Part 5/10:
In week two, I realized that strict calorie counting and continuous dieting only increased my hunger, so I experimented with intermittent fasting—skipping breakfast, then lunch, and eventually extending fasting periods. Surprising myself, I found that I could survive on just coffee, water, and sometimes sugar-free gum during fasting days. Walking remained a staple, especially during fasting, which helped distract me from food cravings. I learned that my body tolerated fasting surprisingly well—something I had always been told was dangerous or impossible. The experience revealed that skipping meals wasn't lethal and that I didn't need to eat constantly to stay alive or lose weight.