Confused about fasting rules

[Annette0723]

My mom and I get into this debate every year. In general, I am a big eater (and people call me anorexic!) Whatever a serving size says on a package, say hamburger helper, I usually need double.

So typically breakfast is my smallest meal, a carton of yogurt or a nutrition bar. A typical lunch would be a homemade sandwich or a six inch sub, a cup of broccoli, a piece of fruit, and 4 good size cookies. Typically hungry two hours later, and sometimes I’ll go ahead and get a candy bar to tide me over. When I get home I’ll usually grab a handful of something (cookies, cheeze its, you name it) before heading to exercise. Dinner is my biggest meal. I eat more than my dad. Always get seconds, so I guess I end up eating at least a plate and a half of food.

My understanding of fasting was that you can eat two small meals (as in standard small) and then whatever you want for one meal. So I can’t really cut down on breakfast, so I would eat my carton of yogurt. For lunch I would eat homemade cheese sandwich and piece of fruit. No snacks. Then at dinner I would eat almost a whole pizza.

According to my mom (who granted knows a lot more about these things than I do) my two smaller meals just can’t add up to equal my big meal. Well considering my big meal is huge, my two smaller meals would end up being quite comfortable. This way works for her because she never eats as much as I do at one meal. She says that isn’t the point, the point is that I’m following the rule.

So which of us is right? Can it be fasting if I’m not really really hungry?

Complicating things this Ash Wednesday I’m on some strong antibiotics so my morning meal might have to be slightly larger than usual.

 

[puzzleannie]

do what constitutes fasting compared to your regular practice. It sounds like you are a growing teenage boy whose requirements are greater, and you certainly must follow the directions for the prescriptions you are taking (don’t forget liquids if they are indicated). The point is not to eat to the point of fullness, let alone feeling stuffed and to experience true hunger by not eating between meals. The point is also to help free us from temptations of the senses, to induce humily, obedience and charity.

 

[StCsDavid]

“Heavenly Father, I thank you for this gift of food that I am able to obtain. Please take this blessing and give it to one of the least of my brothers who is unable to feed himself, today, and I will carry his hunger.”

That is the prayer I pray on the days that I fast. I usually eat a small breakfast, skip lunch, and have a smaller portioned dinner. No snacks. When my stomach growls and I’m tempted to eat, I pray the prayer above. I also drink water.

Don’t get too hung up on the technicalities. Sacrifice what you are able.

 

[CRW]

My mom and I get into this debate every year. In general, I am a big eater (and people call me anorexic!) Whatever a serving size says on a package, say hamburger helper, I usually need double.

So typically breakfast is my smallest meal, a carton of yogurt or a nutrition bar. A typical lunch would be a homemade sandwich or a six inch sub, a cup of broccoli, a piece of fruit, and 4 good size cookies. Typically hungry two hours later, and sometimes I’ll go ahead and get a candy bar to tide me over. When I get home I’ll usually grab a handful of something (cookies, cheeze its, you name it) before heading to exercise. Dinner is my biggest meal. I eat more than my dad. Always get seconds, so I guess I end up eating at least a plate and a half of food.

My understanding of fasting was that you can eat two small meals (as in standard small) and then whatever you want for one meal. So I can’t really cut down on breakfast, so I would eat my carton of yogurt. For lunch I would eat homemade cheese sandwich and piece of fruit. No snacks. Then at dinner I would eat almost a whole pizza.

According to my mom (who granted knows a lot more about these things than I do) my two smaller meals just can’t add up to equal my big meal. Well considering my big meal is huge, my two smaller meals would end up being quite comfortable. This way works for her because she never eats as much as I do at one meal. She says that isn’t the point, the point is that I’m following the rule.

So which of us is right? Can it be fasting if I’m not really really hungry?

Complicating things this Ash Wednesday I’m on some strong antibiotics so my morning meal might have to be slightly larger than usual.

Honor Thy Mother - for the day will be at hand when you wish you did…Knowledge obtained from experience, not Wisdom.

 

[Annette0723]

do what constitutes fasting compared to your regular practice. It sounds like you are a growing teenage boy whose requirements are greater, and you certainly must follow the directions for the prescriptions you are taking (don’t forget liquids if they are indicated). The point is not to eat to the point of fullness, let alone feeling stuffed and to experience true hunger by not eating between meals. The point is also to help free us from temptations of the senses, to induce humily, obedience and charity.

Yep I agree I sound like a teenage boy… but I’m a 26 year old girl Just have a freakish metabolism

 

[Jennifer_G]

Yep I agree I sound like a teenage boy… but I’m a 26 year old girl Just have a freakish metabolism

My neighbor’s teenage boy (14) eats just like that - we usually have to hide the candy when he comes over.

 

[lizaanne]

Yep I agree I sound like a teenage boy… but I’m a 26 year old girl Just have a freakish metabolism

Just wait a few years - 40 will hit your metabolism like a Mack truck!

I agree with what someone else said - just do what would be fasting for you and your normal habits, and don’t worry about “matching” what someone else is doing.

I’m hypoglycemic, and if I don’t eat something when I start feeling hungry I get very ill feeling. My DH on the other hand can go for an entire day on nothing but water and he feels fine. He’s also 29, I’m 42. It makes a difference.

You will do fine.

~Liza