Please tell your friends about our online conversation about fasting, and fasting every other day. Email them the URL, please, if they are thinking of fasting. Please add your experiences and opinions, too, to the comments below.
I would like to make sure you realize that I am not suggesting that fasting, or fasting every other day is good for you. I do not think that fasting of any kind is appropriate for everyone, especially for weight loss, and especially without medical supervision. Fasting is something that has a lot of different forms: as a spiritual practice, as a way to “cleanse” the body and mind, control appetite, and lose weight, and others. It’s important to know exactly what you are doing if you decide to fast; it’s not something to be taken lightly or without a lot of education and preparation, and your doctor’s approval in advance.
That’s said, I’d like to offer some thoughts that our readers have posted comments about, and also add mine to the online conversation. Fasting every other day, and fasting in general sure brings a lot of response and traffic, that’s certain. It’s a subject of great interest. I’m posting my original columns/blogs about fasting below, if you’d like to take a look after you read this.
An anonymous writer wrote this week: “My idea is to have “FREE” DAYS e.g. BISCUIT/CAKE FREE DAY BREAD FREE DAY MARGARINE FREE DAY ICE CREAM FREE DAY CHOCOLATE FREE DAY etc., FASTING is just too severe for me.”
I’m with them – I do this kind of mini-fasting myself, and it works for me, too. Surrendering your trigger, or binge foods, and using the term “free” works well for me, too.
Another anonymous poster said, “I believe the Bible suggests moderation for all things. I don’t see that near starving yourself could possibly be good for anyone. There are too many individuals with serious health issues that may be too willing to try anything to lose weight without doing much research…this could cause serious ramifications to their well-being. I wouldn’t promote fasting without being very clear to discuss this with your physician first. Eating disorders can start in very innocent ways…including the occasional fasting. Let’s be responsible with our bodies…our health…after all the Bible also preaches that we are to treat our bodies as temples…that would require the proper care and maintenance in the way of nutrition and a balanced lifestyle.”
I think this is very wise advice. Good care of the body through employing sound nutrition principles, and a balanced lifestyle that includes physical recreation and spiritual and emotional education, expression and nurturing are the best ways of being. I would add that for some, fasting, or mini-fasts may be useful, and part of a sound nutritional plan, but only in a very careful way.
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