Tips and Preparation for a Water Fast
Tips and Preparation for a Water Fast
Preparing for a water fast: Raw fruit and vegetable juices only for three or four days preceding the fast.
While fasting: Drink at least 2 liters of water per day, more if you’re in a hot climate. Dehydration is your worst enemy.
Rest: You will feel weaker than normal after several days of fasting
Avoid water straight from the faucet. Distilled water is the best for cleansing because of its inherent, magnetic properties and ability to absorb and suspend large quantities of toxins, flushing them from the body. The perceived value of mineral water is misleading because the inorganic minerals are like huge boulders to the cellular membranes, making them impossible to assimilate. Plants are able to break down the minerals from the soils, allowing them to be completely absorbable to the cells of the body. The best water is distilled, secondly, spring or filtered. A Brita Filtration System is inexpensive and effective, but change the filter regularly.
To ease into water fasting, I recommend juice fasting with periods of water fasting. For example 3 days on juice, 2 days on water, 5 days on juice, then 3 days on water. You can juice when you have to work and water fast on the weekend when you can rest. This is my preferred method of water fasting.
Potential Minor Side Effects and How to Cope With Them:
Hunger: Most are surprised by the disappearance of hunger after a few days of fasting.
Weakness: Water fasting will result in weakness and lack of energy. There can even be dips in stamina during a juice fast if you have a high metabolism. Your expectations should be adjusted when planning a fast. Give yourself lots of down time; enjoy the holiday away from the hustle and bustle.
Backaches: Back pain can increase due to toxins in the lower intestine. Blood vessels that draw nutrients from the colon are very close to the nerves of the spine. Back pain will often decrease after elimination of the toxins. Back exercises can also relieve some pain. A cold pack also will help.
Bad Breath: Brushing the tongue with a toothbrush and using dental floss and rinsing with mouthwash will reduce bad breath. Rinse your mouth with plain water or water mixed with lemon juice to relieve these symptoms.
Mouth Cankers: To stop cankers, gargle with sea salt mixed with water several times daily. Dabbing the sore with tea tree oil or vitamin E quickens the healing process.
Colds and other viruses: Mucous is the perfect food for viruses. Toxins weaken the immune system. When large quantities of toxins and mucus are in the blood due to a fast, they can cause susceptibility to colds. To fight a cold, continue fasting to eliminate mucus. Increase intake of citrus juices.
Dizziness and/or Blackouts: During fasting the body conserves energy. The heart pumps slower and blood pressure lowers. Standing or moving quickly from a resting position will cause the blood to flow to the legs, causing dizziness. To stop blackouts get down on one knee or sit. Lowering your center of gravity will instantly stop a blackout. Blackouts are more frequent during water fasting.
Diarrhea: Fruit juices have a laxative effect which is more pronounced after water fasting. Diarrhea early on is a normal.
Constipation: It is important that you have regular bowel movements while you’re fasting. There’s a good product called “Detox and Support,” which should relieve constipation. 2 caps with water at dinner.
Headaches: Toxins can cause muscle tightness in the neck and shoulders. This can result in tension headaches. Massaging the neck and shoulders will help relieve the tension.
Muscle Tightness: A self-massage, hot baths, stretching and exercising will help to release the toxins.
Nausea: Drinking water or carrot juice will dilute the bile and toxin mixture, helping to flush bile and toxins from the system.
Nervousness: Light exercise will help relieve this.
Skin Reactions: People with problem-free skin may have a few days of pimples or boils. As the fast progresses, the skin will be healthy, soft and unblemished.
Tiredness: Sleepiness is normal during water or restricted juice fasting. Very few people receive enough rest, so enjoy the extra sleep; it may be as healing and rejuvenating as the fast itself.
Feeling Cold: You may be more susceptible to cold, since the body has a harder time keeping warm and trying to conserve energy at the same time. Just stay warm with multiple layers, drink tea, and stay under the covers.
Insomnia: Be sure to nap during the day if your sleep at night is lighter
