There’s only a few things that can make me feel like a bona fide bad ass. Atop that list is fasting.
Before we start, I need to tell you that this is NOT for everybody, but is merely an account of my experience. However, if done correctly, you can feel a sense of power and control over yourself that is unmatched while saving a bunch of money in the process, and I will help direct you to some good sources for information. Deprivation is an art form and a skill that I notice few people can sustain. Since we are on the path to freedom, deprivation and endurance are keys to understanding the difference between luxury and necessity. They are keys to understanding yourself and the world around you.
photo by Tarak Mahadi
There is no greater self control than not eating, and I believe we have been fed enormous lies about food for decades. I have come to understand that a lot of a typical “first-world” diet is nonsense and unnecessary, and I am not alone in this assumption. I am prone to eating whatever food is in front of me which is sometimes a good thing, but mostly a terrible thing. For whatever reason, my body can digest just about anything — even food in various stages of decay, mostly without incident.
My longest fast is 10 days, but I would never suggest doing that as a first time experience. If you’ve never fasted before, I recommend a one-day mini-fast or even just altering your diet to eliminate sugar, caffeine, or alcohol for a week at a time. Start slow, especially if you’ve been eating crap for awhile, are overweight, or have other health concerns. An important note for ANY fast: DO NOT STOP DRINKING WATER. You can drink as much and as often as you like, and should be drinking more than usual to help your body eliminate toxic nastiness. A major key is to not overdo consumption once you return to food. I ended my first two-day fast with a pound of beef liver, three fried potatoes, and a giant fried yellow onion washed down with 3 beers. Terrible idea. When you come back to food, the first day back should be minimal intake spread out over 24 hours.
Okay, the fun part. My experience: The first two days are the hardest by far. After that, you will feel differently about a lot of things and begin to gain insight on details that you’ve missed for years. If you have been eating garbage for awhile or are emotionally messed up, the first two days will be a nightmare of chills, bad mood, depression, illness, trembling, etc. You get the point. It’s okay, just keep going. This is merely your brain and body calling you an asshole or acting like a spoiled child. Again, this is MY experience and your experience may vary. Perhaps you will experience total serenity and peace but that is not me: it has to really hurt in order for me to think it’s worthwhile.
You will punch through an invisible barrier and begin to think you don’t ever need to eat again. Be careful… you DO need to eat again eventually. I drank a cocktail of purified water, fresh-squeezed lemon, cayenne, ginger, and a few drops of pure maple syrup. This is to help purify the body and keep your body from shutting down essential functions. I drink this cocktail constantly while fasting.
The Costs:
1. Nothing.
The Benefits:
1. You get a chance to restart your relationship with food. I live in a country of so much abundance that we have an “obesity epidemic” and where weight loss is an obsession. What an incredible feature of modern humans that billions will never comprehend! I understand food to be largely an addiction; and the regimental ceremony we’ve culturally attached to feeding is important but unnecessary.
2. You will save an assload of money and have more time than everybody else. It is amazing how much time, money, and energy is spent feeding or preparing to feed. It is equally amazing how much emotion is linked to food.
3. You will lose weight. If you don’t eat for 10 days, you are guaranteed to lose some weight. I never fasted for this effect but it is fairly amazing to see it happen in such a short amount of time. However, you will gain it back quickly, but hopefully replace it with the right stuff if you’ve been eating poorly. I love seeing miracle weight loss ads. “Wanna LOSE Weight??!! Stop eating….”
4. You might hallucinate. If this is your thing, then go for it. There are ways to assist you in a vision quest if that’s your goal. Being active duty military, this was not a desired effect for me, but I have had mild aural hallucinations while fasting for extended periods. Just please don’t get all New Age and weird with it. Nothing is worse than talking to some wild-eyed neo-hippie about fasting and having him/her outline stupid spiritual beliefs that involve crystals and chakras. I will walk away. You have to realize that the human brain is a strange thing and once you start depriving yourself of everyday luxuries your brain and body will rebel. You have to make these your bitch.
5. You will feel powerful. Nothing feels better than doing what you think is right for you regardless of what everybody else is doing. Many cultures and individuals have deprived themselves of food throughout human history. You can join them for the low, low cost of nothing.
6. Most people will think you’re a bit crazy depending on the company you keep. Some people will admire you. I’ve had people beg me to start eating again as if I were going to die or something. You are not going to die unless you really want to. If that’s the goal, then you don’t need my advice.
Fasting is an intense experience that I highly recommend. It will provide many intangible benefits that I cannot adequately describe. If you have experience with this or want to talk it over, drop me a line. If you want to try it, please be safe and smart about it. Also, check out Lynn Shwadchuk’s site for great ideas on healthy eating AND saving money. Know yourself and your limitations. Best of luck to you. I’m with you all the way.
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