Socializing while fasting

[zinny]

This is my first time juice feasting and so far have been saying "no thanks" to dinner invites. Since so many social gatherings take place around food, this is going to isolate me if I keep up much longer!

I've been reluctant for two reasons: (a) I will want to eat the food that they're eating, even if I bring juice and (b) I don't want my fast to become a topic of discussion, esp as I'm not sure how supportive people will be. I'm living in a place where ideas about health and food are fairly provincial/conservative.

When I went veg, and then later got into raw, I learned how to handle these situations--but in both cases I was not interested in eating what was being served. I am doing ok not thinking about food when I'm not around it, but when I go to the grocery store EVERYTHING looks good. I am not concerned about actually breaking the fast, but rather about whether it will be miserable or not. ;)

Any suggestions would be much appreciated. I am on the fence about an invite for this weekend and need to let the host know if I'm coming or not!

[Aleesha Sattva]

at this point it doesn't even phase me anymore... but when i first started fasting... it sure did.

i would take 4 litres of the yummiest juice i could make with me. i'm have one litre before i left home and have 4 more for the event. that way... i could literally sip my way through the event. i way so surprised at how often i came home with all my juice!

people are people and you'll be surprised at how many of them have either fasted in the past or are intrigued by it. i get a few negative people here and there but for the most part... they just ignore me if it's a topic they are uncomfy with LOL

[rawmom2006]

hi Zinny
I am water fasting and I still socialize a lot. I have done many fast so I am use to it. It does get easier.
I think if you really want to go and they are close friends. Just take your juice and enjoy yourself. If it really makes you uncomfortable and you know the people will not understand then wait till another time. I am not sure how long you are fasting for but if it is a short time justy wait until your fasting is over. If you are on a long fast then pick and choose whose house you fell comfortable at. If food still bothers you I say maybe wait till dinner is over and go after. You have to do what is best for you.

i find after the 3rd day food does not bother me I even cook and bake for family.
Good luck with what ever you decide works.

[zinny]

Thank you for sharing your experience! I think that it probably would be fine--at the very least a learning experience--and when I fast in the future something I will experiment with.

As Sat is going to be my 10th and last day of this fast, I've decided instead to watch a few movies at home with bf.

[freelive]

That's all great advice. I generally avoid telling people(except my closest friends) I am fasting, unless absolutely necessary, it just feels better for me. I also try not to go to many gatherings. But now with Christmas comming, I will have to attend some. I don't have to say I fast, i can just say, that my body wants a break from solids, that I don't feel well, etc.

[Stella Green]

This is going to sound crazy, but you might also want to think up at least five conversation starters that don't have anything to do with food/fasting. Look up fun stuff on metalfloss.com, or check out the most popular articles at the New Yorker website. This way, when the subject comes up, you can smoothly move onto another topic without feeling awkward.

[siennagray]

My experience (while on the master cleanse) has been that if I said, "I'm doing a cleanse," people had all manner of opinions on that and it would turn into a big discussion. On the other hand, if I just said "I'm fasting," there was no further discussion prompted.

My theory is that the words, while similar in meaning carry different connotations for many people. The word cleanse feels "new age" and like "quack medicine" to many people. On the other hand while fasting is not done by everyone, it is incorporated in enough religious cultures (either as active practice or part of the history) that people are both familiar with the custom, and nervous to bring up a religious discussion. Of course, this may vary by region, and it can be very hard to be a "health pioneer" in your social circle.

I was definitely more comfortable having something to sip on while in a meal environment - juice, tea, or whatever fits with the particular fast you are doing.

[Aleesha Sattva]

i find that if i say i'm fasting for spiritual reasons... people don't say much. it's a conversation stopper! LOL

[sidrah]

Yup, I tend to start things during Lent and then just continue with them, so if I give that as a reason, people say positive things. For example, 3 or 4 years ago I gave up soda for Lent and just never had it since then. The next year, I gave up everything except water and that lasted for quite a long time. Now people just expect me to drink only water and look at me weird if I get iced tea. I think I drink water 99% of the time.

People become accustomed to what they see; good examples shown often become commonplace after a short time.