Learn practical tips, challenges, and how fasting transformed my energy, immunity, and daily life. Discover my personal journey with fasting — from spiritual growth to improved health.
Fasting is a great tool for your soul and body. But to get the most of it you need to follow some basic guidelines.
Different Seasons of Fasting in My Life
I have been a Christian since I was 16, and for many years I was involved in ministry. During that time, I practiced fasting quite a bit. At one point, I fasted regularly once a week, and a few times I even fasted for 3–4 days — I was young and brave back then. Sometimes I had to take breaks because I was pregnant and then raising babies. Other times, I simply didn’t feel like fasting, because it was so hard. So, my fasting journey has gone through different seasons.
Why I Renewed My Fasting Practice
In the spring of 2024, there was a sermon at our church about the importance of fasting. My family and I were encouraged to fast, and we began doing it regularly, dedicating one day a week to it. It became a great spiritual reset for us.
Dilemma: to Fast or Not to Fast?
However, I had some concerns about my physical health — I wasn’t sure if fasting was good for me long-term. I also knew a few people who experienced health issues due to fasting, and I didn’t want that to happen to me. To be honest, staying healthy has been a priority for me over the last couple of decades. I didn’t want fasting to harm me or anyone in my family.
A few months later, I came across Paul Bragg’s book The Miracle of Fasting, and also found another book on the same topic in Russian. After reading both, I felt confident about how to fast in a way that benefits both body and spirit.
How I Was Fasting During The Last Year
Over the past year, I fasted one day each week, did multiple 3-day fasts, and completed two 7–8-day fasts. I’ve seen a significant improvement in my health. I used to get sick frequently during the colder months, often struggling with a sore throat and persistent coughing. But this past winter, I barely got sick, and if I did, 1–2 days of fasting would usually bring me back to normal.
Practical Tips of Fasting And Breaking The Fast
When I fast, I drink water — sometimes warm water with lemon and 1/3 teaspoon of honey. The honey isn’t to nourish the body, but to help kill bacteria in the gut.
Breaking the fast properly is even more important than the fast itself. That’s the tricky part, and doing it incorrectly — especially after fasting for three days or more — can cause serious health issues. I usually break my fast around 5–6 p.m. with four peeled, lightly simmered tomatoes, without any spices or oils. This acts like a brush for the gut, helping to cleanse it. I don’t eat anything else that evening. The next day, I eat vegetables with oil and fruits. In the evening, I add a couple of toasts and more vegetables. Over the following days, I pay close attention to how I feel and stick to a vegetarian diet. I usually follow this post-fast diet for the same number of days as the fast itself. So if I fast for seven days, I continue the gentle refeeding phase for another seven. The most important rule during this time is not to overeat — it puts extra strain on the organs, which are still working hard to remove toxins and complete the body’s cleansing process.
Benefits of Fasting
Fasting isn’t easy at any stage. The mantra I keep repeating to myself is: The harder the day, the deeper the cleansing.
I work full-time, and during the week I only have evenings to take care of my family. Since I started fasting, I’ve had so much more energy. Over the past six months, I’ve been able to do housework and cook on weekday evenings — something I hadn’t been able to do for years.
I’m not saying fasting is a cure-all, but it’s played a big part in helping me stay healthy.
One Last Thing to Add
There’s one more recent change in my life that I believe has also made a big impact on my health: I started baking my own bread with freshly milled flour. I bought a grain mill in December, and I’ve written more about this in another blog post. I believe that both fasting and eating whole grain bread made with freshly milled flour have radically improved my health.
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