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Fasting Megathread

RhythmSpring said:
I did a quick search for a fasting thread, and seeing none, I decided to start this one. I apologize if there already is one.

Anywho, I specifically want to hear from those who have researched it and/or done it. No one saying "why starve yourself?" or making annoying remarks like that.

If you have fasted before, did it benefit you? What would you have done differently? Why did you do it? Do you have any tips or reminders?

I already know the basics:

start with about 7 days
after about the 3rd day hunger pangs go away
it's for cleansing purposes
break it gently, with juice n fruit n soup n stuff
Hydrate

I'd like to know about things you can do to boost the cleansing process, like sweats, exercise, sunbathing, or anything like that.
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I did a ayurvedic fast - there's loads of different kinds.

THis one involved very basic food, small amounts for 3 days before 1-2 days of NO FOOD WHATSOEVER, followed by 5 days (at least) of very basic food - mung beans and veg and rice.

The whole time you're fasting (that 9/10 days) you drink this spiced tea concoction, plus at least 3 litres of water per day.

I wouldn't advise easing back in with fruit - fruit contains lots of acids, bitter green veg and other non-acidic veg is the way to go.

Also - my friend did a really nice one, where she ate nothing but fruits and this special kind of clay, and drank juice, and water, and that was it.

You have to work it out in such a way that you ease into it with the right foods, then have a way of keeping up your energy (fruit/veg/juices etc) so your body can eat away at the toxins stored in your fats, then your fats will be burned, and then this is when you start eating again...


Have fun...

I personally found it OK up til my 2nd evening of being back to food, then I got STARVING and craved sweet food hard.

The first few days are really tiring, but definitely felt the difference - look at my blog - I was silly, on my next one (it's best to do them at the turn of seasons, Ayurvedic practices tell us) on the last day of winter, I will ease myself in and out of it properly, and give myself the amount of rest I need. No work.
 
I personally found it OK up til my 2nd evening of being back to food, then I got STARVING and craved sweet food hard.
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You gotta stick it out during that time. That is usually right around the time it kicks into super cleansing mode. :) It gets easier after.

The whole time you're fasting (that 9/10 days) you drink this spiced tea concoction, plus at least 3 litres of water per day.
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Interesting. Do you know what was in it?
 
I tried some tea, and some chewing gum, at various times. The flavor can be a nice break, but it can also make you hungrier for real food. It's all very personal and depends why you're fasting, people do it many different ways.
 
Oh, I know it varies on a personal basis. I was just asking for what you, abracadabra girl (or anyone else reading this), thought. :)

I think teas are fine for a fast, as long as they're non-caffeinated and not drank (drunk?) for the calories (though I don't think there are calories in tea).
 
I could never fast, I refused to do the 24 hour famine things at school as there is no way I could go 4 hours without eating never mind a day.
as for going with out caffeine not a chance I have 3 cups of tea in the morning before my eyes are open and then breakfast.
I have no will power :(
 
It's not all about will power tiggerific. If you have a generally unhealthy diet or very fast metabolism then it can be extremely painful to jump right into a water fast. If you are interested in fasting then there are ways to ease into it.
 
I eat pretty healthily, and I dont tend go up or down in weight, however I was thinking about doing this more for a report I read about helping to clear out your bowel better reduced risks of certains problems. I don't think I could manage it, I mean I would cheat if I ever tried some of the diets people go on lol
 
As amapola says, it's not really done to test will power. It's more for health and spiritual reasons.

I believe we got into a discussion on different kinds of fasts earlier in the thread here. Since we're doubling as an information and a support thread, you can find some ways here to ease into it.
 
addictivepersona said:
IMO caffeine's a drug. When you're fasting for health, you don't do drugs. *Shrug*
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I still drink one cup of green tea a day when fasting. For me, caffeine withdrawl is so severe it would make the entire experience unliveable (I get very painful headaches if I go without) so until I am ready to give up caffeine for good, I don't see any reason not to have my tea when fasting.

But as we've concluded it all depends on your goals and what one is trying to get out of fasting. I think fasting could be a good way to get over caffeine addiction, if one wanted to do so. I just don't; coffee is my one "vice" I still have left. But I don't think a bit of green tea will mess up a fast or lessen it's detoxifying effects. Green tea is very healthy and the one I drink is certified fluoride free. :)

Tigger, it's honestly not as hard as you might think. And you don't have to give up your tea to fast if you don't want to. Plenty of fasters out there drink herbal or green tea while fasting. It's mostly about not eating any solid foods to give your digestive track a rest. But there are a million different ways of doing it. This is day 4 for me and there have been a few hard moments but overall it is easier than I might have expected.

Years ago I said the same thing you are saying... I could never fast. But I am. :)
 
I immediately scoff* any rules made for all people...they never work.
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Don't shit where you eat?

But yeah I agree completely. Whatever works for you works for you, especially in such an under researched and personal field as fasting.
 
I don't worry about dehydration while juice fasting. With all the celery and green juice I do I figure I get plenty of electrolytes and hydration. Far more than what would be outweighed by one cup of green tea which contains very little caffeine anyway. Just enough to keep me out of withdrawls. :)
 
I have been having a lot of problems with fasting - I make it a day, but the next morning I wake up shaking, sweating, and vomiting. I also have a lot of trouble with mucus (like a post-nasal drip) making me nauseous when I fast.
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As your body begins to break down fat as it's primary fuel source, it has to expunge the freshly released toxins that were stored there. If you are feeling this sick after 24 hours of water fasting it is likely because you have a lot of very bad toxins in their (i.e. have eaten quite poorly in the past/are out of shape/etc.). What you can do to prevent this is start off with a juice fast or even raw food fast before transitioning into a true water fast. Also a juice fast means no preservatives or sugars of any kind added, just liquefied fruit and veges.
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I've heard there are herbal/natural remedies that you can use that will help you overcome nausea associated with dieting and fasting. I'm wondering if they actually work or are just a gimmick though. There are so many diet fads marketed these days. Who can figure out what is worth trying.
 
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