Fasting For Valerie..

[Guest guest]

rawfood , Valerie Mills Daly <valdaly>

wrote:

> The conversation regarding fasting has been of great interest to

me. I have been fasting regularly for some time now, including some

of my SAD years, as a spiritual discipline. I have continued it while

making dietary changes over the years, but this conversation has had

me thinking and re-evaluating my purpose in doing this. Kay's use of

the phrase " purity addict " really struck home for some reason, and

that has triggered some serious thought on why I keep on with this

particular practice. Even though, ostensibly, I am not fasting for

weight loss reasons or health, there is still something of the

mindset that something in me needs to be 'fixed,' and this is the way

to do it. I am still not quite working at one with my body; I am

enforcing a fast even when my body is hungry and asking for food; and

on non-fast days, I find myself eating even when not hungry, because

it seems necessary. I think perhaps, at least while I am still in

early learning mode, I should practice listening more

> to what is going on inside of myself, rather than imposing

practices; at least, until I have become more healthy. I am having

trouble putting more of this into words, so I'll just go and think

some more....

>

> Peace, Valerie

 

Kay here -

You speak as though you dip in and out of fasting; like an odd day or

week here and there? am I correct in asuming that?

 

My understanding is that fasting should be extended and only

infrequently. Like once a year for example, for say.. 3 weeks.

I am not the best person to speak on this subject because I donot

have the professional experience.

 

In brief - (Elchanan can correct me? so hang in there for a more

correct account..)- the body breaks down reserves of glucose in the

muscles during the first few days of fasting. Then it 'realises' no

food is coming, the metabolism is slowed significantly as the body

dips into the fat reserves.

For safety and efficiency this is the stage we need to get to.

Complete rest must be taken.

If one is frequently fasting for a few days at a time then the body

is put under strain. One feels that normal routine can be continued

so the body is just 'starving' rather than taking a rest for healing

purposes.

Real hunger goes away on an extended fast. One can, because of

addictions/candida overgrowth etc, still think about food alot but it

is not the same sensation as hunger.

 

It is a good idea to develop regular 'routine' with diet (Ha-ha-ha!-

says me!) and only fast when you have set aside clear goals as to the

purpose/intention.

This is something Elchanan was bringing to my own attention.

This is the reason I am not commencing a fast right away - even

though it would speed up the control of candida and other

cleansing/healing procedures.

 

Fasting by willpower alone is pointless AND uncomfortable.

Fasting is a journey of self-exploration.

I have only suceeded one fast that I can truly say fitted into the

catagory of " self exploration " The others were mearly a " fix " . Even

so however.. One learns much by what we call " mistakes " and I see

nothing as UNuseful!

We find out what we want to create by what we don't want!!!

(But hey... I am all read and talk - NEW to actually taking

beneficial action through listening/watching before hand)

 

Perhaps there are some old posts on fasting? Or we could have an

excert from a book here???? :)

[Guest guest]

OTOH, some people make a practice of fasting one day a

week and suffer no ill effects.

 

--- korangeli <korangeli wrote:

 

> My understanding is that fasting should be extended

> and only

> infrequently. Like once a year for example, for

> say.. 3 weeks.

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Guest guest]

Hi, Kay, thanks for your thoughtful response. My fasting has actually followed a

regular pattern of one day each week (Wedneday), and one full weekend a month

when I am on a spiritual retreat. This kind of fasting has been done for

centuries, and the intention is more of a spiritual discipline than

health-focused. I am familiar with the concerns you listed about frequent

short-term fasting, and like you, I'm still trying to figure it out.

 

Rest and quiet are also both components of my fast days, so that issue is

addressed; I just find myself wondering if I need to move away from this

particular discipline as I try to heal in other areas.

 

Thanks again...glad you are part of this group!

 

Valerie

 

korangeli <korangeli wrote:

Kay here -

You speak as though you dip in and out of fasting; like an odd day or

week here and there? am I correct in asuming that?