Fasting, how to

[Guest Alana]

Fasting. Some of us do a 24 hour fast. Some of us do one meal. Then there are all the variations. My question is how do you fast, and how do you physically prepare for a fast? Not eating isn't difficult for me, but not drinking when I wake up is, my head hurts like crazy within about 2 hours. Any advice?

[dazed-and-confused]

Prehaps you are borderline dehydrated when you begin the fast.....try preparing for the fast by drinking lots of water and/or gatorade a couple days prior to fasting, so that your body is properly hydrated. Yes....lol....you will go to the bathroom a lot....oh, well.

[Seanette]

My usual system is to abstain from solid foods and take only minimal liquid. I simply can't do total abstinence from liquids, especially in summer (gets over 100 easy here, and my car's AC doesn't work).

My DH doesn't fast, being diabetic.

[ladykemma2]

uh, where does it say you are not supposed to drink water? i thought the purpose was to donate the money used for food to fast offering fund???

[ztodd]

uh, where does it say you are not supposed to drink water? i thought the purpose was to donate the money used for food to fast offering fund???

Observe the Law of the Fast

But also take a look at

LDS.org - Ensign Article - I Have a Question

[Guest JoshDwellington]

as to drinking, it depends on your job and where you live :

a construction worker doing your job under the blazing sun of nevada

=/=

9 to 5 office employee with AC on all day

I do drink a lot of water, b/c I lose between 2 or 3 lbs of water naturally (yes, sweat a lot)

Fasting is only good as long as it doesn't threaten your body

[Mahone]

At the times I have fasted, I only did two meals as opposed to 24 hours. I'm under the impression the 24 hours is a misinterpretation, but then I guess it's like tithing - you give whatever you personally feel it means.

But that's not the reason I only did two meals, I just cannot operate as normal, cannot think clearly and become drowsy if I do any longer and particularly when I'm at work this is an issue.

[Vort]

When I cut the excuses and committed myself to doing a real 24-hour fast, I found that after a couple of months my body adapted. The headaches eased up, then stopped; the shakes and weakness subsided. It's like my body finally realized, "Hey, I'm not going to die here, just not going to eat for a while."

I heartily recommend a 24-hour fast to all the Saints.

[Hemidakota]

Fasting. Some of us do a 24 hour fast. Some of us do one meal. Then there are all the variations. My question is how do you fast, and how do you physically prepare for a fast? Not eating isn't difficult for me, but not drinking when I wake up is, my head hurts like crazy within about 2 hours. Any advice?

Your day should be like the Savior as He fasted during those forty days in solitude and constant prayer.

[kpatrey]

At the times I have fasted, I only did two meals as opposed to 24 hours. I'm under the impression the 24 hours is a misinterpretation, but then I guess it's like tithing - you give whatever you personally feel it means.

But that's not the reason I only did two meals, I just cannot operate as normal, cannot think clearly and become drowsy if I do any longer and particularly when I'm at work this is an issue.

The phamplets that the missionary gave us specifically said, "two meals." NOT an entire 24 hours. I do the two meals only as well, I would eat one of my animals if I tried for an entire 24 hours:eek:

[Vort]

The phamplets that the missionary gave us specifically said, "two meals." NOT an entire 24 hours. I do the two meals only as well, I would eat one of my animals if I tried for an entire 24 hours:eek:

Two meals means 24 hours. Consider:

Eat dinner at 6:30 pm, then begin fast.

Skip breakfast.

Skip lunch.

Eat dinner at 6:30 pm, breaking fast.

Total fast time: 6:30 pm to 6:30 pm = 24 hours, less however long it took to eat dinner.

Now, I suppose you might say that you generally eat nine meals per day, so skipping two meals really means going without food or water for six hours. Okay, whatever. You can take the commandments however you think best suits you; the only person missing out on the blessings God seeks to give is you.

I would only caution this: Don't allow your justification to leak over to other people and potentially interfere with their relationship with God.

While the second-senior member of the Quorum of Twelve, President (then Elder) Hunter taught:

"Members of the Church may fast at any time as they have a need, but the fast contemplated on the day referred to as fast day, as defined by President Joseph F. Smith, “is that food and drink are not to be partaken of for twenty-four hours, ‘from even to even.’ ” From even to even has been given the meaning of going without two meals—from the evening meal on the night before to evening meal on fast day."

Of course, you are free to ignore this teaching as you see fit, or modify it to your needs if you are too weak or sick or otherwise unable to complete a daylong fast. But I would suggest that you avoid teaching others that a less-than-24-hour fast is generally acceptable for Fast Sunday. It is not.

[Guest Alana]

I think very simply I just need to prepare for fasting more. The days leading up to the fast, get extra hydrated.

[WillowTheWhisp]

This is an interesting thread for me at the moment. We had a lesson on the subject by a member of our Stake Presidency a couple of weeks ago and he stated that a fast should last a minimum of 24 hours without food or drink. Our WML pointed out that is not what the missionaries teach and was told that they are wrong.

He also said that fasting is good for the body physically as well as for the soul and when I pointed out that it is not good for some people such as diabetics he said I was sitting on the fence.

Then he went onto the point about not drinking and I thought he would bring up exceptions, especially when he said that he takes ongoing medication of 2 tablets every evening and 5 every morning. I asked if he allowed himself a sip of water to swallow the tablets and he said no. I was amazed that he could swallow them without a drink but my amazement turned to shock when he said that he simply doesn't take them on Fast Sundays.

Surely that is not Church doctrine?

As a diabetic I do not fast but I still pay a fast offering. I do not have enough faith to go without food never mind going without my medication too. Maybe I shouldn't pay fat offering if I do not fast.

I brought up the subject for discussion with some people online and when one of our Ward members agreed with me she was told off by our Bishop.

This whole thing has now left me wondering if perhaps I should have faith to miss out my meds and to fast despite doctor's advice. I know that President Monson is diabetic and would love to know if he fasts or takes his medication on Fast Sundays.

[Seanette]

I have NEVER heard that one should skip prescribed meds on Fast Sunday!

When I was investigating/new member, I was told that one does need to take health questions into account on fasting, and that judgement will be made by God on intent. Are you doing the best your health permits? If so, then you're on track. At least, that's what I've always heard.

[WillowTheWhisp]

That's what I was always taught too Seanette but a lot of what I thought I knew was brought into doubt during this lesson.

[Mahdi]

Fasting. Some of us do a 24 hour fast. Some of us do one meal. Then there are all the variations. My question is how do you fast, and how do you physically prepare for a fast? Not eating isn't difficult for me, but not drinking when I wake up is, my head hurts like crazy within about 2 hours. Any advice?

Although In Islam we don't drink or eat from sunrise to sunset but we also believe that fasting is good for those who want to leave sins and start a new day in their life not for those who want to continue their sinful life.

So have you decided to leave sins?

thanks