Fighting off the Fasting Gurus

As a kid, I really disliked know-it-all's. You know, those people who seemed to know EVERYTHING and didn't mind telling you so?  They even went so far as to try and make you feel dumb because you didn't walk around constantly talking about the depth of your intellect.  I couldn't understand why I disliked them, but I just did. Now, that I am an adult,  I still haven't quite figured out why I dislike a know-it-all, but maybe it's because they often lack any real tact about themselves, they are aggressive in their approach and a tad bit too arrogant for me. Humility goes a long way in my opinion.

Unfortunately, there are know-it-all's in all facets of life, even in the fasting world.  As a faster myself, I'm a member (or silent visitor) of many fasting sights and every so often, I run across a forum where this one person claims to be the expert on fasting. He or she constantly corrects and criticizes everyone else in the discussion. I don't disagree that there are some true fasting experts out there, but I'm not talking about them (who often don't even tout themselves to be experts). I'm talking about the one's who speak from their level of experience and from their range of thought Their ideas about fasting don't supersede their own beliefs, but yet they are always imposing their beliefs on  other people. Basically, all they know is what they THINK they know, not what they can prove to be true.

What I often see happen  is the non know it all people end up going back and forth with the know-it-all, and sooner or later a fight ensures with the Fasting Guru. It's really difficult to watch! As great as I am, I can't say that I've never engaged in a debate with a Fasting Guru, in fact I once got into a debate with this know -it-all who argued that fasting had  nothing to do with God. I'm not going to get into that today, but I will say that after we finished going back and forth, he still believed the same thing and so did I. Nothing change and I had just wasted a good 30 minutes of my day arguing with someone who's ideas had no personal effect on me whatsoever. In addition to that, it bothered me to know I had allowed myself to even engage in such foolishness. Since that time, I've decided to never engage in a debate with a fasting guru. I prefer to do more productive things with my time.

The thing that really bothers me about fasting gurus is how their words of know-it-all'ism can cause some people to give up on a fast, or not fast at all.  I've seen a fasting guru dismiss a person's reason for fasting and that person in turn do something else. They bully people into thinking  they really do know it all when they don't.

With all of that being said, I encourage you to ignore the fake fasting guru's,  and seek better counsel. Seek someone who is encouraging, who can offer you real wisdom and who's intent is to help you and not just prove what they know.  Last but not least, don't fight with the fasting guru's, as it's a battle not worth fighting. It's hard enough fighting through temptation on a fast, let alone fighting with a know-it-all.

That's just my opinion, what's yours?  Have you ever had to fight a fasting guru? What was your experience like?

To Finish a Fast,Quitting is not an option.

This post comes from my private journal, because honestly it was what I needed for myself to endure during a moment of weakness and is something I intend to do at the beginning of any fast I ever do from this point forward. And the logic is quite simple, while complex at the same time.

Types of Fasting

There is no right or wrong way to fast, and it bothers me to hear or read people say that unless you are water fasting, it is not a true fast. That is so wrong!!  There are several different types of fast and no matter which type of fast you decide to do, if it is listed below - it is indeed a fast.   All of the methods of fasting below have proven benefits, you just have to decide which one is best for you.

Exercise & Fasting

Anyone who is using fasting as a way to lose weight always ask the following question:

Can you exercise on a fast?

Let me preface this post by saying: I AM NOT A DOCTOR.  Neither am I a NURSE, NURSE PRACTITIONER, or anything else in the medical field.  I am just a person who's spent the last five or so years of my life fasting off & on and learning about fasting.   I've researched & read TONS of articles on fasting, frequented many fasting forums, read the scriptures on fasting and I wholeheartedly believe that fasting can be a wonderful way to enhance most people's way of life.  So, if you are looking for MEDICAL ADVICE, please consult a medical doctor. This blog does not offer medical advice at all.  I must also add that unless said doctor is one who employs naturopathy or alternative medicine, they probably don't know as much  about fasting as I do, but that's neither here nor there is it?  And, it still does not change the fact that I am not a doctor.

Moving on...

Is fasting for weight loss spiritual?

This post is a very serious one, so I'll begin with the following verses:

1 Corinthians 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.

Galatians 5:16 But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

1 Corinthians 6:12 “All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything.


I'm going to make this as simple as I can, ANYTHING you do unto the Lord - even if it's trying to lose weight while fasting is honorable to him. 

Making water fasting EASIER!

Let me begin by prefacing this:  I've never heard of an easy fast of any sort, but there is a way  to greatly reduce the physical difficulty of water fasting. Just a few simple steps and all of this is to be done prior to your fast

1. Reduce the intake of junk food, processed food, alcohol & caffeine
2.walk
3.eat ONLY fruit for 1-3 days prior to your fast. **This is the most important step, see below. **

Resisting temptation on a fast

I'm not going to sugar coat this one: Temptation and fasting go hand in hand, especially if you do not have the luxury of confining yourself to your room for the duration of your fast or you don't have the option of going away to a fasting resort.  There will always be parties, dinner invites, restaurants, and every other thing that tempts you.   To that I respond with:

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

On a successful fast, I have to encourage myself daily. It's hard to even watch t.v. when on a fast because there are so many food commercials!!!  So, with all of that being said - here are my tips for enduring temptation on your fast.

Can fasting change your life?

 

Can fasting change your life?  I think it can and everyone I know who has committed to a fast of any sort had only changes to speak of. From drastic weight loss stories, to healing of acne, to cancer healing, to emotional changes, CHANGE is just an expected result of fasting.  There's nothing too hard for God and sometimes it takes fasting to help us understand just how endless his love is and how miraculous his works are. I can't begin to convey the many areas fasting has helped me. My testimony is so powerful, but I will save that for some other time because this isn't about me right now, it's about the the positive changes fasting can bring.

My juice recipes

Here are some of my favorite juice recipes: I have time to really mix up a lot of concoctions and the ones below are my favorite go to's.


Tropical Punch (the kids love this one)
-carrot
-mango
-apple
-grapes
-papaya
*all ingredients added to taste

Gorgeous green 
-kale or spinach
-cucumber
-romaine hearts and/or lettuce
-green granny smith apples
-green grapes
*all ingredients to taste \, if you're really brave or health conscious, use more veggies than fruit. I use about half and half.

Pineapple Paradise (this juice is so daggone good! it's better than any juice you would ever buy off a shelf. I sit down with this one and really enjoy the every sip.)
-pineapple
-grapefruit
-oranges


These would be my top three.  I'll try to add more later as I think of them.  Enjoy!

The poverty of gluttony

Be not among winebibbers; among rioutous eaters of flesh: for the drunkard and the glutton shall come to poverty; and drowsiness shall clothe a man with rags. (Prov 23:20)


It's a sad feeling to eat a whole bag of oreos in one sitting, or to not be able to stop after four slices of pizza, or fantasizing about that next big meal only to wallow in regret and self- defeat after your belly is stuffed from overeating AGAIN!

Fasting resources.

Resources for those who want more information on fasting. I will add additional resources as I find them, if you know of any not listed- please let me know. These are some of my favorites, a wealth of information at these sites:

Fasting Strategies: The Top 5 fasting mistakes

If you have ever tried to fast, you know completing a fast can be a very difficult thing to accomplish. Every fasting attempt begins with a desire to see it to the end, until something or someone comes along and causes you to quit. Don't make these common fasting mistakes and you will be much more likely to complete your fast, whether it be one meal, one day or 30 days.

Small Foxes Spoil the Vine

"Catch us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, For our vines have tender grapes." Solomon 2:15

Some of us don't struggle with big obstacles, it's the little things(foxes) that cause us not to succeed on a daily basis. Things like: " I'll just watch a little tv today," "I''ll just get one more piece of cake ," "I can buy it because it's on sale." "I'll start over tomorrow." Little excuses prevent us from ever truly committing to permanent change & these little excuses ruin future success. Small changes can lead to permanent results. You don't have to be fasting to employ this technique, but if you are - it's is important to know the little things that can ruin your fast. Take some time to think about the little things you do that could possibly ruin your fasting experience.

The Fasting experience: Fasting for Weight Loss

The fasting experience can be an unexpected rollercoaster ride for those who aren't prepared for the ups and downs of fasting. Fasting can be a wonderful way to get permanent results with a little effort and wherewithal.