For the background info: I've never fasted in my life. I may have skipped a few meals here or there, but nothing intentional. I'm a complete novice, and I'm sure I didn't read up on the subject as much as I should have. My initial spur for starting the fast was reading Alan Tillotson's One Earth Herbal Sourcebook over Christmas. A truly great book. My biggest issue with the book was the inadequate index, but, as I found last night, he provides the entire book online with a SEARCH FEATURE! Awesome. Anyways, there's a tidbit in the book on detox as a spring-cleaning type of activity. It's not much, but you can read it about it here, just scroll down to the part on Detoxification First.
I followed his advice, and ate only fresh fruit (2 apples, a pear, 1 1/2 bananas, and 1/2 an orange) for dinner. My breakfast was a homemade granola bar (a super secret recipe from The Covert Cupboard subscription bakery we're opening in Kirksville, MO), a slice of mexican pizza (with refried beans, enchilada sauce from Veganomicon, corn, onions, and peppers), and a few apples throughout the day.
So far, the insights are: my first night was the most difficult. I instinctively wanted to snack, although I'm not really a big eater. I mean, I love food, but I'm 5'3 and only weigh 105 lbs. My wife and I split a meal at a restaurant then still bring home leftovers. This morning I was hungry, but not excruciatingly so. It was pretty identical to just feeling hungry. That feeling lasted all day, but has subsided for the evening. It's being replaced by a sensation of emptiness in my stomach, almost like it's sinking in. On a grosser note, I took a laxative last night and tonight in the hopes of clearing out my colon. Moving on. (Get it?!)
Also, I haven't had a desire to eat a big meal or stuff myself. Moreso, is the desire to eat an apple or granola bar or chips and salsa. Just a snack. My body feels kinda hungry, so I think, "I should eat something." Then, I think, "oh yeah, I'm fasting. Whoops." In short, the most difficult part isn't the hunger, but breaking the habit of eating.
Finally, the only physical ailment I've felt is getting light headed when I stand up. This has only started happening in the last few hours (about 24 hours into the fast). I've read it goes away after the first day or two, and I sincerely hope that it's true. It's just blasted inconvenient to feel as though you'll faint anytime you want to go somewhere.
Here's to hoping.