fasting. it ain’t just for gandhi.
June 1st, 2008
As usual, I excitedly cracked open my June issue of Men’s Health when it came the other day. Or rather when I found it, as I check my snail mail on average of once per week or so. Men’s Health is one of the few physical periodicals that I still read, and the only one for which I have a subscription. You know, that’s not true. I have a few industry rags that I get for free; so I guess an accurate statement would be Men’s Health is the only magazine that I pay for. (no matter how hard I try, I can’t keep from ending sentences in prepositions. it’s a nasty writer’s habit. like rambling.)
So, back on point. In it was an article about fasting by a writer named Speed Weed – which by the way is a totally sweet name. The article, The World’s Most Effective Diet, is all about this guy’s experience with regimental fasting; specifically, he fasts 36 hours every single week, and as of the article’s writing, had been doing so for 60 weeks. It’s a terrific read since he’s an excellent writer, and it paints fasting in a whole new light from the perspective of someone who loves food.
I think Speed Weed and I would totally get along.
I’m not going to rehash the article. I recommend you read it for yourself. To summarize, the writer covers some of the health benefits of fasting regularly, but then touches on some benefits you may not have thought of, like the fresh appreciation for food once the week’s fast is over.
Well, taking a cue from Steve Pavlina, I’m going to try out this fasting 36 hours a week thing for myself for 30 days. Try it on for size. See how it fits me. Traditionally, fasting has been for spiritual reasons. Or mostly for the gratification it gives my inner self-disciplinarian to tell my body “no”. But this guy has made it feel like something natural that I should be doing on a regular basis.
Therefore, tonight’s dinner was the last food my tongue shall taste for 36 hours. The plan is every Sunday night, I’ll eat dinner then not again until breakfast Tuesday morning. During the 30 days I may switch up the days a couple of times. Mondays feel like the right time because basically nothing happens on Mondays, but I’m wondering if Monday afternoons will be the least productive 4 working hours of my week, so I may have to do like Mr. Weed and fast Sundays instead. We shall see, my friends.
I’ll try to keep this blog (notbadbutgood) updated with my progress…wish me luck!
Tags: fasting, 30 day trial, health, self-discipline, food
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notes about self-improvement…
May 8th, 2007
NOTE: This post is an old post from MySpace copy/pasted into this one to add content. It is raw and unedited for content or formatting. Love it.
If you know me personally, you know that this topic has been important to me lately. Growth as a person is something I try to direct some time and energy to every year; traditionally during the lenten season. Even though I’m not a Catholic. Just makes sense to me because so many other people are doing the same thing around that time. Anyway, I missed it this year because I was sick, so I’m doing it now.
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is it wrong that new things make us happy?
May 8th, 2007
NOTE: This post is an old post from MySpace copy/pasted into this one to add content. It is raw and unedited for content or formatting. Love it.
I understand the psychological mumbo jumbo about drawing happiness from collecting crap, and I understand the spiritual stuff about needing more depth to provide long-term spiritual and emotional health. I get it. But seriously, is it so wrong that I find joy in the fact that I’m the proud new owner of an iPod Shuffle?
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