Before starting a fast, what should we do?

Preparation for fasting

As we have mentioned in previous articles, before any kind of fasting, either one full or part, in water or fruit juice must be prepared physically and mentally. The reason we recommend a physiological and psychological preparation, is to enable the person to adapt gradually to the changes that occur during fasting.

Physiological Preparation

• Target, preparing the body and avoid imbalances.
• Consult a doctor, and have your physical exam and order a series of laboratory tests in order to orient it towards that type of fast to do, or if a disease is contraindicated fasting.
• Make preliminary fasts: that is the purpose that suits the body sensations and symptoms that occur during fasting.
• Pre-fast food of high quality: that during fasting the symptoms are less noticeable and also avoid imbalance, ie a week before the fast to avoid sweets, flour, pepper, fat, etc..
• No abruptly into fasting.

• Make physiological preparation. Informing the person about fasting. Should be voluntary, ie, the person must want to do so without being forced.
• Self-motivation: the person must motivate yourself with positive affirmations such as "with each passing day I am accomplishing the goal of fasting.
• Load shedding all sin because it can disturb the prayers before God.
• Keep busy: avoid leisure time, avoid watching television, you should plan your time with God.
• Set yourself deadlines to continue: this is where the filing of a crisis of fasting, in which the person is upset and this motivated the elimination of toxins. These crises are short lived and the person must be a margin of six hours in which to pass the crisis.
• Do not think of the remainder should be seen in the present.
• Avoid negative emotions like anger, resentment, anger, jealousy, etc.., I carry a stress situation, detrimental during fasting.
• If he fasts together is better.
• It's good to keep a diary, to the entry of the symptoms exhibited during fasting. Also record the daily weight, temperature and pulse.

In addition to the physical and psychological preparation of fasting, it is important to take care of our food. When entering a fast, it is suggested to phase out some food. The diet should lighten gradually over several days.

We recommend removing heavier foods such as flour, fats and dairy derivatives. These should be eliminated within the first two days of starting the fast. Subsequently reduced cereals, nuts and legumes.

The day before the fast, eat only easily digested foods such as fruits, light salads and soups. During the fast you can only drink water and sometimes herbal teas.

Source: The Gale Encyclopedia of Alternative Medicine