Fasting / food problems

[Anhelyna]

For the first time I'm really having problems

I've been following my usual pattern for the Great Fast BUT mid morning and mid afternoon I'm suffering horrendously from lack of food - to the extent you would think I was diabetic [ I'm not ] and my blood sugar had just gone through the floor.

it then takes me a while to get back to normal - eating things like dried apricots , and some oatcakes.

Now Sunday I'll really have a problem - a 90 min fast drive [ I do mean fast ] to Church after my usual OJ and coffee. And before eyebrows go up at that my SF insisted , even instructed me to eat/drink that under obedience , as I had a long trip to do . However if Sunday is like this week has been, by the time DL starts at 11 I'll be needing food

I'm seeing my Confessor next week and will be talking with him about this new phenomenon .

This morning I emailed a Priest friend about this and he suggested strongly that I had breakfast - a bit more than usual , and take some OJ in the car to have on both directions. I'll also take a sandwich with me [ we don't have that wonderful coffee hour 'thing' after DL - most folk have already gone by the time Father enters the Sacristy after Liturgy ] I'll get home about 3pm and will then have a snack before my evening meal.

I hardly need say I won't be approaching the Chalice - but I will go and kiss the Cross and receive antidoron at the end of Liturgy

Has this happened to anyone else ?

 

[Kristos]

It seems like every year my body reacts differently - I suppose because there are many other variables involved than just food. This year I donated blood just before the fast started and that seems to have thrown my body off a bit. This whole week I have had trouble recovering and today I completely bonked 90 minutes into my workout, so I just stopped. If my legs don't recover over the weekend I will have to make some adjustments.

 

[Dorothea]

Yes. I have the blessing of my priest to eat a little breakfast Sunday mornings as well. Not just liquid but some solid foods, just not, as he put it, "Steak and eggs." lol So, I would have 1/2 bowl or less of cereal or a granola bar with some juice. I do have some borderline hypoglycemic issues and food sensitivities.

I am able to fast three hours before receiving communion on Wednesday's Presanctified Liturgy.

I have heard, the older you get, the harder it gets, and I believe Kristos is also right. Sometimes, it seems some years are worse or easier than others.

Yes, I think talking with your SF or Confessor will help you and your situation.

 

[Anhelyna]

Sadly can't talk to my SF - he's now in Australia

However since I'm heading over to my Confessor on Monday - I'll be adding this little problem to the list of topics . We have exchanged views on my fasting practice in the past - he always wins

I've never done this before - must be old age catching up with me .

Oh dear - just realised that, having asked my other priest friend [ he's 'O' and is in the USA ], when I head over there this summer we'll be in the Apostles Fast - and he'll be watching me like a hawk then - grrrrr.

 

[RobNJ]

A little real food is a good idea. you probably don''t have any... but I started any liturgy day with 2 tsp of peanut butter(priest approved). I need to take my meds first thing in the morning and one of them requires being taken with food.

I'd rethink the OJ.. that is a lot of sugar to throw into your system, with no actual food to temper it.

 

[Anhelyna]

I'm utterly used to OJ - have some every morning Normal brekkie is OJ and coffee !

I'll add toast and PB in tomorrow and see how that does - Sunday - well I'll eat and take some jelly babies with me in the car - easier than OJ at 60 mph

 

[Gxg (G²)]

Praying God would grant wisdom on how to address the situation - sounds rough

 

[ArmyMatt]

remember it's what goes out of the mouth that defiles someone, not what goes in. for health reasons I know a lot who break the fast because they have to at times (my father in law being one of them), and he has the blessing to do so.

 

[seashale76]

I've been following my usual pattern for the Great Fast BUT mid morning and mid afternoon I'm suffering horrendously from lack of food - to the extent you would think I was diabetic [ I'm not ] and my blood sugar had just gone through the floor

Only a diabetic who had too much insulin would experience hypoglycemia. Otherwise, they're generally hyperglycemic without insulin. When you are hypoglycemic, have some OJ or hard candy on hand to take to get your blood sugar up and then follow it with protein of some sort (peanut butter on crackers or nuts, etcetera).

Sometimes medications you're on can cause you to be hypoglycemic. If you keep having problems, I'd seriously consider seeing an endocrinologist.

 

[Steinbeck]

Real fasting is not, I don't think--for most people, at least--about denying ourselves the bit of food and water we happen to need, but about denying ourselves the unnecessary food and water (and whatever else) that we may want, but is not essential. Eating due to need (and with some healthy humility) is much better than not eating in order that we may think we have somehow fulfilled the fast (when few can say they have done this) and causing harm to our bodies. The war is against the flesh, not the body. The body is the temple of the Holy Spirit and will be resurrected. The flesh, as I understand it, is like the seat and sum of our passions. The body has a need for X to be healthy. The flesh wants more. It is insatiable, whereas the body knows when it has what it needs.

 

[gurneyhalleck1]

You're talking the Sunday fast, right? Well, I do the fast, but I hate it, seriously, sometimes. I get light-headed and then I have MAJOR HEARTBURN after it! I have had heartburn problems for years, and when I skip breakfast, heartburn comes back. These days, I only get heartburn one day a week-Sunday!....at coffee hour or when we go out to lunch.

 

[Anhelyna]

If you mean me Gurney - it was every day last week It was bad enough that I was really worried about driving to Church. The Fast has never hit me like this before hence my worry.

Strangely enough since arriving at my Confessor's house I've had no problems. Yes I got a really good telling off from him and have been told what I am to do if the problems return - particularly the Sunday mornings. Once he understood the stresses and strains I had been under last week we have put it down to that.

Normally even Sunday morning doesn't worry me , I've always had a couple of mouthfuls of OJ and half a cup of coffee then ( at 7am - under obedience ) and then I eat once I'm home about 3.30pm

Believe me it was a frightening experience

 

[Anhelyna]

Well - that has been an interesting 3 days

Monday morning - normal brekkie of OJ and Coffee and a slice of toast and Ginger marmalade and that was at 5.30 am as my taxi was due anytime after 6.

Lunch was at 2 pm in Dublin - and did I have any problems - nope !!

I've eaten the same form of diet as I always do and I've had no problems at all.

OH BOY - you should have heard the stern' talking to ' I got Work we had intended to do wasn't touched - he decided this was far more important

I am to see how things go for the rest of this week and if I'm in trouble he has told me , in great detail too , what I am to do and he really does mean it

I'll be over there , as I have been for the last 3 years, for Great and Holy Week , and I'll have to face him then , both as a friend as as my Confessor ,[ don't know which of those actually comes first ] and there's no way I wish to experience his wrath - I'll obey him and he knows it