Fasting before the Feast
As I described in the video below on Monday, one great way to enjoy a festive feast (such as what we have coming up tomorrow!) with ZERO guilt is to pay the price in advance. The Fast before the Feast.
When I recorded the video I was just over 28 hours into my 72-hour fast, which I broke at 7 this morning by having coffee with heavy whipping cream, followed by eggs and bacon just after 8.
Lisa had a head start, so she concluded her three-day fast last night.
We schedule these extended fasts every 2-3 months, and the following posts explain our rationale:
- What happens if you don't eat for three days?
- Reflections on a Three-Day Fast
- Fasting for Longevity: HELP Explained
- Fasting for Cancer Prevention: HELP Explained
- Alternate Daily Fasting: HELP Explained
We chose to do this edition of our fast early in the week because we wanted to give our digestive systems time to recover with a couple of small, low-carb meals today, before thoroughly enjoying the Thanksgiving spread tomorrow.
You still have time before Thanksgiving Dinner!
Even if you just fast for 24 hours or so between now and your Thanksgiving meal, you'll be making an important step.
With a 24-hour fast you don't have to worry about gradually reintroducing food, as is necessary with a longer fast.
But going into Thanksgiving Dinner after having fasted will make it even more delicious. And then even if you indulge (which I highly recommend!), your fast will have brought down your average caloric intake.
Sort of like what Lisa and I did with our 10-week experiment with alternate daily fasting.
Who knows? Maybe this will be a tool you can use during December, when holiday parties and family gatherings provide additional opportunities for excess.
If you know you have scheduled events at which your willpower will be tested, pay your dues in advance by fasting.
What you eat is important, but when you eat (and when you don't) can have a big impact too.
Get HELP!
HELP: the Health, Energy & Longevity Plan is the guidebook Dr. Dave Strobel and I developed, with ten key strategies (including fasting) that can help you restore your metabolic health. Half of Americans have metabolic syndrome, which increases your risk of heart disease, diabetes, cancer and even Alzheimer's.
Request your free copy of HELP:
If you'd like more free HELP, take advantage of our eLearning course called HELPcare Coach.
Metabolic health coaching is included in HELPcare Clinic membership. Or check out HELPcare Challenge, our 13-week program guaranteed to help you improve your health.