Congratulations on staying strong and on your 9 pounds! WOO HOO!

I hope your day 5 will be easier for you! I also chug water when I feel like that.

See Ya,
Mac

I can totally relate to that feeling of wanting to have 'a little something' that seems so insignificant in the big picture... Yesterday i was emptying out some old papers & receipts from my purse & i caught a whiff of a pack of raspberry orange orbit gum! I swear since i have been on this fast i feel like my senses are so heightened w/smell! Probably because i am not using my sense of taste, so smell seems so much more notable, a very interesting experience since i already have a rather sensitive sense of smell! So anywho, i smelled this raspberry gum & i wanted a piece soooo bad. And i thought it's just 5 little calories, like that is gonna change anything... but then i thought about my detox goal. I read on here on some random post that any caloric intake can through the fast off, preventing my body from entering ketosis & burning fat. So i let out a sigh & put the gum away. True it was only 5 calories & i'm not sure it it would have made a big difference or not- but the point is that i set a goal to have only water, & having stuck to it in that instance feels like a major triumph!!! All of those temptations we face each day might give us some temporary comfort or sense of relief. But the feeling of pride & achievement one experiences for not giving in is the best reward of all! In a way it is kind of nice to confront such temptations, because it forces you to stay strong & reevaluate your commitment to your fast. Every time we turn down a temptation, we are reaffirming our position to finally make a change. I know personally, w/each challenge i confront & overcome, i feel that much more capable of making it to my ultimate goal- 10 days! Not to mention, if i feel that good turning down one measly stick of gum during my 2nd day, imagine how proud i'll feel at the end of my 10 day fast. Well, best of luck to you & congratulations on your ability to stay strong! You have provided me w/lots of support so it is my pleasure to return the favor. Keep us posted on your future progress- it is very inspiring! :)