First-Time Fasting tips?

[bettyboo11]

Hi guys! Oh man, the other fasting thread just makes my head spin, too much debate and etc.

Here's the thing.. my personal fitness is a disaster right now. I haven't exercised in about a month, I eat take-out (wings, chinese food, the college diet) practically every day. I'm not too sure the last time I had something that wasn't processed, actually. I know this sounds horrid, especially to those of you frequenting this section of the MB, but that's me.

I want to try to fast and 'detox' but I'm a bit unsure of how to start. Something simple and not too intense.. something that keeps me ALIVE!

How sound I start this? And when do I get to experience improved mental clarity..3rd day? How do i keep from bingeing on my usual diet when it ends?

Thanks!

[Joannex]

Hi, you might be interested in Raw Food Talk – The Raw Food Diet Forum. There is a thread on fasting and people have included their experiences with juice fasting and water fasting.
I read some amazing things about juice fasting and would like to try it myself soon!

[scottdblog]

I recommend the Master Cleanser. It is very do-able, you just have to remember to chug a ton of the master cleansing drinks at the very first glimmer of hunger. Google "Master Cleanser" to learn more. I have done in 4 times, from 5-10 days each time, felt great 3 of those times.

[openeyes]

Likely any of the advice given above would be an improvement. One of my favorite books on fasting is Paul Bragg's "Miracle of Fasting", which you can pick up the ebook version of for $5.

Bragg Live Foods - Health Science Books - The Miracle of Fasting excerpt

[escapee]

Why dont you do a fasting on the following "food of mass murderer" to see if it improves your condition b4 you venture into the fasting.

1) Sugar
2) fried food ( No more chinese chicken fried rice, french fries and etc )
3) flour based food ( No more chinese low mein or instant ramen )
4) Soda and sweetened juice
5) Supermarket snack/food ( chips, cookies , ice cream, frozen pizza ... )


For juice fasting, the increase in mental clarity should come on 3rd day based on my personal exp

[Kenny Lindsay]

When doing your first fast don't put pressure on yourself.

Just relax and don't beat yourself up if you can't see it through to the end.

It can be very difficult to not respond to the hunger pangs by eating!

Good Luck

Kenny

[mkidd]

I recommend the master cleanser as well (did 1 for 10 days, felt great, want to do another. escapee's list too would be a good "baby step" .

Definitely be kind to youself, let yourself nap if you need to, esp the first couple days.

But also try to do a little light cardio each day if you can (like a walk) as fasting will bring down the metabolism.

And don't forget to break properly with juices, then soups, for a certain number of days. It depends on how long your fast is.

[bettyboo11]

thanks for all the great tips!

should i go on a master cleanse diet even though my current diet is...pure fat and bad stuff? is that too extreme of a switch for my unhealthy system?

[DQueens]

We all get into a health rut at some point in our lives and, especially since you are in college, it is very understandable that you have found yourself out of shape and consuming all the "bad" foods you claim you are. However, think about how long you were consuming these foods in order to give you the "blah" feeling that you are trying to fast away. Were you eating fried chicken and ramen noodles for three days? I suspect it was more than that. Therefore, why do you think it would take three days to completely make over your health? I believe that simply starving yourself or consuming nothing but sugary drinks for a number of days is not healthy either, and that, if you are serious about becoming healthy that you know the proper thing to do. Like someone else suggested, why not make over your diet completely? Eat nothing but fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean proteins for the next few weeks and start to get in an hour of walking a day, or go to the gym. Isnt eating a couple of apples and some all bran easier than eating nothing at all? And this way, maybe your new diet will stick, if it is more practical you will be more likely to eat this way for life, and this is the way you know that you should eat for life. Simply refusing to eat nothing for a number of days, and then going back to fried chicken is no way to become healthier and you know it. It is understandable how you got yourself into this fast food rut, we all do it, but do the right thing for yourself and your body and get yourself out properly.

just my two cents.