When is the last time you fasted?

“The best of all medicines is resting and fasting” ~ Benjamin Franklin

This week I want to talk about a tool for health and wellness that is often overlooked. That tool is fasting. There are many benefits to regular fasts.

Fasting not only helps by giving the digestive system a rest but can be useful in healing, weight loss, and gaining more spirituality. Most of the worlds religions teach fasting as a way to become closer with God.

I have been fasting for many years. It has helped me many times deal with health issues and weight management. I fast for 3 days every three months and one day a week.

My longest fast was for 22 days. At the time my cholesterol was up to 330. My doctor wanted to put me on medication, but I told him I would do something about it and come back in 6 months. If my cholesterol was still high I would consider prescription medicine. I went on what is called the master cleanse and when I went back my cholesterol was near 200.

My doctor freaked out and said whatever I did it was too fast. He couldn’t understand how I had done it.

Please note, I do not recommend that you take such drastic actions without extensive research. Fasting can be dangerous if done improperly. Educate yourself to the pros and cons of fasting before embarking on an extended fast.

Also if you are fasting, listen to your body. It will tell you if you are doing it improperly. If you feel discomfort, analyze what is going on very carefully. If you feel that you need to end your fast, do so immediately. If you are not sure what is going on it is better to end your fast and try it another time.

Fasting also helps me when I know that I have been eating too much food and have that bloated feeling. At those times I fast for the day on fruit juice, usually fresh apple juice.

We have several grape vines and each year when we harvest our grapes, I do a three day grape juice fast with freshly harvested grapes. It always feels wonderful afterward.

There are many different techniques for fasting. Do the research and find the technique that is best for you and work it into your routine. I also caution you to be careful and not overdo it.

TODAY’S TIP: Start by fasting for one day and see how it feels.

Have you ever fasted?

Tags:Attitude,Becoming disciplined,diet,eating healthy,Fasting,Health,Health and wellness,Healthy lifestyle,self help,self improvement,Self motivation,weight loss,Wellness

Technorati Tags: Attitude, Becoming disciplined, diet, eating healthy, Fasting, Health, Health and wellness, Healthy lifestyle, self help, self improvement, Self motivation, weight loss, Wellness