Starting my first fast and need love and support...

[raw-siobhan]

I absolutely KNOW that the love and support is abundant here and for this is I am eternally grateful because I need it desperately. I just finished reading quit a few of the posts on fasting as well as a post by Miss Linda about "Fasting 101". I feel this may be what I need to do at this point in my life. I have struggled with cravings for the year and a half or so that I have been pursuing eating raw (giving in to them every single stupid time) and I am looking for the most effective way to rid myself of them. They have stood in my way for so long and I am bound and determined to find a way to succeed in my quest to overcome them so that my body can heal itself to whatever extent possible. With this conviction and some research, I have decided to go with a juice fast, a long one. I have NEVER tried a juice fast. I do, however, want to succeed and feel that a juice fast will be more reasonable for me than a water fast. I am tired of dealing with adult A.D.D., hypothyroidism, hot flashes and mood swings (doctor said it could be the beginning of menopause...I am only 37!!! what is going on with my stupid body???), irregular periods (sorry guys...more information than you signed up for), depression, obesity, etcetera.

I guess I am scared at failing yet again at something raw foods related, but each time I fall short of my goals to go raw I come back more determined to find a way to make it work for me. Again, I am so tired of feeling ill because of the long term effects of constantly giving in to my food addictions for processed and cooked foods and just need this to work. I welcome your advice. I would love to hear your experiences as to how to ease out of the fast when the time rolls around so that I dont binge. I would also love to hear positive things with regards to juice fasting as a water fast seems to be out of the picture for now (I dont think I have the discipline).

Thank you in advance for your support. I really do look forward to hearing from you. :rolleyes:

[konmai]

I love your AV. It's so cute! :p

hm... It's really surprising for me to read that someone thinks water fasting is more challenging than juice fasting. I haven't had one successful juice fast! :rolleyes: But I've successfully done a 14-day water fast. For me, water fasting is similar to if you want to fast from junk food, forget about will-power, don't have it in the house! :D Everyone is different though.

Best wishes on your juice fast! During my first successful fast, it was very helpful for me to read the benefits of fasting. It was Fuhrman's book, but there are also tons of ebooks on the soul website. Join us in the fasting bandit thread! :o

[dahlila]

Hey Raw!

I definitely rec. juice-fasting, of course everyone is different, but I think water fasting can be a bit harsh on the body especially if you have never fasted before.

I did one water fast and it was painful! juice fasting is blissful to me (after you get through the first few days). I wish I could do it again soon, but I am too skinny :(

Get the book juice fasting and detoxification, it is excellent! I got a copy from the library for my last fast.

If you really stick to the fast, I think your hormone imbalances, moodiness and addictions will be helped tremendously and you will learn so much about yourself and your relationship to food.

Be gentle with yourself though, set a goal such as 14 days or 30 days, but listen to your body. and drink plenty of water and juice!

keep us posted re: your experience!

healing to you!

[raw-siobhan]

I am part way through my first day of the fast and I cant wait for my juicer to arrive...it takes quite a bit of time to juice by hand, but so be it. Let's see...I am pretty excited and scared at the same time. I am scared to fail. I am scared of my very adept rationalization skills...I can talk myself out of anything in 60 seconds flat. I DONT WANT TO DO THAT TO MYSELF when things get tough...which should hit about dinner time I suspect. Any advice?

[konmai]

How many days are you going for? 7, 14, 21? Usually, being tempted to the bad foods is just habit. Depending on how many days, just think you're only fasting for "x" days. Afterwards, the foods will always be there.

It's difficult I know, & you know that, too. Cutting any habit and changing towards something "more you" is always difficult, but all you have to do is will yourself through those first very FEW days. ;)

Not sure if this will help you, but it's usually a habit thing. C'mon... you can do it!!!! Don't let the past define who you are. You can always be whoever the best you any time... any day! Stop pushing it off until next time or the perfect situation! NOW!!!!

Have you found the soul e-books? Those might turn you off from eating anything bad. :p

[raw-siobhan]

I am working on at least getting to 15 days although my goal is 30. It is 4:15 Arizona time and I have had approximately 48 ounces of juice and water mixed together...and I feel like HECK. I have a nasty headache, dizziness, and nausea. Is this detox ALREADY??? Or is it just a normal thing to experience the first day? Any answers would be greatly appreciated. (Normally at the end of a post I would put this sign: :) BUT, I think I will put this one: :eek: )

[konmai]

lol! hehe. I'm done w/ my first day here. I hear ya girl! *high five*

hm... it could very well be detox. Were you SAD before this, high RAW or 100% RAW before starting this fast? :confused:

Also, try to drink enough fluids. I think the general rule is half your body weight in fluid oz. You might be dehydrated as well or detoxing, but I don't think it would hurt to get enough fluids in. ;)

Oh and you're making sure there is no pulp in the juice, right? :p The key of juice fasting, if I remember correctly, is to minimize or diminish digestion. So that the body can work on healing your body rather than just digesting 24/7 as in the SAD way of eating.

You can do, do, do it!!!! Well, I'm on agua. We are in this together. I'm aiming for 30 days as well!

PS. What type of water are ya drinking?

[raw-siobhan]

I screwed up. I started feeling so crappy and I quit fasting. I need to regroup and get my self together and start again.

I may not have been getting enough fluids and there was a bit of pulp left over after hand juicing because my juicer hasnt arrived yet. I should get it soon, hopefully by this weekend I should have it. I have been having SAD, lots of it along with raw fruits and veggies as well...obviously not good enough I know. I struggle so much with cravings, though. I have yet to figure out how to get through this without failure unfortunately. My water is purified and bottled as the water we have here in my town has high levels of toxins in it.

Have you fasted before, Konmai?

[Morn]

Don't sweat it. If at first you don't succeed - try again. Once your juicer arrives join us in the fasting bandits thread!

[konmai]

You know what? Like Morn said, don't sweat it. I shouldn't be telling you this...

But like you, I definitely went off and on with the water fast. But I think if I were too hard on myself, I would have never successfully have done those 14 days. Keep trudging water fasting soldier! :p So yes. The answer is "yes." I have definitely fasted before.

Did the MC. BOMBED!
Did the juice fast. BOMBED!
Water fast. BINGO!

We're all here being each other's cheer section. It's so heartwarming, eh? Let me know when you decide to do it again. I'm always seeing what you're experiencing. You know... it's just a big lift when someone is going through the same things in the past, present or future. :D B/c in the end, it's so awesome knowing they're going to grow, grow, grow w/ each experience!

Keep strong, girl!

[Rednurseceo]

Hi Raw-siobhan,

It's normal to feel crappy the first 3 days or so.

I started a new thread regarding the stages of detox during fasting - so you kinda get an idea on what to expect. Hope that helps.

Take care.