Hello friends, Nina here.
You may have read the title and thought, “Have they officially lost their minds? First worms, now water fasting? What’s next?”
Well, stick around until the end of this email, and with any luck you’ll want to raise a glass of clear, filtered, vortexed, electrolyte-infused water in anticipation of your water-fast adventure!
As you know, Christian and I have been talking a lot about detox lately. From our 8-week Accelerated Detox program to the completion of Christian's seven-part series, Why We Don’t Heal Like We Used To, we’ve emphasized how removing toxicity from our bodies is foundational for better health.
But do we need to go to the extreme of drinking only water for 10 days to see a transformation in our health?
The answer is...maybe.
If you've read Christian's emails for long enough, you've heard us say, "You're not sick, you're toxic." If you're serious about unburdening your body from its toxic load, I strongly recommend you consider an extended water fast.
So, what can fasting on just water do for the body?
Turns out, quite a bit. Fasting has been shown to:
Lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation
Increase white blood cell production, which boosts immune system function
Improve mental clarity (since ketones are a clean energy source for the brain)
Lower glucose and insulin levels, and re-sensitize the body's hormonal system
Promote cellular regeneration (autophagy), where old, dead cells are disposed of
Rest and heal the digestive system, allowing the gut lining and microbiome to rebalance
Boost Human Growth Hormone (important for fat metabolism, muscle preservation, and anti-aging)
Reduce body fat, including visceral fat, as the body shifts from using glucose to ketones (stored fat) for energy
One book I read several years ago—and re-read during my fast—is The Complete Guide to Fasting by Dr. Jason Fung. He argues that fasting is not only great for the body but our bodies are wired to frequently take breaks from digestion and glucose storage.
NOTE: If you want a shorter explanation about fasting, check out my husband’s podcast episode: Fasting, Your Untapped Healing Superpower.
As I read, I confronted many of my misconceptions about fasting. Here’s what I once believed:
I'd lose muscle mass and undo months of effort at the gym.
Fasting is just disordered eating masquerading as a spiritual practice.
I would inevitably binge after my fast to "make up" for the deprivation.
Hunger pangs would be unbearable, and I wouldn't be able to endure it.
My energy would crash, I'd feel heavy, and I’d struggle to stay productive—especially as a homeschooling mom of six.
None of those things turned out to be true.
Hunger: The first 24-36 hours were the hardest as my body adjusted. Hunger came in waves, and when it did, I simply sipped herbal tea and let it pass. Staying busy with walks or tasks helped distract me. In my next post I’ll tell you about a hack I used to combat hunger.
Energy Levels: Though energy was initially low, it quickly returned to normal. Walking (especially in the sun) gave me an incredible boost in energy and mood, and helped me maintain productivity.
Muscle Mass & Endurance: My muscles didn’t feel weak or crampy, even though I expected them to. If you’re dehydrated or low on magnesium, cramping can occur, but it’s easily managed with electrolyte water (sea salt + lemon) or magnesium spray directly to the skin.
Weight Loss & Muscle Atrophy: I lost 10 pounds, with muscle mass dropping slightly (from 115 to 110), and visceral fat decreased from a 4 to a 3 on my scale. My metabolism only slightly dropped. Since finishing the fast, I've gained a few pounds but remain 4 pounds lighter, with lower body fat. I consider that a win!
Disordered Eating?: Fasting felt empowering rather than punishing. It wasn’t about depriving myself—it was an act of self-care. I noticed how often I’d wander into the kitchen, not because I was hungry, but because I was bored or wanted a distraction and that was curious to me. Fasting gave me space to fill the time I had devoted to eating with activities that nourished my heart in other ways. As a bonus, the joy of and pleasure that food provides was heightened after the fast.
Gratitude: Preparing meals for my family became an act of gratitude as I appreciated the abundance in my pantry. Fasting brought a balance—an awareness of how much we have, and the joy of looking forward to nourishing meals again.
Stick around for Part 2 of this email series where I’ll give you the breakdown of what I did and why I think it helped make it SO much easier than I anticipated.
Until next time,
Nina Elliot
PS. Would you like to have someone guide you through a fast? Would you appreciate going through a fast with other people? If so, check out our 8-week, Accelerated Detox program.
PPS. What to learn more about detox in general? Check out my husband's seven-part miniseries Why You Don't Heal Like You Used To--And the Foundational Solutions No One is Talking About
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