I completed a dry fast lasting exactly 30 hours and 30 minutes, beginning at midnight on 2 January 2024 and breaking it at 6:30 a.m. on 3 January 2024. 🌸

To rehydrate, I started with approximately 48 ounces of coconut water, specifically Maui & Sons coconut water—honestly, the best I’ve ever tasted (@mauiandsons). By noon, I had consumed a full gallon (128 ounces) of it. I wanted to drink more throughout the day but got caught up in work and didn’t have the time to continue. 🥥✨

Today essentially turned into a coconut water fast, which I didn’t mind at all. It’s incredible how much time is saved by skipping the usual routines of shopping for, preparing, eating, and cleaning up meals. 👩🏻‍🌾

Beyond that, dry fasting has added this sense of excitement and anticipation to rehydration, refeeds, and indulgence days. I’m don’t think those days would be as special if I were eating and drinking every single day. 💧

Some days, discouragement feels overwhelming, and today is one of those days.

I’m 20 hours into Day 1 of my DR96 protocol, and it’s a stark reminder of how much I’ve used food to numb the emptiness I feel. Without the distraction of food—I’m left to confront my emotions head-on.

My derealization and depersonalization is rising to the surface again, and with it, this sense of never-ending futility that’s hard to ignore. Facing these emotions raw without my usual escape of indulgence is proving to me how much of a deeper anchor I need to stay grounded.

It’s clear now that the deeper anchor I need is Jesus. No matter how much I’ve tried to run from God, if I want to stay disciplined to my 80/20 split and navigate these emotions, I need to ground myself in scripture and cling to Him with everything I have.

1/292 DR96
1/73 TD

This day, I decided to focus on achieving the following physical and fitness milestones:
• Correct my posture and skeletal alignment (overpronation, anterior pelvic tilt, protracted shoulders, and forward head posture)
• Run a 10-minute mile
• Perform one unassisted pull-up
• Perform one unassisted chin-up
• Hold a plank for two minutes with proper form
• Touch my toes with straight legs
• Achieve the splits

My measurements at the time were 160 cm and 54 kg (5'3", 119 lbs).

To support these goals, I planned to work out once or twice a week, primarily on weekends, and complement it with a structured fasting and nutrition plan. In 2024, I tested several fasting protocols—including month-long juice fasts, week-long dry fasts, and coconut water fasts—which showed me how each method affected my energy, recovery, and body composition.

During this period of experimentation, I came across A Healthy Alternative, a wellness platform founded by Chris James that promotes natural healing and weight loss through fasting. His YouTube content introduced me to the DR96 protocol—a rolling 96-hour dry fast (abstaining from all food and liquids, including water), followed by rehydration with raw, plant-based foods and drinks.

I committed to a modified version of the DR96 protocol for 80% of the year (292 days), structured as follows:
• Monday–Thursday: Dry fasting
• Friday: Break the fast with one gallon of light liquids (distilled water, coconut water, herbal tea)
• Saturday: One gallon of hydrating liquids, raw fruits and vegetables, and one cooked meal if absolutely necessary
• Sunday: One gallon of hydrating liquids and raw fruits and vegetables

The remaining 20% of the year (73 days) were designated as “treat days” for holidays, birthdays, vacations, and social events. These days had no restrictions, allowing me to celebrate with others while maintaining a balanced, sustainable mindset—rather than falling into the all-or-nothing cycles I’ve experienced in the past.