Fasting Journal : Fasting Center International

FASTING BREAKS SINGAPORE TEACHER'S YO-YO DIET ADDICTION, INSTILLING CALM AND MENTAL CONTROL!

    [NOTE: During the 35 years it has built our world's largest, nonresidential fasting clientele, FCI has enjoyed clients on all continents and in all time zones, including every major Asian nation. Many of these kindred souls, East and West, reflect the emerging globalization of our human culture. Here, for instance, is the fasting testimony of an Indian married to a Chinese, raising their three children--ages 8, 4 and 3--in ultramodern Singapore. Like so many in today's dynamic Asian societies, Theresa Ang, 34, is an overachiever, juggling caring for her young family with her teaching career with the Ministry of Education, while completing her final year of studies toward an additional degree--a Bachelor of Science program in Mathematics. Because of her many commitments, however, Theresa knew that she had to finally break her multi-year, yo-yo diet cycle, and effectively detoxify her body-mind-spirit complex, as well as lose some unnecessary weight, if she wished to move closer to her optimum potential as a human being. Her story, told here, mirrors that of countless FCI clients throughout Asia, female and male.]

    "I thought my weight-loss saga would continue with another episode. . .this time entitled, 'FCI,' or something. You see, since my childbirthing days ended several years back, I have embarked on a never-ending journey of diets, exercise machines, slimming pills, and more diets. It was, needless to say, frustrating and even depressing; and, if I may add, quite addictive. Weight loss was all too often my primary focus, providing an artificial sense of self-worth and security. Alas, it only exacerbated the problem it sought to remedy. My latest weight-loss regime--the PHEN/FEN drug routine--left me physically drained and debilitated.

    "My FCI episode was all because of Oprah Winfrey. I had heard that her shrinking power had something to do with OptiFast. Somehow, my Cybersearch led me to FCI and Dennis Paulson. (Thanks, Oprah!) Yes, good old Dennis. I'm not quite sure what it is--his warmth, candid nature, inspiring words, or tough-yet-gentle email demeanor--that has left him altogether endearing and pretty awesome, though I'd never met the guy before, mind you. Actually, it's amazing!. . .thousands of kilometers away, yet we could share a kinship and camaraderie that knows no bounds.

    "Now, I didn't fall for FCI just like that. Fasting was known territory that I would prefer to give a miss. Why? Because I'd been on near-starvation diets, and a year earlier, had attempted the Mayr 'fast' [actually, a 'diet,' as 'stale bread and milk' are reportedly taken, and thinking adults, both East and West, know that 'diets' fail, according to (U.S.) WASHINGTON POST research, "99.5% of the time, over the past 70 years"]. The trauma of some of those days still haunts me today. I remembered the nights I would stay awake, unable to go to sleep because the intense hunger was virtually unbearable. The mirages of food--glorious food--was all too much for a mere mortal like me to bear.

    "But it was FCI's wholistic plan of body, mind and spirit that clinched the deal for me. FCI was not about weight loss and deprivation of food. Rather, it operated out of a prevention paradigm, rather than a treatment paradigm. Also, as a Christian, I've always stood in awe of my Saviour's fasting experience, and the strength and victory that arose, as a result. Could I actually get a taste of that experience, even if it's just a morsel?

    "And so I went for it! I must admit, it was with a fair bit of apprehension, especially about the hunger issue. Imagine, then, my surprise when I had wondrous, sleepful nights. Hunger was never much of a problem. Anyway, I was never too far away from a juice or drink of some kind. Food was no longer my enemy, and fruits, in particular, took on a whole new meaning, as I found them to be not only delicious, but also complete foods in themselves. And boy, was I the center of attention, as friends and colleagues started seeing 'less' of me. Save for my loved ones, no one knew that I was fasting; they didn't need to, anyway.

    "Then there was Dennis, always there when I needed him, yet never imposing in any way, or hounding me to see if I had taken my juices or done my enemas. Originally, as enemas are optional at FCI, I quickly made up my mind to have nothing to do with such a seemingly disgusting way to begin the day. But as enemas obviously aid the detoxification process, I decided just to try it once. To my pleasant surprise, it was a breeze. Yes, how we uninitiated do bask in our ignorance and prejudices.

    "If it were not for Dennis, the going would definitely have been tough. Like, when I had this bout of depression, when the scales refused to tip in my favor for a few days. It was the kind of thing I'd been through before on my many diets--NO weight loss for days. Normally, I'd have started to question the rationale of what I was doing, and probably abort everything. But, Dennis redirected my focus to the fast in its entirety. It took me awhile to snap out of that one, but when I did, I realized my weight-loss obsession had been totally unnecessary.

    "After that, I began to appreciate and understand more of what Dennis and FCI stand for. A lot of the beliefs and ideology then began emanating through the window which I had chosen to open. Saying thanks is not enough, for I began to feel so fulfilled and complete, even though the work had only just begun. Weight loss was no longer my only concern, as I now moved into the whole body-mind-spirit realm.

    "A week into my actual juice-fast, however, I must say that the most exciting and thrilling aspect was that I was not feeling hungry. FCI/Dennis were absolutely right--my brain's appestat mechanism had shut off. This was so significant. You see, I had been on diets that have made similar claims, but I always used to go to bed holding my abdominal area, because of the hunger. When FCI had echoed this familiar cry, I wasn't going to buy any of it. . .until 3-to-4 days into my actual juice-fast, when I couldn't believe I was not hungry!

    "By the way, I lost a grand total of 8 kgs. (17 lbs.) during my 22 days of actual juice-fasting. In fact, I had to practically revamp my wardrobe. Great excuse, huh? Also, I experienced a calm and a placidity that is only spoken of in ancient wisdom. In fact, I only appreciated it post-fast, when I realized that my thinking patterns and mind control were altered, once I started eating solid food again.

    "And so ends my weight-loss saga, but the FCI episode continues. . .for I have also found, in the Program it's taught me for life, a strength and a purpose I'm not about to let go. So. . .watch out for my fasting sequel!--Theresa Ang, Singapore"

    [FCI NOTE: One year later, as Theresa and I have maintained our friendship, she would write: "Hey, I sucessfully completed my B.Sc. (Math) and had my convocation. It was absolutely overwhelming to think that I could achieve this with a career and 3 kids. My husband, parents and my daughter witnessed the momentous occasion--all so terribly proud of me. My colleagues at work, too, feel that I am their pride and joy. I must add that I fasted during my undergraduate period, and am especially proud of that. Boy, do I miss chatting with you like this." To which I responded: "Me, too, of course, Theresa. The fast may have been more important than you realize, in teaching you that you CAN do just about anything you truly put your mind to in this lifetime. I'm SOOOOOOOOO proud of your magnificent accomplishment, Dear! Love, your friend, Dennis Paulson]

Please come back soon for new additions to FCI's online, archived FASTING JOURNAL!

Any questions, email or phone FCI. Email: FastMaster@fasting.com; phone: 818-590-2536 (know that the best time to catch Founder/Director Dennis Paulson, himself, with the least interruption, is between 10-4, California time). For the Fasting Center International home page, click here: www.fasting.com