This is not a guide, a recommendation, or medical advice. It’s a personal record.
I’m about to begin a five-day fast, and rather than explaining what fasting is or why others might do it, I want to document what I observe — physically, mentally, and emotionally — as I move through the process.
Why I’m documenting this
Over the years, I’ve noticed that conversations around fasting tend to fall into two extremes — hype or fear. What’s often missing is a calm, first-person account that simply records what happens, without trying to convince anyone of anything.
This journal is my attempt to do that. I’ll be updating it daily throughout the fast, noting changes in energy, clarity, recovery, mood, and anything else that feels relevant.
Baseline (before starting)
Before starting the fast, I’m noting a few baseline markers — not to optimise or track obsessively, but simply to have a reference point. These include general energy levels, sleep quality, mental clarity, training recovery, and mood.
I’m intentionally keeping this informal. The goal isn’t precision — it’s awareness.
Day 0 — Before Starting the Fast
Day 0 — Before Starting the Fast
- Sleep last night: In the green on WHOOP
- Energy level: Normal / steady
- Hunger / appetite: Mild, but largely anticipatory — body “testing” the idea of fasting rather than true hunger
- Mental clarity: Good
- Training or movement: None
- Mood: Good
- Anything notable or unexpected: As soon as the fast officially began, the body started sending hunger signals — more psychological than physical
Day 1
Day 1 — Observations During a 5-Day Fast
Time of writing: Evening, Day 1
Last food: Yesterday, ~7:30pm
I’m documenting this fast in real time — not to optimise it, sell it, or turn it into advice — but simply to observe what actually happens in my body and mind when food is removed and recovery, hydration, and environment are prioritised.
How the fast started
My last intake last night around 7:30pm was a glass of wine and some cheese.
Not exactly ceremonial — but honest. And intentionally unremarkable.
This morning marked the true start.
Morning (Day 1)
7:00am
Started the day with a pint of water + Celtic sea salt. No food. No supplements beyond electrolytes.
9:00am – Gym (no training)
Today wasn’t about effort. It was about signalling safety to the nervous system.
Here’s exactly what I did:
- 🔥 10 minutes sauna
- ❄️ 3 minutes cold plunge
- 💨 20 minutes steam
- ❄️ 2 minutes cold plunge
- 🔥 10 minutes sauna
- ❄️ 2 minutes cold plunge
- 🔥 15 minutes sauna
No weights. No cardio. Just heat, cold, breath, and stillness.
I brought a 2-litre jug of water with me and added 1 sachet of Perform Electrolytes, which I finished during the session.
Midday check-in
By 12:38pm, I added a second sachet of Perform Electrolytes.
- Energy: steady
- Hunger: noticeable, but calm
- Mental clarity: sharp
- Mood: neutral → positive
No crashes. No agitation. No “white-knuckling” yet.
Afternoon
By 4:20pm, I’d finished my fourth coffee of the day.
Worth noting:
- Coffee hasn’t increased hunger
- No jitters
- Focus remains clean and stable
At this stage, the fast feels more psychological than physical. Hunger comes in waves, but it doesn’t demand action — it simply passes.
End-of-Day Reflections (Day 1)
What stands out most on Day 1 isn’t deprivation — it’s simplicity.
- Removing food removes decisions
- Recovery work seems to blunt stress signals
- Electrolytes make a noticeable difference
- Hunger doesn’t equal danger (despite how it can feel)
So far, this feels less like “endurance” and more like listening.
Tomorrow will likely be different.
Day 2 usually is.
I’ll continue documenting what changes — energy, sleep, appetite, clarity, and recovery — without forcing conclusions too early.
Following along
If you’re following this experiment and want future observations sent directly to you, you can join the email list below.
(Video from earlier today is included above for real-time context.)
For context, I’ve also documented the supplements I’m choosing to use during this fast — including creatine — here.
Day 2
Energy:
Sleep:
Hunger / appetite:
Mental clarity:
Mood:
Movement / training:
Anything notable:
Sunday, Jan 12 – End of Day
Notes to be added at the end of the day.
Day 3
Energy:
Sleep:
Hunger / appetite:
Mental clarity:
Mood:
Movement / training:
Anything notable:
Monday, Jan 13 – End of Day
Notes to be added at the end of the day.
Day 4
Energy:
Sleep:
Hunger / appetite:
Mental clarity:
Mood:
Movement / training:
Anything notable:
Tuesday, Jan 14 – End of Day
Notes to be added at the end of the day.
Day 5
Energy:
Sleep:
Hunger / appetite:
Mental clarity:
Mood:
Movement / training:
Anything notable:
Wednesday, Jan 15 – End of Day
Notes to be added at the end of the day.
Day 6 — Reflections After the Fast
This section will capture reflections after completing the full five-day fast — including what changed, what surprised me, what I’d repeat, and what I’d do differently next time.
If you’re following this experiment and want future observations like this sent directly to you, you can join the email list below.