am thrilled to have reached this day. I achieved my objectives, I feel great, and I believe that I have achieved long-term health benefits.

I only lost 1/2 pound in the last 24 hours, blood pressure remain fine at 100/78. I continue to have no hunger and the nausea that plagued me until Day 8 also has disappeared. I still have laryngitis and this strange odor, but these symptoms/signs should pass quickly as I start eating.

Here is the re-feeding schedule that begins tomorrow:

• Day 1: Juice only every few hours
• Day 2: Raw fruits and salad
• Day 3: Add steamed vegetables
• Day 4: Add grains, beans, and nuts

Looking forward to another cooking class today and my fruit/vegetable drinks tomorrow.

I will not be blogging tomorrow, but will be back on Sunday.

Fast Day 9: 10:00 AM Pacific Time

Overall, I am feeling better as the fast progresses. I still have reasonable energy and it is hard to believe one could feel like this after not eating anything for 9 days. Of course, it could be that I can see the end in sight and that is helping me over the last 2 days.

Of course, this is not to suggest that this has been easy. I continue to experience a variety of annoying symptoms. I finally experienced a symptom commonly associated with water-fasting, fasting insomnia. I had a hard tIme falling asleep last night and I never felt as though I was sound asleep. So no dreams to report today.

The doctor on rounds this morning was surprised it was the first time it happened to me. I forget to write that about day 5 I began to lose my voice and it has worsened each day. Today it is as if a have a severe case of laryngitis. I was told that is too, is a common symptom of water-fasting. I still have this obnoxious odor emanating from my body 24 hours a day. I can’t stand being near myself.

Lost another 1.5 pounds and I am now down about 18.5 pounds since the beginning of the fast, blood pressure and pulse were both great.

Looking forward to this afternoon’s presentation. I am going to a cooking demonstration on the 9th day of my fast. If you didn’t already think I am nuts, you are probably convinced at this point.

TWO MORE DAYS TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Fast Day 8: 11:15 AM Pacific Time

Off to a very late start today. I overslept by an hour and the doctor on rounds had to wake me. I cherish the night time. I sleep well, feel good and I don’t have to try and force myself to drink water.

I am feeling surprisingly well with a decent energy level. Who would believe that you could feel this way not having eaten anything for 8 days? My lower back aches is gone for now and my only remaining problem is trying to drink adequately in the face of my almost constant nausea. If I had no nausea this would be a breeze. My body is now excreting this unpleasant odor through my skin. At first I thought I was smelling food from the kitchen here at True North. But the smell never changed. When I realized it was me I took a shower of course, but that did not help at all. It just comes oozing out of my skin all day long. It is VERY annoyng, but I am told it is an excellent sign that my body is getting the job done.

I lost more weight and I am now down a stunning 17 pounds. With 3 more days (counting today) left I expect I will top the 20 pound level. I will try and get someone to take a picture of me at my lowest weight. It will not be a pretty sight. My cheeks are sunken and I have lost weight over my entire body. I am on my last hole on my pants belt and even my wrists have become smaller and I have had to adjust the hole I use on my watch.

My blood test came back and everything looks outstanding. I think this would surprise people too. No food for 8 days and an absolutely normal blood test.

In any case, no need to worry about me, all is going well. I am feeling well enough and I am very happy I followed my instinct to proceed with this challenge. I am scheduled to begin eating again on Saturday – wow, I can’t wait.

I had another dream last night and it was not pleasant. I much preferred dreaming about soft Philly pretzels. In my latest dream I bought a car and when I picked it up it was BRIGHT RED. I told the dealer this was a mistake but he showed me the order form and there it was – RED. So I was stuck with this car for 3 years. I can’t stand bright red cars. I wonder what the dream means?

That is it for today, the worse part of the day is ahead of me. The glass of water I have to drink looks as tall as the Empire Sate building, and they say I have to drink the whole thing.

Fast Day 7: 9:30 AM Pacific Time

The afternoon yesterday was miserable again with constant nausea and bad back pain. I also vomited once in the evening. But I woke up this morning pain free with no nausea and a wonderful energy level. I am hoping it stays with me all day. The pattern has become clear, however. Feeling good in the morning, worsening by the afternoon and worst in the evening followed by blissful sleep and improvement in the morning.

I lost another 2 pounds and I am now down a bit more than 15 pounds in 6 days!  That is more than I expected.  I am starting to look scary, but the good news is that I will gain some weight back during the re-feeding process. The doctors and I decided yesterday that 10 days of fasting would be sufficient for me because I did not come in sick or overweight. Talk about hearing good news! I now can see the finish line only 3 more days and the re-feeding stage begins.

Last night I had my first dream about food. I was eating Philly soft pretzels with mustard. I must really be a Philadelphian now!

They drew blood again yesterday and I will get the results back this evening. It is another way they carefully monitor your status here.

The lectures (twice a day) are both educational and motivating and additionally fill part of the day. I look forward to them each day. Yesterday was a particularly wonderful and inspiring presentation.

Can’t wait for Saturday!

Fast Day 6: Pacific Time 12:00 Noon

Sorry for the late blog today, but I am losing energy and will only be able to do this once a day from now on.

Physiology

The physiology remains the same everyday now until I end the fast, so I will discontinue this section for now. The body remains in the state of ketosis from the 3rd day on and detoxification occurs with the body breaking down fat cells and other non-essential tissues.

Personal

I has quite a difficult day yesterday with bad nausea and lower back pain. On a scale of 1-10 the lower back pain is about a 7. It makes it difficult to find any comfortable position. The worst part of it is it interferes with sleeping which is now my favorite activity of the day or night. I have a massage scheduled for 1 PM today and I am hoping that reduces some of the pain. Apparently this is a known complication of the fasting process, nothing unusual. So is the nausea. I am just lucky enough to experience both of these annoying symptoms.

I have now lost 13 pounds and I am starting to look a bit scary. Goodbye love handles! My cheeks are kind of sunken. Today, until noon at least I am doing OK, but my problems have been occurring in the afternoon and evening.

I am looking forward to the 2:30 PM lecture today and then at 5 PM and will watch the Yankee/Texas game. Lots of time to kill everyday when you do not have to shop, cook and eat.

One of my friends commented that I only blog about my physical issues and asked – What about your emotional/mental state?

I guess that is a good question. Like many men, however, I may not be that “in touch” with my feelings, but I will try to express how I feel.

I suppose anyone going through this experience at times questions himself. Should I really be doing this? Personally, these thoughts do pass through my mind on occasion. It actually would have been easier to do this if I were diabetic, or had hypertension, or cardiovascular disease, or if I were 50 pounds overweight like the vast majority of my fellow fasters. They have true outcome measures they are trying to achieve. In my case I am just try to achieve better health which is not measurable. Thus, I have occasional doubts. I have been able to slow down for the first time in many, many years. I thought I would be working on professional things, but I have given up on that for now and just trying to relax. I miss my wife, Maxine very much and my children and friends at work and in my community and feel a bit lonesome here all by myself. Although everyone is very nice here, they are still strangers. In the end, however, when I work through the doubts and loneliness I feel proud of myself for undertaking this very challenging task and I feel that it will have positive effects on the rest of my life.

Until tomorrow…

Fast Day 5: Pacific Time 9:15 AM

Physiology

I am now well within the period of ketosis (day 3 and beyond). Not much to add on ketosis so I thought I would include the summary statement from a book entitled ” The Pleasure Trap” written by Douglas Lisle and Alan Goldhammer, two of the doctors here at True North Health.

“the vast majority of health problems are the result of dietary excess, for which the most sensible treatment is the removal of such excess. Further support is suggested by the investigations of Drs. Ornish, Esselstyn, McDougall, and their colleagues who have convincingly demonstrated the efficacy of removing dietary excess as a path to recovery.

Water-only fasting takes this sound logic to its ultimate conclusion: The removal of all substances, with the exception of pure water in an environment of complete rest provides the optimum gene-environment relationship for restoring health, particularly for problems caused by dietary excess. In a world that contains multitudes of space age drugs and surgical capabilities, it appears that this ancient and simple procedure is likely to be the single mist powerful healing tool of all.”

Personal

It seems that the evening (6 PM to 10 PM) is the hardest for me. It becomes difficult for me to drink water because I feel a bit nauseous and experience some heartburn. My tongue also feels sticky and uncomfortable. In the morning I feel much better and I am able to easily drink. I am starting to try and drink much more in the beginning of the day when it is easier for me. I look forward to 10 PM when I go to sleep. I had another very restful nights sleep and didn’t get up until almost 7 AM.

I lost quite a lot of weight already – I am down more than 12 pounds. My blood pressure this morning continued to go down and is now at 92/60. My lower back hurts a bit and I am thinking about setting up a massage today or tomorrow to deal with it.

I have a lecture scheduled at 10 AM and 2:30 PM today and look forward to attending.