Fasting

[ethe_real_ity]

I apologize if this is in any way off topic (if so, feel free to delete), but I tried posting on a dieting support community, and it didn't seem to be very well received...probably because many people automatically associate fasting with unhealthy weight loss (which is not what I'm going for). So I thought I'd give it a try here to get a better

Comments

[martiancyclist]

Yogurt is good; it contains bacteria which can help restore your digestive flora to what they should be normally.

[ethe_real_ity]

Mmm, good idea. And who can resist yogurt? Thanks!

[ethe_real_ity]

Yeah, I would only be doing it for a few days, but thanks for pointing that out. :) I will definitely get a doctor involved if on the chance I am called to do it for a significant amount of time.

[chaz_lehmann]

What sort of fast are you going for? A complete fast (nothing but water) or a more traditional fast (reducing the type of food and the quantity)?

[ethe_real_ity]

I suppose that would be useful information. *lol* Nothing but water, lasting only 1-3 days.

[ethe_real_ity]

Though I should say that I do find it difficult to fast that way for longer than a day during the work week...perhaps I should consider the other way and then do the "only water" type fasting for when I truly have the capacity to devote to it. Fasting isn't about being comfortable, but I don't want to significantly hurt my work performance, either...what do you think about this? I am only fasting when I feel that I am led to do so, not because I feel that I am supposed...but I know I have to be smart about it, too.

Despite having grown up in a Christian environment, I am pretty new to the experience of fasting, if you couldn't tell. *lol*

[technicolornina]

Speaking as someone who used to follow a yogic diet (I should really go back to that . . . I need to lose weight), which involved fasting one day a month to rid the body of toxins: your best bet is to go ahead and fast, while drinking real fruit juice (steer clear of grapefruit juice, because it can actually speed up your metabolism and wreak a bit of havoc).

Also, keep on hand "light foods" for the possible event that for reasons of which you're not aware, you may have to eat (I did 30-hour famine one year when I was still at church, and we had whole-grain crackers and fruit slices on hand for those who simply weren't physically up to going foodless the whole time).

[arcanefairy]

The key to fasting is slowly weening off foods and then slowly reintroducing them. Watery fruits, and soups are good at first. Then more fruits and vegtables. Eat smaller meals less frequently while going on, then more frequently coming back off. Don't eat anything to spicey/hard to digest for a few days afterwards. Rice is also a nice solid to reintroduce early.

[kiwiria]

Richard Foster's Celebration of Discipline has an entire chapter on fasting with both practical and theoretical information. You might want to give that a look - it's an excellent book all around.

Otherwise, what they said :) The only other thing I have to add is don't start your fast after the evening meal. It's apparently healthier to make lunch the last meal before you go on fast and then start again with a light lunch consisting of soup, fruit, yoghurt or something similar 1-3 days later.