I’ve practiced intermittent fasting on and off for a while, although sporadically. Today, I am starting a 72 hour fast. Why 72 hours? The immune system creates new T-Cells and over repeated intermittent fasts re-builds and fortifies itself. This seems like a pretty good idea to me. Also, calorie restriction extends life span, and helps maintain a trim physique, and wards off of maladies like metabolic syndrome. Fasting is also known to help dramatically with autoimmune diseases like arthritis.
So, what is the downside? Not eating for three days sucks! Actually that is not completely true. Really, the first day sucks and then the second day and third day can be quite pleasant with a sense of calm and centeredness. Ancient wisdom traditions encourage fasting in conjunction with prayer. Also, my sleep is always very satisfying when fasting. I notice having a lot more time because I can utilize the time normally spent preparing, eating, and cleaning up meals doing other things.
Fasting provides an opportunity to callous the mind. It is not easy. It requires sacrifice, and requires you to muster some will power to do something that is uncomfortable, to practice delayed gratification. But, what about muscle loss? Turns out that if you lift weights, and use your muscles while fasting the body will preserve muscle mass and burn more fat instead. However, if you do not place a demand on your muscles while fasting then they will shrink. So, yeah, lifting weights when you are in a fasted state kinda sucks, but unless you are willing to lose hard earned gains, then embrace the suck.
So, here I go. I have already fasted overnight so I’m already at the 11 hour mark. I will break my fast Sunday evening.
I am nearly 90 days into my 365 Commitment, and have solidified some good habits. So, I think it is time to incorporate a new habit – a monthly three day fast.
Ben Wagner (88)
Member The 365 Commitment
