Well, I finished my 24 hour fast tonight. It was actually a fairly pleasant experience. Our planned dinner Sunday did not happen, so I started yesterday afternoon after a midafternoon snack. My glucose was 106 after the snack. I skipped dinner, no problems. Woke up today early, around 6:30 a.m. I actually had more energy than usual - I wonder if skipping dinner had anything to do with that. My glucose on waking was 92.
I had no problem skipping breakfast, but was a little bit hungry around 10 am. I just had some black coffee and 10 minutes later I had forgotten any hunger. At lunch, it was nice outside, so I walked to the corner store and bought a magazine, which I read during the time I would normally be eating. For some reason, I did not want to go near the cafeteria or food, so the short walk was good enough. I measured my glucose again and it was 95. I thought it would be lower, but so be it.
What is really interesting is that I had loads of energy all afternoon. Normally in meetings around 1 or 2 p.m., I sometimes get sleepy and find my eyelids closing. But not today, I was clear headed all afternoon.
I did start to get hungry around 4:15 or so. Probably because I knew I'd soon be home for dinner. At 5:30, when I got home, my glucose was a bit lower, 83. Dinner tonight was absolutely delicious. Started with some cheese snacks and wine. My wife knew my plan, so she made some delicious crabcakes, with a relish on the side and a tasty salad. It really filled me up, and I didn't even want dessert, which is not like me.
Actually, I'm a bit tired after eating. My glucose went up to 122, then has now come down to 101. But I feel a little bit stuffed and not as clear headed as when I was "on empty" this afternoon.
All in all an interesting experiment. Not sure what's next.
Jared.
P.S. Jbird, sounds like you had a good try at it too. I don't think of what you did as "cheating" -- you still cut back a lot and it was pretty close to a fast in spirit. After all, people still have coffee or dilute juices and call it a fast. I think the main thing is to experience what it is like to have the lightness from cutting way back on the load that food puts on you.