A Weekend Trial for Wound Recovery?

My Dog Bit My CheekDo you remember the piece from my May series titled "My Dog Bit My Cheek"? It discussed how eating a 100% raw food diet for two days dramatically improved a wound. That experience led me to incorporate raw food dishes into my regular meals, not just smoothies. For about two months, the wound healed gradually, like "peeling off a thin layer of skin." However, after that, the healing inexplicably stopped. The wound was still so noticeable that I had to cover it thoroughly with concealer even when I went out briefly. While contemplating "What should I do?", I came across an article about fasting.

The article explained that during fasting, the enzymes normally used for digestion can be redirected to cell repair and metabolism. This, in turn, would lead to clearer skin and aid wound healing. It also mentioned that fasting promotes the elimination of toxins from the body (what is known as detoxification). Reading this, I thought, "I have to do this!" and immediately put it into practice.

First, I decided to try it on the weekend, as suggested in the article. The reasoning was that it's easier to manage and less frustrating on a relaxing day off. However, as I started, I realized how much I looked forward to our family's weekend ritual of starting to drink alcohol around evening and then going out to eat. I began my fast on Saturday morning, but I couldn't resist the cravings to "drink! Eat!" and finally gave up at 7 PM. But then I thought, I'm quite comfortable with and even enjoy being disciplined on weekdays. So, instead of forcing myself on the weekend, why not do it on weekdays when I'm fine with discipline? Everyone has their own suitable methods.

So, I reset and decided to try again, starting on Monday. This time, my fasting period would be three days. This would be followed by a "recovery period" of the same duration to gradually reintroduce normal food, meaning I would finish by Saturday morning. This way, I could still make it for my weekend enjoyment.

Day 1 | Temptations of "Should I eat? Should I stop?"

For breakfast on the first day, I had a drink made by diluting a plant-based fermented beverage—made from wild grasses, vegetables, and fruits naturally fermented with enzymes, which I had bought for this fast—with water. Apparently, this provides essential nutrients like enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and amino acids. But the moment I took a sip, I remembered, "Ah, that's right! I don't like this sweetness!" I had tried enzyme drinks before, and they seem to use a lot of sugar, like brown sugar, for fermentation. I'm someone who dislikes sugar, even in cooking (though I'm fine with sweets). Nevertheless, I decided to get through lunch with just this juice. I usually only have a smoothie for breakfast, so I thought, "I might be okay," but around 4 PM, the temptation to "eat? stop?" started to bubble up, and I nearly gave in several times. Still, by holding out until 7 PM, the craving seemed to vanish, perhaps because I could then think, "All I have to do is sleep." The evening appears to be the critical time. For dinner, I changed the menu and tried a juice made from daikon radish, carrot, and ginger, with a little of the enzyme drink added. I discovered that adding sweetness to the daikon and carrot juice made it more satisfying. This seemed like a way to get through it.

Day 2 | Overeating yields no benefit!

Day two. When I looked in the mirror in the morning, my wound seemed slightly whiter and more recessed, as if healing had progressed. I felt a little relieved. Then, I experienced what I assume was "impacted stool" several times. Afterward, I stepped on the scale and was surprised to see that I had lost weight significantly, reaching a weight I hadn't seen since high school, and it was only the second day! I was astonished that not eating solid food for a full day could result in such weight loss. Moreover, my eyes seemed clearer and brighter. Hmm, I wonder if the dull eyes I sometimes see in adults are due to accumulated toxins or fatigued internal organs? Is that why the eyes of younger people, who have fewer toxins and less fatigue, sparkle? In any case, it's clear that overeating brings no benefit whatsoever.

For breakfast this day, I had juice made from fruits. For lunch, it was the same daikon and carrot juice with fermented beverage from the previous night. The hunger and cravings in the evening were similar to the day before, but since I got home earlier, I had dinner around 6 PM. I found that eating earlier reduced the time I had to endure the cravings (naturally). Next time I fast, I'll choose a week when I can come home early. It's also important to choose a week when I can go to bed early. After all, if I'm asleep, the time I have to endure is shorter. For dinner, I had my usual green smoothie—for the first time in a while (though it had only been two days)—and was surprised to feel indigestion. Juices are just liquids and don't require much digestion, but smoothies still contain fiber. Even that puts a strain on the stomach during fasting. This makes me wonder how much strain my stomach endures with my regular meals. The saying "chewing well is the basis of health" finally made perfect sense to me.

Day 3 | Over-satisfaction leads to a lack of intensity in one's expression

Day three. The wound had healed a little more. Like the previous day, I had impacted stool, and my weight decreased further. I was surprised, thinking, "My stomach can actually become this flat!" and wondered what that usual fullness was. Was it not just fat but also accumulated food? My facial expression also gained a certain wildness (!), which I liked. It's my preferred look. Conversely, I realized that being overly satisfied can lead to a lack of intensity in one's expression, which made me reflect a little.

For breakfast and lunch, I had the same menu as the previous day. For dinner, I decided to have rice porridge with a pickled plum on top. It was incredibly delicious! Despite the small portion, savoring it slowly and gratefully, I felt satisfied and pleasantly full. I often wish I could appreciate my food with such mindfulness. I want to be more mindful of how I eat.

By the third day, I had grown accustomed to fasting and felt I could continue longer. My body felt lighter, and my mood was refreshed. However, extending the fasting period would also require extending the recovery period by the same amount. I wasn't confident I could stick to that. Apparently, not adhering to it would diminish the fasting benefits, so I decided to end the fast after three days as planned. I then gradually returned to normal food over three days, successfully completing the process.

Forgetting the Pain Once It's Over?

It's now been three weeks since I finished fasting, and my wound continues to heal gradually each day, like "peeling off a thin layer of skin." My weight has stabilized somewhere between my pre-fasting weight and my lowest weight. What's different now is my mindset. I've come to believe that eliminating waste and detoxifying is more important than what I eat or consume. Otherwise, the body cannot effectively utilize what it takes in, and it can even become toxic. Previously, I was interested in the external aspects of my body—skin, muscles, skeletal structure—and focused on skincare, yoga, and exercise. Now, I find the internal workings of my body, such as organ function, equally fascinating.

The human body is truly fascinating and wonderfully designed the more you learn about it. Realizing that both the outside and inside are creating and supporting "me," I naturally feel a sense of gratitude. On the day I finished fasting, I vowed, "I will eat mindfully every day, remembering this!" However, as the proverb goes, "Out of sight, out of mind," my old eating habits, driven by desire, are already starting to resurface. To correct this, I'm considering fasting periodically.

*Please research fasting thoroughly and ensure you understand it before attempting it.