I’m doing what I’ve named “multi-fasting. ” Multi-fasting combines a traditional food fast with other things, perhaps bad habits, that you want to moderate, reduce, or quit. These might include television, news, advertisements, gambling, or gaming.
I thought doing them simultaneously as a multi-fast would be beneficial since they are often connected. They may encourage more of each other, be addictive, generate withdrawal symptoms, and produce cravings.
In addition, I thought it would be worthwhile to include things you want to add to your routine, like exercising, reading, or journaling, or replace a time-wasting habit like watching television with journaling.
My multi-fast includes food, advertisements, and news. On the “add” side, I read more—especially when I’d normally watch TV.
Preparation—I’ve been preparing for the fast for about six weeks. I prepared by reading countless articles and watching dozens of videos about fasting. A few of the best videos are here. I also did an “intermittent fast,” where I’d only eat one meal a day several times. In addition, I fasted for an entire day twice. Finally, I ate down my perishable food inventory and stocked up on my smoothie ingredients.
Inspiration – The amazing benefits of fasting.
Here’s how I’ve constructed my multi-fasting experiment.
- Food – I will not eat any solid food. I will only drink 10-ounce glasses of my vegan superfood smoothie and unlimited purified water. I will also continue to take my vitamin supplements.
- Television – I will not watch any television. I will limit myself to commercial-free educational, personal development, and documentary videos.
- Advertisement – I will not watch, read, or listen to commercials or advertisements on any medium, including the Internet, print, or radio.
- News – I will not watch, read, or listen to the “news” on the Internet, print, or radio.
- Exercise – I will continue doing aerobic, free-weight, and abdominal exercises with minimal intensity and length. If my body gives me any signals, I will stop or postpone them.
- Rest – I will sleep, nap, and relax as much as needed.
- Duration – I will fast for three (3) days and then evaluate whether to continue, take a one (1) day break, change to an intermittent fast, or stop.
To the benefits and joys of multi-fasting. 🙂