Attempting the Black Fast

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CradleRC58

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I think I’m going to give it a go. Talked to my doctor about it and he insisted that I include a Slim-Fast drink or similar earlier in the day.
Has anyone else attempted it ?

Link describing the Black Fast
http://www.newadvent.org/cathen/02590c.htm
 
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Well, I know several people that do OMAD (one meal a day) which is now a rather in-vogue form of fasting for health. Lots of recent studies have shown that fasting for more than 16 hours or so is very good for us in all sorts of ways. Looks like you could eat one meal a day consisting of fish, tofu, beans, veggies, etc. and be quite healthy doing it if you eat enough to sustain calorie needs.
 
Good luck, sailor.

I myself am not into the “one meal a day” or other extreme fasting for more than 1 day, especially if protein is reduced. Based on my past history of eating and food in my life (including times when I would try to diet by skipping meals), I don’t find it healthy or practical for me. If others want to do it, it’s between them and their doctors.
 
The biggest hurdle for me is the fact that I am currently working in a restaurant lol.
 
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Frankly, I could do it easily if I put my mind to it. I often go for 36 hour coffee and water only fasts and do just fine. I was surprised to find that not only didn’t I die when I first tried it, but I wasn’t hungry at all and felt terrific the next day. Anyway, of course, we are fasting for God’s sake, so a little bit of discomfort is part of the deal. Drink a lot of water throughout the day.
 
Years ago, I ate two small meals and zero on Fridays. Liquids only. I wanted, in part, to feel Christ’s hunger. Aside from several spiritual benefits, it netted me 35 pounds loss in 40 days.

Can’t do that anymore
 
Given this topic, I’m curious if anyone knows what the Carmelite “Great Fast” for Lent was in Therese of Lisieux’s Carmel. She was sickly during the last year of her life but mentions in her Autobiography that she was still determined to keep it. I can’t remember if she succeeded or not–her mother superior may have ordered her not to due to her health. Just wondering how austere it was.
 
I did no coffee one year for lent it was hard but I did it. Almost 2 months of no coffee…man it was hard especially when I like coffee but I think that I could do it again.
 
I do one meal a day on a regular basis as a fast, I modify as needed though. be sensible about it if you want to try it.
 
Best if luck with it. I’m glad you consulted your doctor first.

I’m pretty sure my doctors would blow a gasket if I even mentioned it. 😅
 
It takes some weaning from coffee, but I’ve done it at times in my life, mostly before a surgery or something where they force you to do it. I always go back to it because I really like the taste (and the buzz) but strive for only 1-2 cups a day, especially if fasting, because more caffeine than that makes me jittery.

Here’s an interesting article from a Benedictine who speculates why monks left off their austere fasts in modern times. He returned to one meal a day after some experimentation.
http://ldysinger.stjohnsem.edu/@texts2/1970_vogüé/02_love_fasting.htm
 
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So it’s fairly close to the strict Eastern fast, except that you seem to be able to have fish and oil.

EC and EO are advised not to attempt the full fast the first time, but work their way into it.
 
I thought the same thing. I was stunned to get supportive comments from the physicians I saw after a long term fast.
 
The good news is that after 5-6 days, all the cravings are gone. And somehow, I got a burst of energy.
 
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