One Year FastOne Year Fast

Week 8

August 9 – August 14, 2026 · Days 50–55 · 6 entries

Days 50–55 of the One Year Fast project, written up day by day: three full fasting days in the week, what happened on each of them, and the weight, blood pressure and ketone readings recorded on those dates. Every figure shown here is measured on the day, not reconstructed later.

Day 50 · Sunday, August 9, 2026

Day 50 — Fasting Insights — A Sunday Reflection on Spirituality & Purpose

Welcome to Day 50 of my One Year Fast. Reaching the Day 50 milestone on a Sunday feels like the perfect moment to step back from the pure biometrics and explore the spiritual dimensions of fasting.

Throughout history and across virtually every tradition, extended fasting has served as a gateway to deeper spiritual awareness, mental clarity, and inner reflection. Today, I dive into a few key spiritual questions that arise when you clear out the noise of daily consumption and tune into something greater.

  • Fasting as a Spiritual Practice: How physical restraint opens up space for mental clarity, introspection, and spiritual connection.
  • Sunday Reflections: Addressing core spiritual questions on faith, purpose, and inner stillness.
  • Mind and Spirit Alignment: How the physiological state of fasting influences consciousness and spiritual sensitivity.
  • Insights at Day 50: What 50 days of consistent fasting protocols have taught me about discipline, surrender, and purpose.

Day 51 · Monday, August 10, 2026

Day 51 — Breath vs. Blood Ketones — Preparing for Final 48-Hour Fast Readings

Welcome to Day 51 of my One Year Fast. As I approach the finish line of another 48-hour fasting block, today’s focus is all about setting up tomorrow’s biometric comparison: Breath Ketone Testing vs. Blood Ketone Testing.

Measuring ketones accurately is critical for understanding metabolic state, ketosis depth, and energy utilization during extended fasts. Let's explore the key differences between testing blood beta-hydroxybutyrate (βHB) and breath acetone, setting the stage for tomorrow's head-to-head result comparison.

Breath vs. Blood Testing: How breath acetone meters and blood ketone meters measure different ketone bodies and what those differences mean.

48-Hour Fast Progress: Updates on energy levels, mental focus, and physiological state as the 48-hour fast comes to a close.

  • Protocol & Calibration: How I ensure accurate readings for tomorrow's final test results.

Day 52 · Tuesday, August 11, 2026

Day 52 — Breath vs. Blood Ketone Results & The Fasting Carbon Footprint

Welcome to Day 52 of my One Year Fast. In today’s episode, I wrap up my latest 48-hour fasting block by analyzing the final results and comparison between my blood ketone reader (BHB) and breath acetone reader. I also explore a fascinating, broader question: Does fasting have a measurable impact on our personal carbon footprint?

  • Part 1: Blood vs. Breath Ketone Results
  • Blood BHB: Provides a direct, quantitative snapshot of circulating ketones available for fuel.
  • Breath Acetone: Serves as a non-invasive window into ongoing ketone production and elimination through the lungs.
  • The Comparison: Why these two readings measure different parts of the same production line and how they track together as a 48-hour fast comes to a close.
  • Part 2: Fasting & Our Carbon Footprint
  • Resource Reduction: Fewer meals prepared means lower demand for agricultural land, fresh water, fuel, and food packaging.
  • Food Waste & Energy: Mindful meal planning naturally reduces household food waste and cooking/refrigeration energy.
  • Mindful Consumption: How fasting acts as a catalyst for conscious, intentional living that extends beyond food.

Day 53 · Wednesday, August 12, 2026

Day 53 — Fasting Rebound Eating — Why Do We Overcompensate Post-Fast?

Welcome to Day 53 of my One Year Fast. Today, I explore one of the most common psychological and biological challenges faced during structured fasting protocols: post-fast rebound eating. When breaking a fast or entering a feeding window, it is remarkably easy to overeat or instinctively try to "compensate" for the calories missed during fasting blocks. Today, I break down why this happens and how to manage appetite signals effectively.

In addition, I share a personal story on my early working life on the English docks.

Hunger vs. Appetite: Differentiating between genuine physiological hunger and the psychological urge to celebrate finishing a fast with food.

  • Part 1: Fasting Rebound Eating & Caloric Compensation
  • The Compensation Trap: Why consuming extra food the day after a fast can inadvertently erase the caloric deficit and disrupt digestive comfort.
  • Plant-Based / Vegetarian Refeeding: How focusing on nutrient-dense, whole vegetarian foods (vegetables, legumes, healthy fats, and fiber) prevents rapid blood sugar spikes and controls post-fast cravings.
  • Strategies to Prevent Rebound: Pacing your refeeding meal, starting with lighter foods, and practicing deliberate mindfulness when transitioning back into an eating window.
  • Part 2: Working on the English Docks
  • Life on the Docks: Reflections on my time working on the English docks, the physical demands of cargo handling, and the environment of gritty daily work.
  • Lessons in Resilience: How physical exertion and structured routine early in life build mental fortitude for long-term health challenges and disciplined fasting.

Day 54 · Thursday, August 13, 2026

Day 54 — Smart Scale vs. DEXA Scan: Tracking Body Comp on a Fast what is best?

Welcome to Day 54 of the One Year Fast journey. In today's update, I'm diving into how I establish consistent, day-to-day body composition readings. While periodic DEXA scans give an amazingly detailed baseline for lean mass and body fat, relying solely on them can leave gaps in daily tracking. Today, I discuss why I decided to consider a smart scale for my routine to complement the DEXA data and keep daily trends accurate, reliable, and actionable.

Day 55 · Friday, August 14, 2026

Day 55 — The Fasting Protocol Explained: 3 Days a Week for 52 Weeks

Welcome to Day 55 of the One Year Fast. Learn More & Follow the Journey

Hashtags

  • The goal is straightforward but demanding: fasting for 3 days every single week for 52 consecutive weeks.

Readings shown on each entry come straight from the health dashboard data logged on that date. The exact procedure, device and known limitations behind each measurement are documented on the methodology pages. For definitions of any term used above, see the fasting dictionary.

Written by Alfie Hammersham — founder of One Year Fast, who is fasting three full days a week for 52 consecutive weeks and publishing every biomarker openly. Not a doctor; every physiological claim on this site is referenced to published research, and lived experience is labelled as such.

Physiological claims on this page are cited to peer-reviewed studies; first-hand readings come from one subject and are labelled as personal experience. See the editorial & sourcing policy for how this is written, reviewed and corrected.

About the author · Editorial policy · Corrections & contact · Medical disclaimer