Every once in a while, I'd say 2-3 times a year, I fast for a weekend. I eat lunch on Friday then don't eat again until Sunday afternoon. I do this as a way to re-center my energy. I let the feeling of hunger remind me of the priveleges I have in life such as food, a roof over my head, a comfortable bed, clothes, furniture, a car. I am a social worker and have worked with the homeless population many times. National Homelessness and Hunger Awareness week is always..... the week before? (maybe after) Thanksgiving in November. I always fast that weekend. I do drink plenty of water while fasting and allow myself 1 mug of herbal tea each morning and night. I originally allowed for black coffee, but it's very acidic and sometimes made me feel worse. I think I am getting close to doing a fast again in the next couple weekends. I need to find the balance and humility I find in it. Not sure what exercise I will do while fasting, maybe just walking. I don't think it will be this weekend as it is already jam-packed with stuff to do, but perhaps I will gear myself up for next. It always takes some time to get ready for it mentally because it's tough. I do a lot of writing, etc. I always end up losing some weight the week or so afterwards and just feeling better all the way around even though during the couple days of no eating I feel tired and hungry. In the end, it's always worth it and I feel strength beyond strength. :) Will keep you posted!
Does anyone else fast for any reason? My reason is social justice and personal humility. I had a major argument with a friend who said my fasting was because of 'political reasons'. Bullshit. :)
I have never fasted before, but if you want to do it (for whatever reasons) I say go for it, and fuck your friend.....lol....sorry but that's how I feel when people butt into where they don't belong ;)
ReplyDeleteNope. I haven't considered fasting before, I like your reasoning. I had a friend who did a series of fasting and lost a pile of weight quickly. She also burned out her thyroid.
ReplyDeleteI look forward to reading about your fasting weekend.
It is your personal choice to fast. That is what I say.
ReplyDeleteI have never fasted before except for blood tests.
Good luck with it!
I couldn't do that, except for medical reasons, of course. Like blood tests & surgery. Interested to hear how it went this weekend.
ReplyDeleteI've never done it, I have friends who do it for weight loss reasons, to flush out their systems as the beginning of a detox.
ReplyDeleteInteresting though.
I have never done it but I know a lot of religions do it for similar reasons you speak of. I think it's a great idea. I don't know heath wise if it's good for you or not. If you don't have any medical reasons that should prevent you from doing it I say go for it if you need it. Whatever makes you feel better inside about yourself. I get the feeling you are seeking something you are missing. You have been in distress for a few weeks now. Find your center and work through it. (((HUGS)))
ReplyDeleteI'm another one who hasn't done it as part of my weight-loss journey, but I really like your reasons for going through it - actually, that makes me tempted to do one myself!
ReplyDeleteI completely understand why you fast. I'm sure there will be some people out there who don't understand your reasons, but...i get it. I, too, like the hollow feeling I get when I don't eat. I love it. And, you're right, it does remind me of how lucky we are to have immediate access (and funds) to food.
ReplyDeleteHowever, I haven't fasted in a very long while because it is a very slippery-slope to me. I once struggled with "fasting" for days and days and days (week-long fasts that became detrimental to my health). I made a game out of it: how long can I go without food before my body shuts down? And I savored the empty feeling a little too much: oooh...I'm getting thinner and thinner.
Therefore, I don't fast anymore. I do miss it though, but it's not for me. Also, I don't find anything wrong with it as long as you never lose focus of why you're REALLY doing it and you don't let IT eat you. :)
I have fasted several times, mostly for religious reasons to ground and humble myself bringing me closer to Christ. Due to my hypoglycemia I don't do it very often. When I do fast my blood sugar had a really hard time recovering so it is rare when I do it.
ReplyDeleteLook forward to hearing about your journey.
Way to go on the buffet success!!
I don't think I could fast. I tend to get sick if I don't eat and I get shaky. ]: I've always wanted to but meh. Never was able to.
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