Fasting has a long religious and spiritual history. It has been undertaken to clear the mind, free the soul from the bondage of Earthly temptation, and to prove inner strength and resolve. It is a discipline, and like many others depends on an individual’s choices, their resolve. Modern versions are popular as juice fasts, where healthy drinks are regularly consumed over the course of a day or two. The practice may vary, but the basic ideas remain.

Fasting can provide an opportunity to begin again; like a birthday or a new year, it is a cleansing and a renewal. Depending on the school of expert opinion you follow, to fast may trigger the body to want to hold on to calories or it may help rest your system and flush out toxins. There are larger reasons to participate than concern about weight, and whether our systems require rest or detox is arguable.

Part of the idea behind the process is to become more self-aware. When you interrupt your regular patterns of living, sometimes great breakthroughs are possible. You may gain insight into personal actions. Part of the time away from food (or whatever you choose for your abstention) should be spent focusing inward or quieting your mind. There is no need to force a particular agenda, simply aim to become more quiet, to allow your inner voice to speak.

It is a good time to remember how fortunate we are to have the food we need to live, to be thankful. It can also be a time to consider the source of our food, the sustainability of what we consume. Meditation on the morality of eating meat, the impact of pesticides on the environment, or the wisdom of the food choices we make, their impact on health and well being, are excellent areas of focus if you care to add that dimension to your experience.

Fasting is a way to reset body and mind. If I find I’m drinking too many sweet beverages, indulging in a large amount of snack food or making food far more important than it should be in my day, fasting is a way I can set that all aside for a period of time. When I come back to it, some of the fascination has faded. I can eat smaller portions with satisfaction. I require less sweet food to satisfy my taste buds. The time away enhances my sense of flavors.

I find it best to approach the effort from a positive point of view. I don’t go into it filled with dread over what I’ll miss. I try to see it as a clearing of part of my schedule, a time for reflection. I try to be nicer to myself in other ways during that time. I may clean the kitchen, do all of the dishes. Then I get to experience the pleasant feeling that everything is in order, plus it reminds me to avoid food. If you can find ways to make it a favorable event, you’ll gain more from it and find greater motivation to participate.

If you’ve never fasted before and you’re not sure how your body will react, you can try a partial fast. Abstain for a portion of the day or cut out a single food or food group for the duration of the fast. Don’t get hung up on the right way to do it. Everyone has their own definition of what fasting means. Some groups regularly ingest fruit juices, healthy drinks or teas during fasting times. Some strictly adhere and drink only water. Others disallow even water.

My longest fast (and the only time I performed an extended one) was over three days. I can’t recall exactly how long it lasted, but I distinctly remember that I stopped being hungry or thinking about food after the first day. By the third day, I felt I could go on as long as I wanted, but I also felt dizzy and weak and rarely left my chair. I have exercised while fasting. It wasn’t pleasant or easy. I felt like I had no energy reserves left to draw upon and my athletic ability suffered.

My shorter fasts have been more difficult, as those early hours are the hardest for me to work through. Finding ways to keep busy can help, engaging the senses through other means. Equally effective are meditation and relaxation, where you focus on the feelings and explore their origin. This can quell the mostly mental cravings. You may notice you reach for food for many more reasons than simple hunger. This can lead to better habits as you recognize patterns in your behavior and try to break them.

It helps to let those around you know ahead of time what your plans are so no one will be tempted to offer you forbidden items. I usually explain to my partner, but no one else. Other people may not be as understanding about an unusual practice. You may also choose to journal your feelings and the sensations in your body to reflect upon once the fast has concluded.

Be sure before you begin to consult with your doctor and to seriously consider any health issues which may be adversely affected by going without. Do not drive or perform tasks dangerous to your well being if you feel faint or unwell. And remember that this is a practice, one you can stop at any time. You make the rules and you should adapt them when it makes practical sense to do so.

If you’ve been curious about pursuing a major change in diet, but unable to take that first step, a fast time can provide the perfect trial run. That extra motivation to avoid certain foods can make the difference between success and failure. Occasionally, a major change will work simply because you’re doing it for the right reasons and in the right way, instead of simply to lose weight or improve your appearance.

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