Ash Wednesday: Should I fast?

[Silyosha]

I like Lent because it gives me time to reflect on everything I have done and could do better, and I really feel it brings me closer to God. However, I’ve been worrying a lot lately about this coming Ash Wednesday.
Last year around that time, I began a battle with anorexia, and the strict atmosphere of Lent made it so much easier to deprive myself of food. I don’t think Lent “caused” it by any means–it was already there–but I think it gave me a new way to escalate it. It was really a serious problem until I saw what I was doing was horrible for me and ungodly–God never wants us to kill our bodies and spirits like that; it’s terrible–and I made efforts to get well.
Now, a year later, I’m at a very healthy weight, eat very well, and exercise without letting it overtake my life. I know I won’t go into “relapse”–that’s out of the question because I would never, ever do it to myself again–but the idea of not eating much for a day brings back very bad feelings and memories of when I ate probably about at much as a fast day allows: probably 400-500 calories per day.
I know I can manage Ash Wednesday fasting, and I really, really want to, but it scares me to death to think about it. I need good advice.

 

[daynah]

The point of fasting isn’t to make you feel worried or scared, but to make you feel safe and thankful. If fasting food does bad things to your emotions, maybe you could offer something else up in sacrifice? Maybe give up an hour of TV or an hour of piddling around on the internet? Maybe give up wearing make up? Or, put yourself on a strict budget. If you still want it to be more closely related to the traditional fast of food you could give up going out to eat.

Also, I’ve heard often of people not only giving something up but adding a devotion. You could give up an hour of tv, and then use that hour to read the bible, or make rosaries for the Rosary Army.

Good luck!

 

[Silyosha]

Thanks for your reply. Those are some good ideas. I’l definately add a devotion–the Bible and maybe a novena? I just feel as if, because I potentially could fast, I should. Maybe this is something God wants me to overcome.

 

[daynah]

It could well be something God wants to help you overcome. If you do want to try a food fast, I suggest starting in some way that is not very similar to eating disorders. Instead of not eating until dark, give up red meat. You could also give up a favorite food. Maybe this Lenten season is the time when God will show you that you are stronger than any ED.

 

[puzzleannie]

anyone with an illness that makes fasting inadvisible is not bound by the discipline, that includes us diabetics and anyone else who must eat as advised by doctors. For me and I imagine anyone else who must stick to a prescribed diet, including those overcoming eating disorders, that discipline becomes the “fast”, that is “fasting” to overcome the attraction to foods or practices that are detrimental to health. United to prayer and exercise of charity, that adherence becomes the fast and becomes a spiritual discipline as well. btw fasting as the Church now prescribes on the only 2 days of the year required only shaves a couple of hundred calories off the RDA in any case, no way does it equal only 500 calories.

 

[smichhertz]

Good question!

In your case you are not required to fast because you have sufficient medical reasons. You could still do it, maybe say eat around 1000 calories for Ash Wednesday? But the whole point of fasting is PENANCE. If you suffer from anorexia it doesn’t sound like restricting your diet would have that intended effect.

I think your best bet is to give up something extra. I’d say just avoid luxurious activities like TV or reading a book. Instead spend the time in prayer, or reading up on your spiritual life.

Best wishes!

 

[Joe_5859]

As puzzleannie said, if you have a medical reason not to stick to the prescribed fast, you are not bound by it. If you still would like to attempt fasting, I recommend discussing it with both your priest and your doctor beforehand so they can help you determine if you are able to do so and how best to go about it.

 

[RSD]

anyone with an illness that makes fasting inadvisible is not bound by the discipline, that includes us diabetics and anyone else who must eat as advised by doctors. For me and I imagine anyone else who must stick to a prescribed diet, including those overcoming eating disorders, that discipline becomes the “fast”, that is “fasting” to overcome the attraction to foods or practices that are detrimental to health. United to prayer and exercise of charity, that adherence becomes the fast and becomes a spiritual discipline as well. btw fasting as the Church now prescribes on the only 2 days of the year required only shaves a couple of hundred calories off the RDA in any case, no way does it equal only 500 calories.

Print this out in big letters and post it on your refrigerator or mirror. It is good advice in several different ways.

Thank you puzzleannie

 

[Silyosha]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I appreciate them, and your comments have helped me.
The thing is, I’m not suffering from an ED anymore…I’ve been well for some time now, and my doctor knows my health is good. So I don’t think I’m technically still allowed to skip the fast for medical reasons.
I think in most cases skipping out on meat or another similar food would work in place of a real food fast, but I do that a couple times per week. (I don’t mean to sound pompous, but I want to do something more that what I do on Fridays.)
Something I was thinking of doing instead of full-on fasting, due to my anxiety over the matter, was a meat-eggs-dairy-sweets fast…just bread and plant foods. I also really like nuts, so maybe I could give those up as well?
I’m so glad to have this forum avaliable where I can receive such good advice…thanks!

 

[thistle]

I like Lent because it gives me time to reflect on everything I have done and could do better, and I really feel it brings me closer to God. However, I’ve been worrying a lot lately about this coming Ash Wednesday.
Last year around that time, I began a battle with anorexia, and the strict atmosphere of Lent made it so much easier to deprive myself of food. I don’t think Lent “caused” it by any means–it was already there–but I think it gave me a new way to escalate it. It was really a serious problem until I saw what I was doing was horrible for me and ungodly–God never wants us to kill our bodies and spirits like that; it’s terrible–and I made efforts to get well.
Now, a year later, I’m at a very healthy weight, eat very well, and exercise without letting it overtake my life. I know I won’t go into “relapse”–that’s out of the question because I would never, ever do it to myself again–but the idea of not eating much for a day brings back very bad feelings and memories of when I ate probably about at much as a fast day allows: probably 400-500 calories per day.
I know I can manage Ash Wednesday fasting, and I really, really want to, but it scares me to death to think about it. I need good advice.

Anyone with a medical condition should consult their doctor before undertaking a fast and if the doctor says fasting is not a good idea your obligation to fast is dispensed with.
For a normal healthy person fasting on Ash Wednesday and Good Friday is anyway not onerous. Fasting does not mean eating nothing. It means a person may eat one normal meal plus two smaller meals (which together should not exceed a normal meal) so they are allowed to eat three times.

 

[Joe_5859]

Thank you all very much for your replies. I appreciate them, and your comments have helped me.
The thing is, I’m not suffering from an ED anymore…I’ve been well for some time now, and my doctor knows my health is good. So I don’t think I’m technically still allowed to skip the fast for medical reasons.
I think in most cases skipping out on meat or another similar food would work in place of a real food fast, but I do that a couple times per week. (I don’t mean to sound pompous, but I want to do something more that what I do on Fridays.)
Something I was thinking of doing instead of full-on fasting, due to my anxiety over the matter, was a meat-eggs-dairy-sweets fast…just bread and plant foods. I also really like nuts, so maybe I could give those up as well?
I’m so glad to have this forum avaliable where I can receive such good advice…thanks!

Forgive me if I’m asking an obvious question, but I’m not familiar with eading disorders. Are relapses possible or common for those who have suffered from them at one point but then overcame them? If a relapse is even a remote possibility, I would want to talk it over with my doctor before I made any decisions on how to fast.

I’m glad you have enjoyed your time here.

 

[Silyosha]

Forgive me if I’m asking an obvious question, but I’m not familiar with eading disorders. Are relapses possible or common for those who have suffered from them at one point but then overcame them? If a relapse is even a remote possibility, I would want to talk it over with my doctor before I made any decisions on how to fast.

I’m glad you have enjoyed your time here.

Relapses are common right after recovery, but the risk goes down after time passes. I know I won’y relapse att hia point, but when I feel stressed or upset about something, i get the little voice in my mind telling me that maybe I’ll feel better of I don’t eat as much…but I know not to give in to it. My concern is over the anxiety I feel.