Fasting Strategies - The Top 5 Fasting Mistakes
By: Samantha Ware
If you have ever tried to fast, you know completing a fast can be a very difficult thing to accomplish. Every fasting attempt begins with a desire to see it to the end, until something or someone comes along and causes you to quit. Don't make these common fasting mistakes and you will be much more likely to complete your fast, whether it be one meal, one day or 30 days.
Mistake 1: Telling everybody you are fasting -You decide you are starting your fast on Monday and by Sunday night you have told everyone you know what your plans are. This common mistake often results in unnecessary embarrassment and unwanted questions. Being too forthright with your fasting plans can place expectations on you that you may not be ready to face. If you decide to break your fast for whatever reason, you may feel guilty because you told so many people what you were doing. Tell as few people as possible and make sure the people you tell will be supportive of your endeavor. By doing this, you eliminate everyone's expectations except your own.
Mistake 2: Eating your last meal without restraint - you know you are going to start fasting tomorrow, so the night before you eat every thing in sight.Gorging before a fast is a disaster waiting to happen. Your body has a difficult time adjusting from so much food to little or none at all. As a result, the detox symptoms become too much for you to bear and your fast is broken before you get started. Avoid this mistake by "pre-fasting" and eating light, healthy meals up until fasting day. With longer fasts, it is helpful to eat only fruits and vegetables for 3-14 days before starting a fast. Pre-fasting makes detox symptoms less severe and easier to cope with.
Mistake 3: Fasting without a plan - it is very difficult to commit to fasting if you don't make it a commitment. Before starting any fast, take the time to determine your reason for fasting,your fasting goals, and rewards. Write down a list of things to do besides running to the pantry when a craving hits, think of what you might say when people ask you why you aren't eating, and how you will deal with detox symptoms when they arise. Purchase items you need for your fast ahead of time, like a juicer for juice fast, fresh fruit & vegetables, distilled water or anything else you may need to begin your fast.
Mistake 4: Partaking in anti-fasting activities - temptation is inevitable with fasting because it is all around,but try to avoid temptation as much as possible until you have the stamina to endure it. When friends invite you out to dinner, politely opt out or reschedule for after your fast. Don't spend your evenings watching television shows about cooking or food, have other family members prepare dinner if possible or prepare meals ahead of time, when you are in a very tempting situation distract yourself by conversating with people or reminding yourself of your goals. Until your strength has been established, skip events centered around food.
Mistake 5: Breaking the fast too harshly - you did it, you fasted for the length of time you had planned to and then you break your fast by eating steak, potatoes, soda and a big slice of chocolate cake. No sooner than you've swallowed the last bite, you feel like you've been hit by a bus. Your body does not know how to respond to such a huge meal so suddenly after fasting. In addition to the shock on your body, indulging in heavy foods after a fast defeats the purpose. Fasting when done properly, detoxifies the body and prepares it for a healthier lifestyle. Breaking the fast should be done carefully and with caution. Ease back into eating with light foods like salad, fruit, yogurt and gradually increase intake until your body is comfortable with eating again.
* Samantha Ware is a freelance writer, an avid researcher on fasting and other natural and holistic healing methods. Her blog, http://www.hopeforthehips.blogspot.com/ was recently started to assist others who attempt fasting and want to learn more about it. As the blog continues to grow, Samantha is working on a fasting website.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Mistake 1: Telling everybody you are fasting -You decide you are starting your fast on Monday and by Sunday night you have told everyone you know what your plans are. This common mistake often results in unnecessary embarrassment and unwanted questions. Being too forthright with your fasting plans can place expectations on you that you may not be ready to face. If you decide to break your fast for whatever reason, you may feel guilty because you told so many people what you were doing. Tell as few people as possible and make sure the people you tell will be supportive of your endeavor. By doing this, you eliminate everyone's expectations except your own.
Mistake 2: Eating your last meal without restraint - you know you are going to start fasting tomorrow, so the night before you eat every thing in sight.Gorging before a fast is a disaster waiting to happen. Your body has a difficult time adjusting from so much food to little or none at all. As a result, the detox symptoms become too much for you to bear and your fast is broken before you get started. Avoid this mistake by "pre-fasting" and eating light, healthy meals up until fasting day. With longer fasts, it is helpful to eat only fruits and vegetables for 3-14 days before starting a fast. Pre-fasting makes detox symptoms less severe and easier to cope with.
Mistake 3: Fasting without a plan - it is very difficult to commit to fasting if you don't make it a commitment. Before starting any fast, take the time to determine your reason for fasting,your fasting goals, and rewards. Write down a list of things to do besides running to the pantry when a craving hits, think of what you might say when people ask you why you aren't eating, and how you will deal with detox symptoms when they arise. Purchase items you need for your fast ahead of time, like a juicer for juice fast, fresh fruit & vegetables, distilled water or anything else you may need to begin your fast.
Mistake 4: Partaking in anti-fasting activities - temptation is inevitable with fasting because it is all around,but try to avoid temptation as much as possible until you have the stamina to endure it. When friends invite you out to dinner, politely opt out or reschedule for after your fast. Don't spend your evenings watching television shows about cooking or food, have other family members prepare dinner if possible or prepare meals ahead of time, when you are in a very tempting situation distract yourself by conversating with people or reminding yourself of your goals. Until your strength has been established, skip events centered around food.
Mistake 5: Breaking the fast too harshly - you did it, you fasted for the length of time you had planned to and then you break your fast by eating steak, potatoes, soda and a big slice of chocolate cake. No sooner than you've swallowed the last bite, you feel like you've been hit by a bus. Your body does not know how to respond to such a huge meal so suddenly after fasting. In addition to the shock on your body, indulging in heavy foods after a fast defeats the purpose. Fasting when done properly, detoxifies the body and prepares it for a healthier lifestyle. Breaking the fast should be done carefully and with caution. Ease back into eating with light foods like salad, fruit, yogurt and gradually increase intake until your body is comfortable with eating again.
* Samantha Ware is a freelance writer, an avid researcher on fasting and other natural and holistic healing methods. Her blog, http://www.hopeforthehips.blogspot.com/ was recently started to assist others who attempt fasting and want to learn more about it. As the blog continues to grow, Samantha is working on a fasting website.
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
