Fasting - Lack of Energy - Tips?

[Zahmir]

How did Christ survive 40 days?!

I fast every Friday for my future wife, my fiancee, and I just can’t believe how TIRED I am. I’m young (21) so I know my body is processing my energy stores faster, but I can’t believe how tired…

My eyes feel sunken and I can’t focus. Is this to be expected while fasting?

Any tips?

 

[InLight247]

Are you fasting for all 3 meals?
If so, in this case you should not fast in such a way.
It will be more appropriate just fast for lunch.

 

[LilyM]

Exactly - don’t eat nothing, don’t go only on bread and water.

Use the church’s fasting guidelines, which is one main meal and two smaller meals that together are as big as the larger. Or skip a meal (not breakfast, breakfast is important.)

And don’t fast if you do strenuous physical activity on that day either.

 

[NMJenny]

My eyes feel sunken and I can’t focus. Is this to be expected while fasting?

Are you drinking a lot of extra fluids while you’re fasting? It sounds to me as though you may be dehydrated…

 

[Bruno_esqueXXII]

When I fast I usually try to drink a lot of water, probably a bit more than usual, and I usually skip breakfast and lunch (so I can eat dinner with my family), though if i were alone I would probably have my meal at lunch time – I usually skip lunch and breakfast as I can do that without anyone knowing.

 

[cheddarsox]

Here are some ideas, from my own experience and those of others. First, you may have a blood sugar situation, either hypoglycemia or low level diabetes that makes you react more than the average person your age.

Second, the first few days of a fast (I am told) are the hardest, as your body adjusts, and certain chemical changes take place. So, you are repeatedly putting your body through a difficult stage of fasting.

If this is keeping you from being able to fulfill other important responsibilities, perhaps you might need to choose a different form of fasting…giving up something else that will still allow you to meet your responsibilities. Or do some other type of penance or service.
Or maybe you could fast on another day of the week, when low energy would not interfere with work or school. Another idea is to change your diet so you fast from one meal each day rather than two on one day, or give up certain foods that you are attached to.

I know there were several threads on fasting here during Lent, so you might want to do a search and read them over for more information.

cheddar

 

[Abira]

i fasted for lent this year and ate one small meal a day with no meat (veggie anyway) etc etc…

the hardest day was the first day, then i kinda got used to it and my body actually felt better and more able to focus. i think if you are just fasting for a day you’re just gonna have to accept that its the hardest part…it’s only every fridat after all… i sometimes find it easier not to eat at all if it’s just for one day…as eating makes me feel hungry strangely!

if it was easy there’d be no point in doing it… and many people go without for far longer than any of us will ever have to. I think you have to think about these things when you feel rubbish and a change in what you think about could bring about a change in how you view the feelings of fasting.

S

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

When we fast, we can feel tired and physically weak. This is to remind us of our absolute dependence upon God for absolutely everything. The first day or two is always the hardest and then the body does adapt to the new food intake. Many people report feeling more energy, focus and attention, and a greater sense of closeness to God in their lives when they fast.

I remember one Lent I decided that on Friday I would fast all day and only eat the evening meal. Well, I think I suffer from mild hypoglycemia and by mid-afternoon I would be a little nauseated and have a raging headache. I need at least a meager breakfast to last until supper. So I know that I will never be able to fast like some of the great Saints did. I’ll have to take the Saint Therese approach and do just a little with great love.

Looking at the eastern ascetics, like the Desert Fathers, they taught that moderate fasting consisted in eating just one meal a day and that meal being of such size as to not fill us to satiety. Many of them would fast completely (no food) for one, two, three, even four days at a time. A couple would even fast completely during Lent. One monk went into a cave on Ash Wednesday and a boulder placed in the entrance and would emerge on Easter Sunday. This kind of extreme fasting should not even be contemplated without the guidance of a good and experienced spiritual director.

But, remember that these monks did not do a lot of physical work. Most would sit in their huts or cave and weave baskets all day while praying. Not a lot of physical exertion and even then they would usually become very emaciated.

For me, fasting from food entails eating a modest breakfast like oatmeal, tea and/or orange juice, and maybe some fruit. Then eating a small simple dinner like a bowl of soup or stew, some bread, tea and some fruit.

I can, of course, fast from other things. I can fast from T.V., from a recreational activity I enjoy like fishing or golf, from the computer, from just about any other legitimate activity that is non-essential and from which I derive enjoyment.

 

[Eliza10]

…dannyburk.com/images/bluebonnets_pano_2_small.jpg
I also cannot go all day without food, so when I fast I do it on bread and water. But I use Ezekial Bread - its a sprouted whole grain bread with 6 sprouted grains and legumes and together they make a complete protein, with lots of amino acids from vegetable sources. It keeps my energy up. It has a heavy texture. I have it plain, toasted (you buy it frozen in the health food store), and I sip my water. And it really doesn’t taste that good. So its a good pennance!

…http://nobeliefs.com/washingtonnews/ezekiel49sesame.gif

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello,

When
But, remember that these monks did not do a lot of physical work. Most would sit in their huts or cave and weave baskets all day while praying. Not a lot of physical exertion and even then they would usually become very emaciated.

.

actually the monks often did several hours a day of manual labor, at whatever assigned task they had for the support of the monastery, gardening, farming, maintenance etc. If you are speaking of solitary hermits, one of the reason Benedict warned in his rule about that practice, except for those very advanced in the spiritual life, was the danger of picking and choosing their penitential practices without competent spiritual direction.

no one should embark on a fast other than the traditional methods of the Church without spiritual direction, because to do otherwise is to work against the spirit of humility and obedience which is supposed to be the fruit of the penance.

 

[JMJ_coder]

Hello,

actually the monks often did several hours a day of manual labor, at whatever assigned task they had for the support of the monastery, gardening, farming, maintenance etc. If you are speaking of solitary hermits, one of the reason Benedict warned in his rule about that practice, except for those very advanced in the spiritual life, was the danger of picking and choosing their penitential practices without competent spiritual direction.

no one should embark on a fast other than the traditional methods of the Church without spiritual direction, because to do otherwise is to work against the spirit of humility and obedience which is supposed to be the fruit of the penance.

I was speaking of the Desert Fathers, who by and large were anchorites.

And you are correct, as I said in my first post, one shouldn’t do extreme forms of asceticism without a good and experienced spiritual director. Of course, something small like opting to skip lunch on the Fridays of Lent doesn’t really need the approval of a spiritual director - but it is good to have a good one nonetheless (if you can find one)

 

[m134e5]

How did Christ survive 40 days?!

He’s God.

I fast every Friday for my future wife, my fiancee, and I just can’t believe how TIRED I am. I’m young (21) so I know my body is processing my energy stores faster, but I can’t believe how tired…

If you want to fast, do so according to the normal guidelines given by the Church (one regular meal, and two smaller meals that together are less than one regular meal). Say some extra prayers, and give alms to the poor as part of your penance as well. If you want to do much more than that, you should get the advice of a good confessor before you do it.

My eyes feel sunken and I can’t focus. Is this to be expected while fasting?

No. You’re going too far. It is not piety when you are prevented from getting your daily tasks done. It is not piety when you are making yourself unhealthy.

Any tips?

Yep…take it easy. You won’t have a future wife if you kill yourself before you marry her. Pray for her, fast for her according to the fasting guidelines of the Church, give alms to the poor as a penance for her.

 

[puzzleannie]

Hello,

I was speaking of the Desert Fathers, who by and large were anchorites.

And you are correct, as I said in my first post, one shouldn’t do extreme forms of asceticism without a good and experienced spiritual director. Of course, something small like opting to skip lunch on the Fridays of Lent doesn’t really need the approval of a spiritual director - but it is good to have a good one nonetheless (if you can find one)

skipping an occasional meal does come under standard fasting disciplines, extreme fasting practices do not and that is what I was addressing. Benedict’s rule was addressed precisely to those in his day who were attempting to imitate the anchorites, without their spiritual maturity and true spirit of asceticism.

 

[Andruschak]

How did Christ survive 40 days?!

I fast every Friday for my future wife, my fiancee, and I just can’t believe how TIRED I am. I’m young (21) so I know my body is processing my energy stores faster, but I can’t believe how tired…

My eyes feel sunken and I can’t focus. Is this to be expected while fasting?

Any tips?

I am in formation with the Confraternity of Penitents and the Brothers and Sisters of Penance. Both SUGGEST fasting according to the guidelines of the Church. One main meal and two smaller meals.

In my case, at age 62, I FIRST cleared my fasting program with my Physician.

If you do not have a Spiritual Director, consider finding one and discussing your fasting plans.

NOW…both CFP and BSP have this guideline, which I quote:

“The amount of food eaten on fast days will be particular to the individual penitent who should feel hungry, but not debilitated, drowsy, or ill. The penitent should consult a spiritual director, confessor, or, if needed, a Physician regarding the amount of food to be eaten.”

Remember that your body is a Temple Of The Holy Spirit. Deliberate, permanent damage to the Temple is not a good idea.

I went through the 40 days of Lent fast on a simple plan of a quart of non-fat milk for breakfast, a dinner with meat or fish, 8 ounces, and a supper at work of fruits and vegetables. Was I hungry some of the time? Yup. Was I weak, ill, debilitated, or drowsy? NO.

Since Lent, I keep to this fasting plan. Not to be “holier then thou”, but because it reminds me to eat to live, not live to eat. I am STILL hungry some of the time, but quite alert and active. My Physician monitors me, and is happy with the results.

It can be done, with proper caution and advice.

 

[Zahmir]

The thing is, it’s just one day a week and I usually don’t do much on that day except do some standard office work. I think I might have been a little dehydrated, but I don’t think one day of being a little hungry is so horrible.

If I was going to fast all Lent, of course I would do as recommended by the Church (though then i seem to eat more than i should). But on just one day to be hungry, I didn’t know if anyone had any specific tips.

For example, it was suggested to me to have a powerbar during lunch to get some energy. Besides the bread and water I had in the morning with the water throughout the day, the powerbar would be enough to tie me over until the end of work. When I go home on Fridays, i usually spend the evening during chores or other non-physically-demanding things and spend the latter part of my day in prayer.

I am in no way killing myself, and have no intention of doing so. I eat healthy all the time, lots of fruit and veggies, especially on the day after the fast, so it’s not like I’m filling up my system with fats and other bad things.

I can’t imagine one day of skipping a couple meals would be that horrible.

 

[Andruschak]

For example, it was suggested to me to have a powerbar during lunch to get some energy. Besides the bread and water I had in the morning with the water throughout the day, the powerbar would be enough to tie me over until the end of work.

In my case, if I need some sort of energy boost, I drink fruit juice, preferably apple juice.

 

[dacoobob]

Interesting. I had no idea the Catholic fasting guidelines were so… lenient.

In Evangelical circles (my background) fasting is pretty much understood as eating nothing at all, and drinking only water or juice. Most of those who fast (a smallish minority, btw) do it for short periods (i.e. skip a meal or two); 24 hours is also a common timeframe. Of course we have no formal rules or guidelines, since we have no hierarchy to make them, but that’s my impression of what’s generally practiced.

 

[puzzleannie]

anyone in good health is not going to be harmed by an occasional day without food, as long as they drink a lot of water. we all go through this from time to time, during a bad bout of flu for instance, before a surgical procedure, even by choice to begin a weight loss diet. anything more, anything beyond traditional discplines of the church should not be undertaken without permission of one’s confessor.

a protein shake or similar meal replacement shake could get you through the day, and believe me, they don’t provide much pleasure and satisfaction.

bear in mind except for the lenient fasting rules prescribed on certain days, these are all self-imposed, so you can do what works for you. if the point is counting bites or counting calories you have missed the point, which is penance, conversion, strength for combatting temptation, and always humility and conformity to the will of God.

 

[blessedstar]

’This kind can only be cast out by prayer and fasting’

If a person has the permission to undertake a fast other than the fasts of the Church that are required of all those who are not sick, very young, elderly or pregnant then the person ought to pray a great deal also.

Before the fast a great deal of prayer must be offered because we are all weak and no-one can bear to crucify the flesh in a fast unless God sustain them in it.

Years ago I began a fast. I don’t say this for any other reason than to aid you because otherwise it may be seen as boasting and I don’t have anything to boast about. I am only doing my duty as I have been called to do.

I began the fast for the petitions for which I offer the Living Prayer of my life and I have permission to offer Jesus a daily fast only ommitting Sundays from the fast because Sunday is a day to feast and share food with friends and family, (I also do not fast when I am ill or as humility would dictate when I am asked to eat out a dinner with others occassionally). Anyway I began fasting and of course initially I found it a nightmare, I was so hungry, the first day wasn’t too bad, but the second day grew to seem terrible and on the third day I thought I’d faint or drop dead, I was failing miserably and complained to God. Then I realised I had not prayed for the strength in Jesus in to sustain my fast. I was stunned at my own stupidity, I had been consumed with love and desired to offer God this fast and had been so wrapped up in this I had forgotten the humility a fast requires.

Distraught at my deluded notions of offering such a fast relying on my own capabilities which amount to nothing, I went to God and was very sorry. I asked Him to forgive me and to sustain me in my fast. I asked Him for the energy and the right temperment to endure the fast lovingly for His will so that I might remain faithful in all my responsibilities. I did not ask not to suffer, because if I didn’t suffer even a little my fast would not be an offering of the crucified flesh.

I have repeated this petition many times over during the years of this fast. For me now it is a way of life and I can’t complain nor is it anything I should be commended for because it is what I have been drawn to do under spiritual direction. I have not had any weight loss, I am as fleshy as ever. I am medically speaking, normal in all of my recent blood tests.

I eat one meal a day in the evening (except for Sundays or when I am ill). I drink tea, coffee, water during the day and the odd glass of milk at night.

This fast has endured for years and it is not because of me, it is because God has sustained the fast as He wills it and equally He could withdraw it also.

If a person is drawn to fast by God then they should seek spiritual direction, seek medical advice and pray a great deal; praying to be sustained in the fast and praying for the petitions they are fasting for; staying very close to the Blessed Virgin Mother Mary in their hearts and prayers.

In the Living Prayer of my life

 

[mercygate]

Interesting. I had no idea the Catholic fasting guidelines were so… lenient.

In Evangelical circles (my background) fasting is pretty much understood as eating nothing at all, and drinking only water or juice. Most of those who fast (a smallish minority, btw) do it for short periods (i.e. skip a meal or two); 24 hours is also a common timeframe. Of course we have no formal rules or guidelines, since we have no hierarchy to make them, but that’s my impression of what’s generally practiced.

I know Evangelicals who do a “Daniel fast” and others, who fast as you do: taking nothing except water or juice.

The Church rules are pretty much guidelines to keep people from hurting themselves and to enable a lot of people to fast, even though they might have conditions that would prevent a total fast.

In the Confraternity of Penitents, we fast daily (one full meal only) except for Sundays and Solemnities from November 12 up until Christmas - the Octave is “solemn”, so no fasting. Then back to fasting again until Easter, except for solemnities. We either adjust or make adjustments under spiritual direction in order to keep the spirit of the fast.

I usually take a cup of soup or a small salad at mid-day and have 2 or 3 courses (protein, veg, carb) for dinner. Since I’m pretty much at the lower range of my healthy body weight, I do not drastically cut my intake. Since CFP people eat only twice a day and take nothing between meals anyway, this very much resembles our regular eating pattern, only without the meat option on Tueday and Thursday.

In our formation, we gradually adopt our pattern of fasting, so we hardly feel it. After a while, we ask ouselves: Is this really fasting or is this just normal? If you looked at the avoirdupois some of us carry around, you would wonder what we mean by the word “fast” – but then, those who cannot fast for medical reasons are not required to do so.