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euphoricpoison
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Fasting
#6439069 - 01/08/07 06:43 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Alright, a lot or people make post concerning fasting. I wrote this for any one who is curious or wants to try it out. I consider my self experienced in fasting, and have fasted numerous times through out the last 4 years. However I have never read anything until now about fasting and found out some information that I did not know before. I hope you guys like this because it took a lot out of my time to make this. I will start out by giving you the run through.
What is fasting? Fasting is the act of willingly abstaining from some or all food and in some cases drink, for a period of time. Depending on the tradition, fasting practices may forbid sexual intercourse, masturbation, as well as refraining from eating certain types or groups of food (e.g. meat). Medical fasting can be a way to promote detoxification.
Fasting for religious and spiritual reasons has been a part of human custom since pre-history. It is mentioned in the Bible, in both the Old and New Testament, in the Mahabharata, in the Upanishads and in the Qur'an. (Wikipedia)
Many people consider that the only true way to fast is by only drinking water. This is said because it is the only way to cleanse the body 100%. When fasting you should try to use as little energy as possible.
The dangers of Fasting
In order to fast safely you must be healthy, if you are not sure about your physical heath you should seek professional help such as your doctor. Fasting is rarely dangerous and the human body usually knows when it is time to start eating again. Fasting is very beneficial to a persons health.
During Fasting your body will lower both your blood pressure and body temperature, you will also get a film like coat around your tongue which comes and goes. These are not major problems however I will explain what you could do to avoid any dangers.
Low blood pressure is a good thing and your blood pressure will stay low if after the fast you continue to keep a healthier lifestyle. The reason this could be dangerous is during a fast, people can feel a head rush or dizziness by getting up to quickly, this can happen if your blood pressure is lower then normal and fails to provide enough blood to the brain while getting up. To avoid this be careful not to rise to fast and if you feel a slight dizziness lower your head between your knees.
For low body temperature all you need to do is keep warm, it is as simple as that.
When your body goes through a fast, your tongue become coated from sludge from your colon. This can happen the whole time during the fast or at different times depending on how much sludge you have. When this bothers you just get a toothbrush with water and brush your tongue. Some say that when the tongue clears your fast is complete.
What your body uses for energy during a fast
When you begin a fast your body first looks to your digestive track nutrients and calories which it could use for 8-12 hours. Once your body has used up the energy from the digestive track it goes to the liver for glycogen stores. The stores of glycogen also last about 8 to 12 hours. After the glycogen stores are used the body then goes for muscle tissue which converts it to glucose energy. You should not be afraid of the energy taken from the muscle tissue, the body does not like to loose any more muscle then it feels is needs to so as the fast continues it will quickly switch to consuming primarily fat.
Ending a fast
You will know when it is time to end your fast. The best way to end a fast and keep a healthier lifestyle is to start off by drinking juices for the next three days and then slowly portion food in to your diet, I know this can be hard and most people do not end there fast like this. However when ending a fast keep in mind that you want to only eat what you need and do not binge. When you start to eat again food seems to go right through you due to stomach shrinkage (another reason you do not want to over eat). When you end a fast you usually do not feel starving and usually only eat what is needed, however if you have cravings make sure you do not go over board. By doing it this way, you will remain healthier, more energized and have a strong sense of self.
How to get mentally prepared
When I decide it is time for me to fast again, I plan out a day in which I am going to start. I usually give my self at least 4 days Of mental preparation. During these days, I try to eat healthy and to not over eat. I will also eat any thing that I feel that I will crave during the fast including junk food. I continue my everyday schedule, including my daily workout and run. I also keep in mind that I am going to fast and keep telling myself that on the planed date I will not be eating anything. I also like to let the people that I live with and normally eat with know that I will be fasting on what ever date I have picked (this makes it easier , because nobody asks questions about why I am not eating or trys to tempt me). The next day before the fast I will continue my normal diet and routine through out the day, the only difference being that I usually will not eat dinner.
My personal experience
When I fast, I like to drink nothing but water and try to drink only when my mouth is dry or when I feel my body needs it. After I mentally prepare my self for the fast, I find that the first 2 to 3 days are the hardest. I find these days hard because the thought of hunger still remains in my head. I find that it is easier to get through the days then the nights. The first 2-3 days are a mental struggle and it is simply mind over matter. The easiest way to get through it for me is to not think about food and keep myself busy. I also like to continue working out, and go for runs while I fast; which I read is not recommended because it can increase the rate of muscle loss. However this keeps me busy and feeling good. After the first three days something just clicks inside, where hunger does not even cross your mind. From then on the fast is much easier. (The longest I have fasted was about 21 days).
During the fast I like to do almost like a form of yoga. What I do is I meditate with my eyes closed, and stretch while focusing completely on my breathing. By doing this I feel it clears my head and it is very relaxing. Through out the fast my energy seems to increase tremendously, which makes me workout and run so much harder then usual. I continue a daily pattern of meditation at least 3 times a day and working out at least twice a day. My workout is usually once in the morning and once in the afternoon. I always meditate/stretch before, then I go for a 3-4 mile jog or run, after my run I will come back an do a quick stretch. I will then do as many sit ups and crunches as I can, I then weight lift for an hour, once I am done with that I go back to doing as many sit ups and crunches that I can which then ends my workout with a meditation, and stretch session.
Although meditation and working out are a huge part of what I do during a fast I also have time to do a lot of other things. I find that long showers, cold or hot are the most relaxing thing in the world while fasting; and I take at least 3 a day if not more. I also find that listening to music while reading or drawing is also very enjoyable. I also go for walks which are fun. It may seem like I am a recluse while fasting however, I am actually very active and usually have others around me a lot of the time, I will have friends over in my apartment or visit them in there dorms.
When I end my fast I usually do start the first 2 days out by just drinking juice, however I do not always stick to juice the first couple days that I end. When I do eat, I usually eat a lot less then before and a whole lot healthier, the best thing about this is that I do not force it. Another thing is that food goes right through you because your stomach shrinks. I continue working out hard and feeling great. Although it is said that working out can cause muscle loss, I do not see or feel a difference. I feel so much stronger and my body looks more cut. Another plus is that when I start eating again, I am still working out just as hard which builds the muscle back quicker (muscle has a very good memory and is easy to gain back). Over all I would say the muscle loss is a lot less for me, I can hardly notice it and feel and look even stronger after the fast and am noticeably more enduranced.
The feeling I get during and after the fast is this very strong sense of self and inner peace; its a feeling where I feel stronger and more energized then I ever felt before. I urge any one who is curious about fasting and has wanted to do it, to try it. You feel stronger, more energized, healthier, refreshed, and proud of your self. It is very beneficial to your health and definitely worth it. The feeling is simply euphoric.
This is written from most of my knowledge on personal experience and some sources from Wikipedia and an article by Loren Lockman
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fasting
http://www.tanglewoodwellnesscenter.com/fasting-natures-cleanse.php
Edited by euphoricpoison (01/08/07 06:49 PM)
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adrug

Registered: 02/04/03
Posts: 15,800
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Quote:
and have been fasting for the last 4 years.
WOW, how on earth are you still alive?!?
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euphoricpoison
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Re: Fasting [Re: adrug]
#6439086 - 01/08/07 06:47 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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you know what I mean, I changed it for you by the way.
Edited by euphoricpoison (01/08/07 06:53 PM)
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Prisoner#1
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Re: Fasting [Re: adrug]
#6439099 - 01/08/07 06:49 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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Quote:
adrug said:
Quote:
euphoricpoison said: When your body goes through a fast, your tongue become coated from sludge from your colon.
I'd hate to imagine exactly how that happens!
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euphoricpoison
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Yeah, I always thought it was from dehydration, but I guess I was wrong. The link at the very bottom was where I got the info that I didn't know about from and explains more stuff in detail.
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habitat0789
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ever try not talking for a week or so... you'll have the most devoloped thoughts and such powerful mental clarity, definatly worth a shot if you're into fasting.
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adrug

Registered: 02/04/03
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Quote:
Prisoner#1 said:
Quote:
adrug said:
Quote:
euphoricpoison said: When your body goes through a fast, your tongue become coated from sludge from your colon.
I'd hate to imagine exactly how that happens!
Thanks! That was the most effortless joke I've ever made.
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Prisoner#1
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I think the info may be wrong, dehydration would seem more likely, unless you're trying to sustain yourself by pretending to be a dog
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euphoricpoison
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nah, I never done that before, lol but it seems mad hard and pretty crazy. However with the schedule I have now, I wouldn't even be able to think about trying that.
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euphoricpoison
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I only got it from one main source to, because most of the others were more religious. I am religious, however I know many people here are not so I did not want to make it in to a religion thing only. Most of the information on it was true and I believe it is a pretty accurate source, but you never know.
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Unifloo
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I cant imagine myself being able to work out and jog for miles after days without food! How you do that is beyond me
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euphoricpoison
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Re: Fasting [Re: Unifloo]
#6439218 - 01/08/07 07:12 PM (17 years, 1 month ago) |
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I duno, I get like a surge of energy, and it becomes extremely addicting and I become obsessed with working out and I stay that way for a very long time after the fast.
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Unifloo
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I feel that surge of energy too when I get a lot of exercise, any excuse to run/walk/lift etc and I wont hesitate(great for work).
I just cannot picture myself doing anything physical during fasting. Thats the only reason why I wont give it a shot
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mecreateme
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Why lift weights? You are not eating. I don't see how that could do your body good, going on scientific knowledge we have of the body right now.
-------------------- No ONE wants to know the ultimate TRUTH, as soon as YOU find IT out, YOU want to forget IT. You are everything's way of feeling itself. Happy Schwag, everygodly!
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euphoricpoison
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I feel my body hardly looses muscle, and mainly uses the body fat for energy. Every ones body is different and the body does not like to use energy from muscle and only takes what is needed and then switches to fat. I do not lift heavy I only go for reps. Either way I always feel so much better, energized, and more refreshed during and after a fast. Weeks later after the fast I am still working out just as hard and look and feel even better. But from the readings I did yesterday, it does seem pointless and non beneficial to the body, however keep in mind that I never read anything until last night about fasting and only went by experience. I am planing another fast in the next couple days and I really do not think I will do anything different from the past.
Edited by euphoricpoison (01/09/07 03:24 PM)
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mecreateme
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If it works for you, go for it. Life is rarely correct as portrayed in text books. Different strokes for different folks.
Hell, we are all just very advanced mutants anyway.
-------------------- No ONE wants to know the ultimate TRUTH, as soon as YOU find IT out, YOU want to forget IT. You are everything's way of feeling itself. Happy Schwag, everygodly!
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daytripper05
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more power to ya for fasting. an alternative medicine a lot of doctors would lash out at.
i am have been giving a lot of thought to fasting in the future. I have some health issues that I have to resolve first. but I am planning a new diet.
All natural foods. I am going to stay away from mainstream products and actually prepare food. I am elimination meat. Not because I don't like it (i love it) but the meat you buy contains so many bad chemicals. I am even switching to all-natural toothpaste and shampoo. I am planning on a full detox of my body of man made chemicals. The last step is going to be a fast. I plan to fast for 3-5 days starting out. I have never fasted before but I know I am going to drink more than water. I think by doing these things plus walking daily will lead to a much longer, healthier life. My goal is to also never use over-the-counter or prescription drugs, which IMO is the biggest part.
I want to start taking herbs and all-natural vitamins everyday. I think by completely changing all the bad dietary habbits now, later in life it won't be so dramatic. One of my biggest problems I have is eating 100% for taste rather than nutrition and which foods make me feel good and give good energy. I am rambling....
but for the most part gained good knowledge from your post about fasting. thanks.
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