poutanen

I figured! I remember feeling like I had way more time, not eating and prepping three meals probably resulted in a good 2 hours a day more free time. Which is a lot! If/when I choose to fast again I'll probably have some more things planned. Play guitar, read more (maybe get a new book?), have a mild sauna, plan a leisurly walk around a lake or something.

I got mild headaches when fasting, very mild and more of an "unclear" feeling during the fast. Afterwords I always felt great. It's amazing how GREAT a glass of orange juice tastes after fasting for a few days! And it's amazing how much energy you get from a very small amount of food.

What initially got me involved was a book my dad had on a shelf at the cottage. I would have been about 18 or so, picked up this book and started asking him about it. He did a couple fasts in the 80's and 90's so I think I actually did my first one with him. We made a vegetable broth and then strained it, and had nothing but that and water for a few days at the cottage.

There are mixed views of it's effect, or even whether there's any health benefit at all. Champions of it say it gives your digestive system a rest, detoxifies, cleanses, etc. Detractors say is does a number on your system, can weaken immune response, etc. I happen to thing a short (week or less) fast of either water, or a light juice/veg broth and water fast is not going to have a massive effect on your system either way. So I guess I'm from the "it's fun and I like the way it makes me feel" camp.

Yeah it's amazing how by the end of the second day you usually feel like you could go forever! Third day is easy but by then you're really getting bored of not eating. Again I think the key for me next time will be to have a LOT of things to occupy my brain!

Some suggest fasting for weight loss and this is a HORRIBLE way to lose weight on it's own. What it does do for me is break the psycological habit of having to be "full" every time I eat, and that's a good thing. I think if you did a short fast, and then eased back into a more natural (or I guess I should saw raw) eating plan it could very well lead to a more healthy lifestyle. Fatty foods sure tasted gross to me for a few days after fasting each time!

I think this is a very honest article about the potential effects and dangers of fasting: Are Fasting Diets Safe and Effective?

Here's an article describing a 21 day cycle (8 day fast, 3 to come off the fast, and 10 days of mostly a raw food diet) DoctorYourself.com - Fasting How To's What I typically do is about half of that diet, but I do the first 4 days with water and green tea (no sweetener), the next day or so with juices, and then I try not to pig out on steak for the next 5 days or so.

seant46

Hmm. Ive been trying to live a healthier lifestyle this year, maybe a 2 day fast would be just what I need. I have quit the disgusting habit of cigarettes(probably why I can come across like a douche on here lately along with no shredding) this year along with starting yoga and now possibly fasting!? I may turn into a full on health nut by the time its 2014

poutanen

Whoa whoa WHOAAAAAAAAAAAAA don't go too far too soon!!! I'd like to try yoga one of these days. Mostly because of yoga pants. Damn, them yoga pants.

seant46

Yeah you may be right I dont want to set myself up for an implosion this year either! Possibly next month or so for that..

Yoga has been great for clearing my mind also, and yeah those yoga pants can be... distracting to say the least

poutanen

Yeah I think small changes are lasting changes (not that quitting smoking is a small change, that's an excellent one!!!)

I guess my overall point to fasting is, if it's a hobby it's interesting, I think if it's taken too seriously it could be harmful...

seant46

Totally agreed on the small changes theory and Ive been learning to use mental positive reinforcement also for any changes that I have made. We'll see where it takes me if I decide to fast Ill update how it goes here