Fasting: The nitty-gritty

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scapularkid8

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I’m no good at fasting. I think I’m at a point spiritually where I can encompass that into my prayer life, but I’ve tried it and I fail every time. At least I’ve learned that I’m weak. I just would like to know how to improve. Any anecdotes, tips, or anything else anyone has regarding fasting that could help me??
 
I quote this from a 30-day novena for the Holy Souls - by Susan Tassone
We are all called to fast. However, not all are called to fast in the same way. We should seek God, ask His direction, and then follow the impulses we sense coming from Him:
  • Fast from bitterness - feast on forgiveness
  • Fast from self-concern - feast on compassion for others
  • Fast from personal anxiety - feast on eternal truth
  • Fast from anger - feast on patience
  • Fast from words that destroy - feast on words that build
  • Fast from discontent - feast on gratitude
  • Fast from discouragement - fast on hope.
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scapularkid8 said:
I’m no good at fasting. I think I’m at a point spiritually where I can encompass that into my prayer life, but I’ve tried it and I fail every time. At least I’ve learned that I’m weak. I just would like to know how to improve. Any anecdotes, tips, or anything else anyone has regarding fasting that could help me??
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If you would want my OPINIONS (not endorsed by my cats), I’d have to know what kind of fast you were trying, and what the failure point was. And how often were you fasting? Do you have a physically demanding lifestyle? How old are you, and do you have any medical problems?

The current fasting guidelines of the church call for one full meal, and two smaller collations not adding up to the full meal. Juices and milk, tea and coffee also allowed. Is this what you were trying?:console: :hug3:
 
Baby steps!

Try fasting until just a certain time–like 3 o’clock–bread and water just until then. It’s better to have a heartier bread–white bread isn’t very filling.

Try a fast from after supper one night until supper the next night.

Try fasting from snacks.

Try fasting from one certain food for a small period of time.

Try nontraditional fasts. I’ve fasted from volunteering my opinion, from yelling (at my kids), from buying clothes for myself, from reading novels.

You have to build up your will power. You can even fast for just an hour at a time. “Lord, I’m fasting for this hour 7-9–no posting on CAF.” Then, you can renew it at 9 if you feel up to it.

Also, pray for the gift of fasting.
 
Funny, I was just looking for a post like this as I am fasting today, and am just starting in this spiritual exercise. What MY plan is, is to fast on bread and water until dinner time, and no snacks or sweets after dinner. It worked pretty well the first time I attempted it, so I will try it again. I believe as other posters have said, if you decide to do the bread and water fast, find a bread that is very hearty. Wonder bread just won’t do it.😛 My goal of course is to fast an entire day on bread and water, but I have this feeling that I will have to work up to that. (in other words, don’t set yourself up for failure;) and don’t beat yourself up if you don’t make your goal) Ask the Blessed Mother to help you and she will. I would like to fast 2 days a week eventually, but that is not going to happen overnight. Pray for it and have faith and trust.

Blessings!
 
The fast I was trying was from the computer since I hate how I’m always on. The internet is just too accesable and I just waste so much time on it. That’s what I was fasting from.

I don’t think I’m healthy enough to do nutritional related fasts. I’m really skinny and well, I’d be hurting myself more than helping my soul if I ate less!!

I really like the idea of setting a time. I think I’ll have to do that for now and build up to full days of fasting from something. I guess I’ll start today since it IS Friday!! 3pm to sundown: no internet!! And no meat all day either.
 
Start with small fasts, and by all means you are not limited to food-fasts. I just saw some little ideas another poster linked to. Read them here!
 
I liked the one about ten mortifications daily…that’s a neat idea.
 
I suggest planning ahead for something you will do while you’re off the computer. If you use the computer out of boredom, that’l make it real hard to get away from it. Plan to do something you wouldnt normally have time to do if you were on the computer. For me, that might be, do some specific reading, say the rosary, take a walk, clean my apartment. Probably more than one of those things since they dont all take that long.

YMMV
Neil
scapularkid8 said:
The fast I was trying was from the computer since I hate how I’m always on. The internet is just too accesable and I just waste so much time on it. That’s what I was fasting from.
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Tomorrow I’m going to try to not get on. I’m probably going to do homework, read the Gospels, say the Divine Office, Rosary, ect. Please pray for me that my soul can learn the hidden glory of suffering.
 
water said:
I quote this from a 30-day novena for the Holy Souls - by Susan Tassone
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Excellent post…fasting is not only refraining from food.

Some find fasting from food easy, others find it extremely difficult; also, we can abort our fasting efforts by being far too demanding on ourselves “I have not reached for things beyond myself” (Psalm, Divine Office). When discerning penance/fasting (if one does not have a director) we need to look at our own selves and what we may or may not be able to do/accomplish - rather than imitating someone or something outside ourselves. Some, indeed, are highly successful at fasting, simply because refraining from food is quite easy for them. Balance and prayer with common sense and insight into our own life and selfhood.

Leonie’s post is excellent because it points out that fasting is not necessarily only fasting from food. In essence - fasting, mortification and penance are ‘metanoia’ or ‘changes of direction’.

Blessings all…Barb:)
 
Oh how I understand how it is with “needing” to be on the computer. With school and things like facebook and myspace it’s really easy to get sucked into computer life. How about instead of going online, use the down time you have to pray a Rosary, or only go online when you NEED to do so, or give yourself a certain amount of time to be online.

Oh yes, and I understand the non-food related fasts…I’m trying to gain weight, so this Lent will be very interesting…
 
I was searching for fasting information and was interested to read that you could fast on different things, not necessarily bread and water. However, this is conflicting with a Medjugorje message where Mary said that bread and water is the best fast, and good works do not stand in place of fasting. You can go to www.medjugorje.com to see these statements from her messages. Any opinions? I want to fast on bread and water only but have only done it once or twice.
 
scapularkid8 said:
I’m no good at fasting. I think I’m at a point spiritually where I can encompass that into my prayer life, but I’ve tried it and I fail every time. At least I’ve learned that I’m weak. I just would like to know how to improve. Any anecdotes, tips, or anything else anyone has regarding fasting that could help me??
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Talk to a confessor or spiritual father.

How were you looking to fast? For how long? From what? For what special reason?
 
westcoast said:
I was searching for fasting information and was interested to read that you could fast on different things, not necessarily bread and water. However, this is conflicting with a Medjugorje message where Mary said that bread and water is the best fast, and good works do not stand in place of fasting. You can go to www.medjugorje.com to see these statements from her messages. Any opinions? I want to fast on bread and water only but have only done it once or twice.
Click to expand...
I am sorry, but that is a rule violation.

The “M” word isn’t allowed here by virtue of the fact it is an unapproved apparition.
It violates Rule #6 of the rules about content.
 
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