I just finished a 86-hour fast, and I feel like a completely new man.

What started as a physical challenge turned into something much bigger — a full reset for my body and mind.

The hunger I feared faded quicker than I expected, replaced by a deep sense of clarity, lightness, and control.

By the end, I wasn’t just surviving without food — I was thriving.

And here’s the best part: this isn’t something reserved for a few. You can experience it too.

Will I feel like a new person after a 86 hour fast?

It’s common for people to feel significantly different after completing an 86-hour fast, but whether you’ll feel like a “new person” depends on various factors, including your overall health, mental state, and goals for the fast. 

Here’s a breakdown of how you might feel after a 86-hour fast:

1. Physical Feelings:

• Increased Energy: Many people report feeling an energy boost once they complete a fast, especially if they were experiencing fatigue or sluggishness before. The body’s shift to burning fat and producing ketones for fuel can lead to sustained energy levels, and some even report feeling a sense of clarity and vitality.

• Reduced Inflammation: If you had any chronic low-grade inflammation (e.g., joint pain, bloating, or skin issues), a fast can help reduce it. Fasting has been shown to lower markers of inflammation, so some people feel physically “lighter” or less uncomfortable after a fast.

• Improved Digestion: After giving your digestive system a break, some people find that they experience better digestion and reduced bloating when they reintroduce food. The gut often “feels better” after fasting, as the body has time to rest and repair.

2. Mental Clarity and Focus:

• Increased Mental Clarity: As your body shifts to ketosis and starts using ketones for energy, many people report enhanced focus and mental clarity. With a stable supply of ketones fueling the brain, you might feel more clear-headed, less foggy, and more productive. This is why fasting is often associated with an “aha” moment or a sense of having a sharper mind.

• Heightened Awareness and Mindfulness: The mental discipline required during a 72-hour fast can lead to a greater sense of mindfulness and awareness. You may feel more attuned to your body’s signals and more mindful of your emotional reactions to food, which can translate into a stronger sense of self-control and emotional resilience.

3. Emotional and Psychological Changes:

• Sense of Accomplishment: Completing a challenging fast like this often brings a significant psychological boost. Many people feel proud of themselves for sticking to it, and this sense of accomplishment can carry over into other areas of life, increasing self-confidence and resilience.

• Break from Food Addiction: If you were struggling with cravings, overeating, or an emotional attachment to food, an 86-hour fast can act as a reset. After fasting, you might feel a greater sense of freedom from food and a more balanced relationship with eating. Many people describe this as feeling “new” because they no longer feel controlled by food cravings.

• Emotional Clarity: Fasting is often described as a way to clear out emotional clutter. Without the distractions of regular eating and indulgence, your mind might feel more calm and less cluttered. It can sometimes lead to emotional breakthroughs, as it provides an opportunity for introspection and a mental reset.

4. Hormonal and Metabolic Changes:

• Improved Insulin Sensitivity: After a prolonged fast, your body becomes more sensitive to insulin, which is beneficial for overall metabolic health. This could lead to more stable blood sugar levels and potentially a better ability to manage food intake without spikes or crashes in energy.

• Elevated Human Growth Hormone (HGH): HGH levels tend to rise during fasting, which is beneficial for muscle repair, fat loss, and overall vitality. While you might not “feel” HGH working, its long-term effects could be a sense of overall health improvement.

5. Potential Drawbacks or Adjustments:

• Initial Fatigue: Although many people feel energised post-fast, there can be a temporary period of fatigue or moodiness during the first day or two of reintroducing food. This is because your body is adjusting back to a regular eating pattern.

• Digestive Sensitivity: After fasting, you’ll need to carefully reintroduce food to avoid digestive discomfort. It might take a little while to fully adjust to solid food again, especially if you try to eat too much or too quickly.

So, Will You Feel Like a New Person?

In short, yes, but it depends on your starting point and your perspective. 

Some people describe feeling like a “new person” due to the mental and physical clarity, increased energy, and emotional reset that comes with completing an 86-hour fast.

You might experience a heightened sense of focus, improved mood, and feel lighter and more energised, both physically and mentally.

However, it’s also important to note that the experience can vary based on individual factors such as your health condition, mindset, and how well you prepared for the fast. 

Some people might feel a dramatic shift, while others might feel more subtle improvements. An 86-hour fast can certainly lead to a reset in many areas of your life, especially if you use it as an opportunity for personal reflection and growth.

Ultimately, you may not feel like a “totally new person,” but you could certainly experience positive changes that make you feel more balanced, healthier, and in tune with your body.

Respect the fast. Respect yourself.

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