I survived four days without food
After watching the Limitless series on Disney with Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (Thor), I realized I never fasted for four days as he did in one of the episodes, and I want to experience it. Is it as good as longevity expert Dr. Peter Attia claims to be? The other episodes were about breathwork, cold exposure, nature, and other things I already practiced. I sat in an ice bath for over an hour; my days are filled with exposure to natural light instead of artificial light. But four days without food? Well, let's see about that.
Disclaimer: do not try this at home without supervision.
Day One - 20:00 to 20:00
On January 2, 2025, at 20:00, I had my last dinner until January 6. Water was allowed. I figured, what better way to start 2025 than without food? Sunday is around the corner. Time flies. I did much harder things anyway; I climbed the highest mountain in Africa in shorts, competed in kickboxing, and met my parents-in-law a few times… So, a few days without food in the comfort of my house should be a piece of apple pie cake!
The first 24 hours were precisely that—easy. I didn't even know I was fasting unless I saw someone eating. I enjoyed my glasses of water here and there. Even the first night of sleep on an 'empty' stomach was surprisingly okay. Day one is done.
Day two - The next 24...
Physically, I felt a little tired and fuzzy this evening, but just a little. I opened the fridge a few times for no reason other than eating with my eyes. I was surprised how focused I could still work and had enough energy to do my workouts in the gym. But, here comes the but....that night of sleep...well, that was different. I was rollin’ around like Limp Bizkit. Next, I was sweating like a seal, and then I was cold as ice, shivering. I didn't know what the hell was going on.
My heartbeat was like a carnival in Rio, and I could not stop it. I never heard my heart beating that profoundly. I controlled what I could control, and that was my breathing. Instead of sleeping, I basically meditated for hours in bed and woke up at 04:30. Shittiest night ever. Day two in the pocket.
Day three - 72 hours
And you know what a bad night's sleep means? Exactly, a bad day ahead. Karma. At least a day when you're not at your most energetic. And it was also a day when I had to meet a friend by car. I decided to be smart and drive in the slow lane because my reaction time might be slower than usual. Don't worry; I arrived safe and sound and returned home the same way. All the time, I felt my belly more and more. Sometimes, minor cramps set in, so I decided to drink just a little more water and open the fridge many more times. That last one was a subconscious desire...
I couldn't exert the same amount of energy into my workouts, so I decreased the intensity by at least half and decreased the time. I noticed my mood changed, and I couldn't care less about most things. What an impact an empty stomach makes! Jeez. My heartbeat was still very much present, more than usual. I made sure to stay extra aware of any irregularities. I wasn't afraid to stop the fast if I felt I was doing something I really should not. The fridge? I opened it a few more dozen times and smelled the taste away. Day three is done.
The last 24
Yes, my heart was in Carnival mode. Yes, my neighbors could hear my stomach. Yes, I could eat a horse at this point. Yes, I was tired. Should I go on, or do you get the point? I talked myself into getting up because I was sluggish and not in the mood.
Do you know what they say about doing groceries on an empty stomach? Well, definitely don't do it after 80 hours of no food. I did, and I DO NOT RECOMMEND. Because:
you will go bankrupt
you will buy stuff you didn't know existed
your stomach is the master, and you are its servant
people will think you are buying food for a family dinner
Another thing is that your pee will smell strong enough to make every dog stop on its track and sprint toward you. I'm not even kidding. But not my pee, of course, not my pee.
Slowly but surely, the 20:00 o'clock clock came closer and closer, and it became easier and more manageable. My body knew it was getting precious nutrients in a matter of hours. The first thing I ate was a kiwi; my god, this kiwi was the King Kiwi. It was absolutely mouth-watering and delicious. I have never tasted something as tasty as that kiwi. It was a life-changing moment. Respect to the Kiwis.
Would I ever do something like this again? Maybe in a year or 10. I didn't feel any benefit other than being more aware of what and how I was eating and how much energy the sun provided. It seems that the more indoors you are, the more you require food. It's been a fun experiment. Now it's time for some Kiwis.
***UPDATE: TWO DAYS AFTER FASTING
To my surprise, I got one of the biggest energy boosts of my life! I mean, suddenly, I was oozing energy. If I had a desk job, I probably would have thrown the computer out of the window, Hulk-smashed the desk, and run a marathon. I literally felt the energy rushing through my veins. So, in contrary to what I stated above…I will try fasting again….much much sooner that 10 years…I need to know if it really was the fasting or what else caused this rush. To be continued.
