Daily "fasting" for help with self-control, fat loss, hunger, health, etc. :)

[DanielB]

First of all, let me explain what I am talking about by fasting(I am not selling anything, recommending any books, advising people fast for days, etc). I am talking about not consuming calories for 16 hours a day(this includes time spent sleeping so if you sleep for 8 hours then you wait 8 hours). So every day you don't eat in a 16 hour window and you restrict your eating to an 8 hour(or smaller) window. This can be more flexible though(I will go into more detail about what this involves and some alternatives at the bottom of the post) This is hard for a few days or even a week or two(depending on how well you currently deal with hunger and how quickly you adapt) but pretty easy once you adapt to it. You may find it beneficial even if you don't need a diet(I plan on continuing to do it for a long time because of how much it helps with my self discipline)

How has this helped me?
1. It has seriously improved my self discipline(in general) and emotional tolerance when it comes to dealing with hunger and physical/emotional urges in general. Dealing with hunger has become a cinch for me.

2. It has been good training/practice in dealing with urges. It also encourages you to do something productive or at least focusing on a good distraction(because sitting around hungry for 5-8 hours will be unpleasant but it is not so bad if you focus on something else and don't fantasize about your next meal lol).

3. It has shown me that I can learn to deal with urges and given me extra confidence when it comes to urges. My confidence/faith that I can overcome maintain freedom from addiction is not solely based on my success in fasting but fasting has helped here. confidence/faith that you can overcome your addiction is extremely important if you want to succeed(because why even try to quit if it is all in vain?). I know from experience that I can take control from my urges and compulsiveness because that is what I did with fasting.

4. I think it has helped me to lose a lot of fat. I lost more than 80 pounds(weighed 260 before) I can't say for sure because I have also been eating healthier, actually paying some attention to how many calories I am consuming, and drinking water most of the time instead of sugary drinks. I can say with confidence that it won't hurt when it comes to losing weight. It goes against some of the most common/popular ideas about how to lose/gain fat but I have come to the conclusion that such ideas are bull-crap because I have real life experience that says otherwise(there is probably some truth to them but I think it is mostly studies taken out of context, people not questioning them because of the commonness of the ideas, etc).

5. I think it has been helpful in getting me into the habit of staying hydrated and drinking water instead of sugary drinks.

6. It has shown me how little confidence many people have in dealing with urges/drives. Something that happens a lot when I tell people about 16 hour fasting(generally in response to "How have you lost so much weight!?") is "Oh. I could never do that!" which makes me want to say "That's bull-crap!" but I am more polite about it like "It actually isn't as grueling as it sounds.". Maybe this point hasn't been as helpful as it is interesting.

7. Some research suggests that it is beneficial for your brain(preventing disorders, etc) and has other physical benefits besides losing weight. I tend to be skeptical of "studies" but I am also skeptical of more common ideas too. It is something to consider. This video explains some of the research done about it and a little about how it works. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UkZAwKoCP8

It helps you to learn to face your hunger and deal with it rather than just giving in or obsessing over food every time you feel hungry.

How fasting works.
Let's say you have a 24 hour clock(just to avoid confusion).

You finish eating at 1:00(it doesn't matter if you are a day person or night person) and begin eating again at 17:00. Now you have 8 hours that you will allow yourself to eat until it is 1:00 again(when you will commit again to not eating for 16 hours)

Still confused? Imagine a shop is open for 8 hours a day(same times every day) and closed the rest of the time. Your eating schedule would look like that shop's.

How you can make it more flexible and or make it easier.
You don't have to have strict schedules or fast for exactly 16 hour and have an 8 hour eating window. Having a consistent schedule will make it simpler where you don't have to calculate what time you are allowed to eat every day but I prefer to be more flexible about it and just do the calculations.

You can have a 12 hour fasting window and a 12 hour eating window if you want(you will still get some of the benefits of fasting and it can be easier than the 16 hour fast). That can also help you work your way up to 16 hour fasting and it is super quick and easy to do the math even if you are terrible at time math and lack a 24 hour clock. That is as simple as eating when you want 9am-9pm and not eating 9pm-9am.

You can fast for longer if you want. For example, you can fast for 20 hours and eat in a 4 hour window. I don't know what point it becomes unhealthy though so you should probably do a little research first but you probably won't even be considering that unless you have already built up your self discipline and tolerance for hunger.

Warning.
I am not going to recommend asking your doctor before fasting because who actually does that? lol It can be dangerous or bad to fast if you have certain health problems(some types of diabetes and heart problems for example). I also seem to recall hearing that it is different for women so if you are a woman you should research how it affects women first. It is also bad if you are pregnant but that is probably obvious.

If you are interested you should certainly do at least a little research first to get an ideas of the potential dangers, potential benefits, the research involved, etc.

Lastly...
You can also ask me questions about it(I don't mind) but I am no health expert and you might find more complete information with google or something. Just don't immediately believe the skeptics of fasting who have never even tried it and are just repeating what they have heard or read.

[rosered]

 

I do believe   in prayer and  fasting  and do believe there is great reward , when done in secret    before the HEAVENLY FATHER .

I WILL ALWAYS BELIEVE GOD SEES OUR HEARTS DESIRE .

Denying  self desires /want   both in the natural  realm  and spiritual realm 
  fasting  in the natural  is without food /pleasure to  increase to the mortal  body  and denying its  want .
  same in the   spiritual    no Word /bread  as faith is exercised /used   to the  body   to decrease  /seeing it as good as dead already.[faith of Abraham , not knowing  the outcome  , but believing God will answer perfectly as the trust is living works ]
satan  is used for the destruction of the flesh , so if you deny the flesh , satan looses this power over you , Paul called it beating his body into subjection ,  bowing down to Christ authority , denying  it power to rule  over his hearts desires .


So Gods power will  manifest   in both our mortal and spiritual lives  though prayer in the Spirit and  fasting   till you have  more and more Jesus CHRIST   and than there is no more want or need . FULFILLED as   eat my body and drink my blood that you might have Life in you . as death is swallowed up in victory ..  the scriptures touch on this very thing ..

ALL TO THE GLORY OF GOD on earth  being mortality   /decay and loss ,   as it is in heaven/  immortality    by the   WORD  becoming strong in you by the Spirit of Life  flourishing  ...   

[sheila]

fasting from sin[any pleasure of the flesh that you are over-indulging in] can be food if you have a weakness of your flesh such as

gluttony...but other weakness[sexual pleasure etc] can be fasted of too. the fast He approves is the ceasing of the pointing of the finger/

accusor of the brethern[doctrines of condemnation/license to sin.which are evil doctrines]..striking of the fist etc.

    grace..free gift eternal life..yes.for all men.but He also desires we have life more abundantly now..and doesn't want us ensnared

  by any trap of the wicked one.

   the 'sin; in our flesh may manifest in many ways....I have seen people overcom alcohol,drugs,sex..then have a slanderous gossiping

tongue and pride arrogance come forth.  We all dwell in the 'weakness' of our flesh..and this weakness does not manifest always the

same in all of us. My people perish through lack of knowledge..we become ensnared,trapped by the devices of our enemy.and have

not the knowledge to effectively deal with the adversary in our own flesh. That our spiritual battle be successful in overcoming

all the power of our enemy.

  abstain/fast from the thing that is causing you trouble. pride gluttony sex covetousness.if you want to successfully wage the spiritual

warfare.

  ultimately we are assured the victory is won..but if we want to prosper/both physically and spiritually..and have more abundant

life in the spirit now..we will see to ...these necessary things.

   Ive's seen very obese people lose a lot of weight..then sexual appetite destroy them..Iv'e seen people kick meth then gluttony

   get them..or sex..etc..we all deal with these things one way or another.


   the accusor on the people/satan named Jesus a wine-bibber glutton...He fasted unto the death of that 40 days in the wilderness..that

  it not have power over Him...resisting sin unto the death of that flesh. He is our example..follow Him.


    fast from masturbation for 40 days..while praying...and when the adversaey comes unto you tell him..I worship God...and see him

lose his power over you.

[Dandelion]

Fasting is a Biblical principle, and has been done throughout the ages.

I grew up Catholic, and though I think things got a bit scewed, it was something that I accepted as part of religious observance, from very young.

Personally, I have not engaged in fasting very much, over the years. I am on a very rigid diet for health reasons, and that is basically like fasting everyday, though it is not done specifically for my spiritual growth, it does help with most of the things you mentioned.

I got this on a website, Bible.org:


Reference

Extent

Summary

Exod 24:18, 34:28; Deut 9:9, 18, 10:10

individual

Moses twice spends forty days on Mount Sinai without eating or drinking, and in mourning over Israel's sin.

Judg 20:26   
corporate

Israel fasts until evening to inquire of YHWH after loss to Benjamin.

1 Sam 1:7-8   
individual

Hannah weeps and refuses to eat when her husband's other wife provokes her, and she prays for a son.

1 Sam 7:6

corporate

Israel fasts for a day to repent, Samuel prays, YHWH delivers them from the Philistines.

1 Sam 14:24-46   
corporate

Saul places the army under oath not to eat until evening on the day of battle with the Philistines.

1 Sam 20:34   
individual

Jonathan refuses to eat because of his grief over his father's mistreatment of David.

1 Sam 28:20   
individual

Saul eats nothing all day and night when he consults with the witch of En-dor.

1 Sam 31:13;
1 Chr 10:12   
corporate

Men of Jabesh fast seven days after recovering the bodies of Saul and Jonathan from the Philistines.

2 Sam 1:12

corporate

David's men fast until evening upon hearing the news of the death of Saul and Jonathan.

2 Sam 3:35

individual(?)

David refuses to eat food until evening when he heard of the death of Abner.

2 Sam 12:16-23   
individual

David fasts and weeps seven days during the terminal illness of his son by Bathsheba.

1 Kgs 13:1-22   
individual

An unnamed prophet is instructed by God not to eat or drink while on a mission to prophesy against Jeroboam's idolatry.

1 Kgs 19:8   
individual

Elijah goes forty days on the strength of the food provided to him by an angel.

1 Kgs 21:4   
individual

Ahab eats no food because he is sullen after Naboth refused to sell his vineyard.

1 Kgs 21:9-12   
corporate

Jezebel calls a false day of fasting to accuse Naboth of cursing God.

1 Kgs 21:27-29   
individual

Ahab fasts and puts on sackcloth in repentance after Elijah rebuked him, and God recognized Ahab's humility.

2 Chr 20:3

corporate

Jehoshaphat proclaims a fast throughout Judah to seek YHWH for fear of the armies of Ammon and Moab.

Ezra 8:21-23   
corporate

Ezra calls a fast to seek God's protection for those leaving Babylon for Israel.

Ezra 10:6   
individual

Ezra eats and drinks nothing because of his mourning over the unfaithfulness of the exiles.

Neh 1:4

individual

Nehemiah mourns and fasts for days over the news of the state of Jerusalem, confessing national sin.

Neh 9:1

corporate

The people of Israel assemble with fasting to confess their sin after Ezra reads from the law.

Esth 4:3   
corporate

The Jews weep and fast when they hear of the king's decree for their destruction.

Esth 4:16   
corporate

Esther, her maidens, and the Jews of Susa fast from food and drink for three days before she goes to the king.

Esth 9:31   
corporate

Purim is established for the Jews with instructions for fasting and lamentations.

Job 3:24

individual

Job groans at the sight of food, and experiences great affliction and pain.

Job 33:19-20

individual

Elihu suggests that man (specifically, Job) is afflicted by God and unable to eat because God is chastening him.

Ps 35:13   
individual

David defends his honor by saying that he fasted and prayed when his enemies were sick.

Ps 42:3

individual

The psalmist (Sons of Korah) says that tears are his food day and night.

Ps 69:10   
individual

David's fasting, weeping and prayer was an object of scorn by his enemies.

Ps 102:4

individual

The afflicted psalmist forgets to eat bread because of his great grief.

Ps 107:17-18   
individual

People in distress are pictured as near death, unable to eat, but YHWH saves them.

Ps 109:24   
individual

David says his knees are weak from fasting, and his flesh has grown lean during his affliction from his enemies.

Isa 58:3-6

corporate

Israel's fasts are not heard by God because of their oppression and hypocrisy; He desires righteousness first.

Jer 14:12

corporate

Israel's fasts are not heard by God because of their oppression and hypocrisy.

Jer 36:6-9

corporate

The people of Judah assemble in Jerusalem for a fast, and Baruch reads Jeremiah's prophecy to them.

Ezek 24:18   
individual

Ezekiel is instructed in special mourning rites, that include fasting, for the death of his wife.

Dan 6:18   
individual

Darius fasts from food, entertainment, and sleep through the night while worrying for Daniel in the lion's den.

Dan 9:3   
individual

Daniel fasts, confessing Israel's sin, upon reading Jeremiah's prophecy of the seventy weeks.

Dan 10:2-3   
individual

Daniel mourns for three weeks, abstaining from tasty food, meat, wine, and ointment.

Joel 1:14   
corporate

Joel calls for a nation-wide fast because of famine that is destroying the land.

Joel 2:12-15   
corporate

YHWH calls the people to return to Him with fasting, rending their hearts, not garments; Joel again calls for a fast.

Jonah 3:5   
corporate

All of Nineveh fasts, repenting at the preaching of Jonah of the destruction of the city.

Zech 7:5   
corporate

YHWH rebukes the priests for their ritual fasts that were done more for themselves than for Him.

Zech 8:19

corporate

YHWH will transform the ritual fasts into feasts of joy when God's people have repented of sin and He grants them favor.

Matt 4:2; Luke 4:2   
individual

Jesus fasts forty days in the wilderness, being tempted by the devil.

Matt 6:16-18   
individual

Jesus teaches that fasting should be done privately for God, not for the purpose of being seen to be fasting, like the hypocrites.

Matt 9:14-15;
Mark 2:18-20;
Luke 5:33-35   
corporate

Jesus tells John's disciples that his do not fast because the bridegroom is present, but when He is taken away they will.

Matt 15:32;
Mark 8:3

corporate

Jesus did not wish to send the crowd away fasting,855 since they had been with Him three days and have nothing (more?) to eat.

Matt 17:21;856
Mark 9:29857

individual?

Jesus says that this kind of demon goes out only by means of prayer and fasting.858

Luke 2:37

individual

Anna serves in the temple night and day with fastings and prayers.

Luke 18:12   
individual

The Pharisee in Jesus' parable shows his self-righteousness by boasting that he fasts twice a week and tithes.

Acts 9:9   
individual

Saul fasted from food and water three days after the Damascus Road experience.

Acts 10:30859

individual

Cornelius was fasting and praying when an angel instructed him to go to Peter.

Acts 13:2-3

corporate

Prophets and teachers in Antioch were ministering to the Lord and fasting before and after the Holy Spirit set apart Saul and Barnabas.

Acts 14:23   
corporate

Paul and Barnabas appoint elders in the churches, having prayed with fasting.

Acts 23:12   
corporate

Certain Jews bind themselves by oath not to eat or drink until they kill Paul.

Acts 27:9   
corporate

Paul's voyage to Rome takes place after "the fast" was over, a reference to the Day of Atonement.

Acts 27:33   
corporate

Paul encourages the ship's crew to eat, since they had gone 14 days fasting.860

1 Cor 7:5861

couples

Paul tells couples not to deprive one another sexually, except for brief periods devoted to prayer and fasting.

2 Cor 6:5;
2 Cor 11:27

individual

Paul lists "fastings"862 among the hardships he suffered as a mark of his apostleship.

D.

[sheila]

Isaaih 58;5-7..acceptable fasts