Lost 40 Pounds On a 40 Day Fasting Diet

Fasting Testimony By Konrad

Before the fast I weighed 290 pounds, was physically inactive and definitely out of shape, pretty much the worst shape of my life.”

I had fasted before, no longer than three days and that was many years ago. I dreaded the idea. However, when one of my best friends told me he wanted to fast for 40 days, that struck a chord in my spirit and I felt I should join him. I realized I wasn’t ready for water fasting and I was thinking about what exactly I should fast. After spending some time in prayer and on the Freedomyou site, which was most encouraging, came to two conclusions:

I knew the fast had to be radical, otherwise there would be too much room for compromise. We decided to include herbal teas in our fast as well…no regular tea and definitely no coffee, and no milk or sugar.

The fast had to be for an extended period of time to have any lasting effect on my spirit, mind and body.

We set our starting date about three or four weeks after we made the decision based on our business and travel schedules.

During my preparation I spent a lot of time reading the material on the Freedomyou site and became very excited about spending more time with Jesus, becoming quiet in my Spirit. I was also looking forward to a physical transformation. Before I started I was very overweight. I weighed 290 pounds, was physically inactive and definitely out of shape…pretty much the worst shape I have been in my entire life. My lifestyle was a mess, bad eating habits (plenty of junk food, very little fruit or vegetables, way too much coffee and way too little water). I was doing little or no exercise at all and honestly I wasn’t feeling too great about myself. My sleeping patterns were haphazard and I often suffered from insomnia. I wanted to regain physical health

I was genuinely concerned about my health but never doing anything about it. I thought at some stage I would get into shape again and everything would be fine. What a dumb way of thinking! It’s never just going to happen.

And so we started a fasting diet. I experienced headaches only on the first two days. The first week was quite tough in terms of hunger pangs, I even dreamt about eating. The 40 days would have to be completed by God’s grace alone. After the first week the hunger pangs subsided but I sometimes had severe cravings for salty foods.

I honestly don’t believe that in our Western way of life we can complete a 40 day fast without God’s grace. Our paradigms and our ingrained habits are very strong.

One of the biggest revelations for me during the fasting diet was how little we actually need. Our bodies just don’t need that much to live healthy lives. Juice for forty days, and I felt terrific for most of the time. I was more tired at night than usual but I got up earlier in the morning, bursting with energy…and I never used to feel that way even after the second cup of coffee. I’m studying part-time and I must say I didn’t always manage to stay up as late at night as I used to. I felt more tired at night and often went to bed at 9pm instead of midnight – 1 am, sometimes even before 8pm. I could put in a solid day’s work though as well as start with an exercise routine. My sleeping patterns were restored I a great night’s sleep every single night, after the first few nights of dreaming of food.

One of the things mentioned on the Freedomyou website is to go for long walks. A few years ago I used to love walking, even just through some of the leafy suburbs or parks in my city. It was time to get into that habit again. The walks were an absolute highlight and I can recommend it to anyone who reads this. Plan a walk and drive out somewhere for a walk. I so enjoyed the walking that I started some light jogging, and even going to the gym a few times, and then started swimming.

Two Months After My Fast

Nearly two months have passed since the end of the 40 days, and I’m in better shape now than I’ve been in for the past ten years. In fact I so enjoy the freedom of my “new” body that I’ve started training for a triathlon. Taking part in a triathlon would be a great way to celebrate by 36thbirthday, that might sound totally strange to you, but fasting for forty days can bring about some amazing changes in your life.

Two months down the line I can testify that the fasting time was a foundational time in my life. I am now more disciplined, especially physically. I eat less since I realize how little my body really needs I train harder and I love it. The body, like a child loves discipline and responds very well to it. Similarly so does the mind and most importantly the spirit. 

I lost a total of 40 pounds during the 40 days. During the first week after starting to eat solid foods I gained 6 pounds and I have been maintaining that weight for the past two months. Although my weight has remained constant, my muscle mass has increased and my body-fat percentage has decreased. Better nutrition and more training have certainly played a part in that. 

The 40 day fasting diet was like a “reset button” in my life. Isn’t great that God in His wisdom has provided us with this tool to engage in a more intimate way of life with Him, while at the same time restoring health to our bodies and minds!

If you feel called to fast, embrace His call to intimacy. It is a great experience, a sacrifice with great reward!

Related Article: Three Powerful Fasting Weight Loss Stories

Give Us Your Feedback!
Average
Rating
4.2
CLICK on the STARS below to give us your rating & comments:
Your Comments
Great testimony! To God be the glory!
CLM
Nice story.
Tom
My fiance and I are 4 months away from our wedding and we are being spiritually led to fast... I know God will reward us for answering the call...
Monique McGrier
I am also planing to do this. very inspired by it...wish me luck...
Rimpy Dey
i am also palning to do this.
Rimpy dey
Hi love ur story is very inspiring. i recently had a baby it been 2months ive only lost 10 pound which is bad and i was guided into the light to start juicing im do a 1month challenge. A challenge for my mind my body and self control plus weightloss.reading ur story gave me strength and a sign that this is the challenge god is throwing my way.insted of me saying its gonna happen or im gonna do it and lets not forget blaming myself im to lazy well its my wake up calling me. Thank u for sharing ur story
tamiel
You're an amazing person . I'm starting a 30 day water fast, so I can lose up to 20lbs 2 weeks before school starts . So by the time I do start school I'll be able to eat solid foods . I've been researching this and most of the information is a bit scary , while others are reassuring . I feel as though I'm ready to embark on this journey , so today will be Day 1 of my water fast . :D CW : 142lbs & 5'3 GW : 122lbs - 130lbs
Daysha
Ya it really depends upon Gods grace. I did water fast from 3april 2014 to 6april2014. But i want to coninue it for 40or more dasys as i am 45kgs overweight. My age is 26 and i am a female from india i desperately wanted to be slim and smart.
gurmindersingh34@yahoo.com
this has given me some good sound advice...during this Lent, I want to fast, 1, to loose weight, 2. To pray for unbelivers, 3. Our country and leaders, 4. Family and friends. I also have fasted for 3 days, and now know to continue will bring me closer to my goals of being w/Jesus
Celia
Wow this has really encouraged me thx
Hannah
God is Phenomenal!!!!
Keenya
This is an encouraging testimony. I will try it. Thanks.
Jeremiah
hai there! thanks for sharing. it's my second day of 40 day food fasting, just for the purpose of fasting itself. i've already did 3days food fasting n I just feel better in faith n health. but in these 40days ,some health issues trouble me, I don't wanna get sick so I'm browsing to recognize if it's dangerous or not. and I found your sharing and this site. grateful to know that we can do this fast. I'm going to finish this :D thanks
Eva
I'm so doing this !
Andrea
I hope this really works and I was wondering if you had anything to eat during like and vegetables i really need to loose weight and if I lost 40ibs I would be at healthy so hopefully his will work
Karley Domenick
Page size:
select
Page: of 4
Items 16 to 30 of 56