The FastDay Forum

Came across this lovely page about the benefits of fasting.. More of a spiritual thing here. Site is a church in New Hampshire.
The link is not about 5:2 per se but some of the sentiments are so true

http://kairosearth.org/fasting-and-feasting/

"However, if I fast for a day or two after one of these tours, my sense of taste returns to it’s original acuity, and I can return to a simple diet with ease and joy."

"One of the great tragedies of modern American life is the illusion that ceaseless feasting can lead to greater enjoyment, and greater happiness. We continue to stuff ourselves non-stop, with food, with entertainment, with media and information, and will all kinds of stimulation. Yet, we appear to grow only hungrier, even as we grow fat (both literally and metaphorically). We are over-stressed, over-worked, over-fed, and over-stimulated. We have forgotten the good and necessary balance of feast and fast."

"in knowing both hunger and fullness, we learn to open to life in its totality. "

Do you have a spiritual side to your fasting (and i dont mean Christian Lent which happens to be on now, as this is discussed in that specific thread.

Thanks for posting the article. I think about this topic at times. I don't subscribe to any religion but I do tend toward Buddhist beliefs and I find myself reflecting on some tenets of Buddhism with this WOE. I try to remind myself to take the "middle-road" path where I don't go to any extreme....of fasting or eating a certain amount or eating/drinking any one food. Not that I don't have my binges, but it does at times curb them.

What a wonderful link it totally resonates with me - Mark Kutolowski is expressing what I feel and not much remains to be said.

For me fasting has definitely a spiritual side, even if I don't consciously fast for religious reasons. Doing without is an important spiritual exercise, I believe. I feel a keen sense of over consumption and try to be more aware of what I really need. There is a human instinct to have more all the time. Food, drink, possessions, cars, houses, more holidays etc.

This last weekend I went shopping as my daughter is getting married. I found a nice dress (right colour) and then another one that was execptionally lovely but the colour was not right for the wedding (clashed with ridesmaids). So I bought it for when my second daughter "might" get married as it was also reduced in price and everyone urged me to get it. I am now thinking of returning it because whilst it is very nice I don't "need" it now. I have two other summer dresses that haven't got enought "wear" so why have this in the wardrobe however desirable. Right now I don't need it - I just want it and it does not sit easy with me.

What a wonderful link it totally resonates with me - Mark Kutolowski is expressing what I feel and not much remains to be said.

For me fasting has definitely a spiritual side, even if I don't consciously fast for religious reasons. Doing without is an important spiritual exercise, I believe. I feel a keen sense of over consumption and try to be more aware of what I really need. There is a human instinct to have more all the time. Food, drink, possessions, cars, houses, more holidays etc.

This last weekend I went shopping as my daughter is getting married. I found a nice dress (right colour) and then another one that was execptionally lovely but the colour was not right for the wedding (clashed with ridesmaids). So I bought it for when my second daughter "might" get married as it was also reduced in price and everyone urged me to get it. I am now thinking of returning it because whilst it is very nice I don't "need" it now. I have two other summer dresses that haven't got enought "wear" so why have this in the wardrobe however desirable. Right now I don't need it - I just want it and it does not sit easy with me.

I know exactly what you mean @Ieramulabout the desire to "have something". I guess if it is useful, saves time so we can enjoy other things (im thinking for example of some kitchen device that may save time for example) then its not such a bad thing to acquire it.

As selfish as it sounds, sometimes I think.. I only live once and if its a well thought out purchase and a valid one then hey, why not.

Does make you think. and back to 5:2 it so makes you mindful of everything you eat, whether its on a fast or a feast day. It certainly stopped me being greedy about food and if i am eating a bit too much I know I am and I make a conscious decision to keep enjoying it or to simply stop. Quite honestly 5:2 is so powerful.

It's interesting that they put overabundance of food/eating together with other things like entertainment, media etc. I'm beginning to think being constantly on-line/on Facebook/etc. is as big a problem for me as the food environment. My phone battery only holds a charge for about an hour these days, and it's been such a joy to just let the battery die every night.

I don't know that I'd consider this a "spiritual" result, but I've certainly noticed that I'm more mindful about eating. Not that I never eat on autopilot, but I'm much more likely to plan a nice meal (whether gourmet or just "simply" delicious, or attending to a long-standing craving) and "save" my appetite for that meal--not eating because I "need" to, or it's the right time of day, or whatever. Now that I'm well acquainted with hunger, I don't feel that panicky need to cram something down my throat the instant I feel the slightest twinge. Instead, I "fantasize" about the meal I'm planning on having and build up anticipation. Note that this also eliminates the problem of getting "too hungry" (a fear that many have about allowing themselves to get hungry and not addressing it at once) and not having a plan on what you'll eat, and ending up eating inappropriate things. I often eat artisan bread (though never on a light day!), but avoid just mindlessly eating slices of bread without being part of a meal. One interesting thing I've noticed is that the night of a light day, I might fantasize about what I'll eat the next normal day, but often I am not hungry early in the day and am satisfied with a cup of black coffee for several hours.

@MaryAnn I totally agree with you - tablet/computer use is definitely something I want to become more mindful of. I am even on the tablet/computer whilst watching TV programmes in order to answer any questions that arise from watching it.

@ferretgal Being aware and conscious of what we consume/eat I definitely consider as being spiritual. It's what I call mindfulness which can be applied to all parts of our lives - watching any over exposure.

What a great topic. Thanks!
I do believe fasting can have a very spiritual element, if we let it. I definitely let it. Actually, I'm returning to fasting, partly for spiritual reasons, and was going back to 5:2, but I've since read about time restricted fasting (The 8 Hour Diet, Fast 5, etc.) and am very interested in this form. Is there a forum here for time restricted fasting? Thanks.

[carorees]

Is there a forum here for time restricted fasting? Thanks.

Hi @irisblue, we don't have a whole board all to ourselves but there is a long-running thread for those using the "eating window" method of fasting: fasting-today-f8/the-16-8-tent-and-17-7-18-6-19-5-etc-t11084.html
See you there!

Thank you very much for answering, but I just talked to a friend who gained weight doing that method, so I think I will stick to 5:2. It worked before, it will work again. But thanks.

Hmmm...my previous post reminded me of something else. In my former office, I used to keep high-quality chocolate at my desk for sharing with the other chocolate lovers, as well as myself. Several of my fellow chocolate lovers were puzzled that I could "have all that chocolate right there" and not eat it; btw, this group included several thin ladies. I guess what helped me do that was I simply didn't (and don't) see that type of chocolate (very high-quality dark) as "candy" or forbidden; since I was "allowed" to have it whenever I wanted it, I was also free to not have it. To be honest, however, it's also not one of my trigger foods; that goes mostly to baked goods. But even there, I have "saved" my indulgence for high quality; for example, I never had trouble turning down store bought birthday cake (hate that icing!); but I was in for it at the gourmet bakery a few blocks away (at least it was far enough that I visited only once or twice a week!). Hmm...another thought: I think that part of the "take it or leave it" mentality is affected by the fact that baked goods get stale so fast (as opposed to chocolate, which takes a really long time to get stale). So I feel a certain urgency to eat it now, before it goes bad...

Today is the day after a light day; I'm currently having a cup of black coffee. I'm not hungry, but find I still must convince my brain that just because I CAN eat one of those croissants in the kitchen, doesn't mean I have to...it helps that I can tell it, you CAN have it later, when the tummy is hungry. However, I've lately been having a craving for a fish sandwich (stupid commercials!). Since I don't eat fish, that's problematic. However, perusing the freezer at the store yesterday, I saw a new faux fish product (Gardein brand, one of my faves) and got that. So, I'll be able to have my "fish" sandwich as soon as I'm hungry for it.

Huh, my understanding is that "naturally" skinny people just do this without thinking about it--eat only when hungry. Sure wish that'd happen to me...

Hey, one thing that has surprised me; I thought that going to the grocery store, or fixing food for others, would be excruciating on a light day, but I haven't found that to be true. For sure, if I'm hungry, "everything looks good," just like it would on a normal day if I'm at the store hungry. But I don't find it painful, nor does it make it harder to maintain my light day. The only thing I have found is truly difficult re: temptation is SMELL. The best example is once last year at the farmer's market (wouldn't you know, it's on Thursday, one of my light days), I was buying fruit and the stall next to it had pizza...brick oven and all. Wow.

I pretty much cook only for myself and my son (adult). He's very supportive of my 5:2ing, so that helps. I do draw the line at cooking certain things on light days, but not nearly as much as I'd thought I would. Last night (my light day), I made him a new taste treat (he LOVES pizza): English muffins with pizza sauce, mushrooms, olives, cheese, faux sausage patty...as a sandwich. So, a pizza muffin sandwich. Yeah, he liked it.

I saw a new faux fish product (Gardein brand, one of my faves) and got that. So, I'll be able to have my "fish" sandwich as soon as I'm hungry for it.

I tasted the Gardein fish at Costco yesterday and - hate to say this - I thought it was horrible - I'd much rather have the real thing. Hope you are not disappointed ferretgal.
I agree about being able to cook and make food for my loved ones. I make lunch for my OH and have often baked his choc. chip cookies and it doesn't phase me a bit on fast days - I expect its 'cause I'm saving myself for my nice, planned meal !!!

What a great thread!
Ferretgirl, I assume you're vegetarian. I am lacto ovo and just starting (or should I say returning after 2 years) to my 5:2 journey.

I adore the Gardein products! When I ate the Gardein "fish" I was amazed. Just love it. Funny how everyone's tastes differ though. Now I'm going to look for them at Costco as was mentioned; they always have such great prices there.

Anyway, I'm so glad to be back on board with 5:2 fasting. IMHO, it's the only sane approach around, and is an amazing spiritual/physical journey.