Fasting Help!

[Analeah]

I want to do a fast and just thought I would ask some advice first. I have read a lot of controversial things like some sources I have read say that more that a day or two of water fasting can cause serious damage to your body while other sources say that is the only true fast and juice fasts aren't as good. I definately want to do just a water only fast and for as long as possible or to be more specific for as long as it is healthy to do so. Is it better to wait a certain amount of time on an all raw diet before attempting a fast or is it okay to do at any time? Any suggestions or advice would be greatly appreciated!

[thunderdancer]

Hiya Analeah,

One thing is sreaming to get out...

**Listen to your body**

If you are feeling towards a fast then it's what you need, examine your feelings and reasons and really get in touch wihth your body I would say. When we are sick we lose our appetites, when animals are sick they stop eating, I believe fasting is natural - when done in accordance with your body's messages.

I've fasted on water for 5 days a few weeks ago now. I've been raw quite a while and it was still a powerful experience, I learned a lot from it and detoxed lots too.

I would say (from my experience) leave time for yourself - I was very weak and needed rest, my body asked for it - it didn't want to 'do' anything at all. Some people say they get a tonne of energy - they must be very clean I say :) good on em. Be prepared to be laid up you may need lots of rest, I believe that all the rest and the digestive system rest was what benefited me the most - I learned soooo much from the fast, it was very valuable, I don't believe it would have been such a learning and healing experience if I had had to force myself to work during it. For those times I have juice fasted in the past. I really feel like water fasting is an intense experience (in boy, mind AND spirit) and needs to be taken as such.

I did lots of reading too before I did it, but like I say - the biggest thing I could reccomend is to get in your body and talk to it, let it talk to you, really get in touch, explore any mind games you may have too (I had a few!), be as conscious in it as you can and trust your body's instincts all the way through.

And don't foget to come in for support I had great support and it was sooooo welcome, physical support would be wonderful too - I was alone for that time which was great but physical support = great if it's available I say :)

We're here to support you!!

[Curtis]

Analeah,
With a water fast you need a lot of rest, can't really work or much else. Some folks can have a successful juice fast and still go to work, etc. Any fast for longer than a few days when you break the fast eat only soups and maybe raw salads first to let your system start up again slowly.
Fasting in not dangerous if done correctly. Folks have used it for spiritual and health reasons for many hundreds of years. And some folks get rid of cravings for the wrong kind of food doing a fast to.

[Analeah]

Hi Thunderdancer and Curtis, thank you for your advice. I think I remember Kirk posting somewhere once that the hunger sort of goes away after the third day. I think a five day fast is a good amount so I think I am going to aim for that. I thought about doing a juice fast but I think it's not quite as cleansing and also I couldn't stand to waste all that good pulp! At first I thought well I could make veggie burgers out of it or something but I don't think I am capable of making food without tasting it so I don't think that would work for me. I totally agree with what you said about listening to your body. I think that is the most important thing and right now I just feel like I need to do some kind of fast. I haven't really had any detox symptoms at all so far so I am hoping if I do a fast it will speed along the process. One thing I am worried about is getting exercise while doing the fast. I usually do bikram yoga every day for about 30-45 minutes and sometimes go running and work out a little. I am willing to cut out the running and working out but I would still like to continue to do yoga if possible. Do you think that will be possible while fasting? I don't think I will be able to not work at all but I think I will be able to handle working for a few hours at a time. What kind of exercise if any did you guys do while fasting? Thanks again for the advice and I welcome anything else anyone else has to say!

[rawjojo]

Hi Analeah!

I think that Yoga would be wonderful for you to do while fasting. Although I mean restoritive yoga that will help to massage your organs and replenish your body. Definitly not bikram or power yoga or anything to strenuous. It will do wonders in helping you through your fast. It will also be a great way to clear unneccesary junk out of your mind that your body will be getting rid of. Best wishes furing your fast! Let me know how it turns out.
Namaste'
rawjojo

[rawfasting]

Hi Analeah!

Congrads on seeing the value of fasting. If you look at some of my other posts you'll see some tips. I don't have a lot of time to type but did have to answer because it's easy to get confused. The first rule of thumb when asking about fasting, and maybe other advice as well, it to ask from someone who is a hygienist and does a lot of fasting. Someone who has experiences and has taken copious notes along this journey. I have done the above things along with several fasts. Two of them have been 14 days. I would rather speak to you on the phone before you do this so you have a full understanding of what you may experience. There are differences between juice and water and I can tell you what they are. They both serve a purpose and I have seen many gain benefits from both. You have to work from a foundation and that means being very close to 100% raw for at least three months. If this is not the case then you should do very short fasts no longer than 3 days. There is SO much to learn about this. May I recommend Paul Braggs book "The Miracle of Fasting."

Let me know when you are available to chat and we'll set up a time. I'm leaving for CA tomorrow but have long layovers so we could do it then.

Warmly,

Steven

[smasty]

I'm very interested in more info on fasting. I started my raw journey with a 21 day juice fast...coming off of feasting on junk food.

It changed my life, and I'm really anxious to repeat it again. I knew for sure I would do that once a year. I felt so amazing on my fast! I had lots of energy, I felt like I was walking on a different plane. I thought staying raw would continue that feeling, but because I don't properly combine foods, it hasn't. I feel drawn to do another fast, but juice fast, definitely. Maybe we could do a live chat with Steven sometime, for those of us interested in this.

Sue

[Analeah]

Hi Steven, thanks so much for your post. That is SUCH a generous offer of you to be willing to talk with me on the phone about this! I would love to set up a time when I can call you or Smasty has a wondeful idea of doing a live chat. If you can, post when you would be available or private message me or email me at analeah@gmail.com. It sounds like you sure know a lot about fasting and I would love to talk with someone who has a lot of experience with fasting and can answer a few questions and give some info etc. Thanks Again!

[rawfasting]

Hello friends!

I will ALWAYS make time for people who recognize the element of fasting. Too often it's ignored as just some other way to get healthy or some healing tool. Most don't realize that without a certain amount of fasting we just keep getting dirtier on the inside. Paul Bragg lived to the ripe age of 96 and would have gone further had he nit been killed in a boating accident. Norman Walker, another advocate of fasting, lived until 118 I believe.

Anyway, I would love to do a conference call wit the two of you. I'll contact you both via e-mail so we can choose a time thatÂ’s good for all of us!

Warmly,

Steven

[ConsciousCuisine]

Steven, I agree with your posts on fasting...I too have done extended fasting since I was a child. (My longest was 14 days of only water and herbal movers/cleansers after 4 months of 100% raw and frequent periods of only juicing complete with enemas and skin brushing etc.) It seems like we have even more in common than I originally thought :) I am sure we'd have a lot to talk about... as far as guidance goes, I have always offered it and continue to do so, so if more help is needed, I am open to email, letters, telephone, whatever. But you already know that, Analeah :) The same goes for anyone else who needs more intensive aid. :)

[Analeah]

Awwe thanks CC, that is very sweet of you to offer your guidance too! I private messaged you a couple days ago I think but you haven't read it yet probably because you didn't know you had a private message lol. Click on the User CP then go down and click the link that says "list messages" and you should see it. Other than that I don't know how to get in contact with ya. Thanks again for the help you guys it really means a lot to me!

[Kristi]

I've always wanted to try fasting. I think water fasting wouldn't work due to my work schedule and the fact that it is so intense plus training. Is a juice fast ok for this level of physical activity? I fear failure due to the fact that I still cook for the family.

[rawfasting]

Leaving for CA and will be back in one week but would like to address some of what CC said.

PEACE

Steven

don't do anything till I get back...ha ha

[Analeah]

Hehe, okay I will try to hold off on my fast! I am already doing some preparation and haven't bought a lot of food for the week. I want to try to eat up what I have stored so it will be less likely to tempt me when I am fasting. I too wonder about the physical aspects. I would really still like to continue doing SOME yoga even if it's not as intense as what I am used to. I can easily stop running and working out but I usually have to take the dogs to the forest for a walk a few times a week. It's not at all strenuous for me now but I don't know if it would be okay to do while fasting? I have heard of people fainting or passing out while fasting and doing some kind of exercise but I hope this wouldn't be the case for me. Anyway I look forward to your message Steven and I look forward to hearing from you too CC!

[Analeah]

Okay well I think either Monday or Tuesday I am going to do a fast. I feel like my body is screaming for it. I am going to eat up all the fresh fruit I have left tomorrow and then hopefully the next day will start on my fast. I have been talking to the family about it and they seem to be a little worried. They seem to think I will faint or pass out or something within the first day or two of not eating. Though I know this probably isn't true, I do understand where their concern is coming from. One thing I forgot to ask before is when you are doing a fast is it safe to drive and do things of this nature? As I usually drive to the forest to take the dogs on a walk every day and also help take care of the baby, I am wondering if I will be physically able to do this. I don't want to do anything that would endanger the baby or myself etc. What I am planning on doing is just going with it and listening to my body and if I feel like I am going to pass out or something I will give up the fast and eat something. I'm just not sure what the best thing is to do. Originally I wanted my goal to be five days but I think that might be a bit too long. I am thinking more in the range of a three day fast now but like I said before I want to make sure I am being safe about this!