So I've started a fast today. Tell me anything!

[crispini]

Especially if you've ever fasted before. This is my first fast. I've decided to give it a try for spring cleansing benefits, to detox, etc. So, if you fast, how long do you typically fast for and what are some of the benefits and/or side effects you've encountered?

[Magrittes Pipe]

1. The best part is the hallucinations!

:bounce:

[Lavender Brown]

2. So you can't even have those fish?

[crispini]

6. LOL.

No, no fish.

[MadHound]

3. Make sure you keep hydrated!

Otherwise you fasting will turn to dying pretty damn quick.

[crispini]

9. Yeah, I'll drink plenty of water

and herbal tea and I might add fresh fruit or vegetable juice.

[redqueen]

4. Wow... for how long?

I've never done it on purpose. :P

:hi:

[crispini]

7. I was thinking three days.

I've read that's when the cleansing benefits begin to kick in.

[billyskank]

5. We have about five fasting days a year

The longest is where we cannot break it until midnight; the others get broken in the evening. I assume you are taking water.

The main thing is keep occupied. Otherwise the thoughts of hunger will drive you mad. I find the hunger tends to come in waves, too. You will feel famished, but then a couple of hours later not too bad, then it will swing back again.

[crispini]

10. Good advice, thanks!

:hi:

[DeposeTheBoyKing]

8. I fast during the month of Ramadan

No food or water at all between sunrise and sunset. I get up early to eat, then cut off at the prescribed time. At sunset I can eat again. I usually take some Tylenol in the morning to ward off headaches. As long as you keep busy you don't think about being hungry. My stomach always seems to shrink after this month, and it doesn't take much food to make me feel full. Good luck!

[crispini]

12. Tylenol -- good idea.

I can already feel a headache coming on and it's only been about eight hours, since I did have breakfast this morning.

[xmas74]

11. Send me a pm when you are finished.

I'd love to know how to go about it and if you are happy w/ the results.

[crispini]

13. Sure, will do.

This is a good article I found on it:

http://www.healthy.net/scr/article.asp?ID=1996

[xmas74]

14. Thank you!

I'll check it out in a few minutes.

[Left Is Write]

15. I don't fast.

Of course, as someone who was anorexic twenty-five years ago, I don't think fasting is a particularly good idea for me. I've finally found a healthy balance of eating and exercise without obsessing on either subject, and I'd be loathe to upset the apple cart, as it were.

Good luck with your fast! Do you at least get to have clear liquids (broth, juice)? I'd be concerned about your body's need for fuel otherwise.

[crispini]

16. The fast says I can add them if I want,

and I think I will. Although probably not broth, since the idea is to cleanse and detoxify the body. Agree with you about your not wanting to upset the apple cart. Mostly I'm just trying something different -- it's time for me to kick it up a notch in terms of my health. I have been neglecting my physical self for a while and hope this will enable me to break bad habits.

[TK421]

17. Whats the rush?

[graywarrior]

18. I fasted for 21 days once.

Three vegetable juices to one fruit juice. Water fasts bring out toxins-too dangerous. Fasting is serious business. It can fuck up your hormones, your stomach, your ability to maintain your weight. Go easy. Don't take medication while fasting. My 2 cents.