Fasting: Before You Start, These are Three Things You Should Rememb...

Fasting: Before You Start, These are Three Things You Should Remember

Fasting: Before You Start, These are Three Things You Should Remember

I know, I know: you’ve been hearing about fasting all over the internet and in your social media circles, and you’re curious. Maybe you’re thinking of giving it a try yourself? If so, first let me say congratulations on deciding to get healthy! But before you start fasting, there are three important things to remember. So read on – this blog post is for you!

 

When you fast, your kidneys dump excess water and minerals.

 

You will need salt. What happens during a fast, meaning you are fasting from food but consuming water still, is that you need to bring in salt because you lose salt when you do a fast. When there’s a decrease in glucose and a decrease in insulin, the kidneys will dump out more urine and you will lose those minerals with that urine. 

 

We need to make sure that your electrolytes are replenished, specifically salt. We know that your body needs salt, and we want to make sure you have enough. Consume either water with a dash of sea-salt mineral mix or an electron-specific electrolyte drink during the fast period for optimal replenishment!

 

If you’ve done fasting before, you know that it can cause leg cramps and headaches. When you become low on salt, you may even experience swelling in the legs. Salt is something that you will need to replenish your body’s electrolytes. By making sure that you have enough salt, you can avoid these unpleasant side effects of fasting. 

 

A mindset rehab.

 

You need to perfect your mindset before we go into fasting. One certain thing you should look at is the idea of swapping meals for different things, most likely water and broth with salt or sodium in them; I recommend you swap meals for a broth or tea. 

 

Another thing you can do to help your mindset is to include more mineral-dense waters. Instead of purified water, reverse osmosis water, or even tap water, which is still cleaner than water that you can find in another part of the world, you can get some mineral-dense water from Europe. There are some great waters that you can access here in the US. 

 

Specific brands namely Gerald Steiner, which is from Germany, have a higher mineral content. Perrier and San Pellegrino are brands of mineral waters. This means the water was taken from a spring with the minerals still in them, not added. The natural minerals in it are needed and are necessary for when you need to require them during a fasting period.

 

Saturate yourself with different things to support your journey.

 

There are a lot of different books are out there that you can incorporate into your fasting journey.  I like to read or listen to Life In the Fasting Lane, a great book by Jason Fung, Eve Meyer, and Megan Ramos.  The Obesity Code is a great read too. These books help get you in the mindset of fasting. A wide selection of videos and documentaries are out there to help everyone who needs the push they need throughout the fasting.

 

A lot of the times when people are fasting, the challenge is not the physical act of not eating. It’s the mental game that comes with it. You have to change the way you think about food and your relationship to it. If you’re used to eating three meals a day, plus snacks, you have to rewire your brain to think differently. And that’s where a lot of people fail. They try to white-knuckle their way through the fast, relying on sheer willpower alone. But eventually, that willpower runs out and they give in. So what’s the secret to successful fasting?

 

It’s all about the mindset. You have to go into the fast with the right attitude. You have to be mentally prepared for what you’re about to do. You have to convince yourself that you can do it. And once you’ve done that, the physical part becomes a lot easier. So if you’re thinking about fasting, make sure you take in the content that’s going to make you succeed. Watch videos, read articles, listen to podcasts – whatever it takes to get into the right frame of mind. Only then will you be able to overcome the challenge of fasting.

 

Start in small increments as you work your way up.

 

Just like we need to break in a new pair of shoes, our bodies need time to adjust when we start fasting. Much like an uncomfortable new pair of shoes, the first few days might not be pleasant. Keeping the mindset that we have a muscle that we need to break in will help us get through the fasting period. Starting with smaller fasts and then gradually bringing them in a little bit longer will help our bodies adjust to the change. Eventually, we’ll be able to develop and go longer without food. So if you’re thinking about giving fasting a try, remember to start small and give your body some time to adjust. You might be surprised at how well you can do.

 

The goal of a fast is to promote autophagy, a natural process that helps the body cleanse itself of harmful toxins and revitalize cells.. You can do this by fasting for a longer period, like from 8:00 PM to 8:00 AM the next day. This is a 12-hour fast. The next week, you could try fasting from 7:00 PM to 9:00 AM, which is a 14-hour fast, or from 6:00 PM to 10:00 AM, which is a 16-hour fast.

 

It’s always best to work your way up when you’re trying out something new – and that especially goes for fasting. When you first start, Do small increments as you gradually increase the amount of time you fast for. Whether it’s going from 6 hours of fasting to 12, or from 12 to 18, it’s always best to ease your body into it. That way, you can be sure that you’re comfortable with the whole process before you commit to a longer fast. And who knows – maybe after working your way up, you’ll be ready for a 24-hour fast after all! But even then, it’s always best to go slow and steady.

 

So, if you’re feeling antsy and want to start fasting but don’t know where to begin, we highly recommend reading up on the topic. You can find a wealth of information out there about how to fast safely and effectively. And if you have any questions or concerns, be sure to reach out for support from our team or another qualified professional. Remember: before you start any new health journey, it’s important to do your research and make sure you’re fully prepared. Are you ready to embark on your fasting journey? If so, schedule a free discovery call with us today – we can’t wait to help get you started!

 

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If you’re looking for a more natural way to manage your health, please contact us for a discovery call to see if our approach would be appropriate for your situation.

 

DISCLAIMER:  The information in this email is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. All content is for general informational purposes only and does not replace a consultation with your own doctor/health professional 

About Enlighten Functional Medicine

Known for her successful treatment of mystery illnesses, Dr. Emily Hecker and her team at Enlighten Functional Medicine combine an integrative, functional medicine approach with the appropriate lab testing.

Our unique approach to diagnosing and treating diseases and disorders recognizes that lasting health depends on resolution of the root causes of your disease. Click here to learn more »

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