Fast, Fast, Fasting Away
I’ve long been fascinated with nutritional science, and have tried just about every approach to eating there is, from Atkins (total dumbassery) to veganism (totally awesome.)
One thing I’ve never tried is fasting.
Fasting is being touted as a remedy for all sorts of bodily ills these days, and looking at the research, I believe it. There are all sorts of reasons, simple and complex, to give fasting a try, and I will be discussing these in the next few days. But for now—9 minutes before my fast officially begins–I wanted to make the announcement.
Because if I didn’t publicly announce it to you all, I darn well would be grabbing a snack tomorrow.
I’m starting with a 3 day fast. Reportedly, the first day is physically hard, the second day is mental torture, and the third day is when the rainbows break through the clouds and you get all sublime and stuff. We’ll see. If that goes well, I’ll try 5 days.
I’ve always wanted to be able to read a personal account of a first-time faster, so if you’re interested in trying it, I hope this will help. At the very least, it will give you one more thing about me to laugh at.
The most popular fasts are: fruit and vegetable fasts, juice fasts, and water fasts. I’ll be doing the water fast, because what’s the point of going halfway? Well, okay, it will technically be a water and diet soda fast, because a Rhys without food is one thing, but a Rhys without diet soda is A Force From Hell That Shall Not Be Reckoned With. Stay tuned, and I’d love to hear any advice or experiences from you. I’m sure I could use the support!
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POSTED IN: Adventures, Tales From the Veg Side, Thoughts, Veg Health and Science
10 opinions for Fast, Fast, Fasting Away
Karine
Jan 9, 2006 at 2:55 am
Wow, that is both crazy and courageous. Good luck!
Ingrid
Jan 9, 2006 at 4:17 am
This should be fascinating. My grandma does fasts all of the time for religious purposes. I’ve never done one because if I didn’t eat for three days, I’d likely have to be hospitalized. ;)
Good luck :D
Jon
Jan 9, 2006 at 4:48 pm
So, what exactly are you trying to accomplish with the fasting? Just experimenting?
D. Campbell
Jan 10, 2006 at 7:01 am
Contratulations! I wish you the best. I’m not surprised that people, in general, have no idea on the benefits of fasting. I started researching it 2 years ago and the health and weight benefits are outstanding. I’m looking forward to your progress.
I’d like to make a suggestion. Blog about the physical and mental ‘changes’ you see happening as you go about your fast. It varies from person to person, but still very interesting.
David Campbell
Jeremy Wright
Jan 10, 2006 at 7:04 am
I used to fast for religious reasons as well. I found my personal favorite was a “fruit and vegetable fast”, typically of about 7 days. It was refreshing, challenging, draining, wonderful and a great change of pace.
Enjoy Rhys, and blog the process, erm, religiously ;-)
Rhys
Jan 10, 2006 at 1:49 pm
Thanks for the encouragement, everyone, I appreciate it!!!
Great suggestion, David–I’ll do that.
Duncan–I think that’s you..I’m glad to hear that, and I know we’d all be interested to hear any of your experiences if you want to share.
Jon–yes, an experiment as of now, though I’m always looking for things that can make people healthier, so maybe this will be one. :)
Jeremy Wright
Jan 11, 2006 at 10:53 am
Oops, Administrator was Jeremy (and still is) :)
Rhys
Jan 11, 2006 at 5:12 pm
It’s Jeremy, not Duncan!! Awesome Jeremy..I admire your week long committment. Now I have something to aspire to. :)
Monique
Jan 27, 2006 at 10:19 am
apparently day 2&3 are the worst…day 4 things get better :) ive done a 5 day fast before and that proved totally true :) though everyones different
Marisa
May 2, 2008 at 11:08 am
hey :) i just started my first fast that lasted more than 24 hours. I am currently starting day four. I am on an only water fast.
I’ve researched it a lot and wanted to experiment for myself.
The 1st day for me wasn’t that bad. I was killer motivated and I know the first and second day is always the hardest for me. 3rd day for some reason was discouraging for me, probably because I’m trying to get a week down and it was only day 3.
Today, day four however, I feel really good.
It does take a lot of energy out of you though, naturally. To me, it feels like when you have a stomach ache and you’re just recovering from it. I feel weak physically but emotionally I feel strong. Just be careful how much physical activity you do. Running (had to cause i have softball) is draining.
But don’t let me scare you, to me this is totally worth it. This morning I noticed my eyes were brighter and whiter, and all my pimples have basically cleared up.
Also, you might notice your urine is clearer/less yellow than usual.
drink A LOT OF WATER. don’t get dyhrdated. Since you’re not eating you don’t really get thirsty.
<3 best of luck! I hope it all goes well for you but be safe.
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