Fasting

 My first post on changing my life is about fasting for a reason. It's the best thing to do when you're thinking of healing the body and making a change. It also changes your mindset on what food is. 

Fasting

The very word can be scary to some people. I have done several in the last few years, but I learned some people are very fearful of fasting. They think it can be very dangerous. Fasting is only dangerous if you don't listen to your body and know the warning signs of when to stop a fast. Now, this doesn't mean jumping into a 3 day fast right from the get-go. My advice is to slowly work your way into a fast. This prep time is weeks before you get into your first day of no meals. 

First, let's get into the potential benefits of fasting. 

• It can help you lose weight
• helps minor and major health disorders
• cleans your body of metabolic toxins and waste
• generates new cell growth
• increase mental clarity
• enhances your mood
• gives more energy
• improves your skin tone and health
• Improves glandular health and hormone balance
• Strengthens your immune system
• changes your mindset about food.

What's the difference between prolonged fasting (PF) and intermittent fasting (IF)?

IF is choosing a time window to eat and a time to fast. This can be a daily window of time-restricted feeding, modified fasting periods, or it can be alternate day fasting. There are benefits to both IF and PF. You have to decide which one or if you want to incorporate both into your life. I tend to do both.  Prolonged fasting can start at 48 hours and up. 

Those who should not water fast:

• Pregnant and nursing women
• Children
• Certain medical conditions. You should not fast if you have liver or kidney weakness or disease, or are extremely frail, malnourished, anemic, or exhausted. You should consult a doctor and be under his/her care during fasting if you have a weakened immune system, severely high blood pressure, medication-dependent diabetes, or weak circulation causing frequent fainting. 
• Eating Disorders. Such as anorexia or bulimia
• After surgery or a major illness.
• Anyone afraid of fasting. Fear does not put you in a proper frame of mind for fasting and can lead to an unpleasant experience. Strong emotions, such as fear, and known to alter the body's physiological processes. It can shut down certain bodily functions. It also is a closed emotional state. Instead, someone embarking on a fast should be relaxed and confident and feel open to the positive changes fasting creates. 

How do I get started?

First, research is key to anything you want to do. I spent a few months looking at different websites, videos, and talking to those who have done fasting before. You want to know the warning signs of when you should break a fast. Break a fast when you experience nausea, vomiting, dizziness, bad cramping, extreme headache (slight headache is fine). It's important to listen to your body. 

Good websites for info:

https://www.allaboutfasting.com/

https://fasting.com/

Before I fast I spend a few weeks getting ready. I stop all processed sugar and lower my simple carbs ( bread, pasta, rice) and eat more fats ( avocado, coconut oils, grass-fed butter) I find it easier if my body isn't burning glucose and is rather burning ketones. ( research Keto diet) Then during the first few days, my body isn't fighting to switch over to go into ketosis. 

I highly recommend trying to do a 24 hr fast the first time and then in a week or 2 do a longer one. See how your body does. Any amount of fasting is beneficial, so working your way up is still good for you. If this seems to be hard, try doing some time-restricted fasting. 

Apps I use to help me along the way:

I love using Life Fast app. It gives you the science behind each of the stages. It also has free articles you can learn and have friends you can follow. You can find me by searching my name, Nickola Nova.

What is Ghrelin?

Ghrelin is the "hunger hormone" that comes and makes you feel hungry. This comes during parts of the day you normally eat. It doesn't keep growing or stay forever. it just comes and stays to remind you to eat, then leaves and comes back the next time you're supposed to eat. I find after I fast, I have a better handle on Ghrelin and the next fast is easier. But my mindset is also changed the thought of what food is for. Before I would think of food as pleasure and eat whatever I wanted. After fasting I have had the mindset that it's fuel and I am mindful of what I am fueling my body with. 

How to break a fast.

Anything over 20 calories will break a fast. If you do a fast for up to 72 hrs you can easily break it with normal soft foods. If you fast over 3 days, your digestive system has shut down. It is recommended you break the fast with very soft food or juice, something that won't be to hard to get the digestive system going. I've gone up to 99 hrs in my fasting and broke it with a hard-boiled egg. My husband has made it to 7 days and broke his with carrot juice. The next meals need to be smaller and softer food as you slowly work towards more normal meals. The taste of the food will be amazing. 

** Disclaimer** If you are taking medications or have a serious health issue, please contact your medical professional before attempting a fast