fasting question/vertigo

[elaina]

I have a quick question for everyone....when should I start fasting...after I have been raw for 3-6 months, or should I fast first, then start raw....I read I think in Sunfood diet Success System by David wolfe that one should wait at least 6 months before fasting to get the body use to it...then fast....When I started in 2001, with just rawfood...I had to stay in bed for the first few days because I had Vertigo so bad....I guess I'm wondering if fasting first would be too much for me...what do you think??? (when I mean fast I don't mean a water fast...) Just juice and coconut water...any suggestions?? Thanks!!! Elaina p.s. what would be the cause of vertigo....not enough water?

[Melissa]

Vertigo has been a big problem for me (part of my fibromyalgia I think) and has made fasting challenging in the past. I did a 7 day juice fast when I started raw a month ago and it was the best fast I ever did, mostly because I drank a lot. In the past, I'd drink three juices a day at most (at "meal times") but this time I kept the juicer busy throughout the day. I also drank more greens in my carrot juice (parsley is a favorite) rather than straight carrot or carrot/apple. I think the greens cut the sugar effect. I also did enemas each day during the fast. I planned the fast for a time when I knew I didn't have to be too busy so I could rest if I needed to. If I got really hungry (more emotional than physical) I'd make a banana smoothie with a little tahini in it. So technically I wasn't strictly juice-fasting. But it helped me stay with it. I still had a little bit of vertigo at first but not terrible at all and it went away.

[Curtis]

Many folks use a juice fast before starting the raw eating style to help curb cooked food habits. I recently finished a 1 week orange juice fast that after the first 3 days was quite refreshing. Depending on how toxic one is will determine how much rest you need the first few days. I believe a water fast would be easier to handle after being raw for a few months. Todd here has more experience concerning a water fast than I do.

[Sharon in Colorado]

You could try a monodiet first. Just eat melon all day, or grapes all day. A friend of mine has been doing that with parsnips. See how that goes first. After a day, the next week, do it for 3 days. After you've got a week under your belt, try doing a liquid fast, juices, teas, broths, etc. one day, or even one meal at a time.

Before I started fasting, and I wasn't even raw, I'd skip my morning meal. Then breakfast and lunch, and soon I was able to fast through the day. I would highly suggest doing it gradually by meal or by reducing food intake especially if you are not planning to rest during your fast, and especially if you are experiencing things like vertigo or other dizzyness.

[elaina]

Thanks guys for your help. I am going to try to fast for a few days, maybe 3-4 days....but if I get vertigo again maybe I will sneak in a smoothie with a little fat to stop the dizziness...!!??? But if I don't get dizzy I will just do a total fast...(apple/greens)...if for some reason I can't handle a fast at all, I will do a monodiet for a week then fast...!!!!Thanks guys for helping!! Elaina

[misslinda]

Are you getting heart palpitations accompanying the dizziness and such? are you drinking water often?

luv,
linda

[misslinda]

Hey quinsetta,

That question was for you--the reason why I asked is b/c the symptoms sounded so familiar--as I "suffered" panic/anxiety epsides for several years nyself. How are you doing with the panic attacks--gone? Can I ask you if you have used diet pills in the past. I'm most certain mine is linked to the ephedra based diet pill I used to use in conjuction with coffee overload. I will never know.


luv,
linda

[misslinda]

Quinsetta,

I'm right there with you. I have so much abuse of past over the counter junk that I am working on purging out of my body thru the cleansing. I admire you clear headed thinking and making changes in your life. Fasting is something I would lvoe to do but my naturopth wants me to have chromium levels checked so I will do more of a juice fast for now--even that is failing or better yet I have failed it.

luv,
linda
:(