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Fasting
- Thread starter Johnone
- Start date
Peder
Hobbit
I think the "simple foods" let your body get rid of toxins easier since it doesn't have to work so hard to actually remove the toxins.
I have fasted for 4 days, on fruits and vegetables, i don't know if i will do it again
but it was awesome in the end though i felt like i had got all my energy back...
Johnone
Senior Member
I'm also thinking of doing a fast again. But this time I am prepared and have done some research. Below is what I have learned through the research.
Before you start fasting you need to ask yourself what is the reason/motif for you undertaking a fast. I think if you don't have a clear goal in mind why you are doing it, then it will be harder (impossible?) to pull off a successful fast. Along with this goal in mind, you should also determine before hand how many hours/days you are gonna fast.
This goal you should keep in mind while fasting. If it is for religious/spiritual reasons, for example, you should focus on god. (Religious people usually combine fasting with prayer or meditation, etc). If it is for health/physical reasons, then keep your mind focused on the health benefits of fasting. The same for political reasons and so forth.
Hunger and headaches and other physical reactions will take place during a fast and may be accompanied by vomiting and bad breath as your body 'cleanses' itself, but focus on the goal during all this and it will be worthwile.
Besides the physical reactions of the body, certain emotional and psychological reactions will also take place. You might get angry, asking, "WTF am I doing!". Or impatient: can't wait for it to end. You might also think you are going insane for putting yourself through this, and even start blaming others for the fasting: "Why god must I do this crap!". And even hating others for preparing or bringing food near you (where you can smell or see it).
You must also decide what kind of fast you are going to do:
-There is an absolute fast. That is a fast without food or water. (Note: you shouldn't fast more than 2 days without water!)
-There is a 'normal' fast. That is a fast without food, but taking fluids/water.
-There is a partial/half-day fast. Fasting for certain hours during the day. Like from sunrise to sunset like the muslims do.
-Then you also get certain kind of fasting where you abstain from certain kinds of foods only whilst still eating other (healthier) foods.
-Other ways of fasting includes, no watching tv or listening to radio (or MyBB!); abstinence from sexual activity; no consumption of alcohol; etc etc... for a certain time.
Fasting can be good for you if you do it right with the right intentions. But fasting isn't for everyone, due to physical (health) reasons. You should consult your doctor before fasting. (The doctor would most likely discourage you from fasting - it's their job to do so (unless they themselve have fasted and have seen the benefits) - but you need to decide for yourself what is best for you.
I've also read by those experienced in fasting, that after several days of fasting without food, the hunger will disappear. If you continue the fast then the hunger will reappear between day 21 and 40 into the fast. When that hunger reappears in that period you should break the fast by eating a light meal (soup or fresh fruit and vegetables are preferable). The reason why you must break the fast is because the body will go into extreme survival mode and start 'eating' vital flesh within itself. This could lead to permanent damage.
You should always break a fast with a light meal (fruits/vegs/soup) and not with meat. One person tells the anecdotal story of a guy who broke his fast after 40 days by eating a nice juicy steak and had to be hospitalised afterwards. Your body just can't take heavy food after a prolonged fast.
In the end, fasting is dangerous. And should only be done so if you really are committed to do so. So before going for a big 40 day fast, first test yourself with a half day fast or a 24-hour lunch to lunch fast, thereby skipping 2 meals. If you struggle to do that, then rather not fast. Fasting isn't for everyone. We all are different. Our bodies are different. And likewise the body's nutritional requirements differ from person to person. Fasting is also not a competition, so don't compete against someone else and try to out fast him/her. I woulds also say, fasting is a very private matter (the individual should choose to fast) and no person should be forced into fasting (but that's just my opinion and I'lll leave it there).
Lastly, I recommend doing research about fasting before undertaking it. You might save yourself a lot of trouble by doing so.
Happy hunting!
Johnone
Senior Member
Your body has a lot of stored up sources of energy, such as fat and muscle. You will lose weight during fasting, but I won't recommend fasting to lose weight. A higher, more lofier, physical goal should be aimed at.
I will repeat again: Fasting is dangerous! Let there be no doubt about that.
For how long? Days on end? Hours?
7 days fast with only detox supplements (psyllium seed, apricot extract, etc) in ginger, beetroot and cucumber juice and water
What was your reason for fasting? Religious? Spiritual? Physical? Political?
Physical health
What was your experience fasting?
1st few days was hard. Hungry all the time - would read recipes in magazines as a substitute for eating! Found myself staring in to the fridge a couple of times.
After that it was pretty easy. Mental clarity and felt "light". Had more energy but not much endurance. Was at a house on the beach and felt like running all the time but could not go far.
Overall I found the increase in energy lasted for a few months. Became a father soon after that so my fasting is limited to 1-2 day fruit fasts over weekends nowadays. Would like to do a 7 day again someday.
What did you suffer (headaches, etc) when fasting?
Mild headache on day 2+3 after that it was fine.
The longest I fasted was probably no longer than 12 hours and it was just to see how long I can stay without food. I tried it several times, but with the same outcome. The headaches probably kills me the most. I get dibilitating ones; probably migraines. But they say the headaches come due to your body craving coffee or tea, being accustomed to the caffeine.
Ps. I'm talking about fasting as a willful abstinence of food, not being forced to go without food due to not having food, i.e. poverty and hunger.[/QUOTE]
7 days fast with only detox supplements (psyllium seed, apricot extract, etc) in ginger, beetroot and cucumber juice and water
What was your reason for fasting? Religious? Spiritual? Physical? Political?
Physical health
What was your experience fasting?
1st few days was hard. Hungry all the time - would read recipes in magazines as a substitute for eating! Found myself staring in to the fridge a couple of times.
After that it was pretty easy. Mental clarity and felt "light". Had more energy but not much endurance. Was at a house on the beach and felt like running all the time but could not go far.
Overall I found the increase in energy lasted for a few months. Became a father soon after that so my fasting is limited to 1-2 day fruit fasts over weekends nowadays. Would like to do a 7 day again someday.
What did you suffer (headaches, etc) when fasting?
Mild headache on day 2+3 after that it was fine.
The longest I fasted was probably no longer than 12 hours and it was just to see how long I can stay without food. I tried it several times, but with the same outcome. The headaches probably kills me the most. I get dibilitating ones; probably migraines. But they say the headaches come due to your body craving coffee or tea, being accustomed to the caffeine.
Ps. I'm talking about fasting as a willful abstinence of food, not being forced to go without food due to not having food, i.e. poverty and hunger.[/QUOTE]
Johnone
Senior Member
You're not missing the point at all.
If drinking green tea and eating salad is good enough for you, then do it. Fasting isn't for everyone. And people will come away with different experiences after fasting. So, if you think you can attain your physical/health-related goals without fasting, then do so.
You know, some people need to climb mount everest to feel alive. Others are content to live life lazing away on the beach. We all are different. So, I say: to each his own.
Religous (wouldnt do it otherwise)
Every Tuesday : no meat, fish or eggs (wife does this every monday, tuesday & friday!)
once a year : 9 Saturdays with no salt, meat, fish or eggs.
The saltless fast is really difficult. basically only allowed fruit & milk/water. Have u ever tried to find any foodstuff without salt? newarly impossible.
Every Tuesday : no meat, fish or eggs (wife does this every monday, tuesday & friday!)
once a year : 9 Saturdays with no salt, meat, fish or eggs.
The saltless fast is really difficult. basically only allowed fruit & milk/water. Have u ever tried to find any foodstuff without salt? newarly impossible.