IS FASTING SO IMPORTANT?
By now, I am sure that you are all aware of the benefits of intermittent fasting. There are countless vlogs on YT covering this subject, as well as other qualified professionals on TEDX explaining its benefits. I have certainly tried it and for anyone who has not fasted, I encourage you to try it. You will have a lot to gain and nothing to lose.
But in my recent spiritual revival, my epiphany was timely and accidental. I was watching documentaries on the atrocities in Ukraine and I was heartbroken. My Christian Lent was starting within the same week. So, I decided that I will make a timely start during the 40-day period.
Living in a multi-creed society in Lebanon, I considered the oriental Christian way is a simplistic fast imputing the hours one is asleep, from evening to dawn, 12 hours. On the other hand, the Moslem Way is a severe fast with no food nor water from dawn to dusk, and also 12 hours. So, I formulated my own, from dusk to lunch the following day, making it an 18-hour fast with programmed drinking, and depriving myself of any desserts (which I really appreciate), replacing them with fruits instead. You could label it a disciplined fast -neither here nor there.
The first 3 days were a tug-of-war. Whether it was psychological or my body adjusting I really don’t know. There were many moments I nearly slipped and abandoned it. The fact that there was a spiritual purpose to it, faith got the better of me and I stuck to my guns. Now that I am fully adjusted to it, I feel ever so fulfilled. Below are the benefits I have derived so far.
- My stomach has shrunk, and I can attain my full with less volume of food for every meal.
- In the process, I have started losing weight, which appears more like shedding the excess I was carrying around.
- I feel lighter now, more energetic and reactive.
- I wake up much easier in the morning and with no little aches or rigidity here or there.
- My taste buds have become more sensitive to salt and sugar, the invisible poisons.
I can’t even touch “takeaways” or “deliveries” whichever you wish to call them. Either they’re excessively salty (the usual meals) or a tinge too sweet (Chinese).
- The only condiment I take is chili pepper or jalapenos and a few exotic herbs and spices.
- After my fruits, I feel I’ve had my dessert and it helps my digestion better.
- My dinner has become a bowl of salad…although I dread waking up, hungry.
- My bowels are so free, it makes me feel much lighter throughout the day.
- I have voluntarily gravitated to organic foods. Now that volume is irrelevant, I am focusing on the quality.
- Because I feel more dynamic, I’m taking daily walks that stretch for an hour or more.
- I am also eating less bread. Here I have to point out that I suspect there must be a chemical in the ingredients of the bread that makes it addictive. A subject I intend to thoroughly research and write about at a later date.
Lent is long from being over, I have comfortably adjusted to my new routine, and best of all, every sacrifice I make or a palate temptation I avoid, I consecrate it to the people of Ukraine and an end to this devastating war. I can proudly boast, that I feel wholesome, body and soul. Both appear to be aligned coherently.
Note that I am in a phase of positive transformation, I may add more good habits to my Lent Bucket List. But that will be the object of my next article on the same subject when it is over. But I am certain that following this Lent period, I shall revert to intermittent fasting
I am more persuaded than ever that the disciplines of spirituality are exclusively for the welfare of our humanity. Each one, to his own Belief source and Religion. I wish you all well and countless Blessings.
Sammy RNAJ — sammy.rnaj.writer@gmail.com
