Experiences with Fasting

[Senor Cardgage]

Change that "a" to an "i" and these posts take on a horrifyingly different tone.

That's what I honestly thought the thread was about on a moment's glance. However, I've never fasted, so that pretty much ends my usefulness here.

[sfer]

A friend of mine does this about once a year. The fasts vary from a couple of days to ten days, and she drinks this weird maple syrup/water/cayenne mixture during it.

It's funny because she does it for the body cleaning reasons but she's very likely an alcoholic.

[tolbiny]

High school wrestling.

[tbach24]

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High school wrestling.

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I'm working on 153-145 for the next 8 days [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[MMMMMM]

Just to clarify, fasting is not a Buddhist practice, and various Zen masters have specifically advised against it. Also, Buddha Sakyamuni himself rejected fasting and asceticism after trying them both thoroughly (as well as rejecting a life of luxury and indulgence, passing on both in favor of following "the Middle Way").

A brief "cleansing diet" of 2-3 days can be a good thing (you can look up details of "cleansing diet" on the web), as far as removing toxins from the system and accumulated garbages from the bowels, but fasting itself is actually physically harmful.

And yes, I've fasted a few times, but that was before I learned that the same benefits can be obtained through a cleansing diet, without the associated harms; and before I read the words of a Zen master I hold in great respect.

[craig r]

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Just to clarify, fasting is not a Buddhist practice, and various Zen masters have specifically advised against it. Also, Buddha Sakyamuni himself rejected fasting and asceticism after trying them both thoroughly (as well as rejecting a life of luxury and indulgence, passing on both in favor of following "the Middle Way").

A brief "cleansing diet" of 2-3 days can be a good thing (you can look up details of "cleansing diet" on the web), as far as removing toxins from the system and accumulated garbages from the bowels, but fasting itself is actually physically harmful.

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What about the tapering off method I had mentioned and then just juice for one day? I can't see how cleansing your colon would be bad.

craig

[MMMMMM]

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What about the tapering off method I had mentioned and then just juice for one day? I can't see how cleansing your colon would be bad.


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Sure, the tapering-off method you suggested sounds fine. It is the going with no nourishment at all that does your body harm. Also, it is wise to work in at least some protein during a cleansing period (a small quantity of beans may be sufficient), as your body cannibalizes its own muscle tissue when you have zero protein intake over an extended period.

[craig r]

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What about the tapering off method I had mentioned and then just juice for one day? I can't see how cleansing your colon would be bad.


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Sure, the tapering-off method you suggested sounds fine. It is the going with no nourishment at all that does your body harm. Also it is wise to work in at least a tiny bit of protein during a cleansing period (a small quantity of beans are sufficient), as your body cannibalizes both fat and muscle tissue when you have zero protein intake over an extended period.

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I agree, I think with the work schedule and what not, it is too tough on the body to not eat anything all day. I am sure I am not the only one that gets panicky and anxious (if i don't eat every 6 hours i will get very nervous and after 12 i better have some xanex). Beans would be good (fresh, no salt) because they would help with the cleansing process and they are the magical fruit.

craig

[MMMMMM]

Yes, beans are really great for you.

Nothing wrong with cannibalizing your own fat on a cleansing diet (unless maybe you're John Cole;-)), but destroying your own muscle by fasting is not good (although it does happen unavoidably, to some degree, when we sleep). Also, the brain functions better when it has some blood sugar to work with, which is another reason why total fasting is not good for you.

[Hamish McBagpipe]

I had a meal at about 6pm and am going to the casino in about 1/2 an hour. I won't eat until Saturday evening or later. I will have several bottles of water, a few diet cokes, a couple of coffee, and a pack of cigarettes. Do you consider this a fast?

I also wrestled in University. Living hell to make weight. Running around a gym with in a garbage bag is not fun. But my diet wasn't that bad because I did learn the nasty but extremely effective weight loss technique of barfing which I preferred compared to the widely used laxative route. The weight I wrestled was probably underweight for my size and muscle mass but it still beats being 20 pounds overweight which is what I'm working on now. Maybe a 3 day fast at the casino will take care of half of that.