fasting.. help!

[zig_zag]

Hello, I'd like to start my first fast tomorrow, but I'm scared senseless. I'm addicted to food; a binger. I'm not interested in fasting for weightloss, rather I am interested in restoring long-needed health and balance within (both physical and mental-emotional); in other words, doing something necessary and beneficial for my health.


But so many questions galore! Please help!:::
1) In your experience, what have you found to be more successful: juice fasting, water fasting, or the MC? (At this point I am leaning toward a one-two day juice fast and then one day water fast, to start) 2) Is it safe to start a fast after a bad BINGE day? 3) What juices have you found to be most stabalizing in terms of blood sugar levels and appetite? 4) What juices would be easiest on the stomach? My stomach is very sensitive and I find juices give me severe bloating and cramping... 5) Can I drink as much herbal teas as I like on the juice fast? And what about chinese herbs? 6) Do or have any of you taken MSM, E3Live, or superfoods on your juice feast? Do you find them to be helpful or unecessary? 7) Were you able to do yoga? 8) Any other helpful hints?
I'd greatly appreciate any answers, additional help or comments that you have to offer! As you can see, I'm overthinking this... and quite scared, but eager to embark on a potentially fruitful journey!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! To health:D Thank you!!!!!

[zig_zag]

oh also, are kombucha and coconut water not OK on a juice fast?

[Aleesha Sattva]

you are not ready to start your fast tomorrow. you don't have any answers and you need to be prepared, not only knowledge wise but also emotionally, mentally, physically and spiritually. from reading your post... it doesn't look like you are there at this time.

so... how about starting in a week?

1) all of the above. it's more about what YOU want out of your fast.
2) i wouldn't. you want to start cutting down your food consumption for 3-5 days BEFORE you begin your fast and remember... it takes another 3-5 to break your fast. So a 3 day fast takes 9+ days to complete!!!
3) a nice variety works well for me. carrot/apple/parsley/cucumber is nice.
4) i would think apple would be nice and gentle whereas citrus not so much.
5) i would limit yourself to a cup or two a day.
6) i don't bother
7) yes
8) read, research, read blogs of people who have done fasts/feasts.

Congrats and enjoy your fast!!!

[Eveleaf]

Juice fasting is easy and gentle. I have never been successful on any other kind of fast, but I'm currently on Day 50 of my Juice Feast. Believe me, if it were not easy, I couldn't do it!

I also struggle with binging and food addiction. My *primary* reason for wanting to Juice Feast was to deal with those things, not weight loss (although that has been nice).

It is perfectly safe to start a juice fast after a binge day. I did. In fact, I believe it had been a binge week.

In terms of blood sugar and appetite, I prefer green drinks, always. Fruit drinks spike my sugars and make me hungry, if I take them alone. My green drinks do have some fruit in them, so they are not too low in calories. A two-cup green drink would be made with:
1 cucumber
1/4 head celery
1 apple
1/4 - 1/2 pound leafy greens, sprouts, herbs, etc.

I do drink fruit juice, but I limit it. Never more than 1 cup at a time, and always following at least 2 cups of green. This seems to help my blood sugar and appetite levels stay even keel.

I don't know what would be easiest on the stomach, you might have to experiement there. My guess is citrus would be bad, and celery, cucumber and apple would be good. Probably a juice made with too many things in it would also give you trouble. You should also take digestive enzymes with your juices and see if that helps cut down on any discomfort.

Yes, you can have herbal tea. No black or green tea.

I supplement every day with MSM, green powder, E3Live, bee pollen/royal jelly (make *sure* you're not allergic before taking), and 1/4 tsp kelp granules. Occassionally I will also have a tiny amount of raw honey, celtic sea salt, and flax oil. These are all allowed on a fast.

I don't do yoga, but I do dance everyday. I haven't had any problems with energy at all.

Hints, hmm. Make really sure you are committed and prepared. Lots of GREAT information on www.juicefeasting.com, www.globaljuicefeast.com, and Angela Stoke's e-book, "A Juice Feaster's Handbook" at www.rawreform.com. I have found the quickest and most juice-effective way to make juice is actually with my high-powered blender, then straining through 2 nut milk bags. Make LOTS of juice, and drink often.

Also, remember that it is an adventure - and you are hero in the story! Your favourite adventure books or movies would be boring and flat if the main character never had to overcome any difficulty. This mindset helps to get past the rough times, even to look forward to them!

I don't think you are overthinking at all. The single biggest thing that I think contributes to people failing on a juice fast is lack of commitment or preparation. Get centered, ready, and determined to do it right. If you don't think failing is an option, then it won't be. It really is that simple. Every mistake we make in life starts with an open door in our minds.

Good luck - you can do it! Please post any question you think of, I'd love to help. :)

[Eveleaf]

Oh, coconut water is fine. Coconut oil, taken infrequently, is fine. Coconut butter, or meat, is not. I don't really know anything about kombucha, sorry.

[WendyLouWho]

I agree with Aleesha, if you are scared, it's not time. You really have to be ready mentally to fast or you are setting yourself up for failure. It's worth it to work it all out, journal, prepare. The times I have been most successful with fasting (I've done water/lemon fasts) were the times I was so excited to start I was literally counting down the days (I tend to pick important or significant dates to start).

There's some great advice on this thread and I'm sure much more to come. You can do it! And you will feel tremendous and so strong with fasting!

Oh, and I practice yoga and have never had any problems with energy. I do Astanga which is pretty intense.

[StarFire]

Okay zigZag... this will show you that each of us is soo very different -- and we each approach things differently... ;)

here are my answers... and please remember these are MY opinions based on MY experience only okay? They may not be right for you ... but it is what works for me....

1) My experience will be based on water fasting and the Master Cleanse only. I've never done a juice fast so I cannot give you any opinions on that.
WATER FAST - worked great -- harder on me physically and mentally.. but spiriturally very rewarding.
MASTER CLEANSE - works exceptionally for me. I always have great results physically - I tend to flush my body of a lot of toxins and poisons. I used the Master Cleanse to help me break addictions to cigarette smoking (40 years of smoking) and alcohol abuse. the perk to the MC for me is that I ALWAYS lose a lot of weight... and it's true fat that seems to melt off of me - -and my true self begins to emerge. I love the MC. In addition, althought I do experience detox.... the Master Cleanse is more gentle than the water fast. And... I simply do not experience any hunger while Im on the Master Cleanse .. which in turn makes fasting easier for me.

2) (call me bad.... BUT....) I ALWAYS have a 'last supper' before I go on a fast... and okay - I'll admit it... my 'last supper' often ends up being my 'last lunch and my last supper'.... for several days before I begin my fast - lol! this I'm sure is not a good habit - but hey - its what I do - and I'm just being truthful... If I 'slowly cut down on my food prior to a fast... mentally I start to feel like I'm forcing myself thru a 'slow starvation and I'm punishing myself'... so ... I do just the opposite.... (but like I say -- I'm sure this is VERY bad!!) http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/blush-2.gif

3) juice question - I cannot answer cuz I cannot do sweet fruits due to allergies... makes me crazy dizzy and sleepy!

4) another juice question - oh but before I found out I was allergic to sweet fruits - I did love green smoothies with spinach and strawberries... and my tummy felt great!

5) On the water fast or the Master Cleanse - the only tea you would drink ... and that is if you absolutley need to ... is a laxative kind of tea - once a day (most likely in the evening) Alot of people will use either Smooth Move or Yogi 'Get Regular' tea.

6) No. Although I take MSM regularly - I do not take any supplements while fasting ...(oh and I love E3Live... I wish I could afford it -- it soo awesome!)

7) Many fasters continue with their yoga -- Birkram yoga even. Morn fasts quite regularly and she is an avid exercise queen throughout the entire fast. I however... am a lazy butt and usually do not exercise... except for 6 hours of intense hula on Mondays. Once my fast is over I will begin walking again... Personally... I KNOW this is bad and I SHOULD be walking every day... sigh... what can I say... I'll get there!

8) do your homework... don't rush into it. Fasting will always be there. Settle in on what you want to do first. Have you supplies ready... make sure you are mentally in a place where you are ready to do this -- because it DOES take mental discipline to be successful.... in the long run - physically it's not that hard to go without food... the battle is all in the mind... prepare the mind and the body will follow...

You are not over thinking this - you are wise to ask questions.... I wish I had this forum when I first began fasting -- I sort've just jumped in and winged it...

my first fast was a 40 day water fast for spiritual purposes... that was in 1983 or 84 ... it was wonderful - but I broke that fast with a double meat and cheese burrito with all the fixins, a large order of french fries and a super size coke... and that was just lunch... then I went home and at a massive dinner too... oy vaeeee... what I put my body thru!! :eek:

blessings on your journey.... you'll do just fine!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/Summer.gif

[zig_zag]

Wow, I am so amazingly grateful for the prompt, wonderful, well-thought out, thorough responses that I've received thus far. Seriously, they mean so much to me!!!!

They're all very encouraging and helpful, thank you.

I AM scared to fast, but I'm also terribly excited, hence my wanting to jump in immediately:D

Starfire- Apparantly senna tea (and any natural laxative, really) isn't actually good for you, despite being 'natural'... Do you have any thoughts on this??

I've always been too much of a dud to get the portions in the MC drink right:p :rolleyes:

Thanks again!:)

[zig_zag]

Aleesha, in regards to my triple post:o Well first I posted my singular question in the sprouting/juicing thread, only to realize that there was a fasting thread (I typically stick solely to the general forum, and had made the careless mistake of amalgamating the fasting thread w/ the juicing thread in my mind), so I posted that question over here... But, unable to control myself (as I am clearly bursting with questions), I decided to compose a compilation of my questions, and thought I mine as well include that one ;) :p Sorry for the annoyance... Been a bit loopy lately!! :p

[StarFire]

I AM scared to fast, but I'm also terribly excited, hence my wanting to jump in immediately

Starfire- Apparantly senna tea (and any natural laxative, really) isn't actually good for you, despite being 'natural'... Do you have any thoughts on this??



I think it's quite cool that you are excited... this is a good thing and your fast will most likely be successful because of it!! (my humble opinon of course not based on scientific data!! ahahaahha!! ;) )

I know that laxative teas are not the best thing in any form, senna or otherwise... but if the alternative is to allow the toxins to remain in your body ... then I opt for using the tea.... or taking an enema. Or having a colonic done. It is more important to get those toxins out.

now the Master Cleanse (oh and RawHeaven was also doing this while on the water fast she just completed....) you can use the salt water flush which does what it says.... flushes your body out. for some reason - the SWF does not work for everyone ... but for those people that get results from that... they GET SERIOUS AND QUICK RESULTS so stick close to the potty!! (so I've been told!!) unfortunately ... I happen to be one of those folks that can take the SWF and all I do is swell up like the goodyear blimp!! very sad... and most uncomfortable!!! :eek: so... that's when I opted for the laxative tea. I personally use the Yogi 'get regular tea' ... I love the little words of wisdom on the tea bag... they crack me up!! "wisdom in... toxins out" heheheheee!!! ;) also ... on occasion I will use Cascara Sagrada capsules... those work really well for me too.

so in my humble opinion .... if the choice is enema (which will cause me to run screaming from the house in terror!! lol!!).... or SWF... which cause me to swell up like Big Bertha.... or allow the toxins to remain in my body and poison me and back up inside me causing headaches, nausea and other icky stuff... I'll take the tea!! Short term will not hurt me...

and ... I dunno what the comment was about 'double posting' or otherwise... lots of people will post things in several places to make sure someone responds... nothing wrong with that... and personally I don't find it irritating at all!!! THAT'S WHAT THIS FORUM IS FOR.... to ask questions... and get answers!! so you go girl!! RAWk on!!

http://i149.photobucket.com/albums/s43/FireStar_830/th357582627l0ng1ru-11.gif

[oceanee]

Great replies to your questions and I'd just like to add this. I totally agree that you must be mentally prepared to fast, juice or MC. If, you are like me one who is dealing with releasing the food addiction mentality then to jump in and fail will only set you spiraling further out of control. And I , like Star always seemed to "binge" before a fast. Not because it was the best thing for my body but because I have yet to rid myself of "the last supper" attitude. It will come I believe as I continue my journey with raw.
I have done the SWF but it makes me gag . You have to have the right ratio of salt to water to be successful releasing. I am on my 2nd MC and I am using the SM tea. It doesn't produce the same fast results but it works and is tasty. My experience. This thread is so helpful as we all experience differently ( thank goodness ) and our experiences vary. But one thing I am sure is consistent ~ those of us with food addictions must mentally prepare by reading, lots of thought, planning and being sure it we can hurdle ourselves around any of life's distractions. It is a journey and you are the hero ( I like that to whomever said ahead of me) !
Great luck ~ you will do well as you sounds determined > keep joining in as support is part of the process.
Oceanee

[zig_zag]

Thank you, thank you! Such great responses:D

I'm still curious if I can take chinese herbs at night?

Also has anyone mixed the MC cleanse with juice fasting? I cannot afford to do a full-on juice fast:/

Today I woke up to warm lemon water w/ stevia, followed later on by a greens/carrot/beets juice, followed later on by a green juice w/ apple,lemon and ginger with Green Vibrance powder mixed in. Then I had some detox tea w/ agave nectar, and an MC drink at using agave.

Obviously I wasn't totally rigid today, but I think this is probably best, as today was my first day ever of no solid foods (:eek:), so I considered it a nice prep-day:)

I'm also wondering if the MC drink is successful w/ agave as opposed to maple syrup...

[RawHeaven]

Hey there Zig Zag you've gotten some wonderful advice. I'll just add based on your question above that the best fast is the one that gels with you. If you think you'd like to mix the MC with a juice fast go for it. I'm still hearing in your comments the energy of fear or maybe not fear, but some uncertainty?? I think the absolute most important ingredient to fasting is to mentally prepare yourself and get yourself psyched up. The second most important is to determine why you want to do this for yourself. There are more motivators of course, but for me personally once I get my mind wrapped around doing this for my HEALTH, it is very easy to both remain on the fast and continue to motivate myself. I've completed 4 or 5 MC (lost track) and one water fast. I certainly hit some bumps in the road where I wanted to stop, but remembering why I'm doing this kept me on track.

I was an emotional binge eater and fasting definately shined a light on my relationship to food. I wouldn't binge on a variety of food at once, but you couldn't put a package of anything in front of me...like cookies for example without the entire contents dissappearing in a very short period of time. Most of it was mindless, unconscious eating. I even tried the baggie deal with putting 5 or 6 cookies in storage bags so I wouldn't do this for example. LOL. I would simply just keep grabbing the baggies until they were gone.

I share this to say fasting does not heal eating disorders. The true healer is getting in touch with yourself and with your goals. If you still have bingeing tendencies after finishing your fast, you're simply going to continue bingeing. But if you use the insight you gained during the fast, post fast you will be golden. Sometimes you do go backwards. I certainly have! But each time you fast, it opens a new window of awareness that is quite fascinating and healing. It varies for each of us, but I would take a wild guess that it's always profound. Especially with long fasts.

One thing I've learned from doing a lot of research, listening to other fasting Goddesses' and Gods' experiences and my own is a very critical aspect of fasting is knowing how to break it properly. And the key determining factor of your overall success is what you decide to refuel your body with when you're done. It takes a great deal of mental focus and emotional discipline to properly break a fast. Generally you're supposed to remain on juices and eat very lightly for 1/2 the length of your fast. Ideally this sounds easy, but in reality it can be challenging. I don't want to program anyone to think of it this way, simply wanted to say really think about your goals and what you want to break your fast with. Choosing digestion friendly foods and sticking to green juices will help you stay on track. Your body will work with you if you choose to work with it. It can be really tempting once your digestive system is working again and true hunger kicks in to not fall back to old patterns and start eating like there's no tomorrow. Everything will taste good that is fresh. I still haven't mastered breaking the fast - usually after 1-2 two days post cleanse or fasting I'm eating solid food. It doesn't mean that you still cannot be successful, it just means there's always more to learn and experience with this process. During my next fast, I plan to finally get this down and I will break my fast properly! I'm affirming it now. :-)

After a year of eating raw foods and detoxifying my major organs, especially my colon I am experiencing tremendously good health...spirtually, mentally, emotionally and physically. My bowel movements have gone from 1 every other day pre Raw to 4-5 every day depending on how much solid food I'm eating. My body is a smooth moving raw machine! When you're cleansed you feel great and you want to keep the momentum going. I no longer binge eat. In fact, I can't! When I overstuff myself these days I get sick for days and I feel like crap! So I don't. My body is always talking to me loud and clear and I try to listen as much as possible.

So take all of these wonderful ladies' advice - it's all so valid and I love how this forum supports each one of us in our goals no matter where we are on our path.

If you're still fearful, just jump in anyway but write down your goals! Your goals will pull you through the fear and you will be humming with pure certainty in no time, so proud of the gift you've given yourself and your wonderful body.

Happy Fasting!

Love & Blessings,
Crystal

[RawHeaven]

I'm still curious if I can take chinese herbs at night?

Listen to your body and research the particular fast you wish to try. For example, if you wish to commit to the master cleanse, read Stanley Burroughs' The Master Cleanser. There are free pdf file links in some of the threads here. I think I put it in the January MC thread?? If you're really wanting to reap great results from it, I would stick to it to the letter. The MC does not include taking chinese herbs at night.

If you're doing some other cleanse or fast, then it may be okay. It may even be okay for you on the MC, but it is for you decide. I don't think anyone can really answer this question for you better than your own body.

Personally when I'm starting a new type of fast, I like to be precise and careful. I think the more you fast, the more you can tweak your fasts as you get to know your own body. Another example is I can break a master cleanse with grapefruit juice instead of orange juice...my body loves it. But this may not work for everyone.

I'm also wondering if the MC drink is successful w/ agave as opposed to maple syrup...


I read Tom Woloshyn's The Complete Master Cleanse last year and he mentions agave is not a great substitute for the grade b maple syrup because it does not have the same mineral content. That's not to say you can't use it, just be aware of the differences and make your own decision. I personally use the maple syrup...have tried the agave and thought it was too sweet. I always cut back on the maple syrup for the same reason - it's too sweet for me. (Tom Woloshyn has completed 1000+ MC and is Stanley Burroughs' protege).


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[Portia2012]

Hello ZigZag,


So far I have only done water fasts. I am just starting my second one, and plan to go until Tuesday night at least. The water fast as Starfire pointed out will be slightly harder on your body, but at the same time does wonders in a spiritual sense.

I am hoping to do a juice fast by the end of the year when I have the ability to do that.

I love the fact that you are all excited, because that is the momentum you need to make it through. That drive and that spirit helped me almost complete my first one, and I am more determined to make it all the way to a full three days this time around.


~Portia~

[Aleesha Sattva]

Sorry for the annoyance... Been a bit loopy lately!! :p

oh you weren't an annoyance at all. i posted in those threads to let others know there was this thread... that way all your info is in one thread and others don't get confused thinking "hmmm, i know i responded... what happened to my post???" LOL

sorry if my responses sounded snippy... it was not my intention at all.

as for your excitement... i hear ya girlfriend. i was so darned excited to start my green smoothie feast that i was counting down the days... it was the longest and most successful emotionally feast/fast i've ever done! i was able to do 15 days of green smoothie goodness and 5 days of water only. a huge achievement for me... which is why i want you to be ready for it... cause that made all the difference for me. my longest fast/feast was 9 days before this.

i would loooooooooooove to do a longer juice feast to be honest... and hopefully i'll be ready to undertake that sometime soon. perhaps in the summer when things are more abundant and fresh? either way... in my experience... being prepared and having all my questions answered reallllly helps me to achieve what i want out of a fast/feast. i wish all your 'hopes' to come true... for your greatest good :::hugs:::

[zig_zag]

Again, I just want to thank you guys... I don't really know what else to say:o All the replies I've gotten thus far are so wonderfully kind and helpful... Seriously, I've never had such wonderful feedback:) Thanks to your opinions, coupled with a bit of research and a 'trial run', I think I'm rrrrready!!! I'm setting the date for this Sunday:D Thanks again!

[Eva]

I'll have to check around other parts of the board to see this... but Zig Zag I noticed that today is the day you had been planning to start your fast...

Funny, I found this thread trying to find out what in the world to do with an enema, looking for a pointer because I'll soon be on a wheat grass fast. I didn't get any help here, just some funny comments.

Aw well. :)