Disclaimer:
Following Journal is a mere record of my day-by-day process of fasting: the food, the calorie intake, reactions of the body, exercise plan, weight loss progress and notes. I am not a physician; none of the information included here is intended to be, nor should be construed as, a medical, nutritional, or any other advice to anyone. If anyone decides to go through a process of fasting, I strongly recommend consulting with their physician before starting the fasting regiment.
Why fasting? There are many benefits of fasting. Some of them are: detox, healing and weight loss. Those are the most important to me are, and in that exact order, with detox and healing taking about 90% of the reason why I fast. The weight loss is a mere side effect, which by itself brings a load of additional benefits: lower blood pressure, lower cholesterol, more energy, more flexibility, better sleep pattern, better overall feeling, I could go on and on… I have been a vegetarian (no meat, no fish, no milk, but yes eggs and cheese) for over 2 years, but my love for pasta, pastry and dairy have created a reserve of fat around my belly that impairs my flexibility and endurance, therefore my overall quality of life. After all who likes to feel heavy and tired? I’m not aware of any diseases lurking inside me, but just in case there are any… I want to stop them in their tracks. The healing power of fasting has been known and practiced by most cultures around the world since ancient times, so nothing new here. I use fasting as a way of preventing diseases, detoxifying and rejuvenating the body
Typically I do 7-9 day period of fasting once a year, usually in January. I plan that during the time when the workload at work and at home is not too demanding, so I can direct my energy inward and focus on cleansing and healing. It is recommended by others to additionally fast 3 days each month and 1 day per each week (the shorter periods of fasting are not that energy demanding). My goal for this year is to stick to 1 day of fasting each week, Mondays sounds good for that purpose.
The main reason of the fasting process is to get rid of toxins and to heal - to let the digestive organs rest and rejuvenate, and to get rid of toxins stored in the tissues throughout the body. It is then paramount that the little food and drink intake during the process of fasting be of the best possible quality. Personally I prefer fresh organic foods and drinks, which I try to eat anyway. “We are what we eat” after all. I do believe that there are two reasons for the presence of any disease in our body: food and lifestyle, and our immune system is ultimately the product of both.
One of the most important things that help controlling the hunger during fasting and the detox process is a detox lemonade. It is made as follows:
- 32oz of boiled and cooled water
- 2-3 tbsp of honey
- 4 tbsp of lemon juice
- a pinch of cayenne pepper
- a pinch of ginger can be added and all proportions may be altered to ones taste.
This lemonade is drank all day throughout the fasting process as need arises. I usually drink about 24oz-32oz each day, sipping slowly, and prepare the new bottle fresh for each day. The lemon juice curbs the apatite (yes, it makes the stomach produce less acid), the cayenne pepper helps getting rid of toxins from the tissues and the plaque from the blood vessels. The honey helps the healing process and makes the lemonade tastes really good. It is a really delicious and healthy beverage.
In addition to the lemonade, I have taken each day:
- 1 Aspirin 325mg in the morning. The idea is to thin the blood to help its flow,
- 4 softgels of Cod Liver Oil (or Fish Oil softgels) in the morning and 4 at night (the benefits of the Fish Oil are most commonly known…),
- 1 capsule of Siberian Eleuthero in the morning - for its healing and calming benefits,
- 1 capsule of Vegetarian Glucosamine in the morning – for the healing of my joints. I’m 54, stiff joints can impair my flexibility and… it’s no fun; Glucosamine does miracles for my joints.
All food and beverages consumed during the process of fasting are organic. Additionally I have taken 15min each day to do some low impact exercise and stretches at convenient times during the day. I also tried at least 5-10 minutes to meditate to stay focused.
I decided to write this Journal to help me go through this journey and to record each day so I can remember better how exactly it felt. I also decided to share it with others on this blog.
PREPARATION (the day before):
- Weight – 159.2 lb (I’m 5’6” tall, size 12)
- My waist measurement is 35” and seat is 41 1/4”
- I have eaten about 1600 calories throughout the day: coffee soy milk, honey, pasta, vegetable broth, wheat bread, eggs, some cheese, and fried potato, apple, orange. I took time to enjoy each meal and snack as I knew I wasn’t going to eat much for the next several days.
- Before bed I have drank 5oz of Magnesium Citrate to gently help clean the bowels.
NOTES:
The Magnesium Citrate is REALLY sour, so I used the straw to drink it. Magnesium Citrate works really gently, so no dramatic episodes should follow.
I have this Friday off work; it will be a perfect day to start the fasting process. I already know that first three days are most challenging so having the long weekend off will let me focus on me, take it easy and sleep in if I need to or feel like it. I’m looking forward to this journey!!
