I’m finding that I need to replace moments that I would normally eat food with other activities, especially when I’m not hungry.

What does everyone else do?

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@aniann
” so I potter around or sleep. ”

I know what sleep is. I prefer 10 minute naps to recharge & for quick energy.

I don’t know what “potter around” is?

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@wiltldnrusa
“i’m going 2 try it (go 2 my topics it is there)
…
research on internet about how 2 improve my health
& how 2 have a tasty fastday
read books listen 2 books while cleaning u really wash & clean really well
gardening
answer & read posters on this forum/
…
watch movies from netflix
call my relatives & friends
& listen 2 them only never talk about myself or the fastday lifestyle
& thank mosley 4 introducing this way of life”

Wow, thank you.

There really are many alternatives.

Sometimes, it feels that there is only one thing to do. With some thought and planning ahead, life can be a lot more fun with all the extra time.

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Reflecting more on this, it occurred to me that I would do the simple things.

One of which is brushing my teeth.

But more thoroughly, as I have the time, and enjoying the process without feeling rushed.

Flossing first with a mint tasting floss thread, then brushing the teeth and the tongue with minted paste, and finishing with minted mouth wash.

This is a recipe worth saving for me.

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Working from home has advantageous and areas to be aware of with regards to food.

This has great ideas on this:

http://lifehacker.com/how-can-i-eat-well-while-working-from-home-1325057730

Being conscious of what foods are easily available is a challenge. I’m finding that my refrigerator is emptier and that I need to stock it appropriately.

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@chilliexx
“Potter means just mooching around doing small things. ”

That’s a great idea & so funny.

I get a visual of what Hobbits probably do to stay busy.

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@tomtommum
” I ask myself “how is that going to be of any comfort or in any way is that being kind to myself by eating something that means I put on more weight !?”

http://thefastdiet.co.uk/forums/topic/so-thankful/

Yes, personal self talk & messages are very important.

How to have them when most needed?

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Our pastor mentioned that he had fasted for 3 days & it perked up my curiosity.

He also mentioned that he was also not talking at the same time that he was fasting. I was more curious. His message was more for a spiritual connection than a physical endeavor. He went on to say that the less of material focus there is, that the more God appears.

That thought stayed with me.

I have fasted for 3 days but never had a period of silence at the same time. It would probably have to be in a hermetic setting with no one else around. That’s not going to happen to me soon if ever, or for a long time.

However, I will be in an upcoming men’s retreat and I wondered if I could substitute listening for being silent?

I would mostly ask questions and withhold speaking more than necessary. This would be unlike prior years where I would tend to dominate conversations. I would also take notes of my thoughts & discussions with others.

So – a vow of listening!

Of course, I would not tell others. Not like those that are going silent and hold up a card of “silence” to let others know. No dramatics. Just more curious.

For an entire day on Friday, I think I can do this.

Laughing will be allowed.

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@mulville
” that sounds like a great idea,(listening as opposed to talking) let us know how it goes!”

I better start practicing now?

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@keyz
“so i did a very short workout of 20 min and then 35 min of yoga – both DVDs so that i could just follow along and not watch the clock.”

Great strategy to keep something like that handy. I’ll have to come up with something for myself like that.

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@littlewing
“Haven’t managed to shift any weight since I quit 2weeks ago despite doing 4:3 and running 30 miles a week…the winning combination ”

Maybe you can find your winning combination in some other form.

I’m doing 5:2 and sprints, strengthening and stairs climbing and in a good direction.

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So how about just smelling food & walking away from it?

Humans ‘sniff 10 types of smell’

The thousands of aromas humans can smell can be sorted into 10 basic categories, US scientists say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24123676

Whoever said we need to eat after smelling food, if we don’t want to?

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Good thoughts, Annie & Quick.

My next approach on fast days, with more time now available to me, I will do those things that I’ve been procrastinating on.

I’ll probably read the book on procrastination that I’ve had for a month. I haven’t even opened it.

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Here are some strategies to consider obtained from another source:

✔️1. Do it first thing in the morning. If you’re dreading doing something, you’re going to be able to think of more creative excuses as the day goes along. One is “Do it now.” No delay is the best way.

✔️2. If you find yourself putting off a task that you try to do several times a week, do it EVERY day. When I was planning my blog, I envisioned posting two or three times a week. Then a blogging friend convinced me that no, I should post every day. As counter-intuitive as it sounds, I’ve found that it’s easier to do it every day (well, except Sundays) than fewer times each week. There’s no dithering, there’s no juggling. I know I have to post, so I do. If you’re finding it hard to go for a walk four times a week, try going every day.

✔️3. Have someone keep you company. Studies show that we enjoy practically every activity more when we’re with other people. Having a friend along can be a distraction, a source of reassurance, or just moral support.

✔️4. Make preparations, assemble the proper tools. Clean off your desk, get the phone number, find the file. I often find that when I’m dreading a task, it helps me to feel prepared. There’s a wonderful term that chefs use: mis-en-place, French for “everything in its place.” It describes the preparation done before starting to cook: gathering ingredients and implements, chopping, measuring, etc. Mis-en-place is preparation, but it’s also a state of mind; mis-en-place means you have everything at the ready, with no need to run out to the store or begin a frantic search for a sifter. You’re truly ready to begin to work.

✔️5. Commit. We’ve all heard the advice to write down your goals. This really works, so force yourself to do it. Usually this advice relates to long-term goals, but it works with short-term goals, too. On the top of a piece of paper, write, “By the end of today, I will have _____.” This also gives you the thrill of crossing a task off your list.

✔️6. Remind yourself that finishing a dreaded task is tremendously energizing. Studies show that hitting a goal releases chemicals in the brain that give you pleasure. If you’re feeling blue, although the last thing you feel like doing is something you don’t feel like doing, push yourself. You’ll get a big lift from it.

On fasting days, this may serve as a reminder.

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Are you finding more time in your feed day also?

I’ve noticed that while I’m eating less on feed days, I’m finding more available time for other things – like thinking.

Who’s thinking more and eating less?

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@anniemac
“2 pounds lost last week. Today is a fast day, so I feel a bit waterlogged with all the water ”

Great progress!

Water logging is only one of the 50 shades of fasting.

Someone should list all of the shades.

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Just in: Housework ‘not strenuous enough’ for exercise targets.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-24570276

Now what?

Well the conclusions may upset some people.

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@ toms mantis

“Well just spent weekend clearing out unwanted stuff ”

Same here. It’s more emotional for me than physical.

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@ toms mantis
” as some stuff belonged to my mum, ”

Yes, I’m reluctantly purging of what had interested me in my past.

It occurred to me that going through this, I can reflect on my past successes and failures.

It helps that my wife is taking the lead on this.

In a way, it’s materials fasting.

I will be lighter.

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We can all agree that meditation soothes the soul and is one of the ultimate ways to enhance the fasting experience.

Recently a concept breathing wall became a finalist that would assist in meditating.

http://electroluxdesignlab.com/en/submission/breathing-wall/

From what I understand, this is digitally projected to any wall while smartphone controlled.

The undulating waves are similar to the breathing sensations.

Would you fast better to this, if you had it?

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Why workout or fast when a new shirt will instantly give you fake pecs and a slimmer look?

http://www.digitaltrends.com/cool-tech/funkybod-padded-shirt-fake-muscles/

If women can wear supportive garments, shouldn’t men do the same?

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