Day 1 Post Fast - Before and After Pictures

***If this is your first visit to the blog, go the post titled Introduction. Then follow the links on the right side bar and work backwards.***


I thought it might be a good idea to post some before and after pictures.  While this fast was spiritual in nature, I did receive some healing and weight loss benefits from it and wanted to share the results.

This was me before, about 3 weeks before the fast started.

This is me this morning, on the day after the fast.

Starting weight 249.0
Ending weight 205.0

Day 1 Post Fast - Some Thoughts and Breaking the Fast

Today's weight was 205.0 even, down 2 pounds since yesterday and down 44 pounds since the start of the fast.

The rest of yesterday was pretty uneventful. Well, with the exception of my husband's work equipment (very expensive manufacturing machinery) took a dive yesterday and they still didn't have it fixed at evening shift change. My husband kind of took it as a consequence of how greedy the company has been, pushing everyone to make more money and not being very ethical in their work practices.

I went to bed last night with some things on my mind. It was a temptation of the enemy to get me to dwelling on my problems and not on the Lord. I just had to pray and say, 'Lord, you are my source. I am relying on you, not my circumstances, not my flesh, not my bank account, not my husband's paycheck. Just you.' And the enemy fled. Praise the Lord!

I'll bet you were wondering if I jumped out of bed today and ate something! Nope. I actually stayed in bed and prayed for awhile. I have enjoyed that time alone with the Lord so much in the morning that I hope that I will be able to continue it.

The one thing that went through my mind over and over during the fast was the hymn "Sweet Hour of Prayer." Most of us don't even make time for a hurried five minutes of prayer even once a day, myself being guilty as charged. Think of how much power we lack as a church, as individuals, without bowing before the throne of grace and asking for God's help on a regular basis. We are too self sufficient, we are too caught up in the cares of this world. God is just an aside, and I'm also including some holiness folks. I was also in this boat, so I am pointing the guilty finger at myself too.

My breakfast post fast was a scrambled egg with half an avocado and some ice cold water. It was so good! I really enjoyed it and I didn't even finish the last couple of bites.


Here are the lyrics to Sweet Hour of Prayer. I had never heard the last verse before now, but I really like it too.

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
That calls me from a world of care,
And bids me at my Father’s throne
Make all my wants and wishes known.
In seasons of distress and grief,
My soul has often found relief
And oft escaped the tempter’s snare
By thy return, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
The joys I feel, the bliss I share,
Of those whose anxious spirits burn
With strong desires for thy return!
With such I hasten to the place
Where God my Savior shows His face,
And gladly take my station there,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
Thy wings shall my petition bear
To Him whose truth and faithfulness
Engage the waiting soul to bless.
And since He bids me seek His face,
Believe His Word and trust His grace,
I’ll cast on Him my every care,
And wait for thee, sweet hour of prayer!

Sweet hour of prayer! sweet hour of prayer!
May I thy consolation share,
Till, from Mount Pisgah’s lofty height,
I view my home and take my flight:
This robe of flesh I’ll drop and rise
To seize the everlasting prize;
And shout, while passing through the air,
“Farewell, farewell, sweet hour of prayer!”

-William Walford

Day 40/40

Last day! But won't be my last post.  I plan on doing a few more posts about breaking the fast and the results.

Today's weight was 207.0 even. I have lost .8 pounds since yesterday and 42 pounds total since the fast started.

We had the plumber come today and he fixed the plumbing! Praise the Lord! We have never used him before. He was a really nice guy and very reasonable too. He is definitely a "keeper."

Physically I feel well today. I did a lot of cooking this morning, which I have not really felt up to for awhile. I felt so badly for my family. Last Saturday night my husband had to cook supper because I really was not up to it at all.

I talked to my husband at work. He has had a good day so far, but there is a lot of tension going on because of all of the strange things that have been happening.

Day 39/40

Day 39! One more day!

Today's weight was 207.8, down 1.2 pounds from yesterday.

I am feeling a lot better than yesterday and have a lot more energy than the past week.

My husband is dealing with more drama at work. I am so thankful to have the Lord to fight our battles for us.

I am so weak and tired and I can't wait until I can start eating again so I can get some strength and energy back so I can do the things that I used to do.  I had my husband go out and buy me some avocados so I can eat them when I break my fast.

I am also planning on what I am going to eat when we go out to dinner again. I am craving chicken wings something terrible! We have a great local pizza place that sells some really awesome wings.  I plan on getting some of those and a salad, and maybe some pizza toppings. I don't eat the pizza crust- just the toppings. But I haven't really decided yet.  If I am still having trouble with the candida then I probably better lay off the cheese.

I am so used to not eating that to actually be allowed to eat again will seem kind of strange.

Before we went to sleep my husband and I had a good season of prayer because we know that tomorrow might be difficult, with it being the last day of the fast. I am so thankful for his support throughout all of this. He has undergone as many attacks during this as I have, so I know this has not been easy for him at all.

But I am thankful for how the Lord has helped us both to grow through all of this. The Lord has really helped both of us become more like Jesus.  I know I still have a ways to go, but I am thankful for how far he has brought me.

Day 38/40

Today's weight was 209.0 even. I have lost 40 pounds so far since the fast started and one pound since yesterday.

Today I threw up again. This time it was more than stomach acid. It was foamy and yellow. I think it was yeast; that's kind of what it looked like.

The plumbing really started acting up again today. We have decided to call a plumber and get the rest of it taken care of.

Day 37/40

Today's weight was 210.0 even. I have lost 39 pounds since the fast started and .2 of a pound since yesterday.

This morning the enemy really fought me from going to church. My oldest son started acting sick which was really odd. He had a sore throat all week and was getting better while on antibiotics. But this was delirium and what appeared to be a fever. I talked to my pastor on the phone and he told me to pray about it. As soon as I prayed, he got better almost instantly, at least well enough to get to church.

We had an awesome time in morning worship before the kids and I were dismissed to Sunday school.  There was a lot of distraction and the enemy was fighting really hard. I felt compelled to give my fasting testimony. I know that was one of the reasons why Satan was trying to keep me out of church.

Sunday school was wonderful again. I am thankful for how the Lord has really anointed me and my Sunday school lessons since this fast has started. Our lesson was on Ezekiel and the valley of the dry bones. It tied in with what was talked about during the morning service. We can get so focused on physical things that we forget about having the spirit of God in our lives, and that without Christ, we are dead.

That evening I didn't get to go to church because the boys were sleeping. My husband came home and said it reminded him of church in the old days, several years ago before we had some major trials at our church.  I was so excited to hear that! It was one of the things that I was praying over. I wish I had been there to see it. I know the enemy is still fighting, but he has already been defeated!

After morning church, my husband decided to go ahead and work on the plumbing problem again. He went under the house and cut the pipe. As soon as he cut the pipe, a long clog came out! Thankful for answers to prayer because otherwise, he had no idea where to cut the pipe!  The problem is not 100 percent fixed but it is far better than what it was. 

Day 36/40

Today's weight was 210.2 pounds, down .4 from yesterday.

I have been so sick that I know I am not drinking a lot of water, but I can't really help it.  It doesn't matter what kind of water it is; all of it tastes nasty to me. I have found that if I refrigerate my tap water overnight and get it really cold that it helps it to taste better.

My husband ventured into the crawl space and worked on our leaking gray water pipes. Not only was it leaking; we also have a major clog. So it was not as easy as we would have hoped. We called around for a plumber. The one recommended to us did not return our call. So we scheduled an appointment for one out of the yellow pages who is going to charge us an arm and a leg. I know the Lord will help us take care of it, whatever it is.

I threw up again this evening, just before bedtime. it was mainly stomach acid. I'm not sure what all the nausea is about but as long as my body is cleaning itself out, that is the main thing.

Day 35/40

Today's weight was 210.6, down 1.6 pounds from yesterday.

Yesterday evening I was feeling too ill to go to church so I stayed home. I was feeling nauseated and had bad reflux (heartburn) which is odd because I never have that. But it started yesterday. Maybe my body is making more stomach acid getting me prepared for eating again?

I asked my husband if I could take an antacid. I debated on whether it would be considered eating and if it would mess up my fast. He said, no that is medicine. So I chewed up two tablets and washed the nasty taste out of my mouth.

Within a few minutes I was in the bathroom throwing up. I don't know if it was because of the antacid or because I was already feeling badly. Maybe both. After I threw up, I did feel better. About an hour later, the reflux symptoms returned but I was able to go to sleep.

My husband had his employment threatened again. We realized these are spiritual attacks and trials to help both of us grow. I have learned more and more that the Lord is my provision and my source, and not my husband's job.

Also, we have a major plumbing problem right now.  Lots of trials but that just gives us more things to praise the Lord over for helping us through it.

Day 34/40

Today's weight was 212.2, down 1.4 pounds from yesterday.

I woke up feeling well but after a couple hours of doing some housework I had to lie back down again and spent most of the day resting. Very nauseated again. Have worked up my resolve to keep going.  Pastor came and visited me this morning and was very encouraged. 

Day 33/40

Today's weight was 231.6, up 1.8 pounds from yesterday. I am a bit confused sometimes that I have such weird weight fluctuations, even when drinking only water.

Well the Lord really answered our prayers about the ice storm. My husband was able to get to work. In the middle of the night, the temperature got up to 40 degrees, melted all the ice, and then dropped again. He was able to get to work with no trouble at all! I give the Lord all the glory!

Tonight my husband finally came home. I really missed him after being gone for two days.

Physically I am still feeling terrible. Canceled homeschool again today, although oldest son did some math review.

Emotionally I am so ready for this fast to be over, but it won't be much longer. I am just trusting in the Lord and hanging in there for his help. I also appreciate everyone's prayers. Many members of my church family are praying for me.

Day 32/40

Today's weight was 211.8, down 1.4 pounds from yesterday.

Physically I am feeling quite ill so I have been resting a lot today. I am going to lie back down. Decided not to homeschool today.

We ended up not getting the freezing rain (it stopped short of my town, praise the lord!) but my husband stayed in town anyway last night. I really miss him.

There is more bad weather on the way supposedly, but I trust my Lord more than I do the meteorologists.

Sorry for the short entry. I will try to do better tomorrow.

8 more days!