“I am not a doctor and must disclose it is always best to get medical approval for fasting. Water fasting is your own choice, and I am not liable for the choices anyone else makes. I simply am providing information for those who are interested in fasting.”
Water fasting and it’s counterparts
why everyone should fast
There is differing information out there about fasting, water fasting in particular. As someone wanting to know more about the benefits of water fasting we must go to the source of fasting. Much of the information out there is contradictory to the other.
So how do you know what is right and what is wrong? Let’s find out!
Prayer and fasting are mentioned continually all throughout the Bible. As God has written the law upon the hearts of men, it is no wonder that all religions have sought the Creator through fasting practices and rituals.
We know that water fasting was created by the true living God, and set forth in His Holy Word for purpose. From an act of repentance to drawing close to the Lord, people throughout all time have fasted.
types of fasts
- water fasting
- juice fasting
- smoothie fasting
Fasting is defined as abstaining from all or some kinds of food or drink, especially as a religious observance.
I have personally water fasted anywhere from 1-7 day fasts consistently for over a decade. I also, have juice fasted and smoothie fasted as well. There is definitely a wrong way to fast. Trust me, I’ve been there.
So let me help you NOT repeat the same mistakes.
where to start as a beginner for Water fasting
So you’ve never fasted before? You eat a typical processed American diet. You may find blogs out there that tell you to just dive right in. Trust me, if you want to create an aversion to fasting and never try again, that’s the route to take.
However, if you are really serious about fasting, and want to enjoy the physical and spiritual benefits, then start gently. Take a week, preparing the body to fast, especially if you’re not eating clean.
Prepare for water fasting
So what does preparing a body to fast look like? Basically a strict diet. Eat whole 30 food choices. Cut all processed sugar! This will help make your fast more comfortable, instead of resulting in a healing crisis.
You must keep in mind, the food amounts and choices that Americans consume is a first for humans historically speaking. Hundreds of years ago, fasting was such a natural part of life due to simply not having enough food.
We have an overabundance, and also consume chemicals through our food that were never designed to be in the food chain.
Step 1
Choose which type of fast you’re going to start with? If you choose a smoothie or juice fast, get all of your produce. If you are water fasting, get good quality water, preferably spring water from a reputable brand. It’s also a good idea to prep the produce, particularly if you’re juice fasting. Smoothies with Costco shopping can be super easy.
Step 2
The two days before your fast, eat only fruits and vegetables. This will help the body eliminate the colon quicker once the fast has started. It also will aid in keeping down detox symptoms. This can still really aid even if you are choosing smoothie or juice fasting.
I must note, if you have never detoxed before, your first water fast should never be beyond 1 day. It would be beneficial for the first time faster of any sort to start with a smoothie fast to help detoxification. However, if you really want to water fast, and feel God leading in the process then proceed.
Step 3
Begin. Period.
For 1-3 day beginner water fasts, it is essential to carve out time for being able to be at home. Chances are, your body will go through headaches, aches and pains, and other healing crisis symptoms. This is not definitive, but I just want you to be prepared. Some people can fast with zero symptoms.
Don’t let these detox symptoms deter you from fasting! The benefits are far beyond words. After you’ve done a few one-day fasts, it’s time to move up to 3 days.
If you do eat clean, then chances are, one day of tea/smoothie fasting and your body will be fine to jump into a fast.
If you are an avid coffee drinker, there’s really no way around the detox headache on day 1, unless you’ve cut it out before. To avoid caffeine headaches, it’s wise to not drink coffee at least 1 day every week, or every other week.
on the fast
While you are water fasting, the type of water you are drinking is key! No city tap water on a fast. You want good quality filtered water or spring water. Don’t be afraid of over-drinking, especially that first day.
A good rule of thumb is to look at your urine, it should be slightly yellow to clear. If it smells potent, and is deep yellow, drink more water.
I personally love enemas and do one the day before I fast, or on day 1. Others have advised against this, but I have found in my years of fasting, this is what works best for my body. It can help alleviate symptoms.
The first 2 days, are the hardest, and the best time to spend studying scripture, and really seeking the Lord more often than your typical daily routine of devotion and prayer. Get a journal and record your insights, thoughts, and struggles.
Some people find it helpful to fast with a friend or spouse for encouragement. If you don’t, there may be a willing friend or family member to still support you through the fasting process.
I have found the best support is the Lord Jesus Christ! He is more faithful than anyone I know, and has never let down anyone throughout all of time. Just saying.
breaking the fast
Breaking the fast is actually where the idea that fasting is dangerous has come from. It is ESSENTIAL to break your fast properly, if you have been water fasting past 1 day.
It takes the average body 2-3 full days to eliminate all waste, and enter into healing status. This is when the symptoms typically stop and your energy levels even back out.
When your body is actually hungry, it’s time to break your fast.
Even if you’ve committed to 5 days but on day 3 your body is screaming for food. Listen. Don’t mistake being hungry for parasitic die-off(stomach cramping), but actual hunger. For example, your mouth waters when you think of any bit of food.
Please, I beg you. Break your fast with fruit. Particularly, breaking the fast with watermelon(absolute best), or papaya. Stay away from overly acidic fruits and berries.
Rather, choose water-based fruits, such as apples, mangoes, any type of melon, especially watermelon. Eat as slow as you can, with lots of chewing to reactivate saliva.
There are many health coaches and bloggers out there telling people that fruit sugar will spike the body too quickly after a fast. Once I finally stopped listening to them, I had fasting success.
Fruit is practically all water, and very simple for the body to process. Even bone broth has animal fats and proteins that are hard to digest on an empty colon.
There is a reason why fruit is the starting food for babies. It’s easy to digest.
The best rule of thumb is to reintroduce food in this order:
- fruits
- vegetables
- grain and broth
- dairy and meats
- processed food and white sugar
I finally started having successful fasting experiences when I took note of this:
In the order above, wait until you have a movement before moving to the next food group.
This is KEY! Your mind, and body, will be so grateful for this. I realize it can take a while, especially when you get to fasting past 7 days to get back on meat, but the benefits far outweigh the cons.
For example, if you fasted 5 days, it would take at least 5-7 days before eating a full diet. Also, with the reintroduction of meat, have stew, and slow-cooked meats rather than a steak. Some good choices would be, spaghetti sauce with ground beef simmered in the crockpot, beef stew, or chicken soup.
Benefits of Fasting
- spiritual closeness to God
- mental clarity
- reverses aging
- relieves joint pain
Spiritual Closeness
In conclusion, we started out laying the foundation that water fasting originated in the bible. There are many scriptures that instruct us to fast and pray. It’s a humbling act of temperance to fast. In order to deny our flesh the most basic need of food, we must rely upon God to sustain us.
Fasting helps us to lean upon God differently than we might during our regular day to day eating routine. Fasting is especially useful for those undergoing spiritual attack. It is a tangible way to exercise your faith, grow your faith, and draw close to the Lord.
“I humbled my soul with fasting; and my prayer returned into mine own bosom.” Psalm 35:13 KJV
Even if you are here due to only the physical benefits of fasting there are a lot! Many individuals suffer, including myself, from continual joint aches and pains.
I kid you not, the moment food enters back into my system, so does the slight ache in my joints.
It will never cease to amaze me, the way my skin looks and feels every time I finish a fast. It’s like wrinkles go away, and the sun damage from living in Hawaii vanishes. Mental clarity also greatly improves as the body detoxes.
Water fasting has been key to helping me and many others overcome mental health obstacles.
Whatever your reasons for wanting to fast, I encourage you to do so. It may be challenging, but the benefits are so worth it. As stated earlier, I am not a doctor and must disclose that it is always best to get medical approval for fasting.
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