Fasting is not something to take lightly. But the professional quality of the Prolon products and the science behind them are impressive. We decided to be cautious, trying only one 5-day cycle because of our ages (74 and 77). Our goal was to give our digestive systems a rest, jump-start a weight-loss program and adjust our attitudes about what is “good eating” for us.Recognizing that five days is a long time to avoid regular food, we prepared our bodies with a few days of high quality, well-balanced meals -- about 1,500-2,000 calories per day, no “junk food” and no sugary sweets. Then we launched into Prolon and were pleasantly surprised at how easily our bodies accepted the program. The taste of the food was good-to-very-good; the portions were adequate for our needs; and we felt satisfied, energetic and clear-headed the entire time.One thing we hadn’t anticipated: It’s possible to pee too much on this diet and apparently deplete needed electrolytes. On day 3, I began having muscle pain in my legs and thighs. Rather than take a pain killer, I tried a sugar-free sports drink meant to build up electrolytes. My choice was to make my own -- a simple mix of 1 cup water, 1-2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice and 1/8 teaspoon of Himalayan Pink Salt. I felt much better within just 10 minutes of my first gulp and gradually drank a total of 3 batches during the remainder of my Prolon Fasting Mimicking. (My partner didn’t need anything.)When the 5-day fast was finished, we slowly returned to normal food. To begin: The day 6 and day 7 meals were simple, plain meals, with a balance between protein, carbs, fiber, etc. They totaled approximately the same caloric intake as the fasting mimicking meals. For us, this allowed a seamless transition from fasting to whole foods. We are now gradually increasing our calories and the complexity of our meals.We learned a lot about our bodies while on the Prolon Fasting Mimicking program, and we feel healthier. Looking at the way we ate before versus what we are doing now: 1) We’ve switched to eating four times a day, with the emphasis on lunchtime and a healthy afternoon snack. 2) We’ve reduced the amount we eat, knowing that we can be completely satisfied with smaller portions and fewer calories. And 3) we’ve made our evening meals not only smaller but also more relaxing – filling that time with talking and sharing, rather than overeating.The important part of all this was to recognize that our weight loss on the fast was not permanent, and it wasn't due to water loss but more likely the reduction of bulk in our intestines. Changes in our eating habits following the fast have been critical to our continued success. Thirty days following the fast, we are continuing to be careful with how much we eat and how many calories we consume. What seemed like an adequate meal before the fast now feels like too much to eat.