Mind, most Russians fast while maintaining their regular schedules and women continue to cook for their families (yes Russian families are more traditional than in the US). The key is to start gradually, from 24-36h a week and then do longer fasts once in a while. Fasting is easier when you're busy with routine work. It's hard when you sit home doing nothing, conserving your energy. Then thoughts about food become overwhelming.
Regarding your age, I though that you were in your 40s. That's generally the time when people start fasting with the goal of improving their health. Fasting can cure many chronic conditions.
The fasting method I follow was developed in Russia by a psychiatrist Dr Yuri Nikolayev, who worked at the Moscow Research Institute of Psychiatry in the 1970s. He started by fasting mental patients and in the process it was noticed that many of their concurrent health issues were also cured or improved. This led to the development of a larger fasting ward where with time, over the years, the MDs perfected the method and treated reportedly ~10,000 people with a variety of ailments.
I got interested in fasting when I saw a documentary about this fasting clinic. It was very impressive. Nowadays the work started by Dr. Nikolayev continues in several fasting clinics throughout Russia where trained MDs employ his method to threat many incurable chronic diseases like, say, sarcoidosis.
So, fasting rejuvenates because it rids the body of various ailments. I understand that for a person who has not had a chance to study the subject it is very unclear and maybe even incomprehensible how not eating for a stretch can cure anything. Later on, I am planning to do a write up on what I learned about this.
Now, regarding your fear that you will be emaciated after a fast, you're absolutely right. And the longer the fast the more you'll be emaciated. That's a given. That's why the method developed by Nikolayev is called.. ..it's not easily translatable, but it includes 2 terms with the basic meaning 'fasting and refeeding'. Fasting itself is only a half of the method, and I must say that it is the easiest half. The other half is careful habituation to your regular (or a new) diet, whatever it may be. According to the method, this refeeding phase should last at least as long as the fast itself, better longer.
Your fear that you will loose kgs of muscle, organs and bone on a 10 day fast is unjustified. You will loose fat and a bit of muscle. The liver will become a bit smaller -- and healthier. That's about it. Bodybuilders who fasts report that after the fast they regrow lost muscle with ease. Maintaining your workout routine at 1/2 to 3/4 intensity makes fasting easier and preserves muscle mass.
On the Russian fasting forum that I frequent (golodanie.su) there are 3 very prominent regulars who make a good example. All are men, one in his late 40s, one in mid 50s, and the other in late 60s. They fast regularly and long (3 weeks for them is a short fast). They look very good for their age and are in great shape.
The older man, a professor of material science in Irkutsk university, alternates his fasting days between several miles long runs and pumping iron in the gym. He started both fasting and exercising ~7 years ago, because he realized that unless he did something about his health, his future seemed bleak. He started with 10 min runs and gradually extended them by 5 min increments per month. He was similarly cautious building up his fasting routine.
The man in his 50s, started fasting in his 40s, because he was very sick, almost an invalid, with a bouquet of severe health conditions. His method also consisted of physical activity, fasts and careful diet. Now he is healthy, very active and looks good.
The man in his late 40s fasts mostly for vanity and fitness. He had no serious health issues. He too is a bodybuilder.
Now, will they live to 200? I am not sure they will live to a 100. Fasting gives them fitness and health.
However, these examples do not mean that fasting is for everyone. I believe there is a reason why we're drawn to certain things, while others leave us indifferent. If fasting interests you, it may be good for you. If not, then maybe not. Trust your instinct
Edited by xEva, 08 March 2013 - 04:09 AM.