Proper / safe way to fast

[pwlj_christ87]

I would like to fast sometime this week either for a day or longer perhaps up to 3 days. I work in the labour industry doing light lifting throughout the day and on my feet for 8 hours and do not know what a good fast would entail in terms of hours gone without food and the calorie intake (food consumption? bread etc. )

any suggestions

 

[MaryT777]

Given how hard you work you may want to consult a nutritionist or run it by your doctor.
Peace in Christ,
Mary.

 

[bcuster]

You may want to choose a different form of fasting rather than fasting from food. Fast from gossip. Fast from reading/watching the secular press or tv station. Fast from criticizing others. I love to read all kinds of literature. I spent a whole year reading only scripture and spiritual books.

For me, being a diabetic, my fast is to stick to my meal plan and exercise more.

 

[classica87]

I would definitely speak to a doctor first. Generally, fasting is one full meal a day, with the other two meals together not equalling one full meal. You may feel hungry, but you should not feel dizzy, sick, or unable to perform normal work. Since your work involves manual labor, I’m going to reiterate the doctor or nutritionist suggestion. You don’t want to hurt yourself.

 

[Elizium23]

In addition to the good advice already given about your physical well-being. I urge you to consult a spiritual director about your spiritual well-being. Your spiritual director is one you should have confidence in, and trust in decisions about disciplinary measures you undertake in your life.

 

[pwlj_christ87]

thank you for the help, I will look into the appropriate method

perhaps look into fasting rom other things as well

thanks

 

[kitkatty]

In addition to the good advice already given about your physical well-being. I urge you to consult a spiritual director about your spiritual well-being. Your spiritual director is one you should have confidence in, and trust in decisions about disciplinary measures you undertake in your life.

Best answer and I second this advice:thumbsup:

 

[TimothyH]

In addition to the good advice already given about your physical well-being. I urge you to consult a spiritual director about your spiritual well-being. Your spiritual director is one you should have confidence in, and trust in decisions about disciplinary measures you undertake in your life.

Good advice. Three days seems a bit much. Even monks in the monastery don’t fast that much except under strict orders to do so and under spiritual and medical supervision.

We are supposed to replace the desire for food with prayer, to learn that God is all we really need. The purpose of fasting therefor is to draw us closer to God.

When fasting ceases to draw us closter to God it ceases to be useful and is just punishment without a purpose.

Food is good when it is ordered to nutrition of the body or even to fellowship and celebration,such as at a wedding. Food is good when it strengthens us and refeshes us for another day of work.

-Tim-