Day 11 – Breaking the Fast and Colonic Irrigation

Good Morning

Tuesday arrived early—I was up at 6:30 a.m. for a blood draw at the lab. A hint of fall lingered in the crisp 60-degree air as I walked to the lab for bloodwork. Today’s draw will be compared to last week’s results, and I added a hormonal panel to see how fasting has affected my testosterone levels. I’ll report back when those numbers come in.

Today’s Vitals

Blood pressure: 92/59
Heart rate: 50
Weight: 167 lbs
Ketones: trace

Perhaps the yogurt is lowering my ketones—or maybe there’s just not much fat left to convert into ketone bodies.

The nurse asked where I’d like to break my fast. My answer was easy: in the garden. Back in my room, I savored yogurt, water, and electrolytes, then pulled on a pullover for the chilly walk to my favorite espresso spot. The morning air was brisk and clean, the espresso as perfect as ever.

Thai Me Up

When I returned, a traditional Thai massage awaited. In my opinion, nothing compares to an expert Thai massage, and today I struck gold. My therapist had trained in Thailand and delivered 50 minutes of pure bliss.

Thai massage—performed fully clothed—blends acupressure, Indian Ayurvedic principles, and yoga-like stretches. Fingers, elbows, even toes work together to release tension. The result? A full-body experience of deep relaxation and energy.

At Last—Food!

At 12 noon Marbella time, I finally chewed my first bite of food since Saturday, September 13. Don’t get too excited—it was modest. But oh, the joy of chewing!

The Buchinger Clinic treats reintroducing food with reverence. My first meal was a simple green dish crowned with an intensely flavorful pesto. I literally got to cut my own herbs with a scissors. The flavors burst alive on my tongue. Across the table, two fellow guests—fasting for over 20 days—joined me in quiet celebration.

Tonight I’ll receive the menu for the next four days and will happily share it. Between that exquisite Thai massage and the taste of real food, I feel on top of the world.

Colonic Irrigation with Ozone

To round out the day, I tried colonic irrigation for the first time. I’ve known about it for years but never taken the plunge — pun intended. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I like to add at least one therapeutic treatment each day to support the fasting process and to take my mind off of food.

Colonic irrigation—also called colon hydrotherapy—is said to flush waste and “toxins” from the colon, encouraging better digestion, improved nutrient absorption, and even clearer skin. Advocates claim it can boost energy and reduce bloating. Whether all those benefits hold true, today was about exploration and caring for my body.

The session lasted about 45 minutes. As the doctor explained, an enema cleans only the rectum, while colonic irrigation cleans the entire colon. At times it was a bit uncomfortable, but the doctor stayed with me the whole way, palpating the colon as it filled and emptied.

The second stage involved introducing ozone water into the colon. Once finished, I actually felt surprisingly good. He recommends three sessions in a week and will prescribe a probiotic to help recolonize the gut with beneficial bacteria. The doctor was adamant that regular colonics are essential for health—especially given today’s food supply and sedentary lifestyle.

Interestingly, there’s a clinic near my office in Fort Lauderdale, so I may consider a yearly maintenance cleanse. If any of you have long-term experience with colonics, I’d love to hear your thoughts.

Mid-Afternoon Surprise

When I returned to my room after the colonic cleanse, a pleasant surprise awaited—a small tray holding a cup of apple and cinnamon tea, and a tiny dish of almonds.

As stated before, the Buchinger team treats food reintroduction with care, encouraging chewing as part of the healing process. And oh, how those few almonds tasted—rich, toasty, almost decadent after days of fasting. Such a simple plate, yet every bite felt extraordinary.

Dizziness When Standing

One constant since my second day here has been a mild dizziness whenever I stand up from sitting or lying down. I’ve always been prone to this, and with my blood pressure so low, it’s even more noticeable.

I’m confident it will ease once I return to a more normal diet, but for now I move slowly and deliberately when getting up. It’s a gentle reminder to stay present in my body.

Gym Time & Alone Time

Other than a visit to the gym, my plan is simple: spend the afternoon on my terrace. The weather is gorgeous, perfect for writing and reading.

Since September 2, I’ve spent long stretches of this trip alone. Yes, I met friends in Sitges and traveled with my dear friend Gina in Sardinia, and I’m surrounded by people here at the clinic—but mostly, I’ve been alone with my thoughts, feelings, and emotions.

At the start of this journey I felt a real loneliness. But fast forward to today, and I’m beginning to enjoy my own company again. As my mentor Paul Chek often says, “We must have an ‘I’ before we can have a ‘We,’ and a ‘We’ before we can have an ‘All.’”

I think he’s right. This time has been about strengthening my “I.”

Dinner Time

Tonight’s dinner was a hearty vegetable soup. Although still a soup, it had far more substance than the delicate broths I’ve had over the past days. The dining table was beautifully set, and everyone offered kind congratulations for completing my 10-day fast. The staff here continues to amaze me with their care and attention. Tomorrow, I’ll share the menu for the coming days so you can see how they’ll be gently reintroducing food into my diet.