September and again in the spring. I have no idea why, but for some reason, I fast twice a year.
Part of my fast includes cleaning my home top to bottom, getting rid of anything I no longer use, cleaning out the bookshelf, etc…you get the idea.
What I have learned so far:
journaling felt silly the first time, but now I truly understand how much journaling helps to “clean” internally also and get some perspective about shit that’s happened so I can move forward. Journaling now includes collaging and drawing not just words anymore.
Oh my goodness - zero and I mean zero news in any form from any source. Wow, after a couple of days I am emotionally sensitive to anything visual so I have to take a break from all news - radio/tv/social media.
Time: it moves SOOOOOOOOO slow!!! wow, it’s quite amazing how much I can actually get done in a day. Its way too easy to underestimate what can be accomplished in one day.
inspiration: pick any thing that you find will elevate your self awareness and help you learn how to accomplish what ever it is you want to do in life. Fasting is the perfect time for self help videos, instructional books what have you.
Facials - such a huge change in my skin within a couple of days.
yoga - this will be my first time doing yoga - as an absolute beginner. I don’t know why, but I feel like I really need to do some good stretching during this fast.
Duration: when my body tells me it’s time to stop. Typically, I no longer feel hunger after day 3.
Additions:
Day 1 - I use 1 cup of S/M tea to cleanse bowels, as much as I want of decaf coffee and water
Day 2 - I add apple cider vinegar to my water, and cayenne pepper, 3 cups of decaf - limit
Day 3 - I add lemon juice to water and cayenne pepper, 2 cups of decaf - limit
Day 4 - 1 cups of decaf - limit. As much water as I want - run water through Brita filter
Day 5 - As much water as I want - run water through Brita filter
Day 6- water only
if at any time I start to get leg cramps, I add try adding electrolyte to the water this time. Last time this started around day 12 and quickly cleared up.
According to my Fitbit, my resting hear rate before fasting is 59. I will be relying on my Fitbit for some stats along the way - # of hours sleep etc etc.
I will hit the gym for light treadmill daily - set new habit
To replace social media, radio and TV I have 2 books ready to start evening reading. My goal is that by day 3 I should be completely off decaf coffee and all social media. I have to check emails once a day for work and I will try to post something daily about this springs fasting journey.
This is the plan, starting today. So far so good. Today is the day 1-easing into the fasting frame of mind-not a real day 1- ha ha.