This is a copy of the advice sheet given out on Sunday. Please see the other post for more detailed notes about the spiritual and heart preparation for fasting, as well as the physical preparation. These notes provide you with the main points about the physical aspects you need to know about, especially if you intend to do a full fast from all food.
Preparing To Fast
Fasting requires reasonable precautions. Consider consulting your doctor first if you take prescription medication or have a chronic ailment. Some people should never fast without professional supervision.
Physical preparation makes the drastic change in your eating routine a little easier so that you can turn your full attention to God in prayer.
Do not rush into your fast.
Prepare your body. Eat smaller meals before starting a fast. Avoid high-fat and sugary foods.
You may want to eat just fruit and vegetables for two days before starting a fast.
During Your Fast
Limit your activity. Exercise only moderately. Rest as much as your schedule will permit.
Prepare yourself for temporary mental discomforts, such as impatience, crankiness, and anxiety.
Expect some physical discomforts, especially on the second day. You may have fleeting hunger pains, dizziness, or the “blahs.” Withdrawal from caffeine and sugar may cause headaches. Physical annoyances may also include weakness, tiredness, or sleeplessness.
The first two or three days are usually the hardest. As you continue to fast, you will likely experience a sense of well-being both physically and spiritually. However, should you feel hunger pains, drink more water.
For maximum spiritual benefit, set aside ample time to be alone with God. Listen for His leading. The more time you spend with Him, the more meaningful your fast will be.
Ending Your Fast
How you break your fast is extremely important for your physical and spiritual well-being.
Begin eating gradually. Do not eat solid foods immediately after your fast. Suddenly reintroducing solid food to your stomach and digestive tract will likely have negative consequences.
Try several smaller meals or snacks each day. If you end your fast gradually, the beneficial physical and spiritual effects will result in continued good health.
To help you end your fast properly, while continuing to drink fruit or vegetable juices, you may want to consider the following:
First day: Add a raw salad.
Second day: Add baked or boiled potato, no butter or seasoning.
Third day: Add a steamed vegetable.
Thereafter: Begin to reintroduce your normal diet.
(This advice is extracted and edited from advice provided by Bill Bright. You can read his complete guide to fasting at this website here. The notes on his reasons for calling a fast are specific to his situation, and are different from ours, so we suggest you scroll down and start reading from How To Begin Your Fast).