So Fasting, is a metabolic state that occurs anywhere from 8-12 hours after consuming a meal. At this point your body changes from utilizing glucose(or sugar/carbs) as an energy source, to burning fat in the form of ketones stored in the liver. Ketones are a more efficient source of energy for the brain and fasting can contribute to increased mental clarity, stamina and an appreciation for human resilience.
So you've probably woken up after 8-12 hours before your last meal and have experienced fasting. The question is, at what point are you in your life with health goals, personal achievements and financial obligations?
There are many different variations of the fast. The most common, popularly accepted and easily attainable fast(besides the juice fasts that do not address the key issue of ketosis, although they can improve health) is intermittent fasting. Intermittent fasting, to put it simply, is going as far beyond 8-12 hours after eating a meal as is comfortable. Usually intermittent fasters skip the traditional breakfast and eat around 2pm. You Don't Need 3 Meals A Day, forced meal times are a manufactured paradigm of western civilization.
Primitive cultures in south america today, even though aware of food harvesting techniques, choose to eat only about every 3 days or so. If you have the time and really want to discover yourself, i would heavily recommend a 3 day water fast. drink only(plenty of) water, eat no food.
When i was introduced to fasting, i started with a 3 day water fast. Before fasting i was searching for a way to increase clarity because i was unhappy with my life, i quit smoking pot and drinking but nothing was working. I was clearly "waiting" for something to happen in my life "so i could be happy", "if this happens, then i'll be happy" as if leaving it up time and space to accommodate my desires. By the end of 3 days(68 hours to be exact) i felt as if "everything i ever wanted, is now" and an incredible sense of clarity decended upon me for several weeks. i have since done 7, 3+ day fasts however this is not what i do for Daily Clarity and energy levels.
If you do not have the time to quit eating for 3 days, and you have built up your strength levels throughout the day by waiting as long as possible before eating, The Most Reasonable and Effective Fasting Accomodation I Have Found for myself-is Eating Once a Day.
Eating once a day, i usually allow myself a window of 2-4 hours in which i can eat anything and however much i want to. leaving me in a state of ketosis upon awakening until i am just about ready to sleep. Personally i find that eating at the end of the day works best for me. I am able to achieve personal levels of clarity and sense of purpose/mission, without feeling hungry all day which i have found to happen if i eat that one meal in the beginning or middle of the day.
A couple of hints for you fasting novices that are looking to improve your life... Your Body Wants a Regular Schedule. Fasting for 3 days or longer will provoke a "cram" response when you start to eat again, if you choose to reassimilate to food at the end of the day, then simply wait till the next day same time to begin a once a day schedule. Over Eating can be terrible after a 3 day fast and it is highly recommended to start off with liquids for six hours of every 24 hours with no food. liquids help start digestion but i have eaten solids and stuck to one meal every 24 hours and had it work. EAT THE RIGHT FOOD. Not only make sure to eat decent food your body will be making proteins out of after obstaining for days... but ALSO, one major technique that took me a while to research is THE PRINCIPLES OF PROPER FOOD COMBINING. *ie Eat Starch and Proteins Seperately! after becoming intune with your body through fasting, you may find yourself searching for the perfect foods to eat. STARCH PROTEIN & fRUIT--- ALL SHOULD BE EATEN SEPERATELY. please look up diagrams on proper food combining. You may find that heart burn, indigestion and bloating is merely a result of combining foods improperly. Some things should just not be eaten together.
If Your Fasting, at first you will feel extreme emotions. Irritability, anger, frustration. Just keep in mind that for every wave of uncomfortable feelings, will be followed by a new level of clarity, peace an understanding you may not have been aware of. Ride out those wave Brothers And Sisters ^_=)!
My journey and fasting? i have found out, if there was EVER a problem i could not solve, i simply need quit eating until the answer arises. This simple tool is just that powerful. Not Easy, but with dedication you can find something that works for your life!
I wish ya'll the best of luck, this is the single most important tool(i am well versed in EVERYTHING) to unlock human potential and lead the most fulfilling life possible!
Love You Humans, Max.