Have you ever fasted?

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   Faith Reaperposted 12 years ago

   Have you ever fasted?
   
   Have you ever done a fast, and if so, what type of fast and for how long?  Also, in what way was the fast beneficial to you or not?

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   JThomp42posted 12 years ago

   Hello Faith,
         When I fast it is for prayer, and obedience to God. When I fast I do not eat or drink anything for 24 hours. Of course, when we are fasting we are not to say so.

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Exactly!  For Christians, it is a most powerful spiritual discipline, fasting and prayer. Thanks so much for the great answer here, JThomp42

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      JThomp42posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Thank you so much Faith.

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   dghbrhposted 12 years ago

   Yes many times I have done fasting.
   In Hindu religion we have many types of fasting. If we hold any type of Puja ( Prayer) at our home as per the rituals we need to be on fasting. This differs with different types of puja. In some Puja one is allowed to have milk, sweets, fruits etc. But is some puja one is not allowed to have anything except water. I have experience of being in both types of fasting.
   Some times i used to be on fasting without any reason and just choose a day of the week for instance Tuesday every week and be on fasting.
   There are also specific rules as per the puja to break the fasting. Before sunset one has to break fasting after offering the puja if thus is applicable, then with kind of boiled meal ( made with rice, little vegetable, lentils together) one breaks the fast. If the fast is for some specific puja then it has to be broken as per the specific rituals.
   Then if someone dies in the family senior to one, then normally for 10/11 days whole family needs to be on fasting. That duration one can only have fruits, milk and in the evening one is allowed to have the meal as mentioned above with pure ghee.
   The fast is beneficial at least for me. It shows us the way to control our senses. It also helps to cleanse the digestive system even with inner mental attitude. It mainly helps a lot to become calmer and controlled in over all approach about life. Thank you.

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, how very interesting and thanks for sharing all of this with us all.  I appreciate you taking the time to answer!

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   tirelesstravelerposted 12 years ago

   Fast for spiritual reasons once a week and have amazing health benefits as a side effect.  Coming off the fast correctly is very important.  If you start eating too much too fast you feel terrible.

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, tirelesstraveler, thanks for sharing your experience with fasting.  You are certainly disciplined when it comes to fasting, especially once a week!!!  Thanks for the great answer here.  I appreciate you taking the time to answer.

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   kidnappedkidsposted 12 years ago

   I have fasted.  I've been in Yemen during Ramadan, where you can't eat or drink from sunrise to sunset. I'm not Muslim, so for me, the only result of that was just being hungry and thirsty a lot.  I do juice fasting, though, for 10 days at a time. I only drink vegetable/fruit juice and take no food. It helps me to lose weight quickly, and it's not too bad on the hunger and thirst.

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi kidnappedkids, thanks for sharing here with your very interesting answer.  Yes, I have heard of the juice fasts, which do cleanse your body of a lot of toxins and help to lose weight quickly.  I appreciate the great answer!

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   Sue Baileyposted 12 years ago

   I 'fast' for two days per week and eat what I want for the rest of the week. On fast days I drink plenty and eat around 500 calories in one meal, which is primarily made up of vegetables with just a little meat or fish. The 500 calories can be split into two meals if you so wish. It is part of the 5:2 eating plan.  I have lost 4lbs in 3 weeks and feel good the day after the fast.  I even find myself looking forward to fast days. Apparently it has other health benefits too such as stabilizing the blood sugar.

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Wow, Sue, that is amazing!!!  You are very disciplined no doubt!  Thanks for sharing and answering the question.

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   MINIMAposted 12 years ago

   I am a Hindu and live in NZ. Currently I am fasting ..... going without salty food etc. I do drink water and milk and a fruit each day. In the afternoon after my prayers I eat  normal vegetarian meal. Sometimes I do not feel like eating the meal at all. I will be doing this continuously for seven days.
   I am doing this for spiritual and religious reasons and it does benefit me a lot. I feel light and not bloated and it keeps my mind off food too .... in a way helps me to shed off some extra pounds.
   It is upto an individual  how she/ he wants to fast and for how long..

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi MINIMA,  thanks for answering.  Yes, fasting is great for spiritual reasons no doubt!  I appreciate you taking the time to answer.  Great answer!

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   kj forceposted 12 years ago

   Fasting is not necessarily a bad thing..sometimes when we have a cold, we don't want to eat..if we are having a blood test, we are asked to fast for 12 hours...if we are having a stress test..whether physical or chemically stimulated, we must fast. this method will allow for the results/readings to be more accurate....by our bodies going on occasional fasts, it is a type of cleansing for the body and is not harmful..but..water is a must so that the body/ muscles do not become dehydrated, which could cause cramping...Take into consideration before doing a fast that you are in good health.....and always ask your ...if you are on Rx medications...thus eliminating negative consequences....
   Great question.....

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi kj, excellent points here you have addressed!  Thanks for the thought-provoking answer to issues one may not have thought about before!  Thanks, girl!!!

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   edhanposted 12 years ago

   I have done 3 days fasting. It helps to cleanse my body. I feel much better in terms of health.

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      Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Hi edhan, thanks so much for answering and, yes, it is very cleansing and really good healthwise no doubt!

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    khmohsinposted 12 years ago

    Yes, I done fast every year for a month but within specific timings because I am a Muslim. "Rozah" which is called "Saum" in Arabic and known as "Fast" in English, means to restrain and keep silence. "Saum" as "patience" too which means "self-control, perseverance and determination". Thus Rozah (Fast) stands, according to Islaam, for guarding oneself against selfishness, sensual and carnal desires and protecting one's instinctive restraint and perseverance. Food, drink and sexual relation between man and woman play very important role in human life that usually destroy human values and merits if not checked. Regulating and keeping oneself away from such human needs for a certain period is Rozah (Fast).

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi khmohsin,  thanks so much for the very interesting answer!  Yes, these are all very important reasons no doubt to do a fast, and I am glad you added about the human values could be destroy when not checked.  I appreciate you answering.

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    toknowinfoposted 12 years ago

    Fasting is difficult at points during the day, but spiritually uplifting and renewing.

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi toknowinfo, yes, it can be difficult but the rewards as relates to the spiritually aspects are truly uplifting and renewing as you have stated.  Thank for the great answer!

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    myronjamposted 12 years ago

    I normally fast because of my religious belief( Christianity), for 24 hour as a means of getting more spiritually in tune with God. However, its also cleanses the body of toxins, I usually only drink water.
    
    Also you need to fast when you are about to do a surgery as the anesthesia  when administered can cause food content in your stomach to gain entry to your windpipe, and because your gag reflex would be impaired  at that moment it can lead to brain injury as a result of lock of oxygen

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi myronjam, I do it for the same reasons as you have stated. Thanks for that interesting point about fasting prior to surgery.  Wow, that is important to know.  Great answer!

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    Juliehauxposted 12 years ago

    I don't do a regular fast when I do fast.  Because of medical conditions and medications that bother my stomach, I still have to have some food to accompany them.  A fast for me is to eat half a banana instead of a regular breakfast, and maybe a cheese stick the other times medication is needed.  For me, one of the benefits of fasting is strengthening my self control.  When I fast for religious reasons, the benefit is that I can concentrate more fully on what I'm studying and can take in the messages I'm getting from the scriptures or other reading materials and it strengthens my understanding.

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Juliehaux, thank you for sharing about your fasts. Yes, we can all fast in whatever manner is unique to us!  Good point as to the benefit of being able to fully take in the messages of scripture, etc.  Great answer!

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    jaydeneposted 12 years ago

    I have for a few days, just to let my body and organs clean out. I have had light snacks or fruit during that time. Overall i feel better for doing this.  I find it helpful to be more in touch with the spiritual side of life.

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi jaydene, that sounds like an excellent fast and for great reasons no doubt!  Thanks so much for answering.

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    Raitu Disongposted 12 years ago

    I have done a fast. But long time back... Thank you for asking this question. You are like a messenger of God to me . God bless you dear sister in Christ...I am now challenged to give more time for God. well I used to do it half day, and I believe to do something great it is important to come to God with fasting and prayer.

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Oh, how kind of you Raitu Disong, for such lovely comments.  God bless you too dear one in Christ.  Thank you for sharing that you are challenged to give more time to God!  God bless you.  It is very  important indeed!

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    Tephsposted 12 years ago

    I have tried fasting for a week last year. The reason behind it was that I was constipated like I only defecate for 2 or 3 times a week which made me uncomfortable that I felt being sick. So, I did some research about how to fast without putting yourself at risk of developing gastric ulceration. Good thing, I was able to find an answer immediately and this is the "master cleanse". But before I followed it, I read various testimonies that it was really effective and not dangerous. So, there I was convinced and I tried. It was really a magic for me because after that, I can then defecate everyday which makes me feel clean and brand new.
    
    By the way, here's the ingredients:
    
    1/2 slice of lemon + 1 glass of water+a pinch of cayenne pepper+ honey or pure maple syrup.
    
    In the morning, after arising, you also drink 1l of water+ 1 spoon of rock salt. This serves as a laxative since you aren't eating anything thereby your bowel have nothing to digest. The effect of this is immediate though and you'll be passing out more liquid.
    
    Also, I did some variations of this fast too..instead of having it pure, I consume fresh juice (in a sense that I was the one whk juiced the fruits). That's it. I hope this was helpful.

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi Tephs, this was very helpful and thank you for sharing your fasting ingredients and how it worked so well for you.  I appreciate the informative answer.  Thanks so much!

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       Tephsposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       You are very welcome. I'm glad you find it helpful.

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    teaches12345posted 12 years ago

    We fast from meats at least once a week to help our body digest well. I personally fast from certain activities or foods in order to focus on prayer and meditation.  It helps to gain spiritual awareness and builds faith.

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       Faith Reaperposted 12 years agoin reply to this

       Hi teaches,  that is an excellent point about the meats.  Yes, focusing on prayer and meditation does really help to gain spiritual awareness and truly builds faith.  Thanks for the awesome answer.  I appreciate you.

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