What’s for dinner… water! Lots of water!!! After reading some impressive research articles on the benefits of water fasting I decided to try a 3-5 day water fast. I will include a couple great links in the resources section below. Today is day one for me! I really wanted to start right after Thanksgiving, but you aren’t supposed to do it during high stress or when you are physically pushing yourself. I kept waiting for the stress of life to let up! Oy! I finally decided that if I didn’t “make it a good time” it would never happen. It was yet another reminder of how important it is to prioritize my health and take care of myself. (Something that even after 34 days on my liquid fast is still my greatest challenge!) So far today has been relatively easy. I think having been on a liquid diet for over 30 days was a great way to prepare my body for the fast! We will see how the next couple days go. I have not set a definite length of time for the water fast, instead I am listening to my body. As the author stated in an article on allaboutfasting.com– “No matter how long you had intended to fast, true hunger is the trigger to end a fast. Among water fasters, the term “true hunger” is used to denote the body’s request to end the fast and begin taking food. To deny food when true hunger has signaled is to begin the act of starvation.” The article goes on to describe what “true hunger” is and how to listen to your body. My goal is not to starve myself by setting a predetermined fasting time, but rather to allow water fasting to trigger my body’s ability to rebuild my immune system and cell regeneration. I am trying to focus on rest while still working on my home and preparing for the Christmas season. I am using this time to practice gentleness with myself. As I do so, I am praying about what the next step will be for me. I am trusting God will provide light for each step I need to take as I continue this healing journey!
“The Lord is my shepherd. He gives me everything I need.
He lets me lie down in fields of green grass.
He leads me beside quiet waters. He gives me new strength.
He guides me in the right paths for the honor of his name.”
Psalm 23:1-3
Resources:
- Water Fasting “How To”Articles I like: http://naturalhealthtechniques.com/healingtechniquesfasting1/ and http://www.allaboutfasting.com/water-fasting.html
- Water Fasting Research by Dr Longo at USC in CA: https://news.usc.edu/82959/diet-that-mimics-fasting-appears-to-slow-aging/ and https://news.usc.edu/63669/fasting-triggers-stem-cell-regeneration-of-damaged-old-immune-system/
- An EXCELLENT movie that discusses research from Russia, Germany and the US: The Science of Fasting