A rave review of Intermittent Fasting
I am twenty-nine days into my Intermittent Fast experience, and I must tell you that I am elated with the unexpected results. I can hardly believe a month of days have accumulated so quickly, and that I am here, now, wanting to give you a rave review, so that you too, might enjoy the benefits of IF.
Let us start with the schedule portion of the fast. I had committed to 8/16, thats eight hours during which food consumption was a yes, and sixteen hours of refraining from calories of any kind, including the beverage variety. This was a great start for me:
Lesson #1: Having limits is an efficient way to accomplish goals; boundaries clarify our yes’s and our no’s
I was saying yes to temperance, every time I stayed within the fence that I had created around my eating habits, and no to overindulgence at the same time. Fabulous learning, however, I had to take a good look at my schedule and reassess: I get up super early and the other day, I was so hungry I felt sick, so I had to eat. Breaking the fast was imperative, because I have a life to live for goodness sakes, and the clock, it is not the boss of me… I am!
“Be not among drunkards or among gluttonous eaters of meat, for the drunkard and the glutton will come to poverty, and slumber will clothe them with rags” (Proverbs 23:20-21).
This leads us to:
Lesson # 2: Be flexible
What I decided is this; it is so old fashioned and outmoded as to seem ridiculously simple: I eat when I am hungry, and this breaks the fast. I wait for four hours, and eat again… next, I wait for another four hours, and eat again… yes, dear reader, I have turned back time and given myself the gift of three square meals a day! I am hungry, I eat, work, play, visit, write, workout, and then, ding, the super bell rings and it is time again, to fuel myself for the next bout of fun! I am finding food has its place in my life, and is not dominating in any way shape or form.
“So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God” (1 Corinthians 10:31).
This brings us to the next point:
Lesson #3: Timing and temperance are soul mates
To not eat when hungry, I mean truly hungry, seems silly. To eat when not hungry, similarly, also seems very silly. Need I say more?
Fitness is no accident
I am in the best shape of my life right now! I am lean and fit and energetic. I was before, but the washboard abs I spoke about wanting, are coming in nicely, and I am pleased with my progress, my tenacity, and my commitment to follow through. I am staying with this IF, and I continue to like it very much. I am not bragging dear reader, I am letting you know, that fitness is no accident, and fit people get to pat themselves on the back, because it is not the easiest course of action to take… eating cupcakes and ice cream is super easy… please do, read blog 3/5 from this series.
My prayer life dear reader, is astounding
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| The wonder of life is discoverable |
Now, for the piece da resistance, my prayer life dear reader, is astounding. I have a clarity I don’t ever recall having and my time in the Word of God, The Bible, has me weeping with joy. I am overflowing with the love that only God can bestow… I see and feel and hear and touch and taste differently now: and I am awake. I can barely get enough of what God has on offer and I can’t wait to hear and learn more every minute of the day. It occurs to me, that I truly am, experiencing heaven on earth, as I spend time, with a calorie clear mind, meditating on his word. He has become my food, my drink: the fasting portions of my day are my favourite, and when I eat, my tastebuds delight. It is a wonder, to know that abstinence increases appetite, desire, craving, longing, and that when we are filled up, we do fill to overflowing.
“Keep this Book of the Law always on your lips; meditate on it day and night, so that you may be careful to do everything written in it. Then you will be prosperous and successful” (Joshua 1:8).
What can I tell you dear reader, except this:
Lesson # 4: Food can be your medicine, or your poison
We must eat, not to survive, but to be satisfied. The Word of God is food for the soul, while the tongue tastes the pleasures that creation provides. Timed satisfaction is glorious: waiting, wondering, and then discovering, is a gift we can give to ourselves.
“Go, eat your food with gladness, and drink your wine with a joyful heart, for God has already approved what you do” (Ecclesiastes 9:7).
Lesson #5: Share the learning, pass on the pleasure
Try Intermittent Fasting dear one. Do this after setting an intention for yourself. I wanted to develop the character strength known as temperance, the last gift mentioned as a fruit of the Spirit. I am well on my way, and I am grateful. You can start today, and in twenty-nine days, see how
you feel?!
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law” (Galatians 5:22-23).
