Fasting Club Jan 2009
Please post your fasts here or in “Fasting Progress Reports” The “Fasting Club” page is a place to share with other fasters. Fasting is a bit like climbing a mountain. You need some knowledge and training. And like mountain climbing …. falling off is painful and occasionally needs an emotional rescue.
Feel free to post, emotions, events, and personal stuff as these small images give new user windows into the world of fasting that makes it real to them and what seems impossible becomes doable.
If you want to have a “user pic” beside your comments, just log in and click on your name at the top right, upload the pic and then click the update profile. It is nice to see who you are chatting with. Feel free to offer advice, or challenge other opinions as this site is an open forum to share ideas and knowledge to further the science of fasting.
Tags: club fast, fasting club, fasting group
Day 2, I woke up weak but got some energy after some juice. It is cold here in the mountains of the Philippines but it is starting to warm up. Trying to do some yoga daily to loose up my body and stay young. Looks like it is going to be a great year. We have 5 cancer patients in the hospital juicing and more coming. The books are being upgraded. We just moved into a new place. Big changes for me and all are good.
Oh wow you live in the phillipines awesome. Im waiting for this dizzy feeling to go away so i can work out its 50below up in fairbanks alaska. so we stay inside. i thought this fast was gonna be easier, its so hard i hope i start feeling better soon, just been crying all day and its the only 3rd day. Sorry if im being annoying this is my 1st time and i just wanna make sue im doing everything right.
Hi Cat
The climate here ranges between 60F and 75F. If you need a break a few thousand dollars can last a year here. As to how much to drink… follow your body.
my husband when to the phillipines last febuary for a month with the army to train he brought home beautiful pictures really beautiful! He had a good time there he said it was a really nice place. Ive lived in Anchorage Alaska until i was 18 and then we went to Fort Campbell kentucky with the army, were back in fairbanks alaska now and its just cold. He goes alot of dif places though out of country hes been to Iraq twice hes there now, and to the Phillipines.
Hi Cat,
I have a nice 3 bedroom apartment with cable TV and water inclusive for $60 a month and my high speed internet is $20. My electricity is about $16 monthly. The climate is perfect and it is safe and beautiful. The hospital is a 5 minute walk. Life is good here and what money that I make selling books covers what I need to live.
wow that is crazy! the military takes out $1700 for rent where we live i cannot believe that! Alaska is expensive living wise anyways. but dang. i thought you were a doctor? ive been reading alot on here i thought i read you were one. i am feeling better have more energy down cleaning downstairs so im so thankful i am feeling better, i prayed which i havent done in a long time… i will def start doing it more though.
Hi Cat,
Wow this is indeed expensive. This place for $60 monthly is as nice a place as I have been. Pine floors are amazing. No I am not a doctor. It is a bit of a learning curve to work in a hospital and guide a program but the doctors are quick to fill me in. Day 2 of my fast and I am dry fasting. This is bad. I have a cold from the cold mountain air that I am not used to. Moving is always and event. This needs to be a long fast.
the phillipines sounds amazing. well i wish you luck on your fast and i hope you get better soon. Do you just deal with cancer patients at the hospital?
Hi there. On my first major water fast. Have done a few small ones before, but, I really need to detox after the 2 hit combo of Thanksgiving and Xmas. Last food meal I had was on 12/26 at lunch, then I got really drunk the next day so I wouldn’t really care about the hunger pangs, and was completely hungover the next so no hunger pangs then, And its been smooth sailing to today. Sitting in the lunch room at work while everyone else is eating is the worst. Hope to make it thru the month, mabye next month too. Hope things are going as well for you as it is for me
josh, age 16 here. Ive been distancing myself from my parents beliefs for about a year, not to be defiant or because I don’t agree, but just to find out what I believe in, and not just be a product of my parents in following years.
I became a vegetarian last year despite my parents red meat and dorritos diet.I also began studying transcendental meditation in brief, among other states of consciousness.
Day one of a few day water fast now. I know teens shouldn’t fast, but I’m six foot and haven’t grown in almost a year, so I’m cautious, but not too worried about fasting affecting my growth. I’ve done about two days before, and I’m going to try three or four now and hopefully, by the time I’m in college I’ll be able to do two to three weeks. My parents don’t know I’m fasting, my dad already thinks I’m flakey enough, I don’t need to worsen it.
I find it helps to write or listen to music during a fast. I stay away from tv because of food ads that are tempting.
Hi Joshua,
We had a 9 year old boy do 30 days with ease at home to be healed of multiple lung conditions. He said it was easy. I also went your route. I was fasting and searching for meaning and by 17, I was traveling. I guess I never stopped. I always recommend juice fasting to start.
its getting a little tougher as the day goes on. I took a nap and read part of hemmingways the sun also rises. Day one is usually harder than day two.
on day 23 here, and its sorta getting rough. stomach has been getting increasingly more and more upset as the last 2 days have gone on. Always had this problem in the morning, where I want to vomit when I wake up, but generally it goes away within an hr or so. not sure if I am getting sick or not, or the fasting is turning my stomach towards rebellion. any advice?
Day 25…. Just vomited, Hope this will calm the stomach down a bit
Al
It is strange to vomit after fasting so long. Are you on juice or water? Were there any other symptoms? Do you have any previous stomach conditions.
So depressed over a death and suicidal thoughts are jamming my senses. I googled fasting then tried to find some books,this site popped up. I didn’t know fasting could help depression but am willing to try this. Today is day 1. I feel okay right now and it’s 11:30 am Colorado time. I have a tiny juicer.I’m juicing what I have…cucumbers,kale(ewwww,it’s for my birds!),celery. 2-8 pm will be hard for me as it gets busy here. Food everywhere.
Thanks for this site and for those posting,helps to read about your fasts too.Good Luck-Fawn
Hi Fawn,
To fight depression forces yourself to think, shout or say. I am happy. My life is good. I am blessed. I am successful. Make a list and keep saying it for hours every day until you believe it. And with fasting your life will be transformed.
Hi tom,
This is a straight water fast, And the only symptoms before that was increasing nausea. No previous stomach conditions. I switched from tapwater to spring water yesterday, but I vomited last night again. Seeing as I feel that vomiting on a regular basis is rather unhealthy as it is, I will begin breaking the fast this afternoon, Starting with straight juice, then on to a raw vegan for a few days
Hi Al
Breaking the fast is good. If there were other signs other that the body was detoxifying then one or two days of vomiting would be acceptable but prolonged vomiting may lead to dehydration and/or dangerous electrolyte imbalances and may be an indicator of kidney failure.
Al, try Glaceau SmartWater–it’s delicious and has electrolytes, but nothing that would cause you to officially break your fast.
See if the smaller steps you are taking stabilize you, before returning to food, if you had wanted to fast longer.
I have a couple questions…one of my friends is juice fasting and he would like to know if not having his gallbladder wil affect the detox process.
Also he chews tobacco and wonders how that will also affect the detoxing process
Thanks
Hi JJ
The gallbladder stores bile, which is released when food containing fat enters the digestive tract to emulsify fats and neutralizes acids in partly digested food. Since you are not eating bile is not needed. Gall bladder removal will not affect the detoxification. Chewing tobacco is a serious negative in detoxification. Juice fasting is recommended.
Hi,
I’m new to this site. I am starting my fast tomorrow. I will go for as long as I comfortably can. Because it is my first fast I am not setting high goals. I will be happy with 2 days. Does anyone have any tips or advice they can offer? Thanks.
Destiny
destiny welcome, for advice…. read study, believe and control your thoughts on a juice fast.
day 3 for me…almost bedtime as i am weak but feel in control. i’m reading alot,staying away from tv. i also bought some books on fasting and took a long walk in the rain.
i can do this. i am not as hungry today,just thirsty yet not really drinking as much as i want. best of luck everyone.
Hi all,
Am on the second day of an open-ended fast. I am suspecting some pretty dire things wrong with my health, but can’t get into the doctor for tests for several weeks. Also, my insurance is not great. So, I am praying and de-toxifying as much as possible beforehand.
My longest fast before was 19 days a few years ago, with occasional vegetable broth. This time I am doing a weak concentration of squeezed lemon and lime in water, and that’s it, because I’d like some pretty aggressive cleansing to be done. I may use SmartWater at some point to restore some electrolytes.
I’m feeling ok, but I had been low-carbing for several weeks beforehand, so I’m not having the sugar/carb withdrawal that can make fasting so harsh.
Often in the past, on the 3rd or 4th day I would get so horribly nauseous that I would retch and get a terrible headache. I’m curious to see if that happens this time, but I am bracing for it.
Does anyone else find that you are more restless when you fast, and need to stave off really insecure and negative thinking? I get so vulnerable when I fast that I basically have to tell myself not to pay attention to my mind if it’s conjuring up something negative, because it’s likely that my preceptions are quite off.
How are the rest of you doing?
Hi Rhet,
Fasting opens a can of worms. All the junk from the past want to wriggle out. Yes you get more vulnerable. But if you go with it your life will be transformed. The second day can be the worst so it may be just a matter of hanging on.
Hi Tom
Thanks for answering my questions…I have another one…So if a person still chews tobacco do they benefit from fasting and will any detoxing happen..will energy increase?
Thanks
Hi JJ
You will be the first to fast and chew tobacco so let us know.
This comment is for Rhet-I am very restless,trouble sleeping but actually feeling good. I only a severee headache the first night. I find myself crying,and then get things outand go on with the moment. I think emotions run high when we fast. I am on day 4. I am juicing and water both. I have energy popping up and dont know what to do with myself. Praying that you feel God right beside you. Call on Him,I have done this a few times today.
Hey there,
I’m about to start some sort of water fast. I tried the other night and when I woke up in the morning I was so on edge and felt pretty anxious. I’m doing it to detox and promote relaxation eventually. I pray to god I will get through it because I have been on an extremely low carb diet with pretty good results, but I know I need to detox more so my gut and digestion will improve. I’m praying the anxiety will subside eventually. I’d love to find a buddy to detox/fast with. Email me @ actualize81#gmail
Steve
Tom and Fawn, thanks so much for your wise words of encouragement.
I stumbled, but am back in the saddle, starting at Day 1 again. When the intense nausea and pulse-racing hit, I panicked and ate. It’s amazing how powerful those waves of sickness and uncertainty are. It’s like the mind is almost irresistibly programmed to con us into eating. The “just one bite” or “just enough to stop the nausea” gets me every time.
Also, I found that I have a hard time resisting peoples’ guilt trips (I live with a few other people) if they’ve cooked a meal and I refuse to eat it. Unfortunately I live with people who don’t understand or appreciate fasting.
This time, I’m being proactive. I’m telling my house members in the morning that I won’t be eating dinner. I’m adjusting my schedule to plan for the predictable bouts of nausea.
Because of my health problems, I need to keep reminding myself that my life may ultimately depend on my steadfastness. I also need to tell myself that this fast should be my #1 priority, and if something else has to wait for me to get through it, then it must wait. Also, it’s possible I may not be able to do this under my own power, but as the prayer says, Someone else has power to do All things, and I need to frequently seek Divine help.
Thank you for this resource. This time I am committing to posting here more frequently, to take advantage of the sacred witness, and the community of support.
Hello,
I’ve had an interest in fasting for several years, but have never intentionally started one. My interest stems from some strange illness i had a couple of years ago. it came and went for several months about once every one or two months. My thoughts are that it is very much stress-induced, because it happened when i was traveling. however, I’m in college now and am pretty stressed out, but haven’t experienced anything like it for nearly a year. The first time it happened, i was at a restaurant in Baja, Mexico and suddenly felt incredibly full even though i hadn’t eaten much all day and had just begun my meal. i almost vomited leaving and became extremely cold for the rest of the night, wanting to throw up the whole time until i fell asleep. this was coupled with an intense shivering. The next morning i was fine and ate a good breakfast. The next time it happened, it went on for a week and i lost between 10 and 15 lbs. I couldn’t force myself to eat a piece of toast or drink much of anything, because i just knew how terrible i’d feel 30 minutes after.
That experience still makes me wonder. Now, I’m more interested in a fast that i would have control over, instead of imagining that i was terminally ill. I did a two day fast last week and am just sort of dabbling in this because i am very curious about self control and willpower and how faith plays a role. Hopefully i will progress to a week-long fast later this spring when i have fewer obligations and more time to read. This website has been a wealth of information on a subject where most people don’t know too much about. Thank you for helping me out through this resource.
Hello all- I googled “fasting properly” and ended up here. I’m not currently fasting, but doing my research to prepare myself. Cheesey as it may be, my new year’s resolution (like those of many others) is to improve my health. I have successfully quit smoking cigarettes and drinking. Only one month strong at this point, but I’m feeling hopeful.
Essentially, I’m here for advice from people who know about fasting. What should I have in my house to be prepared? After reading these posts I am sure that I will need a juicer. How should I prepare my body for fasting? How long should this preparation last? How long should my first fast last? How do I bring my body back after fasting? And what are the best juices/tastiest things to juice while fasting?
I know I have a lot of questions, and response to any of them would be appreciated. Thanks so much, and good luck to all of you.
Hi Amanda,
Welcome, just enjoy learning and take a week to read and get excited about fasting. All your questions are answered on this site.
Amanda, congrats on your interest in fasting. Read all the links on this site, I think virtually all of your questions get answered there.
How are we all doing out there? Are you fasters still on the wagon, as it were?
I discovered an interesting thing, which veteran fasters must already know quite well. Hunger pangs come in waves, and when you’re in the middle of one, you can think that harsh twinge will be with you every moment of the fast, tormenting you. It’s easy to think–”There’s no way I can do this for hours, let alone weeks! I’m out!”
But here’s the thing. It’s a mind-trick. It’s a convincing trick, but don’t believe it! It’s like when the fasting Buddha would say to his temptors and frightening visions: “I see you, Maya [illusion, devil], and I am NOT afraid!” Or how Jesus would say “Get thee behind me!”
I learned that the pangs do LEAVE. They go as fast as they’ve come, and then you feel as if you’ve eaten. That is, you feel NO hunger. Yes, eating can kill a hunger pang the fastest, but if you can hold out for 30 minutes or an hour without eating, it goes away ANYWAY. (Sometimes I command my body to feast upon the substances in my body that I need to get rid of, if it’s really that hungry.)
So it’s really just about keeping food out of your hands until the wave of pangs pass. Yes, the pangs will return (just like they would if you HAD eaten), but practicing the same kind of patience does work. I find I have almost the same rhythms of hunger and “satiety” when fasting as I do when I am eating.
I also discovered that my not-eating makes other people very concerned and uncomfortable. Anyone else have that in your life? They comment, want to know why, they keep track. It’s a lot of pressure! Maybe I’m sensitive because I was always taught to be grateful for food and to the cook. I do hate missing the social and “familial” aspect of mealtimes (as mentioned, I live in a kind of ‘urban tribe’ setting, so we’re family of sorts). But sometimes I don’t FEEL like explaining why I’m fasting to people, or even telling them that I am. I don’t want people questioning my reasons or the wisdom of my choice.
So, when all else fails, I use a little sleight-of-hand that I remember from parties when I was a young adult. If I hold a glass of red wine at a meal and tip it once in awhile without actually taking any in, people don’t bug me to eat.(I don’t love alcohol or cigarettes, hence the “sleight,” I sometimes carried a beer at parties but never actually drank it, or would accept a cigarette without inhaling..it’s cowardly, I know, but I want the social “peace pipe” aspect of the ritual without the substance itself).
Anyway, people seem to accept “drinking your dinner” a lot easier than they understand fasting. (Dogs are also great for “sharing” dinner.) It’s the same as if I keep a little loud bag of (untempting) candy or nuts that I happen to dislike in my pocket. I can share them, rattle them, and nobody bothers me about not-eating. (A tack that may be too risky or silly for most other people.)
This is a long, sad treatise on deception, but it’s one strategy I use I protect my psyche from doubters and questioners.. it’s hard enough to protect myself from my own doubt!
Anyone else want to share their strategies for getting by while fasting, either internally or socially?
Thanks–
Rhet
Hello I am new to this forum but find it very interesting. Years ago my husband and I changed our diets because our children were always sick. We swore off fast food and went to fruits and veggies and fresh juice every morning. Our children thrived and we did too. We went through lots of ‘dumping’. My one daughter that had been on tons of antibiotics went thru the toughest time but became fully cured…she even got the mumps and I was told it was her vaccine coming out. (another controversy -We chose not to vaccinate out other children). We have 5 children. Now that they are grown (the youngest is 20) we have found ourselves back to the same old garbage (for about the last 5 years) and have gained weight..me especially.
I decided in December to practice what I’ve been preaching and planned to start a juice fast in January.
Please note we have always had our fresh glass of juice in the morning or we would probably be dead:) last summer we were binging so bad I ended up in the emergency room with high blood pressure peak of 210/105 and they immediately put me on bp pills…I knew the cause but even after a week of juice fasting then i went right back to eating stupid.
So as of Jan. 1st 2009 I have been doing fresh juice. I first had to have a complete mental evaluation with myself to decide that for once and for all I was going to get healthy and the time was now so I could enjoy life again. I had ballooned to 250 lbs and was totally unhappy with myself and it showed. I searched the internet and found excerpts from different place, printed them off and use them as my inspiration and information. I have to tell myself every day that this is the beginning and I will be over with the fast as soon as I get myself in good shape. I make a plan every week and go a day at a time. I have fallen two days and eaten something..altho little it was eating..I then started back the next day and called it day 1. I write in a journal every day..nothing great,,just how I feel and what I want out of life. That has helped tremendously. Also my husband is a cheerleader and if there is one bit of advice I can give you is to share what you are doing with someone. This is the first time I have actually told him what I weigh and have been completely honest with him. He has made a huge difference. I am now at Jan 30th and feel so great…as I write this I believe I am going thru a little ketoacidosis..super weak and backache and all the signs but I know it will be gone in hours or tomorrow. I have a 16oz glass of carrot, beet and celery juice every morning. (I also use green and red pepper and cucumber – all organic) Because I’ve been so cold I then have hot water with a fresh lemon…sometimes lots of cups! Not every day but some days I have another glass of juice in the afternoon. I just listen to my body to see what I need. At first I had fruit juices too but found out for me they make me crave food. After I stayed with vegetables I am never really hungry. My addiction to food comes out and I am trying to realize that this is a lifestyle change so I visualize what I will eat again and I think of only healthy food. I have some weeks planned with a few fruits because of things we have going. I find the key is planning and deliberately dealing with food so there are no passionate binges.
Now for the good part…I have lost 35 lbs this month (and I am a person that holds weight). I walk on a treadmill whenever I have the energy because my secondary goal is to lose weight and some exercise helps that end.
I am fitting into lots of clothes and have decided to extend my fast until I get to the weight and health I want. I have weeks planned to break the fast (like Easter) but like i said PLANNED menus. I plan on going until the end of april and then start my new life and lifestyle. I tell people I am 57 going on 40. My skin is clearing up, wrinkles are going and it appears there will be hardly if any loose skin. That I will have to see to believe! I apologize for taking up so much space. I hope my story will help someone. I struggle everyday but as you get through the first week or so you will get motivated. I would be happy to be a fasting partner to anyone out there…my email is rebeckyann@gmail.com. Good luck to all of you and like my motto is (from the Biggest Loser) SHUT THE … UP AND DO IT! No offense intended to everyone but it sure hit home with me!!!
1. Sorry forgot to tell you I am going in on Monday to get my BP pills reduced for a week or two and then taken off of them…my BP has been low since the first week of the fast…..again good luck to all of you. there is so much information out there. After my 99.9% fasting journey is through I will still have juice every day and plan on doing a 1-3 day fast every week to stay healthy. Planning is the key and I never have done that before. Thanks for the forum to get all kinds of good info! PS my husband is not fasting but we have added juice 2 times a day instead of one and lots more veggies to his diet and of course he loses 10 pounds right away and his bp has gone down…but he didn’t do as much private bingeing as I did so he started out healthier
Well here I go again…There’s so many things that come into play with a juice fast. Just a couple of tips when you just have to have a bite of something…. Make a pot of fresh vegetable soup – no salt just some seasonings….then have a cup of broth…I did that the first two weeks. Now when I want something I cut a very fresh organic sweet orange into smaller pieces and suck the juice out of each piece. It’s faster than running it thru the juicer and is a quick fix so you don’t grab something else. It also helps any nausea or blood sugar low. You will find out that you’re never hungry just old habits coming into play…be ready and you will succeed…thanks for listening
I feel in a heavy state of inertia….My creativity….something that I never felt could escape me feels dry…I have been thinking of fasting for some time..I will start with juice and herbal tea..and keep posting on this site for the motivation and outlet. I am twenty now.
Thanks for your post..i’m struggling with my weight,and I’m trying but not succeeding..binges cravings the list goes on. What i really desire is to have a healthy attitude towards food and manage my weight so i stay at an acceptable level. I am starting a fast tonight initially for 7 days to enable me reflect on how and why i got my self to the state i’m in. Hopefully neutralise my cravings…I hope this website helps me get some perpective
I need some input. I’m on day seven of a 30 day juice fast and I’ve actually gained weight over the past three days. I lost eight pounds in the first four days, then increased by a half a pound every day after that. I walk 45 minutes every day and I’ve done two salt water flushes, followed by drinking vegetable broth with onions because I read somewhere that you need to replace the good bacteria the the flush eliminates and onions help do that. I drink between 12oz to 24oz of juice, herbal tea, green tea sometimes and water. I’m a 37 year old female, 5′5″ and stuck and 176 now. Has anyone else experienced this?
I am nearing the end of day 1 of my fast. I have had periods of low food intake, but have never been on a full out fast, so I am starting with 3-4 days. My stomach is growling so loudly! I am trying to keep myself distracted. I am trying to lose 7 pounds in two weeks, so I am planning on doing two monday-thursday fasts and breaking (slowly) on the weekends. I am drinking mostly water, but enjoy tea more, so thats what i think I will be living off of. I love this site and am hoping to use it to keep me going strong.
And Day Two Begins…Have not wanted food at all yet. sipping tea and water…and have more energy then expected…why didn’t I do this sooner? ……..the journey goes onward…….Hope you all are doing well I send my love and support.
Realizing everyday habits…that I don’t need. Energy more subtle. I can see my body more/feel it more. feel lighter and more in love with my life and what is here. Ending day two…well am I? Maybe not until rest and rising with the el sol. Goodnight
I just completed a 10 day fast and have been on raw vegetables,fruit for 5 days. All my depression and sadness have lifted. My weight loss is 29 lbs. With that i am healthy and ready for a new way of eating. I certainly will be doing this more often. I hope to find someone to fast with in March. I am reaching for a 7 day water fast. I did juice,now I want to take it further.
Good Luck Everyone. Peace.. Rhett-how are you doing?? Post!
Fawn, thanks for shouting out to me! Congrats on your amazing accomplishment! It feels so good to know someone is out there, reading. I bet your water fast will now be so much easier, having been on the juice and veggies. Let me know when you start it, we’ll check in.
I’ve been having this weird experience where I suddenly go pale, start sweating, and my stomach does such a violent flip-flop that I’m certain I will lose it within seconds. It actually makes it hard for me to go places, because I’m so afraid I’ll suddenly throw up (bile, mostly). I’ve been carrying a plastic baggie in my pocket even when I drive, it’s embarrassing! I also have to fight the feeling that I’m actually going to die from this nausea, that it’s indicative of a heart attack or something (I turn into such a hypo when fasting).
I’ve fallen off the wagon 3 times with regard to coffee/caffeine, which may explain the nausea and sweating, though they don’t often happen within the same 5 hours. Who would have ever thought that coffee is such a tempting demon? Not the sweets, not the bagels, not the pizza. I’ve decided not to send myself back to “Day 1″ for the infraction, but if I do it again, Day 1 it is.
I’ve discovered that food grounds me, gives me a sense of stability and ok-ness with the moment. Without food, I am so often edgy, restless, and my mind is very harsh about my life choices and the way I spend time. It’s like food has been a drug in more ways than one. I can’t tell which mind-state is the sane one.
I’m also very touchy. I really need to watch what I say to people, and how I read situations and statements. I’m normally so kick-back, joking and easy-going, it’s a strange personality shift. Stripping down, stripping down. It’s humbling.
Thinking of you all!
Rhet
nearing the end of day three! I sipped on aloe juice today. Heal. heal . healing.
Hello, I will be starting my first fast tomorrow. Can anyone give me some advice..? I’ve never done this before.
HI. First Rhett
I am worried and hope Tom comes in to advise us because I wonder if you’re okay here. The bile thing scares me alot. I would not know what to do if that started with me. Are you near fainting? I did feel very weak,at times light headed but I got down on one knee. I also did that thing where I got up slowly…I did get pale. I never really did as long a fast though as you.You’re on water yet. Are you eating today??? I slept alot while fasting but it was always during the day when I felt so tired. Night time for me was not good. I could not sleep.Are you sleeping????
Sky,just read all the stuff posted. I took resting to heart when I fasted.I also drank something as soon as I felt weak. It passes! Don’t let headaches and rumbly tummys make you break it. Tom stops in and advises us alot. Look for his posts.
3rd day. Keep going.
I also wanted to say good job to Aram
Hi Sky, I can’t say I’m an official authority on fasting, but I can say that I have completed 10 days of a 30 day juice fast so far. The biggest piece of advice I would give is to realize that the fast is a mental challenge much more than a physical one. In other words, when your brain is telling you to EAT, just respond to it politely by saying, “I heard you, but no thanks.” The reason I’m fasting is to overcome an alcohol addiction and the biggest gift its given me so far is to realize the art of choosing what my health wants instead of my mind (and all the tricky pitfalls it throws at me). The other thing I would suggest is to literally set your goal fast at completing one day at a time. Lastly, whatever your reason for fasting, realize that no matter what you do to achieve your goal, the fasted way to that end is the hardest way. In other words, you gotta walk through it, not around it. Good luck and remember you’re stronger than whatever you’re trying to overcome.
Today was my first of my fast and i could honestly say that i thought it was going to be a lot harder than it was. I find the hardest part is what my brain is telling me, its worse than what my stomach is telling me, i just hope i make it through the night…. if there’s any words of wisdom out there i’m will be more than happy to hear them.
My time on top says 3:48 pm but it is 6:48 pm here
since ya wont post my responses am moving on~~~
Hi Fawn,
Due to spam any posts with links are held for approval.
Please be patient.
Hi everyone,
Thanks for your concern, Fawn. I think the vomiting is a detox-reaction. I took in some veggie juice off and on until those nausea episodes slacked off. I just got too scared about what my heart seemed to be doing on top of it. Now I’m back on water.
Hopefully the little bit of juice was enough to get me over the hump, as it were. How are you all doing?
I feel like I’ve been fasting for a thousand years. Man, time slows down. And my extremities get cold a lot. I’ve been hot-tubbing to deal with the cold, but some people say that’s a bad idea, what with the chemicals and unusual heat. Tom, do you have an opinion about this?
Thanks!
Rhet
Vomiting is part of water fasting if your body is toxic. For that reason I recommend juice fasting for 3 days before going to water. Sure take a hot bath if you are cold or a hot shower. Cold extremities is normal also.
Thanks, Tom. Fawn, yes, I get insomnia a lot since fasting. I just watch TV or read, or sometimes I get up and play with the dogs.
I must have a really slow metabolism, because I’m not dropping weight very fast. My body must have adjusted to the shift. Since the first few days, I’ve lost a pound about every 3 or 4 days. I sure hope this detox works. Fasting is harsh for me.
Best,
Rhet
Hi all! I’m just ending the sixth week of an intermittent fasting program, and my body keeps wanting more and more abstinence from food. For weeks I ate in a five to four hour window at night. I experienced better sleep, energy during the day, no cravings, better breathing, mental clarity ect. Over the last week, when I feel no hunger at the beginning of my eating window, I put faith to the test and skip my eating window until the following night. I’ve done this twice this week and I feel so light and happy. Fasting, even briefly certianly gives you the sense of control and freedom being chained to food never did. I intend on skipping my window every third night until my body feels its ready for more fasting. You do get better and better at listening to your bodys clues as you get more and more clean. Thanks for the great website. I really hope this goes mainstream someday, to the chagrin of resturants and donought shops alike!
tom i am already drinking 10 egg whites a day but not getting that good pump i used to in the gym will spirulina help and how much should i take? thanks
Hi Mark,
You will feel weaker in the gym and have to push more but the cuts will come and muscle gain if you and press through. Yes spirulina is good but you need a few tablespoons if you want a protein boost. There are some high end whey supplements that are nominally mucus-forming but you still have to take less than recommended. It also take about a week for you body to adjust to juicing with eggwhites and you get days of energy and days of being totally dragged out especially on the first week. And the hunger can be really intense after a workout. I did 30 days. Other than me you are the only person to try this. LOL.
rhet,
thanks so much for your “sleight of hand” post you are a genius! my boyfriend seems to think i’m going to die from fasting. he keeps cooking all my favorite foods & insisting that i just try a little something. i think your ideas will help me immensely! thanx again!
Hey Nikki, glad the “sleights” were useful, I was feeling a little embarrassed about having shared all that. But boy, they really have helped me socially. Last night I had “wine” with friends at a concert (once friends have emptied one or 2, they are happy to let you switch glasses with them–grin!). Eating the ice out of drinks at meals or at clubs also keeps people off my back.
Just this morning the dogs helped me to “share” a super-nice breakfast someone in the house fixed. (Thank goodness feeding dogs from the table isn’t taboo in our house).
People are also happy to help me with little bags of M&M’s or almonds or cashews I carry in my pocket (sometimes I cheat and lick the salt off my fingers). I know, the whole thing is mildly insane.
It’s true that the Bible says not to advertise it when we fast, but my “sleights” are likely taking it too far. But it’s how I get by. I can’t take on the hunger and weakness AND everyone telling me how I’m endangering my life. I need as little disruption in my routine as possible, and having everybody interrogating me about my fast at every meal and social gathering (or talking about it behind my back if I tell them to MYOB) is just too much for me to handle.
Today I squeezed a couple of lemons into my water, and sweetened it with Stevia (a non-caloric natural sweetener). It felt like I had a 7-course meal. My body sure appreciates any little bit I toss it.
How’s everyone doing?
Rhet
Hi I’ve been thinking of fasting for a while. I always feel backed up inside and irregular. But I am a runner and was wondering if fasting would affect my performance?
Jessica,
You bet fasting will affect your performance–at least, water fasting will. I’ve found that even juice fasting slows me down. I also have to watch out for strange bowel activity, especially at first. It’s not so important if you’re just training, but are you racing frequently?
Rhet
I have competitions usually at the end of the week, usually fridays. but my season is just about over and I have championships at the end of this week coming up. so maybe I should wait till after so that I can perform at my best.
hello, I am a new vegetarian who has been battling my weight my entire life, I have decided to get myself under control and just be thin already, I’m training for a 1/2 marathon in April but I need to rid myself of my old relationship with food, clear my head and focus on how to achieve my goals, Rachel’s way of just eating a small meal in a narrow window of time and then skipping it every few days sounds like something I can do, I worry about screwing up my metabolism but I need to cleanse and redirect my focus so I’m starting my “fast” today is 4:33 and I wont eat again until tomorrow at 7:00 pm when I’ll have a veggie burger and water. and I’ll try to keep that up for 7 days then start narrowing down my window. I’m going to be thin and healthy this year. I’ll keep you up to date with how I do
rhet how long is your fast? and what motivated you to start and when are you going to be done, how long will you wait before you do another one….
jen, i admire your endeavors. i’m sure you’ll be very successful. i would like to impress upon you, however, that a one small, raw veggie salad before your breakfast would do wonders for the elimination process. during your fast you will be cleansings and depositing much toxins, mucoids ect. to the colon for elimination. eating the raw salad prior to any high energy foods (carbs/fats/proteins) assists the colon in a ‘broomlike’ way. a friend of mine has a child with a diseased liver, no treatements available, but the doctor prescribed one raw salad a day to assist the liver in its daily cleansing chores. the boy started to feel better immediately and has grown to love his salads, crave them even. imagine that, a child who craves raw veggies! happy cleansing!
ok day two, so last night I had a fruit shake with strawberries, grapes, blueberries and soymilk, I had the same this morning. I didn’t run because I’m feeling really sick (separate issue my husband gave me a severe cold) but I’m trying not to eat so that my body can focus on killing the virus and not breaking down food I’m drinking hot tea which kills the appetite so, so far so good.
got a little hungry drank my hot tea my cold isn’t as bad as i thought it would be, going home is going to be a challenge but ill just go to bed early. one more rich soymilk shake tonight if im hungry but tomarow I’ll switch to pure processes fruits and veggies. check in with us rhet ive been thinking about you
Hi Tom,
By the way, great site! I just found it today.
I’m a 6’1” 54-year old healthy male. I was 181 pounds when I began my fast so I’m not overweight. This is day 25 of a 40-day juice fast. Tried a water-only fast about 15 years ago. Was so weak and wiped out I couldn’t even get off the living room floor to answer the door!
My current experience is much different which I attribute to the fact that I am drinking juice. My basic question is “What constitutes ‘juice’?” Does broth from boiled vegetables “qualify”? Is “juice” only that which comes from a juicer machine?
Some of the store-bought “no sugar added” juice I drink (I don’t have a juicer…yet) appears clear. But some of the drinks (with carrot, for example) seem a little “pulpy”. Also I am drinking broth prepared at home from carrots, celery, spinach, and potatoes.
It seems that the potato give is a thicker, more substantive quality. Somehow I feel this is little more than liquefied vegetable stew and does not truly constitute “juice”. Sometimes I think of it as solid food and thus feel like I’m “cheating”.
Am I being too technical or picky or should I discontinue ingesting the stuff which has this pulpier” quality?
By the way, are you a Christian? Just curious.
Hi Missouriman,
Sorry, but I did respond the computer crashed and I forget to see if it went through. So here goes again.
Juice can be anything that is fruits or veggies juiced. It can be store bought but a juicer is what brings the health improvements. Herbal tea, lemon aid is good. Potato is good from a juicer but throw away the starch that settles. Cooked potato juice is to mucus-forming. Yes I am a Bible believing Christian. It is best to strain the juice as the pulp builds up in the intestine and causes hunger as it is still digesting. So it is a choice. You way will work it is just slower than juicing fresh veggies. Also on store bought stuff you do not get the fasting “high” and exileration that come after prolonged juice fasting.
Your patience paid off. You got a better response than the first one that died in cyberland.
Hey Jen, et al.
I’ve been fasting because I’m suspecting some health problems I don’t want to name just yet because I haven’t had the appropriate tests–they are still several weeks away (love this stupid PPO Plan).
Suffice to say, if I test positive, I’m up a creek (it’s not HIV). I don’t have the money or insurance for the treatment I’d have to get. And I won’t put my family members in the poorhouse. I’m not even going to tell them.
I’ve read here and other places that certain kinds of ailments can be slowed or reversed by fasting for some people. So, I’ve been fasting ahead of my tests.
All that said, I completely, utterly blew it yesterday! I don’t know what happened, but I got hungrier than a starved tiger and just about ate the family dogs! Anyway, I royally imploded, ate complex stuff, and totally infuriated my system, of course. I was like a junkie on a heroin binge. I have no idea what came over me. I wasn’t myself. I was infected by the Hunger Demon, and God help anyone between me and the fridge. The one thing I didn’t eat was sugar or wheat/flour products, because the condition I’m suspecting I have is significantly worsened with sugar and things most easily turned into sugar.
I paid for the lapse with many agonized hours on the porcelain throne. I was completely humiliated, I even sobbed. (An odd and fairly gross side-note, for as long and profligately as I occupied the bathroom, it didn’t really smell. Might I have murdered all my intestinal bacteria?)
They say break a fast slowly, and boy, they mean it. My system was so enraged, I even had heart palpitations. Boys and girls, if you’ve been fasting for over a week, do NOT go nuts and eat like a werewolf in winter.
So, here I am, the prodigal, wayward idiot, back at the end of the line, back at Day 1. I’m pretty sure I caused myself enough misery to never break a fast that way again. I hate this, because I’m reminding myself of wrestling friends I had, who would go days without eating to make weight, who would weigh in and go binge. They inevitably made themselves sick–it was a total eating disorder brought on my the pressure to fall into the appropriate weight class.
I don’t want an eating disorder, I just want the benefits of fasting! Ack, so, hopefully I haven’t just negated every good thing I was doing for myself.
Hopefully you guys will take me back. I started my day with water with a squirt of fresh lemon. My system was relieved.
Fasting’s hard.
–rhet
not to worry rhet, just use the experience to help maintain better control next time. i doubt you undid a entire weeks worth of fasting in one binge session, but i see you learned a valuable lession. its fantastic you veered clear of wheat products and sugar. one thing i would if you feel yourself losing control and cant maintain is quicky make a big salad, or just grab fresh veggies and eat them raw, as slowly as possible. this has allowed me to gently get on a one day on, one day off program. i feel im getting more and more cleansed by the day, but without the intensity and exhaustion of a straight fast. i used to white knuckle it through weeks long fasting as a youth. now decades later, overweight, with insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, estrogen dominance, you name it, im easing into the fasting slowly and gently. after i eat in a five hour window one night, the next night my body is very yeilding to the forty three hour break from foods. im enjoying fruits and veggies i used to choke down very sporadically. chin up my friend. each and everyday is new day!
Rachel, thanks for the encouragement.
Your advice is really good. You sound like a veteran faster.
Hey, sorry to go off-topic, but with regard to the e-dominance, a person in my house has that. Maybe you already know about this, but she found amazing success with natural topical progesterone cream (made from soy, usually) together with Wild Yam capsules taken orally. (It was the combo that really did it for her.) She dropped weight, got regularized periods, gentler cycles.
Anyhoo, sounds like you are really off and running on your fast, and have found a workable balance.
Is anyone out there doing the bentonite cleanse?
Thanks
rhet
what is this day three for me? I’m gonna call it day three, so the cold I have that everyone around me has been suffering with for weeks is fading and fading after only three days. I feel like I know a new healing power no one else knows, I ran two miles today, drank a fruit infused juice this morning its mega pulpy so I don’t think we would call it a juice per say but fresh full of vitamins blended and easy on the plumbing, I made a spinach celery carrot apple combo for mid day to sip on and as reward for my work the scale says I’ve lost 3 lbs which is very exiting. with juice or liquid salad ill call it I can see going on a 7-10 day fast. my goal is seven but if my body doesn’t tell me to eat after that time ill go longer. Rhet I hope your test come back in your favor or you find the healing power that will make you better.
thanks for the advice rhet. ill look into that. its strange how i can have no cramps all morning, but as soon as i get my walk/lifing in, i have mild cramps. i was told the body fat im burning off is dumping estrogen as it burns. i bet the cream would help a lot. ive fasting in my youth, long wonderful juice fasts, but was ignorant about how horrible sugar is, thus i never stayed thin, never ate properly after my fast. i didnt realize that if you are insulin insensitive, any old cracker or piece of toast can send you on a craving/exhuastion cycle for the rest of your day. now that i fast every single day during the day until my evening feeds, im keeping my eating under control easily. hopefully avoiding the diabetes that runs in my family. fingers crossed. whatever the test results are, you are way ahead of the game than most folks, since you understand how fasting and nourising principles work!
Okay well, I’m starting a 3 day juice fast to ease into a water fast. I’m not really doing this fast to lose weight, more so to see if I can actually control my hunger because I have a problem when it comes to eating when i’m actually hungry instead of eating when i’m bored. I find myself on a binge 24/7 so I want to try and control myself better and eat when I need to. I hope that I will hold the power at the end of my fast instead of my stomach
ok its Friday I’ve been running and exercising and drinking hot tea I got my juicer working so one big glass of diluted juice a day, I ate a spinach salad on Wednesday I over exerted myself at the gym and thought I was going to pass out so I caved. but like I said I’m following Rachel’s regime more then anything so I eat every third day if necessary but guys I’m not hungry. I look through cheetos, past egg rolls and am not even tempted by fruity cocktails that used to consume my days. I feel like the master of my domain, But I am noticing that people are not to keen on the non eaters, they say things like that’s not good for you while shoveling processed fatty food out of a bag in to their mouths its kind of ironic. my husbands been really supportive so that helps, but he’s quite the foodie and does want to take me out for valentines day, id rather go roller skating then out to dinner but we shall see. I’m holding out till Monday or Wednesday, 7-10 fast what if I can do more?
sounds like you’re very centered and in tune with your body jen! i was new to exercise with fasting, and i sprinted and then knocked down some kettlebell complexes, and whoshhhhh,,,tingling all over my body , my mouth , my lips. come to find out it was low blood sugar. intense exercise can sometimes knock you into it when exercising in a fasted state. now that my body is more attuned, i can pretty much lift a few dumbells and sprint some without trouble,,,but it took a bit to get here, and im still careful. i did one day on and one day off for two weeks,,, and im still doing my window, but for the next two weeks i am going to try a two day a week window skip. my workouts did suffer with the water fasting. i may just two day it three weeks out of the month, then water fast every other day the first week of the month. im learning how to tweak my cleansing cycles so they dont prevent my training, but careful not to suspend the cleansing all together. keep up the excellent work board!!
Alright well day 2. feeling pretty good this morning. Going to do a light 2-3 mile run. hopefully i wont be dead at the end
Depressed and having a difficult time sticking to any of my raw food protocols. Feel lethargic after quitting coffee and hydroxy cut (work out type pills).
I expected I would need to heal from all the stimulants but it’s just harder than I thought it would be.
So, after overeating huge bowls of salad today with all the trimmings plus making raw cacao/espresso concoctions, I’m stuffed and ready to just go ahead and do a fast.
I have a bag of lemons. I don’t have stevia but have maple syrup and cayenne. Tomorrow I can start with master cleanse but also take apple juice with psyllium to clear out my system.
*deep breath*
Been trying to do the 80-10-10 and felt great for four days but then couldn’t take the weight gain. I gained up to 7 pounds since quitting coffee and diet-type pills and supplements. I’m not exercising then I’d eat huge bowls of fruit.
I have to say my digestion felt better on the 80-10-10 but with the caffeine withdrawal (tho I’m still using green tea) the lethargy and getting plugged up along with stress, I just caved.
So, I just discovered this site and I’m going to try it out. Looks like a few people are checking in here and fasting. I’ve fasted before I think i’ve made it up to 3 weeks before and have done 7 to 10-days many times over the past three decades. Lately I’ve been able to prepare for the fasts and also break them wisely.
But right now, I normally wouldn’t start a fast after eating such a large salad with dairy in it etc. But it’s just to the point where it’s been so hard to get started on anything that it’s better to just get started from where I’m at. I’m sure my body will thank me and so will my despair and depression.
I’m still figuring out if there’s a moderator etc. Thanks for reading!
Hi Cindy
Your body will need some down time. Juice fasting is the best for that. It can reset your metabolism within about 10 days. You may sleep a lot. Moderator,,, mmm, looks like Rhet is maintaining that roll. We never seem to get anything bad or offensive. But is sure would be good to have a team. The site is growing it is hard to keep track of all the people.
ok so valentines we went to a Mexican restaurant, I had a lettuce salad with salsa no chips which is awesome for me. then I come home no ones looking and I go to town on my fridge, guys I ate a pork chop, ok I’m a vegetarian what the heck?!?!?! well whatever I was intoxicated and my self control didn’t stand a chance but I learned I can do it, so today is Monday I ate fish and a salad at 4 which is my food window and tomorrow I’m back on the tea and juice, I’ve got to say I’ve kicked my butt in the gym for months and haven’t had the same weight loss results as I did from not eating for 4 days absolutely amazing. I just need to do it guys, I’ve been a slave to a size 14 for to long, and I’m not going to be called the heavy girl, no ones going to suggest lap band surgery, or say oh well you have such a pretty face. I’m so motivated, I learned a few key points I’ll share with you, I won’t work out till exhaustion while fasting cuz that doesn’t work, I wont be intoxicated while fasting because that weakens my will, and if I don’t like a juice I’ve made for myself that day I will toss it (beets ew) and make something else because not having juice effects my success as well. see I’m learning I hope these observations help. cuz I know they will help me. Going back to day 1 of a ten day fast tomorrow im exited,
Hi Jen,
Your post has a clear message. “fasting has a learning curve with many mistakes to teach you.” Most of us fail before succeeding.
Tom,
I can imagine the difficulty of trying to reply to everyone. When/if you get a sec could you take a look at my Feb.10th post? Thanks.
Hi Missouriman,
Ok you have a response I posted under the first post.
true story: i’ve gone from a size 22 to a size 18 in TWO MONTHS. daily fasts of 19 to 22 hours. then two weeks of everyother day water fasts. symptoms aleviated by my two weeks of more intense waters fast include – disappearance of tingling sensation i would get after every workout (feet, hands mostly). low blood pressure or low blood sugar whichever it was the fasting cured it. also, every since starting my warrior diet styled fasting, i suffered pretty annoying pms like cramps, just about every day. a doctor said it was most likely estrogen being dumped from my fat stores as i burned them up in my post-glycogen depletion workouts. well, as well, this cleared up since i embarked on my intermittent water fasts. ive been doing my daily fasts now, and have had trouble getting anymore over night fasts in this week. im just working out so wonderfully and my muscles are sore and hungry. i do eat in a small window, mostly clean supportive foods. but i know ill do my week or two of daily fasts and then embark on more waterfasting. even intermittantly they are very agressive and beneficial.
Hi Rachel
That is an encouragement. The cramps was a strange one to me. The doctors concept sound good to me. Those are great improvements to health and fitness. This just goes to show that detoxification can be successfully customized to fit your needs, time restraints and psycology.
Hi everyone, I am so so glad that I found this website. I have an extremely important event coming up which is my bachelor graduation. I have been trying to complete a 21 days fast. But the more I try, the more I fail.
I cannot even pass the first day. I know its a bad excuse but I live with my boyfriend and he is a food-lover. He eats alot but never gains weigh. Anyway, I know I have to help myself because my boyfriend has already given up helping me. Do you have any good advice how to achieve 21 days fast? I am an active person and I either play golf or do fitness everyday. I have exactly 3 weeks before my graduation. Please give me some advice. I will be very grateful. Thank you.
AnN
Hi Ann,
Getting started can be the harderst if you are surrounded by food. After day one fasting gets easier.
My trick is to use the enema the morning I decide to fast. After that I lose all desire for food.
The second it to drink gallons of fresh juice on the first day and that will stop the hunger.
Hey Ann,
The following has worked best for me:
If people ask, tell them you’re preparing for Lent and give them a boring lecture about sacrifice and appreciation. If they argue with you, accuse them of not respecting your religious principles (I’m joking. Sort of
1) Juice for at least 3 days. I know, you want a speedier result than that, but juicing gets your body accustomed to what’s coming. If you want, you can use things like spinach, kale, cucumber, celery, cabbage, spiralina and a little bit of carrot rather than fruit, which are more alkaline and won’t sugar you up. This will ease your body into the fast without the cruel shock of water fasting. If you don’t have a juicer, use a blender and a strainer. Walk a lot, do yoga, etc.
2) When and if you switch to water, juice lemons and/or limes into a pitcher of distilled water, and if you like, sweeten it with the natural sweetener stevia (NuNaturals has a white powder stevia with no bitter aftertaste. They even have a NoCarb blend cut with eurithrytol or something. Look for it at your local natural food store. Don’t use aspartame or splenda or Ace-K or Saccharin, they’ll make you nauseous. Plus they are kind of toxic). Drink herbal teas.
3) Identify your most vulnerable times and triggers, and PLAN what you are going to do when confronted with them. Don’t let them sneak up on you.
4) Realize that your reptilian brain is going to do everything in its power to get you to eat–it will play on guilt, make you feel wasteful, convince you you’re sick or starving, make you nauseous and weak, tell you you can “start tomorrow,” tell you you can make an exception for salad or booze or an apple.. then you’re lost. Set your boundaries when you’re NOT going through a hunger pang period.
5) Avoid coffee, gum, tobacco and diet soft drinks. They slow down detox, cause hunger and nausea.
6) If you’re absolutely miserable and can’t handle the water fast, go back to the vegetable juice until you’re stabilized. Alternate between the water/lemon and veggie juice through your fasting period.
7) Keep walking.
Hi Rhet,
You make is so simple.
Hello, all, my bf and I are want to start fasting for the first time on the first of next month. We are kinda confused as to what to do?.. just water? just liquids? for how long? can anyone help me out? thanks and god bless
Hi Heather,
Buy a juice and do a few days first on the juices you enjoy then try water.
Tom
Thank you, Rhet and Tom. I will try my very best this time. Fasting will start tomorrow, which is Sunday 22th. I also have a golf tournament tomorrow but will try not to eat. Wining is important but achieving the fast this time will mean much more to me. I will keep on updating.
Thank you and have a nice day.
Ann
Ann, take your juice with you on the course. Stay hydrated, stay energized.
Hi Rhet,
Do you know what is the best way to avoid food when you are hungry? I know when I get home I will be very hungry and want to eat. I always fail because I have to cook dinner for my bf. Do you have any tips? I really scare that I cannot pass the first day.
Ann
Ann,
I mentioned strategies for this in some previous posts, if you want to scroll back up.
Are you juicing? If you are making vegetable juice, you should drink as much of that as you want on your first day, if you’re really hungry.
Hunger pangs DO pass. They really do. I try to think of the fasting process like childbirth (what I’ve seen of it). When hunger pangs come, I think of them like contractions.. they are part of the process of bringing forth the result I want, and I just need to breathe through them until they pass (and they do pass).
Practice being stubborn–don’t let your monkey mind take your opportunity away from you. Get away from the food as fast as you politely can, and take a walk or go to bed until the hunger passes.
Or come and post on the board! You’ve got a lot of people here going through the same thing.
We believe in you!
All, On day 5 of a fast. I did my first 40 day juice fast 11 years ago after I heard Dr. Bill Bright call for Christians to fast and pray 40 days for America. I had no information or knowledge of the subject. All I knew was Jesus, Moses, and Bill Bright had fasted 40 days and lived to tell of it. It was frighting as 45 years of toxins came to the surface. I did see my doctor half way through to make sure I was o.k.. I continue to do a 40 day fast in January or Febuary each year to tune up my relation with God (God’s doing o.k., it’s just me that needs some adjustments). I drink only apple juice and water. I struggle getting the water down and drink all my juice warm.
As for food, I cook 3 meals a day for my family for the 40 days. Family loves it when I fast for this reason. There is something within me that desires to cook and serve all meals.
I have absolutely no desire to eat during the fast.
I love to fast yet hate it. The benifits out weigh the downside for me.
Bless all,
Pastor Jim
Hello I’m Cher, I’m 17, all year I have been wanting to fast for a whole week. In the summer I juice fasted for a whole 6 days, but stopped on the seventh day because I had my driving test and I was afraid I wouldn’t do well without food in my stomach.
I’ve never fasted for more than 3 days during the school year, because im afraid I won’t be able to concentrate in class, and the stomach sounds are embarrassing.
I also have fitness class in school everyday… im not sure if I should fast? I would really like to and I believe I have the willpower. But Im also afraid I will get too tired. Any advice would be awesome
Also since lent is coming up, I was thinking I could just tell people I was fasting for lent if my stomach freaks out during class. I definately don’t think I can fast for the whole 40 days though. ..If you fast during lent, do you eat only on sundays? (I’m a christian but I don’t attend church often)
Oh man….I start my fasting on the 22nd….and I’m a bit nervous. I’m shooting for three weeks. Wish me luck.
**I meant to say I’ve been wanting to fast for 7 days for a long time
I am sorry, Rhet. I failed again today. When I reached to the golf course, I felt weak and I ate a pie. So the whole thing was ruined from the moment I ate that pie. My bf said he would help me tomorrow. But it would be useless if I dont help myself. I dont even know what I am doing.. Only three weeks from my graduation and I always come up with some excuses to allow myself to eat.
I was thinking of doing honey and lemon fast. They taste quite nice. But is it better to drink only water? Can I drink tea instead because I dont like water much? I am sorry but will I ever success? Thank you.
Ann
Ann,
It’s okay. Everyone fails when they try this. It’s like jumping the buildings in the Matrix. I have never met anyone who didn’t fall short of fasting goals their first try. It’s taken me about 10 false starts and “losing it” within the first 5 days before I finally got some momentum. We are robotically programmed to eat when we’re really hungry.
Check out the Master Cleanse fast (just google it). I’m not huge on plain water either, which is why I suggested juicing the lemons/limes into water and using Stevia as sweetener (it’s basically sugarless but sweet lemonade). I personally don’t use honey or maple syrup (as the Master Cleanse suggests), because they make me really hungry, but it may be just the thing for you. Yes, tea is great.
Did you try juicing the first few days, like Tom suggests?
Anyway, if you’re still interested in fasting, just climb back in the saddle and try again. For me, building the skills to cope with hunger has taken a lot of trial and error.
We’re with you in your successes and your struggles.
rhet
Hi there!
I am on a mostly water and (minimal) juice fast…not sure for how long yet, but I am now on day 7. I will continue at least until day ten.
I am 5`6″ and upon starting this fast I weighed 157 lbs…after 7 days I weigh 146. My goal weight is 130-135. So far, so good.
I have some questions that I am hoping one of you more experienced fasters will be able to help with!
1) I am experiencing bloating periodically. Has anyone else experienced this? What did you do about it? Does anyone know why it happens?
2) So my weight loss is good…10 pounds in 7 days. But my measurements (waist, hips, etc) are all the same as my pre-fast measurements. Am I losing muscle??? How can I lose 10 pounds yet have all of my measurements be the same?
Thanks!!
Kristina
Hi Kristina,
Sometimes the pulp in the juice ferments as it sits in the colon for days. Try the enema and that should solve the problem. You do lose some muscle density. Catablolism strips and diseased, dead or dying cells. You lose some strength but that is due to lowered glucose levels. After the fast maximium strength comes back in about 10 days.
Pastor Jim and Kristina, how are the fasts going?
I caught a cold, which is no fun, BUT.. I can’t smell anything–which means fewer hunger pangs, and the fact that I’m not eating means I’m not contributing mucus-making stuff to my congestion, so I just have a sore throat and a very runny nose.
I did break down and suck some sugar-free lozenges, and the numbing effect was so welcome.
How is everything in the “fast” lane for everyone else?
rhet
Hi Rhet,
I know I have failed but I wont give up until I achieve a 21 days fast. I know I have not done my best. I read some of your previous posts and you were going through a hard time at the begining as well.
May I ask what enema is? What does it do? Can I buy it from a supermarket? Well.. I live in Perth, Australia. Dont know if they have it here or not. I have tried the lemon detox but I dont like it much. I prefer honey and lemon. Or this time I will try tea fast only. I do take laxative before I go to bed. I have a very bad eating habit which leads to constipation. Taking laxative does help alot. I have not tried juice fasting yet, as fruits in Australia are quite expensive and I am broke at the moment. Anyway, thank you very much for your support. Hope you will get well soon.
Ann
Hi Rhet,
I am doing well! Thanks for asking! The fast is going well. So far I am on day 8 and have lost 12 pounds! I have a slowish metabolism, so I try to take mostly water and a minimal amount of juice. Today I had about 1/4th of a cup fresh juice around noon. I cannot seem to go more than about 36 hours with only water because I become so sluggish and feel so crappy that it makes the time go painfully slow.
I do not have a determined end date, I am just sort of seeing how long I feel like I can make it. I would be so happy if I could make it to 21 days.
My fast is for spiritual, emotional and physical reasons. I am hoping to have some major breakthroughs along the way. The weight loss is a good start.
Cheers!
Kristina
I’m wondering if any of the veteran fasters consider bouillon added to hot water as part of the juice fast.
Hi Everyone,
I have been on this site for a couple weeks now but this is my first post. I have fasted in the past but it has been a good 6 months since my last fast and I am fasting again for spiritual and emotional reasons.
I am doing a 10 day water fast. Today is day 1 and everything is coming back to me like my last fast was yesterday! Knock on computer keyboard, but everything is going fine so far. The real struggle is the evenings, but I am being confident and telling myself I can do this!
Hey Phyl,
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No, because bouillon, if you read the ingredients, tends to have a lot of nasty stuff in it (MSG, etc), and that’s aside from the meat derivatives, which massively slow down detox and kind of negate the purpose of a fast.
If you really want the taste of bouillon, something that I’ve done is boil together onions, garlic, green veggies (any soup veggie actually but the starchy ones), add a pinch of potassium chloride or sea salt, and strain it. At least that will be better for you, and not have the complex or nasty ingredients.
All that said, it’s not as nutritious as a juice fast (as I understand it) because the fresh-squeezed uncooked-nature of the juice gives you maximal nutritional value, and is less work for the body.
But I’ve used the boiled veggie broth as a way for me to keep from completely throwing in the towel, because it is very soothing and tastes good. If you try it, let me know how it works!
rhet
Kelly, you sound like a fasting-warrior.
I have a really hard time going straight into a water fast, without using juice as a warm-up. But then, the junk I eat..
I just fought my way through the meanest, nastiest bout of hunger pangs. It was really touch-and-go there for awhile. Yike! I had to really pull out all my psychological tools.
–I got angry at the hunger, like it was a nagging, ill-disciplined, spoiled little kid. I ordered my body to feast on extra fat and any diseased flesh or infection I have. I kind of yelled at it. “You’re THAT hungry? You’ve got about six months worth of paunch there to chomp on, go for it! Eat at that diner, because the mouth-diner is closed!” (That must’ve looked odd to my housemates.)
–I reminded myself that the pangs pass sooner than I’d've thought. (And they did, within 20-30 min.)
–I went outside and took a quick walk.
–I didn’t have to resort to this today, but in the past, when it’s been possible, I’ve taken a nap and let myself dream that I was pigging out. Tom advises against this, but sometimes it’s the only tool I have left.
Cheers for beating the hunger pangs! This time
rhet
Thanks Rhet for the message. Yeah something I think its in my head and I can control it in the same ways you do. We will see if I’m singing a different tune tomorrow on day 2! It is 6:35 pm here so i feel like I am in the middle of the evil-time! So I am going to force myself to go out in the cold and run some errands so I’m out of the house. I tried to clear my work schedule for tomorrow in case I’m feeling under the weather, but I couldnt get out of some of my appts so I’m going to try the Lemon squeezed into my bottled water tomorrow- i have never tried that before- Not sure why I didnt- it sounds like a great idea!
Hi Everyone!
I have been off and on fasting for a month, which is probably bad to do, but I somehow am stabilizing my weight. I am at a very healthy weight, but I am a compulsive eater at times and I want to learn to control my food addiction. I want to do atleast a week fast, but I’m finding that I have a hard time making it past 2 1/2 days! Which day does it get easier, or does it ever? I just started dating someone recently, which makes it really hard to fast when he wants to go out, and I know he wouldn’t except what I’m doing, so that makes it tough too. Any suggestions? Good luck to all!
-Bells
hi phyl, i concur with the toxins in broth cubes. for some reason, blood sugar/insulin issues i suppose, i really only feel good on straight up water and maybe some hot tea or lemon water. i try to save my hot feasts for nighttime. that is my scary time. juice or veggie broth seems to inflame my hunger even more. not sure if this would effect you though, but keep it boiled from fresh produce fer sure.
Hi Everyone- I have made it past day 1 successfully! It is a small goal but I am taking it one day at a time. I am on day two and this morning i am feeling a little bit of a headache and about 30% dizzy but other then that, i’m moving along. I don’t feel too hungry this morning so I will enjoy that while it lasts (until about mid-morning- only 8:30 am here!) Yesterday I went to the movies with my boyfriend and of course he insisted on buying candy- when he kept insisting for me to take some, i said yes and then i put it on my lap and then in my purse. Well, i didnt realize that before I put it in my purse, the chocolate melted all over my work pants. LOL! Thankfully my jacket was long enough that no one saw and I came home and changed out of them and threw them in the wash! I thought it was pretty funny.
Good luck to everyone today!
I started fasting when I was 17. I am now 25. I used to fast for 2-8 weeks. I have not had a solid 2+ week fast in probably 3 years. I love the feeling of fasting and always feel refreshed. I only had one bad experience when I chose to break my fast with a binge. I feel ready to begin fasting again. I noticed that someone mentioned dreaming of food as a strategy. Does that scare anyone but me? I remember while fasting I would have dreams of non-stop eating and wake up in a state of panic! I don’t enjoy those dreams lol. My other concern is that I don’t want to destroy my metabolism. I feel like fasting has slowed it down over the years. Granted, I don’t always follow up my fasting with healthy habits. But I always wonder. Does anyone else feel this way?
Tom, or anyone who can help???
On what day does it seem to get easier? Day 2 and 3 are really hard for me to get past? This will be my 4th attempt. If I can make it to 4, will it get easier?
Thanks!
Hi Bells
Day 1 to 3 are usually the hardest. Try the enema to get past these days. Fasting get easier the longer you fast.
Hi there!
I am on day 10 of the fast and doing well. I feel stronger-both emotionally and physically- everyday and very clear headed.
Weight loss is a total of 15 pounds! I almost cannot believe it myself.
One thing I noticed is that I am super, unbelievably thirsty for water the past two days. I woke up with my tongue sticking to the roof of my mouth.
Cheers!
Kristina
Hi Kristina,
During fasting there can be lack of thirst at 2 cups a day of fluid and thirst when you are getting 10 cups a day. These are the pathways of the body to rebalancing homoeostasis. Just follow the path.
Hi everyone,
Im new to this site. I am beginning my water fast tomorrow (february 26). I am plan to fast for 45 days. Why – well i am overweight, lack energy, have chronic sports injuries that wont heal, am depressed and i am a compulsive overeater. my overeating is now out of control and my daily diet is junk food. how did this happen to me? i was fit and healthy and enjoyed a raw food diet, but it hasa all gone wrong. here i am 45 pounds overweight and very depressed and unmotivated. so i am water fasting to heal my body, mind and soul.
Hi Brenda,
You choices are a minefield. Water and compulsive behaviour is a bad combination. You will end up feeling sick, depressed and never be able to do it right. You have to go very slow. Try a 3 day juice fast and think of all the healthiest foods and you enjoying them after the fast. Fill your mind with those images for days. Put them on your fridge. If you can break the fast right you are ready for 7 days. Read http://compulsive.ws
Hi Everyone- I am on day 3 of my water fast. It is going okay so far. I actually do not feel hungry at all and have zero desire for food but just feel like my heart is going to beat right out of my chest. Not so much of a fast heart heat, just a very loud heart beat- does that make sense? I have never experienced that before- im usually just very dizzy and headaches. Just moving along though and ready to get past today.
Hi Kelly,
The complaint of a racing heat, a heart that seems to thud louder and usual is fairly common. It usually passes within the first 5 days unless there is a heart condition, that was undiagnosed. Toxins in the blood from detoxification, and interfere with the hearts nerve communication. If you are worried go to juices for a few days then back to water fasting to slow the detox. Here at the hospital in Sagada, I always detox the patients with cardiovascular problems gradually on lots of juice and even half a banana for the first 3 to 5 day.
Rhet,
I’m slow getting here due to obligations. Thanks for asking of my progress. All is well on day 8. I stay healthy during a 40. I have never had any sickness during a fast over the past 11 years. I appreciate that because I have always fasted long term in Jan., Feb., and March. Every year I find that the “spiritual” side of my fast kicks in a little sooner. I feel that has a lot with having less toxins exiting my body. That sidetracked me for 30 days the first time I fasted. Plus my closness to God has improved over the years.
I’m on track with the white tongue (too much coffee prior to fast), dry skin, -14#, smells are strong, and the slowing of time.
Always wanted to finish the last week of a fast at some unique location. Almost went to Israel one year but couldn’t swing it. Still in the back of my mind. It’s hard to describe the last days for me. People always ask me what God had to say after a fast, but it’s just too deep and personal to express.
Bless, Pastor Jim
Hi Pastor Jim,
What is your affiliation? To bad that more pastors do not fast. Thanks for posting.
well I broke my fast yesterday. I was doing really well but i got hit with something rather hard and binged. I started over today on ash wednesday! I would really like to try and do the forty day fast for lent. something I look forward to.
Jessica,
If you are binging after a few days of fasting you will be in major pain if you make a longer fast. Why not try shorter juice fasting and breaking it with a healthy diet? Then do some longer fasts. A 40 day fast is an good intention but you will not have the self control to make it. Build self control first. That is what I had to do.
I am on the third day of my fast. It is hard to write about it because I don’t want to dwell on it too much but right now I feel like I need to write about it. I am on a mostly “water” fast even though I mostly drink tea instead of water (hopefully I can work up to just water) and I’ll drink a little watered down juice if I feel really bad.
The first day was all hunger pains and headaches. The second day I didn’t have headaches anymore and felt pretty good until night when the hunger pains kicked in, and I couldn’t fall asleep until 6AM. However, I felt extremely lethargic the whole day and when I walked up stairs my leg muscles felt extremely tired, like I had already been walking up stairs for a while. Today I still have hunger pains and feel extremely lethargic… I had to skip out on breakdance practice because I think I would probably pass out if I tried breakdancing right now… I feel horrible for skipping practice though and I hope the club doesn’t hate me now. But this fast is really important to me. My goal is a week to 10 days, because after that I leave for a month long vacation. The bad thing is I’m going out all night tomorrow night and who knows what will happen then. I’m just looking to see what this fast can teach me and to evolve my views on food and consumption… Hoping for some inner peace…
Hi Sylvie,
Inner peace come from peaceful thoughts.
...whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable
- if anything is excellent or praiseworthy -
think about these things and the God of peace will be with you.
Phil 4:8
I am on my fourth day of fasting, but I dont do a complete fast. I have a small tub (125ml) of fatfree yogurt every morning. How effective will the fast be with this? The rest of the time it is a water fast.
Pastor Jim, you are a real inspiration!
Kelly, I get the racing heart too, and it gets worse with nausea. I relate to how scary it is. But I’m still here.
Kristina, you go girl! Wow, you have a lot of momentum.
Sylvie, I totally hear you about wanting to avoid things that under normal circumstances are not so hard. Part of the challenge of fasting is working to maintain a regular schedule, even when we know we’ll be a bit more lethargic. Some days I’ve just had to tell people I’m under the weather. People often understand that more than if I just skip out on stuff (which I’ve definitely done). But sometimes it’s surprising when the energy returns–sometimes it’s right when I need it. Then again, other times I’ve had to run out the door and retch.
Belinda, I think they’d call what you’re doing a “yogurt feast,” but it might help you in preparing for a juice or water fast. Over time you might want to be careful with foods that aren’t fruits or veggies if you’re otherwise not eating, because it’s rougher on your body to survive on a small amount of complex product that is a lot of work for your body to digest. Much less nutritional bang for your buck, and much more stress for an already stressed-out body.
Everyone, I was thinking, it’s kind of neat to be fasting during Lent, and knowing we are in the company of a lot of other people fasting right now the world over. Draw on their collective strength and spirit!
Best,
rhet
Tom, Grew up in the Friends church, turned to Christ at age 23 (1978), went back to College at age 30, pastored Friends churches until 1992. Began a non-denominational at that point of which I still pastor. A lot of freedom in it. Without a denominational missionay contact I go to Kenya once a year to hold Crusades, preach in the churches, and hold pastor’s conferences through a Kenyan contact.
I’m thankful I had a pastor when I was a young believer who taught me 3,5,and 7 day fasting. Over the years I’ve had many fellow pastors, but none that had ever fasted long term.
I’ve made every mistake I read about on this blog in the past. It’s refreshing to see people talking others through.
How about the time I fasted 7 days on a mission trip to Jamaica drinking water and COFFEE!
Bless, Pastor Jim
Hi Pastor Jim,
Fascinating. I have been with many church groups over the years. So your path make sense. A journey to truth. I did the coffee fast also.
Hard on the body. Fasting sure does increase the impact of caffeine.
Hi Everyone,
For the past few days I’ve been thinking about fasting. I’m disgusted with the softness of my belly after the holidays and discouraged by my attachment to emotional eating. I came online to do a little research and found this terrific site. I am so encouraged by all of you that I am going to do a 4-day water fast starting on Monday. I’m going to post my journey and hopefully continue on my quest for good health.
I am 53 years old, 5′2″ and 114 lbs. I usually eat a fairly healthy diet and I run 30 minutes 5-6 days a week. I’ve been able to stay in shape but I still have an attachment to food that troubles me. I slacked off a lot during the holidays and the extra 4 pounds (I’m usually 110 lbs) has settled right onto my belly! I don’t seem to have any control and it’s getting to be a problem. I crave sweets and carbs. I want to feel light and fit again.
Wish me luck…I’ll be checking in Monday night!
Hi All,
I am checking in during Day 5. My goal was to make it to Day 10 but I think I am going to slowly break the fast tomorrow. Since it had been about 6 months since my last fast, I think 10 days might not be the best step yet. I think I should take the next week and eat healthy veggies and fruits and small portions and prepare maybe for a 7 day fast next. Then work up to a 10 day fast. I have actually been doing well (if you dont include all the normal stuff- feeling dizzy, tired, horrible taste in mouth, hunger pains, etc) and want to be happy with a small victory since it has been so long. Total weight lost as of this morning was 9 lbs, which i know was a lot of water weight, but i believe I will have my portion control a little more under my control after this 5 day fast.
Thanks for everyone support and good luck to everyone! keep on going! I will be posting again on my next fast!
Well done Kelly,
Slow and steady never fail. Shorter fasts building to longer fasts leads to more control. Feel good about your victory.
im glad im not the only one with a weakness for coffee, anyone know of any whl priced organic sources? want to at least drink organic, but my budget is stretched. worth a shot.
Hi again,
I am on day 12 of this fast. I am a little disappointed with the major slow down in weight loss-almost none in three days. I am consuming a ridiculously tiny amount of juice daily-about 1/4 of a cup of fresh juice to a maximum of 1/2 if I know I will need extra energy to sustain me. I have the slowest metabolism ever!
My husband, who is on this journey with me, will switch to an all vegetable and fruit diet beginning on Monday and I am so tempted to join him. He will follow this diet for about 2.5 weeks and then slowly add in other foods.
Can anyone give me some really good motivation for continuing on the water/juice fast? Are 21 days that much better than 14 days?
Cheers,
Kristina
Hello, (^_^)
I am mid-way through my second day of my very first juice fast, so far so good….but very emotional, LOL…And food, I can’t believe my mom, she keeps asking me to taste stuff. She is preparing for a family BBQ party this weekend and has made some of my childhood favorites, some of which I have not had in nearly 15 years, figures, lol. My family knows I am doing this and they are supportive, they know I am very cautious and plan things, she is just forgetful…and a mom, LOL. Recently I have moved back in with my mother to help her regulate her diabetes. I hope to help her learn to eat properly. I love knowledge and will spend an immense amount of time meticulously researching a subject before attempting anything new, just cautious. I am the foremost in my family on nutrition because of all the information I have learned through the years from researching like this. So, they come to me when they have questions, ergo, being appointed to help mom, LOL.
Before moving here, to help my mother, I was a nanny for my brother for about 1.5 years. During that time I gained 30 lbs and was diagnosed with gallstones. Not having medical and only being able to go to the ER I decided to flush my gallstones. Went well, and I thought all was fine. Four months later I started having horrible pains, went to the ER where they treated me horribly and like I was after their silly Vicodin (pfft, it did not even work so I quit taking it). They also told me nothing was wrong that the tests all came up fine. I asked them to keep looking and the doctor just talked over me then walked away (don’t worry, I wrote a very long letter to the hospital concerning it). Everyone in my family said it was just my gallstones and to schedule an appointment for surgery. I KNOW it is not my gallbladder. I know what that feels like.
On top of that my brother and his wife seemed to forget I was there to help and became very demanding of me. Due to this, the pain, the move, and two deaths back to back I became very sick. Since mid December I have had constant intestinal pains, headaches, sinus problems, nausea, been unable to control my level of stress (emotionally, mentally, and physically). This has all been very hard, because I do not normally get sick or stress. …and I know stress and how to handle it I have been a restaurant manager for nearly 15 years and now a nanny of two toddlers and never lost my cool and yelled angrily (not sure how I did that one though). Never have I stressed out like this. Also, moving is not a stressful issue to me; I am the family gypsy (have lost count after 40 moves).
I know stress has caused many of the problems. Yet, even now that the stress has been alleviated and life has gone back to normal I still am having many health issues that I wanted to look into. I started with looking for a natural way to heal my digestive system. I know that will affect the rest of my body. That is how I happened onto this site. I believe everything happens for a reason. So, I read into everything on here I could. I realized I really did need to detox. I forgot to mention, I quit smoking during that time too, was on the patch, but a week after the move I quit wearing it. Smoke free now for 2.5 months and patch free for about 2 months. All great and dandy, but I smoked for nearly 20 years and it seemed odd my lungs never expelled any toxins. Even the first day after, nothing, I have never coughed up anything from my throat or lungs since before quitting.
So, I am going to give juice fasting a try. I do not want to set myself up for failure so I just decided it is open ended for now. Though I will be paying close attention to my body, and I will stop when it feels it is done. I will not push it if it feels wrong. (^_^) because I was having digestive problems, and my eating has been close to chaotic since the move, I did five days of raw foods first. Honestly, I am a little scared, but I have known fasters before, and I know it is safe; I am just worried I might botch it. My boyfriend is very encouraging and has set about to make sure I drink enough. I think he is worried, but I gave him some info and a link to this and a few other helpful sites.
I read somewhere that it was bad to mix alkaline and acid in the stomach, and that one should do fruit one day and veggies another. I ran across something like this more than once so I was wondering if it is true. Also, can I use agave nectar as a sweetener instead of stevia? I have limited transportation and where we shop I can only find agave nectar. I think most other things so far have been answered on her, but I will ask if I run across any.
Thanks for the wonderful site and all the helpful information. It is greatly appreciated. (^_^)
Welcome Aurelia,
You can mix fruits and veggie juices and they digest perfectly as there is nothing to digest. Pineapple carrot and apple. Lemon carrot apple. Cucumber apple. Orange and yam. Taste and digest excellent. You certainly need a good fast to detox. We are glad to be of support. You may get very sleepy and want to have longer sleeps at night, for the first few days as your body will be repairing the damage from the stress.
Kristina,
The longer you do the juice/water fast, the better it gets.
I know everyones body is different and we all have had different ways of abusing them in the past so I can only tell you what I’ve experienced.
3 day fasts make me grumpy. 5-7 day fasts just gives the toxins time to surface, and 14 gets me feeling better due to the weight loss. From that point I’ve never done a 21 except for the 21 day Daniel fast which I hated. I do better if I shut off the food all together rather than eat vegs.. I’ve found that when I go for 40 with apple juice and water something special happens between day 25-30 and lasts until I’m finished. A real feeling of peace, calmness, an abnormal spiritual desernment, a floating feeling in my legs (sounds goofy), special insights from God,ect..
What I am saying is, the longer the better. However, I always determine a stopping date before starting a fast. I also set the ground rules for me prior to starting and do not change them. Uncertanity during a fast can sidetrack you.
The best to you. I will leave this and post on day 20.
Bless you,
Pastor Jim
Hi Tom
Can I please ask you if there is anything I can take to stop
Bad breath while fasting as I work close with people and getting
concerned! Can I chew gum?
Many thanks
Dee
Hi David,
Take a bag of parsley and chew on some every 30 minutes. Fresh breath and more nutrients.
Gum make you hungry on a fast.
Hi all,
Have been occassionally browsing this site for a couple months, as I do fast on & off for spiritual reasons, and God is faithful & good and it is awesome to draw closer to Him in this way. I just spent way too long reading everyone’s posts tonight, but it has been very encouraging, especially to read your posts Pastor Jim!
I am currently on day 17 of a 40 day fruit/veggie fast, with intermittent periods of water/dry fasting. Currently on day 2 dry fasting, plan to return to water fasting tomorrow and then back to fruit/veggies. I hardly tell anyone about my fasts but wanted to encourage any intercessors out there to stay focussed during your fasts. I often struggle with focus, but as God guides your fast He will also lead you through amazing breakthrough in your life, church, community, and country. My fast was started this time because I felt a need to symbolically obstain from most food as God shows me areas in my life I need to have cleansed & purified, and obstaining from all novels, TV & movies is helping too. So far He has been helping me walk through 2 major areas that I passed off as non-issues before (desire for human love above God’s love, & the focus issue mentioned), and I love how God increases the fruit of my ministry (as a lay worker in the church) during this time as well. Besides focus, the hardest part for me is staying warm, as I live in the Northwest Territories (Canada), and life often takes me outside. But returning to fruit/veggies seems to help that significantly!
Anyway, God bless all you fasters, keep seeking Him with all your heart and you will find Him!
Hi Everyone,
I’m ready to start my water fast tommorrow. I’ve been mentally preparing myself all weekend. I’ve got a supply of distilled water for drinking as well as green tea bags to help keep me warm. I’m going to use small amounts of stevia to sweeten if I can’t do the tea straight.
I’ve fasted a couple of times before but not for many years and I’ve been feeling both excited and scared. I’m not a very big person and I’m a little afraid of becoming sickly-looking and also afraid that I will mess up my metabolism. But I’ve been reading all of Tom’s excellant articles and I think I can do this. It’s only going to be for 4 days of water and then 2 days of juice and easing back to food on Sunday. Those of you doing very long fasts are the real warriors out there! For me, I will do battle with my hunger and try to reclaim some control in my life…it’s time. God bless all of you…
Hi MMk
I wish you every success on your fast.
Hi all,
I just wanted to check-in and let you all know that broke my fast after 14 days. I am pleased with the results-physical (16 pounds weight-loss) and emotional. I am sure I will see more signs of the spiritual results in the upcoming weeks and months!
I am now doing sort of a `phase two` of a fast that I will continue for 16 days, it is a fruit and vegetable diet. I take one average sized piece of fruit for breakfast, fresh juice for lunch, and vegetables for dinner (portion size is about the size of a cereal bowl). I am hoping that this transition stage will help me in adopting better eating habits.
Best wishes to you all!
Kristina
I have made it five days now. Thank you Tom for you help, the carrot, pineapple, and apple have become my favorite and you were right, I have slept most of the time since my last post. I am going to try seven and if that continues to go well I may attempt 14 days. Then I will take a break and see how my body has fared. I would like to try an extended fast to strengthen my closeness with God. I had not previously thought of fasting as a way to do that, but all of your inspiring words on here seem to have awakened something in me.
Again, thank you for your help and may God bless you Tom for all the help you give others. (^_^)
Hi Aurelia,
Fasting can radically transform your relationship with God. To do so you need to cut off from society, and have nothing but the least amount of juices, a Bible and pray. In that position the universe can alter. Please pray for Theresa age 19, stage 4 cancer, and fighting for life here at the hospital.
Thank you, Tom, for the well wishes. I started my fast Monday morning after a restless night. I got through Monday without any problem at all although I am drinking hot green tea with stevia instead of water because water seems unpalatable to me and the hot tea keeps me feeling warm. I am feeling cold and tight this afternoon, as though my body was squeezed into a fist. But I feel good overall. Just normal hunger pangs that I can deal with.
I am going to work and functioning fine but I am being very careful and giving myself lots of time so that I don’t make mistakes. When I get home from work, I wrap up in a blanket and nap and then I do a lot of spiritual reading. I live in Florida near a beach so I plan to do a lot of walking on the beach to distract and inspire me.
I am alternating feeling terribly hungry and feeling unbelievably great. I slept well last night-like falling off a cliff and then woke up in the middle of the night hungry!
My husband is being very supportive and is kind of in awe at the idea of someone voluntarily going without food. He has offered to give me a massage in the evening to help with the tightness. I am not running this week.
Hi MMK
Your doing great. The hunger is reduces by using an enema.
Great that you have support. Many do not have understanding husbands.
Hi Everyone,
Just came across this webpage while browsing for more information on Bruess Cancer cure, anyone in this forum who have experience success after undergoing thru this diet? I am currently in my 31st day of the diet and have loss more than 20 kg, have another 11 more days to go, i am hoping that the turmour will shrink and go off after the 42.
Hopeful
Roy
Hi Roy
I am very interested in your therapy results. Your information can help save lives. We use a version of the Bruess Cancer cure here but modified as we are missing ingredients. I cannot get the celery root but the black radish is growing. As we are in a poor area in the mountains in a third world country we struggle just to get an enema supplier.
Your tumor mass is what size. What was the diagnostic equipment used for detection. (CT scan?)
Are you following the treatment plan to the letter? It the cancer only in one location in the body.?
Do you have a fast metablism? What is your height?
When was the cancer first detected?
Please post as much as you want and …please let us know the diagnostic results.
Hi Everyone,
Day 3 of my water fast and I woke up feeling awful. I could not make it through my shower without stopping several times and crouching on the shower floor; when I would stand up I would be overcome with waves of weakness and nausea so intense that I had to call off work. I have been sleeping and it’s noon now. I am sipping hot tea and feeling better-just tight and sore.
What happened here? Is this the detox and cleansing crisis that I’ve read about? How long can I expect to feel like this? I have no intention of breaking this fast after enduring this and getting this far. I plan to do 5 days of water and then 2 days of juice. I don’t want to cave in…
Some words of encouragement and wisdom, please…
Good Morning Everyone,
Day five of my fast. After feeling so sick and resting most of day three, I was feeling much better by the end of that day. I did some stretching exercise and ended the day feeling light and positive. During the night I awoke so hungry that I got up and read for a while before returning to sleep.
Day four was a breeze. Went to work and got along fine. The day was sunny so was able to sit in the sun during break. Stretching exercise again in the evening. I look and feel amazing.
And now it is early morning of day five. I must get ready for work so will report on this day later…
hi mmk, i know what you mean in getting through those “hunger storms”,,i have spent many hours reading about fasting success stories here on the net to get through some of my worst. tv is a no no, since they have so much ‘food porn’ on there. keep up the great work!
“food porn” on every channel 24 x7. Yea better to rent a movie.
Hi Everyone,
Ending day five of my water fast. I found this day to be kind of difficult until this evening when I once again got a burst of energy and well-being and did stretching exercise again. The day at work was slow and wrenching with back pain and stomach cramps. But I got through it and now I feel wonderful again. Tomorrow I will have some juice and just the thought of it is glorious! I find myself so looking forward to eating healthy fruits and vegetables. I have great respect for my own determination. Never did I think I would quit…the longest I’ve ever gone without food before was three days so I feel very good about this.
Initially when I found myself longing to eat fruits and vegetables, I was a little afraid that I might binge or really start to overeat after I break my fast on Monday, but I realize that if I can accomplish a week-long fast, I can easily manage to continue to be disciplined in my eating.
I have great respect for my body tonight. I am strong and healthy and blessed.
Im wondering about exercising while fasting. My current exercise schedule is about an hour of cardio 5 days a week. I’m worried about my heart and any stress I would be putting on it while doing this kind of exercise while on a juice fast, and hopefully a water fast…eventually. I read in some previous posts about losing muscle mass while fasting, is there any way I could prevent this? Thanks so much–this forum is just so inspiring and uplifting. Good luck to everyone, with everything
Hi amanada,
You will lose some muscle mass but it is only temporary.
If you want to exercise up the juice amount. I take a liter and a half to the gym.
Hi tom i am 28 years old and im overweight 30 pounds but I’m not only doing this fast for weight loss purposes. lately I’ve been feeling reallly exhausted and I think that this fast will help me out alot. I want to do a juice fast but I dont have a juicer and truthfull i dont have the time to go out and buy one being that I live in the Middle of Nowhere. Anyway I do have a blender but i dont think that that will work…Will it?
Also I might try the water fast as a result as this…Any suggestions? And I also started taking before pictures. Hoping to have a great after.!!!
Hi Lisa,
Blender do not work for carrot and veggies.
Try blending a mango shake for 3 days then go to water fasting and end with 2 day on mango shakes. Papaya also is good.
Hi Everyone,
Day Seven of my fast-5 days of water and 2 days of juice. I will break slowly tomorrow following the guidelines Tom has outlined.
I look and feel great. I had low energy for most of the fast but that was expected. I only really felt bad early morning of day 3 and early day 5. The rest of the time I felt pretty good. Some stomach cramping and back pain but never any headaches. My sinuses, which are my trouble area, drained all week and it felt like everything in me was detoxing.
Today I plan to walk on the beach and am looking forward to moving. While water fasting, the only thing physical that I wanted to do was yoga.
One thing that I notice as a result of this experience is that all of my old negative feelings have disappeared. I feel grounded and at peace. I will log on tomorrow with a final report and my statistics. My best to everyone…
Hi Everyone,
I DID IT! It was only a seven day fast but I feel a great sense of accomplishment and renewed health. My attitude about food and my sense of self are greatly improved. Fasting enhances many things that don’t become clear until you are in the phase of easing back into food. Suddenly everything feels richer and cleaner. I am promising myself to listen to my body and respect it. I will continue to visit this site to keep myself in check and to read everyone else’s journey.
Thank you, Tom, for having this wonderful site available to help and educate us. I have a couple of questions for you…
1. My starting weight last Monday was 113 (I am a 53 year old woman and 5′2″) and my weight this morning was 106. Do I have fast or slow metabolism?
2. Do you fast regularly? How often should one fast for optimal health? I was thinking every 3-6 months. Is that a good plan?
Thank you!
Hi mmk
Congrats on a successful fast. You can fast when you feel the need. The more toxic your diet the more fasting is needed for a clean up. Metabolism slows as we get older and yes that is slow. But weightloss is a lifestyle so just keep juicing with lots of salads and no junk.
Tom,
On day 20 of the apple juice/water 40 day. I’ve never watched it before, but decided to watch the cal. intake. I get between 350 and 500 a day. It still is a struggle to put much water down. I do good to drink a 16 oz. bottle a day. I have a couple of questions. In the past, if I get a scratch or skin a knuckle, the wound will not heal during the fast. I’ve had scratches that would not heal over for weeks. What would this be from? I try to be extra careful not to get hurt.
I find that after about 15 days I begin to pick up smells on my tongue to where I can tast the smells. Colognes, soaps, foods, gasoline fumes, and yes body odors. Is this common with other people and if so, why?
I also lose the ability to cry tears. Grant it, I’ve never had a sorrowful time during a fast but during events that would normally make me cry, I don’t. Not even tears of joy.
Another side effect for me is I become very quiet. I have to force myself to talk and only if I have to. And that is difficult in my calling. Along with a contentment to sit and do nothing, these are so out of character for me.
These are some of the questions I’ve had over the past 11 years as I do this once a year. I’ve just never posed the questions to anyone. I was going to ask God about them when I get to Heaven but after reading you I decided to gleam from your experience.
Bless you,
Pastor Jim
Hi Pastor Jim,
The body heals on a juice fast but it seems that during a water fast the immune system is at it maximum load. The cuts taking time to heal validates why we use fresh juices for therapy at the hospital. Smell increase as there is a decrease in mucus in the sinus. Common with every faster after day 5. Quiet detached attitude is also common with fasting. That is a path the runs to the center of the soul if you follow it. Emotional stability comes from the detachment that is a result of your thoughts slowing. You can watch your thought form. Most pastors are alpha types and can drive themselves very hard. Fasting hits the reset. The result is peace and stillness. I recommend you break the fast with a few days of fresh juices. And realize you can feel bad breaking the fast as the fiber can push the loosened intestinal wall ahead of it releasing toxins.
Hi Tom,
I am about 1.75 m weight before the diet i weight about 90 kg, now i believe is around 68 Kg, i was diagnose with Sarcoma cancer somewhere in May 08, the tumor was growing on my right inner thigh and it was remove surgically in July. i went thru all the procedure of a whole body scan before the surgery to determine any spread and was given all clear, the tumor was conform to my thigh, after surgery Pet Scan detected activity in my lung and follow up by CT scan show that it is growing in sizes, my last scan sizes was about 4 cm, and my oncology has advice me to go for the chemo but as I am only into my second week of the fast I told him I need to complete the whole 42 days and go for a scan before preparing for the Chemo, today is the 37 days I have another 5 more days to go to completing the diet, I am keeping my finger cross for the result to be good.
Hope the above helps,
I will update my status here as often as I can,
Please let me know of the juices detail that you guys have modify from Bruess and any positive results?
Hopeful
Roy
Hi Roy,
We have found that some cancers respond very quickly to fasting and others seem to master the low glucose state and starts to regrow. The greatest, natural cancer cure is cannabinoids. If you search on Google “run from the cure” The research on tumor retardation is amazing. The best is a coconut oil extract from the buds. By boiling them in water and with the coconut fat. I recommend the chemotherapy. You cannot take cancer lightly. I would take juice daily with cannabiniods using the extraction method I mentioned. I will give you more details if you are interested. The hard part is that you can get really hungry.
I have just done day 1 on my first juice fast. I am going to do this just for overall health and well being. I am hungry but am going to stick it out. I will see how day 2 goes, im a little worried since I have to work and think it may be hard while im at work.
Kels
Looking For A Fasting Partner!
Relatively new to fasting and keen to hook up with others on the journey.
I have gone through a relatively difficult last 3 years and am seeking God for a breakthrough in the areas of health, direction and purpose.
I am based in the UK, friendly and non judgmental!
email neil@lovemondays.org
Tom,
Thank you for the information. Makes sence to me. It is neat the way my nose is totally open (my wife appreciates it to). But what is absent from my body during a fast that clears up the sinus cavitys? Can it be maintained without a fast. I’ll come back on day 30 to post.
Bless you,
Pastor jim
Thanks, Tom, and God bless. I will check in regularly and I will keep up the good word.
HI Tom,
Thank you for the information, Chemo will be the next on my list after the fasting, please send me more detail pertaining to extracting method so that i can explore more into it,
Regards,
Roy
Hi Roy,
It is sent to your email. The instuctions are rough as I am experimenting. So far an extraction using fat and alcohol seems to have the best results.
I just did 2 days on a juice fast and got really hungry so i had a healthy salad and soup. My goal is to do a 7 day juice fast so I figure I will have to work my way up and get my body prepared. This site is very motivational and is a great support group.
Kels
Hi Kels,
Try using an enema 2 x on the first day. NO HUNGER.
First, Tom, I would like to say I am sorry I was not able to respond sooner, but yes, I have been and will continue to pray for Theresa.
As far as the spirituality of fasting I slipped and had to start over. I am now on day five of a mostly water fast. (For energy sake I am drinking about 8oz of juice throughout the day.) So far this seems to be working much better, I can feel the detox more powerfully where as before I barely felt anything other then being hungry. It has also led me to rely more on God and now I can see why so many people connect God and fasting…other then the biblical connections.
I do have a couple questions though. Does anyone know if there a juice combination that would give me a lot of my nutrients, perhaps not all, but still a good dose of them without me having to drink a lot of juice.
I just noticed after my shower today that my skin is really sensitive and easily irritated…did not happen till after the shower. Some parts of my skin are fully irritated, red, and warm…It looks like a rash, but is not really itchy. My face is dry, warm, and very sensitive. I was wondering if anyone else has felt like this, and if it is normal. I could not find anything on here about rash like symptoms. Mostly it is my abdomen and face that are having issues. I would say it was my soaps, and it could still be. However, I do not use my body wash on my face and both are hypoallergenic; my skin is naturally sensitive on a normal basis, but never this bad. Also, can I use lotions without messing up the detox. I know it sounds like a weird question, but what you put on your skin IS absorbed into your body.
Thanks Aurelia (^_^)
Aurelia
Usually skin problems are healed through long juice fasting. I would take vitamin E, 4x 400 IU daily, and 3 table spoons for essential oils such as Udo’s choice. Parsley has the highest nutrient content with the lowest calories. You could ad in some stevia. But it needs a special juicer like a champion. Cucumber celery and apple with lemon is a good low calorie mix.
Rub some vitamin E and essential oil on your skin. Aloe vera will give temporary releif if it itching badly.
guys!!!!!! im down 20 lbs!!!! wow its awsome, I’m fasting for the next three days and going for raw fruits and veggies this weekend some carbs monday and tuesday and then fasting again thursday through friday. Its working, not only is the weight loss making me feel and look fantastic (if i do say so myself) but my confidence and relationship with food has altered too. I feel like i’m in control, for the first time in my life. and fasting has come in so handy, I can be the designated driver, I can always drop whatever it is and come to your rescue I dont need lunch money most days. Yea shoe collection, my energy level is through the roof and my husband just by accident has lost 30 pounds just because their is only fresh food in the house. any thing i cook is vegan and he walks with me, so its helping everyone.
my goal for this time around is to stick to my convictions, if im fasting im not gonna eat that today but it will be their for me on saturday, so i need to set it aside, stay clear headed, loose myself in a book and go to be early.
I found a cool vegan restraunt to go to on saturday for my breakast meal. so I’m saving up for that. looking forward to things like that keeps my eye on my goal, and my belt keeps getting tighter.!!!!
thank you all for being here, Rhet you keep me comming back how are you, feeling ok? test ect you sneek in to my prayers almost daily.
Hey everyone!
Long time no check-in!
I needed to break my fast awhile back because I had an unexpected run-in with a deer tick. Anyway, long story short, I got put on the nastiest-ever regimen of powerful antibiotics for Lyme’s, and there was just no way I could continue trying to take them on an empty, or even partially-empty stomach.
So, I have two weeks to go on this vile regimen, then I was hoping to resume my fast if no other action needed to be taken.
Hope you all are doing well!
rhet
Tom,
Just curious on the enema as to how many times should it be used on the fast? I have done it the two times as you said to take away my hunger and I feel great but should I be doing it again?
Thank you,
Kels
Hi Kels.
The best results come from using the enema once per day but every 3 days is sufficient to keep the pulp from building up in the colon.
Thank you Tom, I made a quick lotion of vitamin E and aloe and it made it feel a lot better. It is completely gone now and my skin is back to normal.
Rhet, I hope you get better speedily.
Hi All-
Reading this has ben very good for me! I am on my 5th day of a juice fast and I have been remarkably well, though the only excercize I can do is yoga. I have surgery in another month to revise my double masectomy reconstruction from last year. It is the first fast that I have done since before my last surgery. The only thing I have continued to add is skim milk for protein. Because the body needs protein to rebuild and heal I feel cautious to cut it out. Any thoughts on this practice? Am I totally bombing it?
Thanks!
Hi Jessica,
Your body has ample reserves of protein for fasting. Have you ever heard of a person diagnosed with protein deficiency? Does not exist. Whey protein drastically slows down the cleansing and detox and clogs the sinuses. Juice fasting is excellent for preparing for surgery and for recovered after it. If you feel any negative effects you can always quit fasting.
Hi Tom,
I have a problem. Two days ago I did a five days fast and I lost 2kg. Then I binged. I ate McDonald for dinner. I felt very guilty, so I did 60 mins exercise. The day after that, I weighted myself and found out that I gained back the 2kg I lost. I felt very sad and disappointed. I know I should not have eaten McDonald, but isnt there any mercy?
Hi Anne,
Fasting can amplify compulsive behaviour rooted in the hunger impulse. As there is no hunger during fasting there is a sense of freedom and it feels like the battle with food has been won. Then hunger comes or you break the fast and compulsive behaviour return with full power. You cannot fast successfully without self discipline. That come through a disciplined life and thought control. A healthy diet, exercises, staying positive and short fast of 3 days on juices would be a good first step. A long fast will be a hell trip without benefit. Read from http://www.compulsive.ws that will help.
Well I’ve been reading this site for quite some time, it’s pretty good, probably the best fasting site I’ve seen. It gives me inspiration. I’ve tried fasting multiple times and have not yet completed a water fast for more than 2 days. It drives me nuts, I’m addicted to eating junk food sad as it may seem. I want to start a water fast to clear me out and to prove that I can conquer these bad habits. I’ve done an apple fast before, but it was for 3 days. I’m not sure if I want to start again with a water fast or go with an apple fast. I figure I can get in a good 5 day water fast. I’d like to get in a 3 day apple fast once a week (over the weekend). Thoughts?
Hi Jonathon,
Start with the apple fast for a few days then go to water fasting then back to apple juice. Mix with water as it can be too acidic and cause stomach pains.
what about apple diet for a few days/juice for a few days/ then plunge right in to the water fast? a creative twist?
Hi Rachel,
Yes that would be perfect. Let us know how it goes.
Jonathan, I am the same way, I am a junk food junkie and cant seem to make it past 2 days on a fast. I just found this site a week ago and find it very motivating. Good luck to you!
Kels
Tom-
Thanks for the reply, I will do another juice fast for the next 7 days and omit milk this round. You are quite right, I have never heard of anyone having a protien defficincy. I am also having a consult with a naturopathic doctor which will help me with herbs and such for the next few weeks.
Thanks!
jessica
Thank you ALL for the greats posts! You all are a great wealth of knowledge as well as big motivators to keep with this.
I started a limited water fast yesterday. I fasted through breakfast & lunch and for dinner I had some raw vegetables. I could have made it through it without the veggies, but I read that it’s good to “ween” yourself into the water fast.
I have never done a fast before so this is all new and different for me but something that I am very motivated to continue.
Should I continue on a water fast or since I have never even attempted a fast before, should I start with juice? I think I have enough self disicpline to go straight for a water fast but that may be me thinking that because I have never truly felt the hunger pains you all speak of.
My goal is a 10 day water fast but I’m thinking I should slowly build myself up to that to avoid failing.
Thanks again.
Sal
Hi Sal,
I cannot imagine life without my juicer. I just made some pineapple carrot. MMM good. Best investment of your life, especially for people who want to water fast. Three days of eating fruits and veggies will prepare you for a water fast. With juice you can jump in of the most toxic diet on earth.
Sal~
Over the past 12 years I have done juice and water fasting. I might try a juice fast for the first one. Personally, becuase I work and have lost of obligations at home juice fasting works pretty well for me and helps me continue to have energy levels that can help me meet the demands of my daily obligations, and also get good rest at night. I find that when I water fast I have very low energy for day 1 and after I exceed 48 hours I have a TON of reserve engergy, but my focus is not very acute. Also- when I water fast I don’t sleep, which poses a problem for me.
When I juice I try to get an ounce or two every hour. Helps me remain on an even keel. Let me know what you decide!
~Jessica
Thanks Jessica!
I decided I’m going to do a water fast for as long as I can, up to 10 days. This is Day 2 for me (some may say Day 1 since I had raw veggies last night) and I feel good so far so I’m going to stick with it.
I have a slight headache and a weird taste in my mouth. But the energy is fine, Im actually not hungry at all. Very pleased so far with how I’m feeling.
I’m doing this primarily for weight loss and to jump start me eating healthy and starting a workout regimen that I stick to. The dextox effect and cleansing of the body sounds wonderful.
Thanks for your insight. I’ll update throughout. If I can’t make it the whole 10 days, is it OK to jump right into a juice fast or should I break inbetween?
Sal-
Good luck! I am not sure what everyone else thinks but if you can’t make it the whole 10 days and you want to continue I would switch to juice. I find I have similar weight loss results with a water fast as I do with juice fasting. Plus, after even a few days of a water fast my body needs to take a few days to get used to taking in nutrients. Several years ago, I did a water fast for 10 days and ate a peice of toast to break my fast. It was the worst feeling ever! Juice is a good way to wake up the digestive system.
wow – wow – wow
I have read through some of the posts on here and I have got to say – it has been quiet educational and sooooo helpful. I have been going through the soul searching process and I know a fast is exactly what I need. I have been procrastinating but I know the time has arrived – esp having just come across this website and finding all this helpful information. I do not have a juicer at present but intend getting one in the interim I think I will try 100% juice for the 1st 3 days and then do water thereafter. I have not set a time period at this point – I am not too sure if that’s good or bad – as I know it is good to set goals but I figure because this is a journey of finding answers and just being closer to God – time isn’t a necessity.
Anyhow – I wish everybody the best of luck on their fasts and I will definitely be dropping in frequently as I know there’s nothing better than knowing you are not alone whilst on a FAST.
I thank you once again and Blessings & Light to you all:)
Hi Botshi,
It is good to have a tentative goal of how long to fast and then also be flexible and take things one day at a time. Your plan is good.
Hi ALL–I am on DAY 5 and finally, the headache is going away. A little about myself, I am 38 and had my one and only daughter at 34 alomost 35. I have since had terrible fibrocystic breasts with lots of pain and go to a specialist every 6 months. On January 22, I went in for my annual mammogram and had to have a biopsy–it was small and benign. My specialist put me on evening primrose oil, flaxseed oil, fish oil, vit d, vit e….seems like a lot doesn’t it TOM? When I was pregnant I also had toxemia and gained ALOT of weight. On Sunday monring, March 15, I weighed 249. I am 5′3″ and miserable. I work in a law firm and can not dress like I should and would like too….I have been juicing and drinking water with orgainc lemons all day at work also. We got a reverse osmosis system at home, so i bring my own to work.
TOM–any suggestions thus far? also, i take a low dose of blood pressure med, can I continue taking all of these things along with my fresh juice?
I have been juicing, ALL ORGAINIC TOO: carrots, parsley, cucumber, celery, apples, green apples, spinach…husband wants to know can I juice lemons with peel on?
I have a beet in the fridge and do not know where to begin with it?
the warm water in the am with lemon….i read about, How do I warm the water? silly question i know.
TOM, How long can I fast like this? as said, 5′3″ and 249 last Sunday am. I AM DETERMINED to do this. I need to face my painful breasts and stop the craziness with them also.
ANY INSIGHT WOULD BE HELPFUL form anyone!
SINCERELY, JODI
Hi Jodi
Your specialist is smart. His nutrient recommendation is right on the mark.
Your blood pressure can normalise on the fist day of juicing. Our protocal at the hospital is to cut off after 2 days below 130. If the blood pressure takes days to lower there is usually organ damage or diabetes. Your liver may be the root cause of your toxemia and raised blood pressure.
If this is the case the blood pressure only drops after 7 to 14 days of juice fasting at the organs had to heal.
You could easily do 60 days on that juice fast. Heat water with any means.
Tom,
Wanted to post on day 30 of the apple/water 40.
This has been a good last 20 days for me. No dizziness like I had in the early years. At this point there are no open cuts or scraps to heal and skin is not too dry. I’ve lost 29 pounds which is normal for me (139#). However the back of my throat feels dry and rough. The tongue is still coated, so is this dehydration or toxins making an exit?
One emotional change that I experience is the lack of fear.
Approaching situations that would normally make me uptight mean nothing to me. I have to watch my driving because I feel no consern when I’m on the road. I have chosen not to ride my motorcycle due to this. I also speak my mind rather than just let it pass. This has got me into trouble a couple of times with my wife of 34 years.
As for time, it seems to stand still. I don’t think of the past and feel no need to look to tomorrow. I think this is why it only seems like I started this fast this morning and don’t even think about 10 more days. And I know if I weren’t fasting I’d think differently. Is this normal? I told you earlier I’ve never had anyone to bounce these thoughts off of who understood fasting.
Bless you and all you help,
Pastor Jim
Hi Pastor Jim,
The experience of “time standing still’ is common but coined with different words like “sense of just being.” feeling like being an observer.”
Or your brain is burning ketones and getting you high. LOL
Either way enjoy the ride.
Confidence or increased faith and determination, usually comes with an “energy peak” after a detox crisis or prolonged juice or water fasting.
A green, yellow, white coated tongue is cause by detoxification in almost everyone who fasts.
Thanks Tom—I plan on using this forum as “checking in” if you will..so I will be weighing Sun AM and posting my loss for the week. SO let me understand, it is OK to continue with the supplements while juicing? OK, great. 60 days would be wonderful. I am determined to do this. My breasts have eased up noticeably just in the last 24 hours. Do you have any info on fibrocystic breast condition Tom? YOUR WEBSITE ROCKS!
Is reverse osmosis water of? It has its own faucet that was installed in our kitchen. I was going to put in a ceramic mug and put in microwave for the lemon water, then thought, maybe the microwave wasnt a good idea?
AGAIN THANKS–and curious if you have ANY info on the Fibro breasts….I have no histroy in my family, mother is 61 and grandmother is 88—and I AM DETERMINED to never suffer from that dreadful cancer.
THANKS, JOdi
sorry, meant to ask is reverse osmosis water OK?
also, how much juice is good? my mason jar is i think 12 ounces??? and i have 1 in the am and one at work (packed on ice) then i take it out and let get to room temp and drink it BUT i have to admit, by the time i get ome from work, i do not feel like cleaning it and put in dishwahser and then just have some tea….so only getting 24 or so ounces a day? What do you think Tom?
Thanks again, Jodi
Hello everyone,
No more antibiotics! (Stupid deer tick.)
I can start my fast back up, and I’m so happy. I am amazed at how fast I re-gained weight, even without eating too much evil stuff. For people fasting to lose weight (not me, though I suppose it doesn’t hurt), beware of this, after your fast.
I’ll do a juice/water cross, like before. One thing I’ve found works in an pinch is juicing limes and lemons, putting them in an ice cube tray, and freezing it. Then I toss them into my water throughout the day. It’s not as good as drinking right after juicing, but works when I’m busy.
It’s been wonderful reading your testimonials. Good to be back among you.
–rhet
Pastor Jim,
I just saw your piece about time standing still. This really happens intensely for me. Sometimes it’s unpleasant, because I feel restless and anxious. I keep trying to tell myself to let the “time standing still” factor work FOR me.. when fasting, the passing of time is really your friend.
I hope the fearlessness comes to me like it did for you. One time when I was on antidepressants (I was working way up north and the no-light situation made me want to sleep for weeks) I felt fearless (and kind of reckless), but they gave me headaches, so I got off them.
Hopefully I can get the courage aspect from fasting.
Thanks for sharing.
–rhet
i really enjoy that detached, free-floating feeling you get sometimes. seems to help me back away and look at life in a more objective way. great for decision making, planning, reprioritizing, ect. glad i can see others feel it too when they fast.
Is it unsafe to fast when you’re underweight? Not severely underweight lets say 103lb’s and 5′4 would it be dangerous?
How much weight would be lost in a 14 day water fast?
Will it be easy to regain weight after?
Should I gain weight first and then fast?
I would be thankful for any advice.
Hi Question,
Weight loss is complex, and never accurate.
Fasting is usually safe if broken correctly and the prefast diet had sufficient nutrition.
Why are you fasting?
Regain??? have you been losing weight?
Rhet & Tom,
Thank you for sharing. I don’t even share my experiences during a fast with my wife because, well, you’ve got to admit “floting, time standing still, observing” sounds a little out there. I always get the feeling no body knows I’m there when I walk into a Walmart, ect.. I have likened days 30-40 in some aspects to my earlier days without Christ in the early 70’s. No disrespect but you know what I mean.
I’ll post again on day 39.
Bless you,
Pastor Jim
Hi Everyone,
I will be having gallbladder surgery scheduled for April 17th and I really feel the need to fast(I have been feeling really down lately). I have done a 5 day juice fast before and had great results. Should I wait until after my surgery to do a 10 day fast? Is it safe to do so before the surgery?
Hi Renata,
I always recommend 3 to 5 days of juice fasting before and after surgery. Longer is better. It will reduce, post surgery complications and speed recovery. If this operation is for gall stones, try the gall bladder flush.
Hi Tom, Can you give me an idea of how much juice is the best perday??? Thanks in advance-
Also, is reverse osmosis water OK?
Thank you, JOdi
You can download a free ebook on fasting at http://www.NaturalBodyHealth.com Might help you.
Hi, Tom! I stumbled across your site and became immediately interested in trying juice fasting. I have never fasted before and currently work at a job which requires me to constantly be on my feet (often running around), so a water fast would be unwise for me right now. I am a criminal justice major at the moment and hope to become a homicide detective for a major police department, so I think the weight loss would give me a real boost in the right direction. I experienced depression for several years and really let myself go, so I am sadly thirty or so pounds overweight. I am also interested in attempting the fast for health reasons: I suffer from fibromyalgia and IBS. I have a few questions for you based on this:
1. I noticed that you told one person with IBS to start with two enemas for the first day, one per day for the next two days, and one every other day after that. Are there any additional suggestions you would give for fibromyalagia?
2. Do you have a recommendation on which juicer I should purchase? I do not have that much money, but I really want to make the best of this experiment. If it works out well, then I would hope to do a thirty day fast once or twice a year after that. I really want to get some inspiration, so I feel motivated to work out and keep myself in shape again.
3. I would like to add a cup of tea to the juice fast. I am thinking one cup of loose leaf green tea before bed every night. Tea helps to relax my body and often puts me to sleep; plus, I know loose leaf green tea has tons of health benefits. Do you think this is wise, or should I stay away from tea entirely during the fast?
4. I would love to record my progress for you if you are interested. If so, then what kind of detail would you like me to record? Weight stats, possible side effects, highs and lows, juicing habits?
Thank you so much for taking the time to read this!
Hi Heide,
Greed tea is good during fasting. Sure record you data and we can give it a page. Juicers….. to many choices. Breville is the best for veggies and speed. The champion for durability. With IBS you want to have an enema daily and let the water in slowly, especially the first use. For fibromyalagia, take some essential oils, vitamin E, B complex, and other herbs recommended on the web.
Hi there! It has been 1 week yesterday that i started juice fasting. This morning I was down 10.5 pounds. I still feel a little sluggish. I have not had anything other than fresh juice, filtered water with orgainc lemons all day (work), organic, caffeine free herbal tea. NOT ONE CHEAT. I am ver proud of myslef and can only really share with husband and YOU ALL. I chose not to talk about it to others because they can be not so supportive. I NEED FEEDBACK please. AM I heading in the right direction?
I was thinking this morning of the lady in Florida a few years ago who suffered a stroke and was kept on life support. SHe was an avid dieter and suffered a stroke from not enoough potassium i believe? Is this something to be concerned with?
THANKS, Jodi (10 pounds lighter in 1 week)
Hey Jodi–
Congrats on your amazing progress! Terri Shiavo was a bulimic. Very stressful, very dangerous. She was not fasting, far as I know.
If you’re worried about electrolytes, drink Glaceau SmartWater. But the lemon water you are drinking should give you a lot of what you need, especially if you don’t go past 15-20 days, as I understand it.
Coffee is still my terrible bane. I know it’s hurting my fast. I know I shouldn’t. I know I’m “feasting” on the nasty stuff (or it’s feasting on me). I’ve banished myself to Day 1 status, but after this, I’ve decided not to do that if I break down and drink coffee or diet soda (I know, sad) again, but I’m recording it whenever I do it. (I also put AlkaPro drops in, to cut the acid. Does help.) I want to mindfully stop. If I slip, I’ll record it and keep working on it.
Which brings me to the real story. Which is that whenever I fast, I’m made hyper-aware of what a pathetic bag of chemicals my body is. I’m addicted to everything. Not just coffee. Chocolate. Meat. When my girlfriend is away, I get anxious. I physically miss my dogs when they are not there! Just wow.
Mind over matter? Hah! So I’m waiting for that stillness, that detachment, that strength that Pastor Jim talks about, to arrive. Trying to do the Buddhist thing and watch the thoughts go by, watch the hunger storms, watch the body panic, the nausea, the chills. Not get too involved.
I feel weak and will-less. Trying not to get too attached to that feeling either. I’m wondering if this spoiled four-year old that is my fasting body is a uniquely American thing. Hmm.
Hope you all are having a less tantrummy day than me.
–rhet
Thanks so much for responding Rhet, I am waiting for the “coldness” to go away! I swear I am freezing all of the time. Is this somewhat normal? cold hands, feet, yikes. I tell myself everyday, tonight I am going to go home and get on the treadmill. Ask me how many times I have this week–0! I just do not feel like it. In your experience, how much juice is “good”. Right now I am drinking out of a mason jar I brought to work packed on ice, then I take it out about an hour before and let it become room temp. I think it is 12 ounces, but i fill to the rim so it is at least 14 ounces and I had similar this morning. I am already tired of cleaning the juicer though! So sometimes at night I just have my hot tea wich soothes me but does not motivate me to get moving. Do I need more juice? Tom sai I could go 60 days. (wow) I am 5′3″ and 239 (now) I had a terrible pregnancy in 2005 and never lost the weight. BTW I am addicted to Starbucks. I miss it but have not had it in over a month. Caffeine flares up pain in my breasts so I avoid caffeine. Again, thanks so much. Reading the posts throughout the day while I am at work (even though I should not be) helps so much…..Have a good one Rhet!
Jodi
Hi Jodi
Cold hand and feet are normal making it hard to fast in cold climates. Tiredness is also normal. Usually you will get more energy as the fast progresses. Yes usually the more juice you drink the more energy you have.
Hi Tom,
I am on the lemon and cayenne fast day 23. I did this to allow time for my body to heal athritis and tinnitus. I have been 40 lbs over weight. Yes I lost weight but the good news is I don’t take pain meds after day 2. I have no hunger.
The question is I still have swollen hands and lots of conjestion, my gums hurt electrical feeling when I brush my teeth. This concerns me but I am willing to continue to day 30 and beyond for the sake of healing
thanks
Bear
Hi Bear,
Shift to juice, use carrot, beet, lemon, apple celery, garlic and pineapple. It is more effective for healing.
Hi All-
Its been a few days but I have been reading all of your posts. very energizing!
Jody-
I have done lots of research of lots of types about breast conditions and have had a bi-lateral masectomy by the one of the best cancer center teams in the county. Everything in my personal experience and my research experience says that caffine is a big risk for someone with fibrostistic brests. If you can, try one or 2 less starbucks a day. I cut caffiene out completly many years ago for this problem (and chocolate)and the condition completly went away. I also love a good cup of coffee, but nt worth the pain, and ultimate worry, and subsequent biopsies etc.
Good luck to you all! I will check in next week!
Thanks Jessica, Yes Caffeine is something I have been struggling with since 2006…I will do excellent for a couple of months, then 1 good coffe puts me over the edge and im hooked again..I have not had any caffeine in over a month. My breast problems go further than that…I have been miserable for 2 days now, and been juice fasting since March 15. I take so many supplements its crazy. Nothing seems to help. Thanks anyways, Jodi
Jodi-
How about Yoga? I am usually a runner, but don’t usually have the energy when I fast. I make myself herbal tea at night and do Yoga. Patricia Walden does a great Yoga for beginners called PM Yoga. It is very relaxing and always helps me with improving my mental state. I also often feel ‘miserable’ when I am fasting, but the effects soon go away…Mango juice also helps me feel lighter and happier, like I am filling my body with a little sunshine.
Be well,
Jessica
Tom
You mean combine all that you recommended and drink only that?
My swelling is slowly going down and I just rub my gums but they feel Ok. I thought to go for the full 30 days. I’ve been working the fast dry brushing, rebounding,and receiving shiatzu, also self massage…plenty of prayer and meditation.
I only have 6 more days till 30 days and it would be an accomplishment! I thought to break it with fresh organic OJ and a steamed veggie soup after 5 days of OJ.
Actually I’d prefer to introduce veggie juices. The past 4 days I’ve added spiralina and chlorella.
I am getting proper nutriants. I don’t think I was as effective the first 20 days because I wasn’t using a laxative tea then added one. But I have been drinking the full quart of salt water every morning. I take it easy and rest alot.
thanks for your help. I’m a 60 year young female who began with 193lbs and now I am down to under 175
Bear
BACK ON BOARD FRIENDS!!!! Work is draining, lots of changes are coming and I’m going to be faced with some pretty life altering decisions, fasting can help me reach a calm clearness that I need, I’ve done two five day fast since February, I’m ready to go longer, a clarity hit others around day twenty and based on the upcoming events I need to go for about 21-25 days, I’ll check in when I need to remember why I started. its 2:00pm I had a veggie soup and celery and carrots today. Tomorrow back on boiled veggie broth. Clarity God give me strength and clarity
Starting weight is 188
Hello everyone, I’m back on board!
I tried starting my fast over & over again at the start of february. After several tries of not making it through the first day, I started getting really embarrassed by my failures & gave up. I just started reading again & found that I’m not the only person on here repeating day 1 again & again. So thank you so much to everyone for sharing! I feel so much better knowing I’m not alone. I’m new to fasting & you all seem so strong! I’d breeze through the day until about 5 or 6pm. Then I’d let my cravings overpower me. I’d have a bowl of soup or something & decide I blew it. Then I’d binge until midnight since I already had to start over anyway – terrible, I know… Anyway, I’m back now & with The Good Lord on my side, nothing can stop me this time!
Plus I’d still be drinking plenty of plain water everyday as well.
So my plan is to juice fast for the remainder of this month, maybe snack on raw fruits or veggies the first few days if I need to – & Not binge if I do! Then starting on the 1st, go to a distilled water fast – maybe with lemon? & a cup or 2 of tea each day for the next 40 days. I like my tea just plain with no sweetners, I think that’s good? I have lots of green tea & I also have fasting tea with all sorts of good nutrients in it
How much juice should I drink? I was thinking maybe 1 or 2 cups a day in the beginning? In addition to plenty of water of course. Then maybe 1 cup a week throughout the rest of the fast? What do you guys think? Sound ok? Anybody?
Nikki
The secret to getting past day one of fasting is to drink volumes of fresh juice. Fill your stomach when you get hungry. Water works too.
The enema always works for me. Use it twice on day one. Drink as much or as little juice or water as you want.
Guys,
drinking juice, lemon in water, ’special’ drinks with electrolytes added to them (Read: fake man-made chemicals that have no resemblence to the electrolytes found in food), artificial sweetners, teas, and worst of all coffee (a drug) is NOT fasting in any sense of the word. It’s an extremely low calorie diet, but it’s not fasting.
Fasting is when your body is getting 100% of its energy from its fat and protein reserves. Because there is nothing coming in, it is able to control and balance its internal nutritional reserves and run smoothly without food. As soon as you take something in, you upset that balance. For example refined products actually leach phosphates from the blood stream in order to be dealt with, that is, you lose vital nutrients by taking in these empty substances because it takes nutrition in order to be able to process nutrition.
Don’t think juices and sweetners and coffee are any different. Living on sugar (fruit juice) is highly demanding of your liver which HATES fructose (fructose is half the sugar in fruit and half the sugar in table sugar, and honey), it also turns on genes that in effect create more of a demand for protein, so you will be losing more muscle mass than fat than if you were water fasting. When scientists want to deliberately give rats diabetes, all they have to do is feed them a high fructose diet. Human livers and pancreatic cells respond similarly.
So by juicing you’re getting plenty of advantages from the low calorie aspect, which turn on all sorts of life-extending genes (FOXO, Autophagy) but you are countering a lot of those benefits with the high levels of fructose.
What no-one seems to understand, is that when you are fasting, you are living off animal fat and protein. Your body is catabolisng your flesh which has the exact same components as the flesh of any other mammal. You are essentially eating a carnivorous diet!! It’s the same with juice fasting or veganing where the calories are low enough to lose weight, your body needs fat and protein and it will continue to eat it and replace it with the carbs you are taking in, a balance can be reached where your weight stabalizes, but still you are eating staurated fat.
The truth is we a designed or evolved, whichever you like, to eat animal food as well as plant matter. We are omnivores. Our guts aren’t fermentation tanks like cows or horses, animal food is perfectly liquified and completely absorbed in the human intestine. When you fast, you are mimicking a carnivorous diet, and all the beneficial gene switching that goes with it. They are the same, only they are your own tissues, so you can get rid of your own wastes as well.
The science is out there and it supports fasting and calorie restriction, you just have to look hard enough.
Please see beyondveg.com if you are concerned about your health on a vegan diet. There are many many people who have turned their health around reintroducing meat into thier diet – or by fasting, temporarily giving themselves an animal feed using thier own tissues.
Another misconception; fruit is not natural in the slightest. It has been selectively bred over the last few hundred years to be sweeter and sweeter and now contains more sugar than any human or animal could possibly get from wild fruit. It is a packet of sugar in a decpetive guise. Nutrient levels are minimal compared to meat ‘n veg. harsh but true.
Oh and to the poster who was asking about loose skin – you shouldnt get it on a fast if you’re young. Thanks to autophagy, your cells consume damaged proteins as the fast progresses, and skin should shrink back fairly well, it always has in my experience. If you break and stay on a high carb/high fruit diet you will not only gain weight back just as quickly as if it were high fat (your cells insulin resistant so glucose gets immediately shuffled into fat cells)
you will also stretch your skin as it tries to expand and create nasty stretch marks and lose skin. Break on veges and/or home-made broth only, is my advice.
Thanks to all posters who report thier progress and results, this is what matters, not theory, not belief.
Hi Jo,
Good info. But I would challenge you on the fructose being bad as glucose is the preferred fuel of the body and fructose is low on the glycymic index. I agree that excessive sugar intake can damage or over work the pancreas. You states you will gain weigh on a high carb/high fruit diet. That depends on the fruit and the carbohydrate. Grapefruits are famous for weightloss.
hi jo,
some of what you shared really struck a cord in me. i was an avid juice faster in my early years. weeks on end. it did me some good for sure, but i never tried water fasting. well, 20 years later, i did a bout of short water fasts over a few months and wow. i know no one can speak for everyone since not everyone suffers insulin resistance like i have all my life (the juice fasting left me up and down, up and down because of the sugars),,,but the brief water fasting was amazing. i always shied away from water fasting because of work, commitments, but short water fasts have proven to be very effective for symptom relief (pms, blood sugar symptoms, weight loss). and well, it takes less time. i did get really exhausted toward the end of the months in regards to my workouts (even with a few eating days thrown in) but the quick, tangible results kept me going. water fasting may not be for everyone, but i wanted to put my “bravo!” in for it. if long term water fasting is too daunting , might be an intermittent water fasting schedule could work. i love the way some toss in a few water fasting days in their juice fasts, brilliant. for me at least short water fasts were more effective than long juice fasts. cheers everyone!
Hi Rachel,
We have successfully reversed diabetes here at the hospital with juice fasting. Patients are allowed half a glass of juice at least 30 minutes apart. The period for healing is 30 to 40 days. A straight juice fast does not work for diabetes as you have discovered.
Hi Jo,
“Animal protein,” fascinating, I’ve never viewed fasting that way. Very interesting. I have one of those minds that want to be vegan and one of those bodies that wants to be carnivorous. I like it.
I understand what you are saying about intake of anything but water–especially fruit and drugs like coffee and trash like diet sodas–is a form of “feasting,” not fasting proper.
That said, it sounds like some of your argument is a semantic issue, which is fine. Fasting or light “feasting” though, what little we do take in does matter. For some people, water fasting alone is so harsh they can’t do it for any length of time. For cancer patients, there must be a balance struck between giving the body the tools it needs to fight the cancer, and letting the fasting do its work.
Gandhi fasted for weeks but put some small amounts of lemon juice in his water. Every D.O., and nutritionist I’ve ever seen has recommended a slight amount of fresh lemon or lime in water while fasting, because of the detoxing and electrical properties.
Several have also recommended Glaceau SmartWater for fasting (NOT chemical and sugar-laden products like Gatorade, Vitamin Water, Life Water, etc). SmartWater is distilled water plus potassium bicarbonate; calcium chloride and magnesium chloride. (You can make your own sort-of similar brew at home with distilled water, sea salt and baking soda and such, if the thought of Coca-Cola now owning Glaceau makes you ill. It kind of does me.)
Not all sweeteners are the same, of course. Fructose messes with blood sugar, and artificial sweeteners (not stevia, which is officially listed as a non-caloric fiber) contain nasty chemicals. The alkaline nature of some juices and products can be incredibly beneficial, and some have VERY little fructose (spiralina, cucumber, celery, kale, spinach, radish, etc).
Anyway, I want to be careful not to minimize anyone’s exhaustive efforts by saying they aren’t REALLY fasting–this is why Tom specifies “water-only fast,” “dry fast,” “juice-fast,” etc.
I am now going to proudly tell my body it’s having a meat and fat dinner while I’m fasting. Sweet.
Hope everyone is doing well!
I don’t weigh (don’t have a scale), but I wear size 34 pants, pretty much (the shorts I’m in are 36’s, but I look like a JD or a plumber in them). I’ll let you know when I drop to a 32!
Best,
rhet
Thanks Tom! I was going to ask about enemas next. I’ve never used one before & I’m a little scared, lol. I was just going to ask about frequency. Twice on day 1, got it. After that not at all?
So far, so good. It’s getting to be “that time of day” the time I’m always hungriest & food sounds absolutely disgusting to me. Looks like I’m off to an excellent start! I think I’m really going to make it this time. keep your fingers crossed for me everyone!
success is in the details, thanks tom! thank God for experts like yourself!
Tom,
Wanted to post as I said I would on day 39 of the apple juice/water fast. Seems like this morning I just got started.
Started at 168# and lost 33#. Had no cuts to contend with for healing this year.
I told you I always wanted to do the last week of a 40 somewhere special. Listen to this! I live in Ohio U.S. and went to Illinois for a funeral. Yes it was neat to see teachers, principles, old friends, ect., but the timing was wonderful. I had a boldness to share Christ in a way I never have had. Due to the fast? Absolutely. For two days I drove around to find and speak to those I left 25 years ago. The greatest news was when I lead my father-in-law to the Lord!
Do I evangelize normally? Sure, but this was a wonderful trip without so much of self to get in the way.
Then I drove home and left 13 hours for West Virgina. There I worked 33 hours in two and a half days on a house hidden up in the mountains with a man as a mission project. The strength I had was unreal because usually during days 35-40 I’m pretty layed back and not doing much.
So I’m saying this year’s fast has really been different than in the past. Usually on the eve of day 40 I’ve had enough, but I wish this could go on. But as I practice and preach, there are ground rules to be set up prior to a fast and a planned ending is one of them.
Again I see clearly that when my flesh is beat into submission, the Spirit side has free reign to operate.
A simple truth but wonderful when it hits home in a fresh way.
Thank you, Ret, and others who have shared your wisdom to answer so many questions I have had about the 40 day fast.
One question that was not answered to my knowledge was conserning the sinuses. I am totally clear during fast but what can I do or leave out of my diet when I’m not fasting?
And why does a gritty substance form on the inside of my teeth as soon as I get around smoke, purfume, cleaners, dust, and other smells. I tast them on the tongue, but why does it collect on the teeth? I can feel it with my tongue. Anybody have this know what I’m saying?
Pastor Jim
Pastor Jim (and hi to all, as well),
What an inspiration you are! I know with your example and support I can make it to 40 days.
I really appreciate what you say about the flesh being forced to submit on a fast. It’s not just the hunger. It’s fear. It’s compulsive thinking. It’s compulsive behavior. It’s impatience. And it’s response to discomfort and pain.
And speaking of, this lemon/lime water I’m drinking is kind of doing a number on my digestive system, especially the “exit” part of the system. Like yeowch. I’ve ordered more AlkaPro drops, which is supposed to super-alkalize whatever you drink (I pray it doesn’t take the beneficial elements away from the lemon/lime), hopefully that will make a difference regarding the acid.
I also did one of those Master Cleanse “salt flushes” yesterday. Yecch! I can’t really bring myself to do the enema, but the salt flush is loosely called an “oral enema,” because it’s supposed to do a similar thing. And judging from the amount of porcelain throne time I spent, the advertising appears to be true. Tom, what do you think of the Sea Salt Flush?
Also, anyone out there doing bentonite and psyllium shakes? It’s supposed to push all the years of accumulated nasties out of the digestive tract and colon. Well, I ordered some bentonite, because a friend had awesome results with it. Tom, do you have thoughts about bentonite clay?
I’m getting a *little* better at ignoring the hunger storms, and promising myself that they will go away just as they would if I actually ate. I’m not one of those folks for whom the hunger ever goes away. I pretty much deal with it every day.
How is everyone doing?
–rhet
Hello. I am 34 and living with psoriasis and psoriatic arthritis. In December I started methotrexate and was on the verge of starting a biologic drug to help with this arthritis when I spoke with a doctor who recommended I stop the drug therapy, drop my weight to 120 (148 now at 5 foot 5 inches) and do several short fasts, all with the aim of balancing my immune system.
So far, I’ve been off the MTX for almonst 3 weeks, I have completed two 3 day water fasts now that the MTX is out of my system and am gearing up for a 10 day water fast. I am wondering if anyone has experience with fasting and autoimmune disease. My greatest challenge is handling the arthritic pain and stiffness during the fasting since I cannot take the NSAID’s that keep things relatively manageable — I’m talking about not being able to button pants, clip my young child into his carseat, walk up and downstairs… sit on the toilet, etc. It’s debilitating and I am really nervous about the 10 day fast for that reason. Fortunately, my body has been telling me to fast for about 3 years (though I’ve only just started listening) — I have absolutely no appetite and the short fasts have so far been completely comfortable for me.
Any helpful advice or comments are welcome. Thank you.
- Sarah
Hi Sarah,
For health conditions, juice fasting is far more effective. 21 to 30 days is a better fast with some water fasting days in between. Buy a juicer and you will love it. Autoimmune disease is benefited by fasting as inflammatory response is reduced. I have see one person healed of a life long allergy on a 30 day juice fast.
Hi Tom please I will appreciate it if you answer my one question.I am going on a three week water fast and walking on the treadmill for an hour three times a week. How much weight do you think I will lose. I weight 185 pounds and I am 5 feet 10 inches tall. I have been having pain all over my body, fatigue,weight gain and depression,which are some the main reasons I am fasting. I need to do this and make it a life style too(healthy eating and fasting). Thank you.
Hi greatjassy,
Please read the post on weightloss rates, it is long and in depth. You need to read more on this site.
Water fasting and exercise… for 21 days on your first fast. That is a fantasy.
HI,Tom, I never said this was my first fast…it may be the first long water fast I will attempt and I just needed an answer for motivation from you. I am not a quitter and can accomplish a 21 day water fast!! Thanks for the “HUGE” help.
Hello everyone,
I am a 21 y/o female and a somewhat experienced faster, having done about 6 or 7 in the last couple years. My first attempts never lasted longer than a few hours, so desperate to try anything, I began with liquid fasting. Eventually, I became strong enough to try juice and the master cleanse fasts, but it took many, many attempts. My body dislikes going without solid food… I would find myself curled up in bed in the fetal position for hours, chain-smoking and drinking coffee like mad. I’d be depressed as well, and my emotions up and down without warning.
Well, my life is very different now. I used to fast for weight loss, and now I fast for cleansing and detox. I am no longer a smoker/drug addict/eating-disordered mess. Today is my 5th day of a proper fast that doesn’t include stimulants like caffeine and nicotene. I began with a day of raw foods, three days of master cleanse, and today I’m just drinking water with lemon juice and a dash of cayenne pepper. I’ve lost 7 pounds so far. I’ve also been going to the gym every day and putting in a gentle, 30-minute cardio workout followed by stretching, just to keep my metabolism going. I have loads of energy, and my emotions are pretty stable… I’m sure that has a lot to do with the fact that I’m sticking to the fast pretty strictly, and not chugging coffee all day.
Yesterday, I did a sea salt flush (my first ever), and today my stomach seems slightly bloated. I am in overall good shape and exercise 4-7 days a week, but I have this mound of fat on my lower stomach that won’t seem to budge. Annoying! I think I’m possibly retaining water… maybe I’m not drinking enough?
One thing I’m worried about is my upcoming weekend. I work at the biggest, busiest bar in town and I’m scheduled 6pm-3am both this friday AND saturday night. Normally, I would plan to break my fast before any events that sap energy (like busy bar shifts), but considering how I’ve been feeling (pretty good!) I’m toying with the idea of continuing the fast right through the weekend. Also, I’ve thought maybe during the day on friday and saturday i could switch from my water/lemon/pepper to juice and vegetable broth, and then on sunday go back to my fast. I may also need to drink a caffeinated beverage during work, because that’s usually necessary for me to make it through such a long shift. Has anyone ever had to do this semi-break? I don’t want to harm my body or undo the good I’ve done this week, but my job is incredibly physically challenging (a reason I love it!) and I need my energy and mental focus in order to it. Any advice would be GREATLY appreciated.
Hello 2 all. =) I’m on day 3 of my fast. I plan on going 28 days without juice and 60 days without food. This is my 5th fast but my 2nd long fast. My previous fast was 53 days long but I want 2 reach 60 this time bcuz it seems like a well balanced number. ^_^
Hi Charlie,
congrats on all your efforts. Im an old coffee hound that can’t seem to break the habit so you’re an inspiration.
Careful about the fast breaking. Ive been at work and compulsively started eating after a few days of fasting and really really gotten sick. Keep us posted! Rachel.
MK, 28 days of water is amazing. keep up the great work! Rach.
hi rachel, thanks for the feedback
I know that breaking the fast is much harder than beginning one, and tonight (work night!) will be a big challenge. I’ve semi-broken my fast today with broth and green veggies juice, and will continue to drink liquid calories throughout the weekend. We only have one thing on the menu at work that I can have tonight, and it’s some really tasty tomato and basil soup! It comes with buttered baguettes, but I’ll call the kitchen and tell them NOT to put them on the dish… I know I’ll get really sick if I eat solids, especially wheat products.
Anyway, I’ve lost 12 lbs (!!!) so far, and am going to be very careful the next few days. Great site Tom, I’ve been living on here all week!
Hi Charlie,
Thanks for the feedback. Keeps us posted.
Tom, thank you for your response. My understanding is that the body will not go into protein sparing mode on a juice fast like it does on a water only fast. If the body goes into protein sparing and consumes excess body fat, that’s a good thing for autoimmune disease since the toxins stored in fat are culpable in the disease; reducing the fat, reduces the toxins, balances the immune system. What are your thoughts? I am preparing for the fast to begin on April 15th, so your input would be much appreciated as I prepare.
Thanks again for taking the time to respond.
Sarah
Hi Sarah,
Babies grow healthy and strong with mothers’ milk that consists of only 6% protein. So that massive grow is done on a very small amount of protein. Juicing, I estimate will give about 2% protein. If you drink small amount of juice on a long juice fast your body will use your protein reserves which is a good thing. Catabolism is the tearing down but it is very systematic. Dead, dying and disease tissues are used first except in with cancer. You are right in that fat stores toxic oil and toxins. So fasting and ridding your body of old fat is healthy.
p.s. I am open to juicing.
Hi Tom,
You say with a fast that dead and dying cells are used first *except* with cancer? Does the body refuse to feed on the cancer? How does that work?
Thanks,
rhet
Rhet,
Cancer grows as it fulls the immune system into thinking the cancer is a normal cell. They are almost identical to the body from the perspective of the immune system. A change in the DNA caused by negative health factors like toxins, stress, nutritional deficiencies genetics weakness changes the way the cell reproduces. Cancer reproduces faster as it is out of touch with the bodies growth control mechanism.
Fasting increases catabolsim, boosts immune performance and increases immune activity. The cancer is weakened by the low glucose levels and the cancer regresses in mass for 2 to 5 weeks. Symptoms of the cancer is diminished and quality of life is increased. The hitch is angiogenisis. The cancer creates more blood vessels to increase nutrient absorption. Then the cancer regrows by eating the bodies resources. Catabolism become a metabolic pathway to the cancer. We have seen this in 5 patients. What herbs or chemotherapy could inhibit angeogenisis.
Can’t wait to start my fast! I have increase din weight steadily over the past few months — no medical reason, doctors just say I am getting oler and want me to use that as an excuse (I am 41). I feel bloated and have no energy. I have about 15 lbs for sure to lose, mabe 20, but I am not going to stress too much about that. I just am worried about muscle loss and ruining my already slow metabolism with a fast. I am at the end of my rope nad do not know what else to do.
shellelou,
For sure a 30 day juice fast using an enema will have a magnificent benefit and total recovery. For those benefits, so what if you can only bench press 2/3 of you normal weight. And you will bench more 30 days after the fast. Which is the best time to put on muscle mass as the body is dedicated to rebuilding.
Hi Tom,
As you know the 1st and 2nd day are the hardest day to start the fast. I am planning to fast tomorrow but I scare I will fail. Do you have ideas how to get pass the first two days? Thank you.
Annie,
Using and enema is the easiest thing to keep you free from hunger. Staying home for that period is also good.
hi all,
i started my juice fast 2 days ago with a gall bladder flush..whoa!!! i cant believe what came out!!! the doc wants to cut out my gallbladder,he reckons i dont need it..im unconvinced! so anyways, i thought id try the flush and a fast first, can anyone tell me particular juices that will benefit my liver /gallbladder? also does a veggie broth the same nutrients/calories as juice ? ive always used them in past fasts but am wondering if im cheating!!! i started at 102kgs, aiming for 80kgs
awesome site , truly inspiring!
blessings, sam
Hi sam
I met a woman who had stone flushed by the gall bladder flush and verified by ultrasound. You can find the instructions for the gall bladder flush are on google. Veggie broths are good on a fast. For the herbs for the gallbladder do a google search if you have not already done that.
Hi Sam,
We have one confirmed case of the gallbladder flush working confirmed by ultrasound. Could you let me know the results?
hi tom,
i will let you know for sure. i did an ultrasound the day before the flush so ill be able to do a before and after! there seems to be some argument as to wether what comes out are actually gallstones or just a byproduct of the flush. if they are stones i passed about 10 the size of large marbles and literally 100’s of small ones! flush consisted of juice in the morning, water at midday ,epsom salts + water at 6pm then 1 cup of lemon juice mixed with 2 cups of cold pressed extra virgin olive at 8pm. day 4 of fast..
Hi Sam,
Anything that floats in water is not a stone and just the fat in a partially digested state. So that caused me to doubt the treatment until the lady reported her success, to was verified.
So your info will be very convincing for me to add it to the program for gall stones.
Hi All,
I am so excited to find this site. I have fasted in the past and and loved how I feel during it. I have had a difficult time when I break fast doing it well. I have tried losing weight a few times in the past, I lose and then gain it back. I really want to be in better shape than this. I am 45 years of age, and a good 50-60 lbs overweight. I weighed myself this am and was dismayed to see that the scale read 187. I am only 5′4″. I also carry alot of it in my belly.I am pretty healthy other than some allergy problems. I plan to do raw foods (veggies and Fruits)for a couple days then go into my fast I am planning a 7-10 day water. I work at home, so I should be okay with temptation.
Dear Tom,
I am on my second day of fasting. I have never fast before and trying to be only on water. Is it ok if I add a tea spoon of honey into my water? I think it gives me energy. After all day without food I woke up today absolutelly fine! no weakness not even hunger.
I am a smoker and trying to cut off sigarets at all during the fast, but I smoked only one yesterday,do you think its OK??
Thank u!
Hi Irina,
Cutting down to one cigarette a day is good. Ehret and teach or water fasting recommended honey with lemon was better that a straight juice fast.
I have started my fast today, juicing but am not clear on how much juice I should have. I am starving today and am planning to do it for 30 days, but really wondering if that is possible. I am sure it is but if I feel like this on day one!!!
I am doing the fast because I am feeling totally toxic and have developed some digestive problems. What is the max amount of juice you should have?
Thanks FI
Hi Fiona,
Drinking lots of juice will slow the detox and cut the hunger. After day three you can start cutting down.
How much depends on your energy needs.
Hi Fiona and everyone,
I am on Day 6 of my juice and master cleanse fast today. I am fasting to help me break food addictions/binge eating and cut down on cravings for bad foods. My advice is to drink as much juice as you need to at first don’t worry too much about the amount just to get through the first few days. Take care 
I’ve been following everyone’s posts since january but this is my first post.
Blessings, April
Hi everyone.
About those enemas. I just detested this idea. Seriously.
But then I read the science on them, and Tom’s comments. The reason they cut the headaches and nausea and hunger of the first days of fasting (and beyond) is explainable.
See, the digestive system isn’t just a big long hose, with the large intestine at the end. The large intestine is where the liver and blood stream dump all the toxins. When we fast, more toxins get eliminated from our cells. But we don’t eliminate as often when fasting, so the toxins just sit there and make us nauseous and sick. Hunger is the body’s way of asking to get the train moving again, so the toxins don’t get re-absorbed.
We can cheat that process with the enema, which flushes the large intestine and gets things moving, so the toxins can leave.
Those enemas still aren’t fun. But if you use them preventatively in those first days (and I’d say 3 times a day–you’ll get faster at it), it makes the fast SO much easier.
Peace out,
rhet
hi all, tom,im on the 9th day of my juice fast.ive developed a really sore throat and aching bones over the last 24hrs, it feels like a flu. if it is ,im not sure if i should break my fast or not, any suggestions?
thanks
sam..
Hi Sam,
Fasting can heal a cold in less time or open the body to getting one. If you get chilled during fasting you can get a cold. I have seen both. Sore throat is an indication of a virus so I would keep fasting.
Hi, what are the common methods for enema? I am not sure… Thank you.
Hi Annie,
Check the category cleansing the colon on fasting.ws or search google for enema instructions.
Hey Annie,
Don’t do the “Fleet” enemas, they don’t do enough.
Go the the drugstore, and ask for an enema bag kit, if you can’t find it yourself. Sometimes it’s with the laxatives, sometimes it’s with the feminine products and medicines.
Try to open the box to see if it has a clear bag. With a clear bag, easier to see how it’s draining, and easier to clean. (I don’t have one–grr.)
When you get home, read the directions about how to put the enema kit together and administer the enema to yourself. Be aware that the first several times, you might only be able to take a little at a time before having to release it. But once you release (on the toilet), re-insert the tip and keep filling, holding, and releasing until the bag is empty.
Then wash your apparatus, and leave it somewhere that it can dry well so you don’t get mold.
Let us know how it goes!
–rhet
Mr. Coghill,
I’ve been ITing for almost half a year and have lost much weight and made much gains in my strength. This months Ive started a wormwood/blackwalnuthull/clove parasite cleanes after doing several, successful but gentle liver flushes with egg yolk, lime juice and flax oil. Ive been eliminating white/green stones, and lots of sludge and chaff. At first I got somewhat feverish after flushing, but now can liver flush with no crisis. My question is, since I started my light parasite killing protocal, my appetite has lessened greatly. Is this a good time to take advantage of overt fasting? My instincts tell me that I should never eat if Im not hungry. And I love to fast. Just wanted to get feedback from a professional! Thanks in advance, Rachel