Fasting

Hello lovelies. Haha, I am in a muuuch better mood today. I lost four pounds yesterday, so it seems like my body is finally figuring out who's in charge. I've been doing research on fasting, because it has occured to me many times, and to other people as well, that not eating is so much easier than regulating your caloric intake. Plus, at least for me, getting through those days on nothing is such a high that those feelings alone is enough to fuel me. So, through my research, I've designed a plan of action. The plan I created last week is still in place: exercise off everything you eat, or at least as close as possible. But now I'm adding fasting. Extended fasting. I'm on Day 2 right now. When I get paid on Friday I'll be able to go to the store and get juice, but right now I'm on only water. If I start feeling sick before Friday I'm going to use my lemonade packets. Only 5 calories a bottle. Im hoping that will give me just enough to not shut down entirely.

But so far that hasn't been necessary. Yes, I have a few aches and pains, but I Googled it (Ah, the almighty power of Google), and everything I've experienced is normal in fasting. Headache, lower back pain, nausea, and, obviously, hunger. But, according to one of my articles, that will go away as your body gets rid of the toxins that nasty food has implanted in it. Seriously. Food screws everything up.


The longest most articles I've read have said you can safely go without some serious doctor supervision (which you're supposed to have anyways. Whoops! Not when my doctor is a close family friend, thankyouverymuch!) is 10 days. I think fasting is going to be doubly helpful as we head into the holiday season. Not only is it Christmas and Thanksgiving time, it is also the home of all FOUR of my family's birthdays. And I know food is evil, but goddamnit I'm getting Taco Bell on my birthday!!!!!! Anyways, my basic plan that will get up to winter break is to fast for ten days straight (unless a holiday or birthday pops in) with various numbers of eating days in between fasts. They range from 2-3 depending on why the fast is stopping. For example, the first fast is ending next Thursday, and I'll be eating for two days before fasting for the five days leading up to Thanksgiving. And when I say eating I mean I'll be stocking up on negative calorie fruits and veggies. I'm counting on eating for three days over Thanksgiving break. I can fub through Wednesday and Sunday, but I can't skip Thursday, Friday, and Saturday while I'm home.

For anyone else who is looking into fasting, even if only to detox or jump start your weight loss, here are a couple sites with helpful articles.

Even though it's Wiki, this article still gives some good tips for Juice fasts and about electrolyte balances.

http://wiki.answers.com/Q/How_long_can_a_person_live_without_eating

It makes me laugh that the title tells you how to avoid Anorexia. Ignore that, haha. This article gives some really good tips more pertinent to the fast itself.

http://www.ehow.com/how_2052064_fast-safely-avoid-anorexia.html

A quick disclaimer to anyone who decides to follow me into fasting. Even though consulting a doctor may not be feasible for your situation, that doesn't mean you should be stupid. I'm not going to be. If I feel sick I WILL eat. I WILL NOT go past 10 days at a time. I AM going to be limiting physical activity; I'm not trying to destroy my body here. I DO NOT have a medical condition or a family history that will make fasts more dangerous. If you do: please, PLEASE, do not fast. I am 21 years old, and, despite my weight, active enough for a long enough time as to where my body is not weak. I can handle this. Please be smart enough to realize it if you are not. <3

Stay Strong

<3>

And Stay Safe...