How to Fast for Advent — and Have the Best Christmas ever

Intermittent fasting wasn’t created in the last decade, it’s a human creation with a long and virtuous history that will make us all healthier, happier, wealthier, allow us to truly enjoy the Christmas feast and stay slim for the new year. As Martin Luther might have said, “The belly god doesn’t need to be fed every time he growls.”

So, this year I don’t want to spend more money than I have, overeat and booze from late November for four to six weeks. I don’t want to make resolutions that I never keep, that mean I struggle with my weight all the way to spring just to be another target in a shopkeeper’s sales demographic.

The “fast before feast” maxim of early Christians has all but been forgotten but I believe, right now, is the perfect time for a revival.

Let’s fast for advent instead of gorging on cheap little chocolates from cardboard imitations of Christmas.

And let’s face the truth, you really can’t feast without a fast, feasting every day is just gluttony.

NOW RELAX, BECAUSE . . .

The advent fast isn’t hard. You don’t even have to be a churchgoer. It’s great for kids and old people. And you certainly don’t need to indulge in religious guilt if you do have one glass of egg-nog or a mince pie. Just be mindful of what you’re doing and why you’re doing it.

WHEN IS IT?

Advent: December 1–24. Put a reminder in your diary.

HOW TO DO IT?

• The Advent 5/2:

At it’s simplest all you have to do is refrain from eating or drinking meat, fish, dairy, oil and alcohol on Wednesdays and Fridays. This is perfect if you’ve never fasted before or your kids want to do it too. Traditionally it is what Christians do throughout the year.

Or:

Stick to soup and water during the day with a small simple meal in the evening. No more than 600-800 calories for the whole day.

• The 24/7:

Every day for Advent stop drinking or eating meat, eggs, dairy, fish, oil, and alcohol.

WHAT IF . . .

. . . you work in one of those professions where Christmas parties are unavoidable for networking reasons. or you’re the manager running them? Try this short and disciplined version instead.

• The Forefeast Fast:

From December 20–24 just drink soup and water during the day and a simple meal in the evening, no more than 600-800 calories in the day.

HOW TO BREAK YOUR FAST

Just wait for the first star to rise on the evening of the 24th and then crack open the vino, pass the cheese, put on your party clothes and let the festivities commence (Unless you’re in a polar region with 24 hour sunlight and then just aim for an easy and child-friendly 6pm).

KNOW THIS

Children, old people, pregnant women or anyone with specific dietary needs do not have to do this or can adjust the foods to their needs.

If you are religious, you are still allowed to eat as proscribed on your existing feast days during these periods.

Even if you aren’t, fasting in this way means you can really appreciate that you don’t die if your stomach growls for a few hours, the world will go on if you don’t snack!

For me, fasting like this is good enough to reverse insulin resistance and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease. Which is a huge bonus. This also means you’ll:

• Enjoy Christmas more.
• Be thinner in the new year.
• Have more energy.
• Live longer.
• Have time to appreciate what’s really important.
• Do good. If you can spare it, try giving the money you would have spent on snacks and booze to those who really need it.

So, here’s to enjoying every minute of your real Christmas feast — and your fast — and feeling fantastic and reinvigorated in the months ahead.

I’d love to hear how you get on; or about your experiences if you’ve fasted before.

Happy Advent!