A Journey in Water Fasting

By Karen Rae Cook Owner/Teacher @ New Earth Shamans

What is water fasting? Water fasting has become popular in the wellness world, especially for those looking to lose some weight. Fasting in general has been around for centuries. It's been a big part of spirituality among many religious and spiritual communities. In the early 1900s, water fasting started to play a role in both weight management and disease prevention. Today, water fasting for health or fitness reasons is becoming more and more common.

Here's a short story about my recent 7-Day water fasting journey.

My daughter Lenoir and I did a lot of research on water-only-fasting and I have to admit I was a bit skeptical about it. However, As it turns out there has been a significant amount of research and testing related to Water-Only-Fasting and it's benefits.

Health & Healing Will Follow Fasting

Jentezen Franklin

You may be wondering what else you can have on a water fast. A water fast is true to its name. You drink water only. No coffee, no tea, no alcohol, no zero-calorie sports drinks, or any other beverage. Water only.

I have experienced many different types of fasting over the years.

It was in January, my birthday month. I decided to go to the beach with my daughter Lenoir, for some rest and relaxation. With my birthday in mind I was scoping out special places to dine for the big celebration as we typically do here in the USA.

My daughter decided this was a good time to go on a 7-Day water fast and asked me to join her. I agreed mostly to give her my support and it seemed like a good time because we were already in a relaxed mode. Oh well, no special birthday dinner this year I thought.

My daughter's experience of the fast followed her typical path, mine not so. I was hungry the first and second day followed by some pretty intense weakness for the remaining days. It was tough going I have to say. Lenoir even had the energy to exercise! Me, I pretty much became a limp noodle the whole time. My body never kicked into "this is great mode" . But I did lose 10 pounds in the 7 days. This kind of weight loss is pretty common on a water fast, but here is what I didn't expect. I lost all taste and desire to drink coffee! Now this is a big deal for me. I have been a "gotta have your morning coffee" kind of gal for, well let's be kind and say over 20 years.

The thought of my usual organic coffee with non dairy creamer and stevia was just, yuck! I started to have a cup of tea instead. This is weird, I just didn't see it coming. I have a few theories on why, but that is for another discussion. The second unexpected result from my 7-Day water fast was that alcohol made me sick. My guess is that I had just done a pretty good detox cleanse and my body was having no part of messing it up! It took a few months before coffee sounded good to me. I still get a headache even with one glass of wine! Our bodies do talk to us, we just need to learn how to listen.

Have you ever considered doing a water-only-fast? Or maybe you have. If you have, I would love to hear about your water fast experience.

For More Info Contact Karen Rae Cook @ NewEarthShamans.org