Fasting

Davao, Philippines
October 15, 2017 12:30pm CST
It has been practiced by a lot of powerful and influential people in our history. It's also practiced in the past, from the earliest days of humankind. Think stone age when I say that. And yet, why does it seem to be a taboo word in the current generation? I go to the kitchen with a bounce in my step and tell my family, "Hey guys, I'm fasting for the day!" For a few seconds they looked at me like I grew another head. Then my mom springs into action and tells me, "why not eat just a little something?" And I'm like, 'why?!' By the way, I like fasting because I mostly feel bloated if I eat three times a day. Not the mention I tire easily.
4 people like this
4 responses
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
15 Oct 17
I'm one of those who believes in fasting to cleanse the body and organs so I fast from time to time. There are times I abstain from eating solid food but drink water.
3 people like this
• Davao, Philippines
15 Oct 17
Yeah. Fasting does cleanse the body. Other people call it rebooting because you're helping your stomach by letting it take a rest from working. And this lack of eating does provide a lot of health benefits--especially for those who are suffering problems like diabetes. And I came from a family who's got that illness. For those who are fasting, water really is your new best friend. Although I prefer drinking black coffee to fool my brain from the hunger. Not to mention, I meditate better with an empty stomach. How do you go about telling your family that you want to fast? Are they open to the idea?
3 people like this
• Davao, Philippines
15 Oct 17
@louievill Your wife's awesome. And like you, I've never had synthetic medicine for more than 15 years now. My mom had me and my siblings stop on the synthetic medicines when I was still in grade 4. And that's because she saw that we're just frequently sick and that these sicknesses are normal with our family background and everything and none of the medicines really work anyway. Whenever I have an illness, I just let them come to pass. Eventually, I get better. Of course, I'm also mindful whether or not my illnesses really needs a doctor's help or not. Or a synthetic medicine or not. (Usually, they backfire on me that's why my mom made me stop). The signs are usually there and can be seen. At least our bodies are smart enough to tell us whether or not we're in need of professional help or just rest.
1 person likes this
@louievill (28851)
• Philippines
15 Oct 17
@SinfulRose when I say I do not like to eat, my wife knows thst already. I am admirer of traditional medicine, especially Chinese and also our very own, I believe that our body is well equipped to fight diseases provided our organs are all in good working condition. I seldom or never take synthetic medication like pain killers, I don't like Western medicine that attacks only the condition but leaves the body weak with so many side effects, very expensive and invasive.
3 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
16 Oct 17
I do intermittent fasting everyday. I have an 8-hour eating window and 16-hour fasting window.
2 people like this
@allen0187 (58582)
• Philippines
21 Oct 17
@SinfulRose been doing it for three months. I feel good. I'm more energized and i don't have as much cravings for sugar or sweets anymore.
2 people like this
• Davao, Philippines
21 Oct 17
That's awesome, @allen0187 . ...I wonder how I would stop wanting to eat sugar and sweet stuff. I can't imagine. Hmm... Sure I stopped being hungry for food after some time with intermittent fasting. But I sure still want to eat ice cream when I have a chance.
1 person likes this
• Davao, Philippines
20 Oct 17
Wonderful! How long have you been in this practice? And what are your observations about yourself? (*Curious*)
1 person likes this
@sishy7 (27167)
• Australia
16 Oct 17
I have a friend who regularly fasts every other day... She's so fit and healthy, I have nothing but admiration for her.
1 person likes this
• Davao, Philippines
20 Oct 17
Awesome! She must have seemed like she has a lot of energy about her, right? I wish I can do that too--without getting some worried looks from my parents.
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@Kandae11 (55036)
15 Oct 17
My nephew just came off a seven-day fast. - no food for twelve hours each day. His fasting is religious.
1 person likes this
• Davao, Philippines
15 Oct 17
And he's still alive! So I wonder why there are some people who think that fasting is bad and could kill you. It's like they have this thinking that if you don't eat for a time, you die. Is that just an Asian thing or what? Sure, fasting is bad for those who are experiencing true hunger or starvation. But if one has got fats mixed in with some meat on one's bones, then why not? Right?
1 person likes this
@Kandae11 (55036)
15 Oct 17
@SinfulRose My nephew does it often and I sometimes wonder where he gets all his energy. He is fit active and strong, I have seen him run up a hill with weights in both hands.
1 person likes this
• Davao, Philippines
15 Oct 17
@Kandae11 Oh, fasting does that for you. If the body does not receive food or carbs to turn into sugar, it draws on its internal storage for energy--these are what you call fats. And I've got loads of those. lol. Our bodies then break down those fats so that you can work/go hunt and get yourself more food. At least back in the caveman days, that's the thing. We don't just shut down and die if we don't eat. Our bodies provide us the energies we need from taking down those stuff inside us that we don't need and converting those to something useful. That's the beauty of our bodies. We function on top of a highly sophisticated system designed by a very smart engineer.
1 person likes this