FASTING RESOLVES TEACHER'S MILD DEPRESSION!: Fasting Center International

FASTING RESOLVES MILD DEPRESSION, RESTORING ZEST FOR LIFE IN TEACHER, 29, AFTER 54-DAY DETOX.: "I CAN'T WAIT TO WAKE UP AND START MY DAYS NOW! THIS IS REALLY LIVING LIFE!"

   [FCI NOTE: Even though very many FCI clients, on all major continents, are fasting primarily to resolve physical health problems, the truth is that a large percentage have no such suffering. Their motivation is simply that they've lost their zest for life, that spring in their step, the energy they once enjoyed (or perhaps they've only dreamed of having, periodically admiring it in others). In fact, far more than most realize, globally, today find themselves slipping into an inexplicable, mild depression--most often exacerbated by spiritual angst--in which the 'glow' sadly evaporates from learning, careers, friendships, marriages, and life itself, to the degree that nothing seems capable of providing more than temporary relief from the drudgery of quiet desperation. . .not fine meals or films, friends or parties, or even brief vacations 'away from it all'.
   If you think such depression doesn't touch your family, set or subculture, look more deeply. Depression's estimated to cost the United States, alone, over $53 billion each year, mainly through absenteeism among workers and reduced productivity. A Winter/97 study presented at a Vienna conference warns that depression will become a huge burden on the world unless better methods are developed to treat it, adding that most psychiatrists agree that depression will be the leading cause of disability in the developing world by 2020. Experts also contend that millions of people are walking around depressed without even knowing it, and their health practitioners and families are missing what could be a serious illness as well. They add that most people still believe the symptoms of depression--which include persistent sad or anxious moods, sleeping too much or too little, appetite changes and fatigue--are some sort of character defect (part of the reason why two-thirds of the 17 million people in the United States with clinical depression go undiagnosed).

   Finally determining to do something about her own dissatisfaction with living so far below her potential, Jennifer Thatcher, a Santa Barbara City College (California) intern in Early Childhood Education, 29, undertook her 56-day Total Detoxification Program with FCI, fasting with her husband Craig, 28, a professional musician/music teacher. Here is her report, two weeks post-fast.]

     "First, I want to thank you and FCI, Dennis, from the bottom of my heart. You've been such a wonderful friend and educator throughout the entire process of me finding myself again. When I found you, I had been searching for something that could fix a lot of issues in my life. It's interesting, how when you are ready, the teacher will find you.

     "From the outside, my life seemed to be happy. I was married to a wonderful man who supported and loved me. I had the chance to go back to school to get my associate's degree. I had a nice home, and animals that I loved as children. My relationships with my mother, family-in-law, and friends were great. But underneath all of this serenity, I was not happy. For about nine months, I had experienced some mild depression (which, I was to later learn, runs in my family), and I had no real drive in life anymore. Even school, which had earlier been my joy, lost all of its excitement. My husband and I were happy, but this, too, seemed to lack any real passion for me. I was overweight, and I didn't feel good about my body, or myself, for that matter. I had done the gym thing with no real results, and would end up getting very frustrated, time and time again.

     "Finally, I knew that I needed something that would completely change my thinking and life. I was talking with my husband and a friend one day, and the subject moved on to fasting. She, as you know, had done an FCI fast, and felt great while on it. For me, this was the 'light going on over the head' feeling. I decided to check it out on the Web, and felt that this was the key for all of my woes. My husband thought I should try doing a shorter fast, but I knew that what I needed was to go all out. I often had doubts about how I could actually not eat for 46 days, but I was very driven.

    "It's hard to put into words how this one decision has changed my life. My outlook on life has returned to one of appreciation and reverence for all of the wonderful things that I have. It's almost a feeling like being "reborn." My thoughts are clearer, and my mind is calmer than I can ever remember. My energy level is now way up, and all of the clocks have been reset within me. The most incredible change is my body. Yes, I did lose a lot of weight, but the most remarkable change has been in what my body can do. I have always considered myself athletic, but I was never a runner. Since finishing my fast, I've been waking up at 6 a.m. to run 2-to-4 miles EVERY DAY!!! This is from somebody who would roll out of bed at 9:30, and feel yucky for most of the day.

    "I can't wait to wake up and start my day! It's the best feeling to be up--while most are still sleeping--and running up past the Old Mission, seeing the sun come up over the mountains, with the ocean and the Channel Islands in the distance, smelling the fresh air. This is really living life! My goal is to run a 10K run this summer, and then possibly a half-marathon by the end of the year. Eventually, I want to do a full marathon, but will have to work up to that. I have also been more flexible than ever before. Doing this fast has helped me gain a connection to my body which I have never had before.

    "What I eat has definitely changed. It' now all organic, whole, healthy foods for me and my family. When we do have children, I know that I will be able to give them a great foundation for what and how to eat. I have also gotten back on track, as far as why I'm a vegetarian, and what it means to me.

    "Fortunately for me, my husband has been completely supportive of me doing this. In joining me on this fast, he has also made an amazing connection to his own body (but I'll leave it up to him to tell you all of the details). By doing this together, we've created a special bond which was not there before. We both feel as if we can now conquer anything together, and probably will. Our appreciation and respect for one another has grown tenfold.

    "The only upsetting thing now is missing the incredible high I was on while fasting. It's amazing that while I was fasting, I couldn't wait to eat food. I had thoughts about all of the good meals that I wanted to make. Post-fast, however, even though eating has been wonderful (because it's all good stuff), I feel the difference it makes in the clarity of my mind, and the heaviness in my stomach.

    "We have adopted much of your LIFETIME OPTIMUM HEALTH PLAN concepts. One of my favorites is my morning meal. It's organic granola with "All One," brewer's yeast, bee pollen, raw almonds, raw cashews, raisins and prunes (soaked overnight) and their water, organic bananas, plus a little Rice Dream. YUM, YUM! My husband hasn't joined me in all of the powder stuff (he likes his in his shakes), but to each his own. We still do vegi-cocktails on most nights. But the best is on Sundays. It's an all-live-food day, ending with yoga and a sauna. What a way to live!!!

    "Again, I just want to humbly thank you for showing me/us how to feel good again. You have empowered me to once again know my body, and my true self. We have talked about you having the best job on Earth, but I don't know if you truly yet understand the impact that you have on all of the 'enlightened' ones (I feel that I have joined with the few who seek to better themselves). You are forever a part of our lives, as the one who held our hands and taught us how to find a higher light. Thank you. Much love and continued happiness, Jennifer Thatcher."

"P.S. I bought the book you recommended, Dr. Paavo Airola's "Everywoman's Book," and absolutely love it! Thanks again for all of your guidance and support. Also, one last question: How long do I have to wait until my next fast? The reason I am asking is that finally, after weeks of riding the incredible high of heightened clarity my fast provided, I'm starting to feel a little more 'normal'. I know that I've probably had you answer this before, but is it bad to fast so soon again? The whole time I was fasting, Gina kept telling me how envious she was about me fasting (she did her FCI Program several years ago, and is the one who actually referred me). I couldn't understand her, until I had finished mine and felt the same way toward my Mom, who was still on her's with FCI. How often do you suggest doing short ones (20-30 days)?"

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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 p.m., California time). For the Fasting Center International home page, click here: www.fasting.com

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