“My New Lightness of Being”

Simply let go and become light. One that fasts, recharges both the body and the soul. At the end of abstinence one finds the end of fasting – with an apple as a delicious meal.

Day 1

Strong feverish waves and four kilograms too many – here at Buchinger at lake Constance I hope to find my previous trim shape again. Will I be successful? The room is fabulous, the staff polite and supportive. In the afternoon I am immediately weighed, have my waist measured, heave onto the ergometre, and answer questions related to my job and family. Then I am informed about what I shall be eating here: Two days of fruit only, after that nothing at all. Except fruit juice and a vegetable consommé. After the last apple I comfort myself by going to bed.

Day 2

Early in the morning Zen meditation. Have difficulties in concentrating, worry constantly about that which is awaiting me. After that there is a bowl of fruit. Yummy! The same again in the afternoon. If only it could stay this way! Then the welcoming by the Wilhelmi family. They run Buchinger Bodensee. Most guests aren’t  thick at all!

Day 3

Have lost 1.2 kg already. Am immensely proud of myself. But now it is becoming serious. The first weigh in. My heart is beating. All a bit embarrassing. But the nurse seems not to find anything upsetting at all. And it isn’t that bad after all. Truly relieved I walk to the fitness gymnastics. My diet for today: 250ml of fruit juice. And 250ml of vegetable consommé. Replacing lunch I get wet cloths laid onto my lower body, liver area. The daily treat, a small vial of honey, I keep for the afternoon. At night we meet in the lounge. All are merry and edgy.

Day 4

Deep and restive sleep, but awake at 0600 (!). Go to breathing therapy. Feel immediate relaxation, despite being quite temperamental usually. Thoughts pass through my mind about things I have not bothered with for ages. In the evening: a lecture: Coping with stress. Stress, I come to realise, I cause mostly myself.

Day 5

Again meditation, weighing in again. Almost routine this time. After the wet  liver bandaging I am off to play some golf in the afternoon. Manage 18 holes and strokes I normally can not play at all with ease. A wonderful feeling! I wonder whether this results from my newly acquired inner peace? Then a moment of horror: on the terrace I see my fellow golf players  - having coffee and plum cake. Of all things! I am not hungry but feel like eating. Quick, away from here, I think. In the room my honey vial and the warm water flask await me. I am so strong!

Day 6

Woke up at 5 already and got onto the scale, Hurray, am 2.5 kg lighter! Participate in the early morning walk  at 0600 to the Überlingen hinterland. Some speak about eating, describe their favourite dishes in vivid detail. Irritating. Try not to listen. Others talk about their lives. Manage the long walk without problems. In the afternoon a Shiatsu massage relaxes my muscles.

Day 7

Am surprised how easily I am managing the fasting. Occasionally I do think about a slice of cake. But I am not hungry. Dream away the afternoon at the pool.

Day 8

Check up at the doctor’s. She is satisfied. And so am I: The hot flushes and sleeping disorders have abated considerably. In the afternoon my first yoga lesson. Stretching is good.

Day 9

Today I could go on fasting forever. Go to a song evening. And I am surprised how grown up people can still belt out folk songs. Catch myself singing along.

Day 10

Again an early morning walk to Salem Castle. Today is my last day of fasting. Somehow I regret that the time is over.

Day 11

The end of fasting. Slowly. Bit by bit I eat an apple. How wonderful it tastes! But the chewing is surprisingly strenuous. I have lost four kilograms. I feel like newborn person. And a further positive side effect: At Buchinger I stopped smoking!