fasting for lent

[leeleelocs]

I am planning to start a fast on march1 (that starts lent) for 40 days. This is for internal and spirital cleanse. More prayer and less TV and other things not good for the soul. So I am doing research of the best type of fast. I want to get rid of the rest of this obese fat. Does any one have any suggestion. Does any one want to join me then? I am trying to understand the master clean, will go to their web site as I see many of you doing this program.

[dreamrawalwz]

I'm glad you posted this. I was going to do the same thing.

[levamd1]

I'm not doing it for religious reasons but I will have been on raw for 2 weeks and I need a serious detox so I'd like to do it with you. I'm going to go for water, with juice 3 times a week on the days I have long meetings. At least that's the plan. We'll see what happens!

[kiwilime]

I have been thinking the same thing. I want to do it for cleansing and also for spirtual reasons. I will focus on less stress in my life.
Quick question....my hesistancy is that I will be starting a new part time job in March....what do I tell my co-workers? Or should I just say the truth and hope that noone thinks I am "weird".
What do you guys plan on telling your co-workers?
I will also do some research....I'm thinking juice fasting with water fasting in between.

[levamd1]

I would think that you wouldn't have to explain at all. Just bring your water and juice to work. You'll get more work time out of it by not having to stop to eat or having to go out. Or perhaps say you just prefer not to eat at work.

[*SunChild*]

Wow. I'll join you, perhaps not for 40 days though, I'm not a experienced in fasting, have only done it for 3 days twice. It's a nice idea for Lent, however, I would like to do it for just 6 days, perhaps.
I was thinking of Juice & water, I am also going to do some research before February ends and get myself ready. I would love to get good advice from experienced people who have fasted long-term, or even short term, as long as they know what they're talking about.

[dreamrawalwz]

If you find any good information could you post it on this thread please?

[jenjenn]

I read that as far as food goes for fasting during lent
you are allowed one meal and 2 snacks
and there a a whole bunch of food s to abstain from the daniel's diet? strictest one is
no food or drinks exccept for bread water juice honey and nuts

I would like to do this of course
I did a fast and got till day 9 just weeks ago

I am still vegan now so I 've been eating bread and tofu and such I'm not sure how to go about this fast though i've been wanting to do a liver ccleanse for a bout a week but haven't been able to

So when you fast for 40 days
what will you do just drink all juces and water and eat dehydrated bread?

I don't want to eat any bread during the fast i would love to follow it except for the bread and honey part

But i was thinking of having salads, i guess that's out of the picture though, but how will i just survive on juice and nuts and water for 40 days though if my will power actually could survive it would my body be able to?

[leeleelocs]

Hi everyone, I am excited that so many will be joining me on 3/1. I started gathering information about fasting for physical and spiritial benefit and found a web site with some good information to understand the purpose of fasting and what happens to the body during fasting: http://www.freedomyou.com. There are many different sub topic about fasting on the left side bar.

I will be doing my fast as follows: week 1=3 day juice then 2 day water

week2=5 day juice then 3day water; week 3,4,=juice on work days water on week

ends. week 5=water; day 35=juice; day 40 juice+1 raw meal, day 41 back to raw.

If someone with more experience see any problem with this schedule let me know. My thinking was because I work in a very physical demanding and stressful job this may help keep me on the fast. I also plan to fill my extra time with pray since it does not take long to drink juice or water. I plan on telling my family and co-workers what I am doing, if they ask. It is best to not draw attention to your self when you are seeking spiritual benefits. attention from people can draw negative reaction producing stress which is not what you are seeking when you fast, but I will be honest if they ask.

Jenjen-my previous fast has been bread and water and that is very difficult because I always over ate. That was before my raw days. I will drink my juice for my allowed 1 meals and 2 snacks ( I will have to look that up again). If you are having a lot of detox symptoms it is best if you drink your juice even if it is more often and of course keep the water flowing.

Also don't forget alms giving during lent. Prayer, fasting , alms giving. This can be with your time and talent not just money to the poor. So you all see where I am going with this but I am not a expert on the spitual part just wish to grow more. So unless someone ask I will only talk about what is going on with the fast physically on this board. dreamrawalwz, Levamd1, kiwilime, Sunchild, jenjenn looking forward to sharing with you our fasting experiences and supporting each other.

[rawpriestess]

I fasted three times in my life,

once was a water only 3 day fast, didn't work well at all, lots of cravings, actually passed out twice, and felt terrible

then once for a couple of days, just wasn't hungry, drank only about 1/2 cup of water the two days, I wasn't feeling well, slept almost the entire time

then once for one month, only had fresh melon about 1/2 honeydew each day, up to 1 cup of water, it was more of a mono diet, but melon is mostly water, so I count it as a fast, that worked really well for me,
but only the first one was planned, the other two were what I wanted to eat, or not eat.

I have read alot about fasting, and the good things about it, and the not so good things about it.

I think anyone going on a fast for more than 3 days should go on a supervised fast by professionals, I say this, because even then, people have died on fasts.

now the reason they have died or had other challnges, is because they drank only water or only fruit juice.

And what happens is this, your body starts to detox, and it does a great job of it, but it has no fiber in the intestines to move the toxins through your body, so they sit inthe colon, and are reabsorbed into the body, not a good thing.

Also, you can get very constipated on a water or juice only fast, unless you are taking psyllum husk, so why not just eat the fruit instead? and get your fiber that way?

anyway, this is what I've heard, read and experienced, I think every person should do what works for them, and each person has different challenges and body issues, so if you feel great on a fast, that is several days long, go for it,


but if you listen to the raw gurus, they will tell you fasting one day a week is the best for your body, or maybe a 3 day fast every month or so,

MOST of the ones, I've talked to have done one or two fasts, but only a couple have done really long term fasting, and they did it with vegetable juices, not fruit juices, and they did it with psyllum husk in a fasting retreat center.

Remember when you fast, the point is to REST, not to work, you really might think about takin time off of work to rest, and to sleep and to detox, and to allow your body to heal, that is what fasting is all about.

good luck to you in whatever your choices are.

[Vandy]

I know a "guru" who is about to start a health fast retreat and he is an expert at fasting. I would love to give you his contact info if u have any questions. His name is John Rose... PM me if you want more info.

[b_light]

Wow! I am excited to find this thread! A Lent fast was something I have been planning since last year. I was also planning on making it a very spiritual time as well, and just use it as a wonderful growth tool (in every aspect of my life).

When I started researching before, I noticed that Lent isn't 40 days it's actually longer because the 40 days doesn't include Sundays. I want to do the master cleanse (I have done it before several times, and I love the way it makes me feel) but I will try to follow my body's lead and have just water when that is what my body asks and other juices when that is what I need.

I do agree with rawpriestess in that we don't need to let toxins accumulate in our colon. However, I plan on taking senna, psylium, or doing enemas (perhaps I will start colonics during this time--always wanted to try). But most of all, I will be aware of my body and patient with it while finding the solution that works best at all different times of the fast.

If anyone uses Christianity as a part of their spiritual life, I found a great site for daily devotionals (I found it before and was going to save it for Lent, but I just re-checked it to make sure it worked before I put it on here, and it isn't just for Lent anymore, it's everyday). Anyway, thought I'd pass that along...

http://www.journeytothecross.org/

[leeleelocs]

Thank raw princess for the warning. Yes I do plan on keeping my colon open with the above mentioned methods. That is way it is very important to do your research before doing anything.

Thanks b_light for the web site. I will check it out.

[ljcoolj]

I'm in!! Was planning on doing a Master Cleanse, it will help so much to have all of you for support!!

[BDraw]

I feel I must respond. I too have thought about fasting this Lent, but am trying to seek exactly what that fast should be. Fasting is not just doing without food. There are all kinds of fast, maybe the best you can do is juice every other day. Or just for breakfast. Or do without all sweets (fruit) or snacks, or nuts, etc. Or do without all SAD foods! Or do daily green smoothies. The main idea and goal is to listen to your body and your God.

I did a 21 day fast this past year. I felt drawn to do it. It was all juices, veggie and fruit. I made it to day 21. But I also came down with candida. So warnings!!! Don't overdo the sweet drinks!!! Candida is not fun. I am still battling it. All I can figure is that I managed to get my body really clean and now it really protest when I allow anything non-raw.

Another warning, no matter how far you make it, be it 1 day or 40 days, slowly add real foods. Do more research! You must s-l-o-w-l-y add whole foods, like maybe 1 fruit and still juices all day for the first day. Do your research. STudy!!! This really is serious business.

For me, I'm thinking I will do Dr. Gabriel Cousen's mycotoxin-free and candida-free diet. Yes, that involves eating real foods, but very restricting. Restricting one's intake, no matter how severe, is considered fasting. I do not look forward to this fast, as I love sweet fruits and none are allowed. It will be hard. It will be a sacrifice. I will need to pray my way through it. And it will be worth it!

My final advice -- find some quiet time for yourself. Pray and ask the one who created you what is the best way for you to do this internal cleanse. Take more time and listen. Then follow that internal instinct you get.

Blessings! BD