Sunday, March 30, 2008
thoughts on fasting
I wanted to ask the other mom's out there about fasting. I've always struggled with fasting when I was younger- I often get big headaches that knock me out. So it was a relief in a way when I started having kids- there have only been a few months the past 4 years that I haven't been either pregnant or nursing. And of course the girls don't fast, so it's just James on his lonesome. I want to try this fasting thing again- but am not sure how to do it since I am still nursing. I have heard of other mom's that will do a carb fast or a fruit fast or something like that. How do you ladies work it? I'm hoping for some good advice. Thanks!!
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8 comments:
I always been terrible at fasting. I get light-headed and shaky and generally feel awful. (I really think that fasting is much harder for some people than others. My husband, although he gets hungry, never gets symptoms like I do.)
So, I'm with you. Since being pregnant/nursing, it has been nice to have a legit excuse not to fast. In the past I've tried to go without treats on Fast Sunday. (I don't always remember, but when I do, it gives me a way to remember that it is Fast Sunday even though I'm eating.) Some Fast Sundays I try to fast and pray for something, (even though I'm not fasting) by thinking and pondering about it through out the day.
I'm certainly not very good in this area and your post makes me want to improve.
I'm totally with you on this! I get a massive headache that doesn't go away until I go to sleep that night. (And, it's really hard to fall asleep when your head is pounding.) I was actually thinking along these same lines today, so this is a perfect post!
When I'm pregnant, I still participate in the spirit of the fast, even though I can't fully participate in the physical aspects of it. Ryan and I usually start our fast together, but instead of fasting from food, I fast from TV for the day, but we don't really watch TV on Sundays anyway--so that's out for next time. I've also heard that some moms eat simplified meals instead of the normal weekend meals they might eat.
I think the point is to go without something that will remind you that you're making a sacrifice to receive a blessing. So, whatever will feel like a sacrifice for you might be what you could abstain from for as long as a typical fast.
I agree w/what has been said. I try to pray and think of who/what I am fasting for that day and try not to eat sweets (my biggest temptation) or eat a little less..but not enuf to make me sick when prego or nursing). I agree w/you too....I really enjoy that aspect of nursing/prego bcse we don't have to fast!
Now, not being a mom, but having blood sugar issues I agree with what everyone has said, especially about the "spirit of the fast." One of my diabetic co-workers, who will probably die if she fasts, said that she was counseled by her Stake Pres. to eat simple meals and remember that the spirit of the fast is sacrifice, not how many meals you can go without eating.
I agree with what's been said. When I fast while pregnant or nursing I choose something else to go without. Either TV, or I just drink etc.
I too think it's important to keep the spirit of fasting with you and not look at being pregnant or nursing as a way out of fasting.
Fasting is a wonderful blessing to us where we can show the Lord that we are willing to make sacrifices for what is important to us, and Him.
I would agree with what has been said as well. It is more about the spirit of the fast that you have, not the meals we skip. I have a hard time fasting as well, but who doesn't we are used to eating when we are hungry.
We held a family fast on Sunday and I did what I could to participate (being 7 months pregnant makes it a little difficult), but it was more than I have done in a while and I feel it made all the difference in my personal fast for our family.
Its interesting to hear that so many people struggle with fasting like I have. I have wondered if I have blood sugar problems because fasting makes me so ill. Max's physical effects from fasting are completely different than mine!
I never did fast while pregnant or nursing, but I like other suggestions about sacrificing in some other way. But when I am not pregnant, I always just suck it up and fast...headaches, dizziness, memory focusing problems and all!
Not to tread lighly on a serious subject but-g ee, I wish I could remember what those kiddos of yours looked like. It's been so very, very long since you've posted...
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