09-09-2010, 04:32 AM
There's many different ways to do it. You refer specifically to the muslim method. But that's not the only way. Christians also have a fasting period, although it's not in common use any more.
I've done it a few times. I did 3 day fasts. 3 days is a good number because it takes you through the whole experience and you quit before it can do damage to your body.
If you want to fast I'd suggest trying for a 3 day fast. There's basically two choices. Either go completely without calories.. This is the harder and more interesting approach. You will feel weak so don't do work while doing it. Or the other choice, get calories through drinking. The best way I know to do this is to drink maple syrup.. It has calories and some additional components that sustain your body and mind. It really makes it easier though I still recommend taking it easy for the duration of the fast. It is not a replacement for food. Last time I made the mistake of going to the gym anyway I was drinking the syrup and figured the extra calories would suffice if I took it easy. But the next day I had to abort, I was completely drained. I was staring I could not think I really had to stop there, and I only had 12 hours to go.
It's normal to get a slight headache about 24 hours into the experience. That is a lack of serotonin. There's nothing you can do about it without eating. If it gets too much, a banana, some almonds or chocolate will do. But that also effectively ends your fast. It also feels good, after you get through the first experience of hunger you get into a phase where you realize you don't have to worry about food. It feels like a short relief from an addiction.
Your body will use the period to do some extra cleaning. You will probaly notice some differences in the weeks after mainly involving your digestive tract.
Good luck, and please let us know your experiences.
I've done it a few times. I did 3 day fasts. 3 days is a good number because it takes you through the whole experience and you quit before it can do damage to your body.
If you want to fast I'd suggest trying for a 3 day fast. There's basically two choices. Either go completely without calories.. This is the harder and more interesting approach. You will feel weak so don't do work while doing it. Or the other choice, get calories through drinking. The best way I know to do this is to drink maple syrup.. It has calories and some additional components that sustain your body and mind. It really makes it easier though I still recommend taking it easy for the duration of the fast. It is not a replacement for food. Last time I made the mistake of going to the gym anyway I was drinking the syrup and figured the extra calories would suffice if I took it easy. But the next day I had to abort, I was completely drained. I was staring I could not think I really had to stop there, and I only had 12 hours to go.
It's normal to get a slight headache about 24 hours into the experience. That is a lack of serotonin. There's nothing you can do about it without eating. If it gets too much, a banana, some almonds or chocolate will do. But that also effectively ends your fast. It also feels good, after you get through the first experience of hunger you get into a phase where you realize you don't have to worry about food. It feels like a short relief from an addiction.
Your body will use the period to do some extra cleaning. You will probaly notice some differences in the weeks after mainly involving your digestive tract.
Good luck, and please let us know your experiences.