Pretty Daizee Detox & Fast: For Your Body, Soul, & the Dreamer Within
Hay Daizee Loves!
I’m so happy you are interested in the fast. First and foremost, what is fasting? Fasting is basically a form of self-denial. Denying yourself of food for a certain amount of time or denying yourself certain foods for a certain amount of time. On the spiritual side, it is a Christian discipline (Jesus & others in the bible did themselves) that allows you more time to pray, seek and focus on God, and just simply draw near to Him for help. Fasting must be taken seriously and done sincerely. A 21-day fast is a huge commitment that requires guidelines and restrictions to be fully understood and committed to BEFORE the fast begins.
When I did the Daniel fast in January of 2017, I basically gave up everything in order to focus on God. I needed His help to get right within myself. Additionally, because I gave up so many foods, my mindset concerning food changed. Below are the things I did consume during the fast:
Water
HERBAL Tea
Fruits
Vegetables
Whole grains
Legumes & Beans
Nuts & Seeds
Yes, that’s it. No juice, soda, liquor, or tea (that wasn’t herbal). No dairy, meat, bread, sugar, salt… nothing! I pretty much had oatmeal made from Quaker oats (try your best to avoid processed foods) every morning for breakfast. Broccoli and sweet potatoes for lunch, or an assortment of veggies (cucumbers & tomatoes) with some brown rice. And then either a homemade salad (olive oil & balsamic vinegar as dressing) or a veggie and bean soup for dinner. However, I stopped eating beans after the first week because they bloat me and I was trying to lose weight too. One weekend we made chickpea burgers with a balsamic vinegar based coleslaw. That was NEW! Lol very healthy! And for a little treat we had the organic Alexia sweet potato fries. 21 days of this! So it’s easy to see how I lost 8 lbs.
This will be an adjustment. If you cannot control yourself and your body, just think about how much power you are giving the devil. The first day of my fast, someone walked into work with Krispy Kreme donuts, begging me to eat one. NOTHING BUT THE DEVIL. He doesn’t want you to do this fast. He doesn’t want you to spend time with God and strengthen your relationship with Him. He doesn’t want you to be healthy and to take care of your body. That’s why there are SO MANY unhealthy foods and distractions out here. You must give them ALL up during the 21 days. Prayerfully, you will no longer feel a need (or at least feel less of a need) for these things. Let’s look at some of the non-dietary things you have to cut out.
1. Dead end relationships: Bye bae L absolutely no meaningless text and such. No conversing with exes. No conversing or chilling with people YOU KNOW don’t need to be in your life. Really, no chilling… unless it’s with family. But you sleep a lot during a fast anyways. At least I did. Also, if you are “talking” to someone, I do not want to say you can’t talk to them for 3 weeks. Use your best judgement with that situation. Tell them your plans so they know you didn’t just go ghost. Ask them to do it with you. That’s my plan. LOL
2. Cell Phone Usage: Turn your phone off if you aren’t using it for the bible app or to read a devotional. You can use it to place important/emergency calls.
3. Social Media: The ULTIMATE distraction. Delete the apps! Quick.. how much PRODUCTIVE time do you spend on there? Is it making you a better person or distracting you from important things? Be honest with yourself. Also, comparing yourself to others can be a dangerous thing. I struggle with this. And do you like it because it makes you FEEL like somebody? Check your heart real good right now. You can go without it for 21 days.
4. Secular Music: Think about your heart and mind… and what you allow into it. I am way more calm and pleasant when I am listening to praise and worship music all day. The Daniel Fast is how I stumbled across Mali Music. My man. So it doesn’t necessarily have to be all gospel music but music that is glorifying to God and meaningful to our Christian journey, and edifying to our minds and spirits. If you have never gone without secular music this long, please take note of the shifting in your thoughts and how you feel during this time.
5. Netflix/TV: No Netflix or TV guys. I love Netflix… & it’s killing my productivity. You can chill & catch up with your favorite characters in 21 days. Right now focus on being productive and getting all of your business situated.
Anyways, DAY 1 the devil was trying to get me. I immediately had to go into prayer and ask for strength. You will absolutely need the grace of God to get through these 21 days. I was taught that if I got hungry, to start reading the bible. (Man shall not live by bread alone… TRUEEEE) I would be so caught up in my bible, journaling, or listening to a sermon that the hunger eventually subsided. So just like with the water fast, you know how we had withdrawals? Times 10 y ‘all! You’re cutting out things you eat every day. I was weak, nauseous, and moody the first week. I stayed in my bible and to myself. I focused on my work at work and then went home, ate dinner, journaled, and talked to God until I fell asleep each night. It was definitely easier weeks 2 and 3 lol but I almost fell out on Day 19 and my mom MADE me eat a piece of bread. With this fast, you’re only supposed to be eating for like 15-20 minutes. Eating is for nutritional purposes only for these 21 days.
*** Now, if you’re greedy and are constantly overeating junk… 1. You need to STOP and this will definitely help you 2. It’s going to be HARD. If you struggled with the Water Challenge… this is a whole new game. People ask me now how I can pass up on the fun & delicious food all of the time… I’m like… I don’t NEED it… and truth be told, you don’t either but nobody wants to hear that. So yeah, the fast definitely changed my eating habits. I still indulge on occasions but it’s not an “every chance I get type of thing. “All this food and you’re eating a salad Meg?” Umm yes?? Then it’s the whole, “You’re already so little, you can eat what you want” DON’T LISTEN TO THEM! Because those will be the same people asking what happened when you start looking like you ate yourself. HABITS PEOPLE! Just because I’m naturally small does not mean I can develop bad habits. Small does not equate to HEALTHY either. We all need healthy habits to pass down to our kids. Yes, genetics play a role in things but we love to blame a lot of things on genetics when in actuality, you just got your mom and dad’s unhealthy habits… who got their mom and dad’s unhealthy habits. Break the cycle. Educate yourselves. And take more responsibility for what you allow. You’re in control!***
We think about food so much and give it so much power in our lives, that it is a distraction for a lot of people. Instead of focusing on food solely as nutrition and fuel, we plan our whole lives around it. We use it as a coping mechanism… when we’re bored… as entertainment… as a means of bonding... EVERYTHING. I am not necessarily saying that’s a bad thing., but think about the foods you’re eating. TOXIC. Nobody wants to bond over a veggie tray and water. *rolls eyes* So when you really sit down and think about the role food plays in your life... think about all of the time, energy, and planning you give to your meals vs. the time, energy and planning you put into your relationship with God and energy and work towards your goals and purpose.
So we’ve talked about what you have to cut out during the 21 days. What do you have to add? You will find that you have freed up a lot of time. This free time will be spent with God. Talking with God. Learning about God. Learning about how God created you and why He created you. Learning His word. Reflecting on His promises. Reflecting on your life. I have personally decided to do the following:
1. 2 daily devotionals (Great for morning inspiration and focus)
2. At least ONE bible reading plan for a 21-day fast on the Holy Bible App. These reading plans help to ensure you are reflecting on the right things, as well and growing through the process.
3. THREE journal entries. One in the morning. One during lunch. One before bed. REFLECTION! This is a great way to track your thoughts. But most importantly, a great way to better understand yourself and communicate with God.
4. PRAY THROUGHOUT THE DAY. Prayer is essentially just your conversations with God which should take place throughout the day. Journaling can easily be a form of prayer as well. Just make sure to keep the communication flowing throughout the day but also to be LISTENING to Him.
5. Study (in depth) bibles stories you recall growing up and stories that involve things you are struggling with. God’s word is LIVING and grows with you. Isn’t that amazing? During my fast I studied the stories of Daniel, Esther, Joseph and the story where Jesus cast the legion of demons into the pigs (so interesting to me, Mark 5: 1-20).
Extras: Because my goal is to lose 10 lbs. this go around… I will be doing at least 30 minutes of cardio each day. My family has some 2018 health goals and we are trying to lose some weight (in every sense).
School: I am in school now and was not the first time, so I am thinking my experience will be a little bit different this time, but I can still handle it. Now, if you’re a student on a campus, I know it will extra hard to access the allowed foods on a campus with a meal plan card. So, just try your absolute best to cut out what you can and get your hands on all the fruits and veggies that you can. School isn’t a legitimate excuse for any of the other parts of the fast. Your grades should be POPPIN! Get to church and some bible studies throughout the week!
I’m excited! I know this is A LOT so I will have the condensed guidelines in a separate post. I pray you decide to join us. This will not be easy but so worth it.
Love ALWAYS,
Megan