Disclaimer

The author of this blog does not advocate hate or unprovoked violence against any group. The purpose of this blog is to provide the very best information regarding philosophy, mindset training, and technique for the Christian Martialist in their broader Biblical, theological and cultural contexts. Nothing posted here should be construed as promoting or excusing hostile speech or acts toward anyone.

Wednesday, January 11, 2012

Swords, Sorcery and Warrior Health

This week I have entered into a juice fast to compensate for all the sugar I put into my system over the 12 day Nativity celebration. It reminded me of this "Swords & Sorcery" blog post from some time back over at WARSKYL:

You may wonder what swords and sorcery have to do with warrior health. Well, in the 1970's, a revival of interest in J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord of the Rings (books, schlock art and even an animated movie) bore responsibility for a spurred interest in stories of the "Sword and Sorcery" genre.

I read one -and only one -- of a series of novels that included a sword-wielding warrior. His dissipated lifestyle did not impress me.

What did impress me was one scene in the book. As I recall, this warrior was the last servant of the goddess of a nearly-forgotten religion. Periodically, she would summon him to send him on a quest. But first, she forced him to participate in a painful ritual.

As he embraced the pedestal of the goddess's long-gone image, a purifying, fiery force swept through his body. I believe the narrative said the force cleansed cholesterol from his artery walls and toxins from his system. At the end, he looked, felt and performed like a younger person.

A couple of weeks ago, I saw a TV segment on the 700 Club that related a practice that can also remove toxins, clean out the arteries, heal diseased organs and youthen the practitioner. As an added bonus, you don't have to go to Hell for serving pagan gods.

The segment dealt with fasting. When I was in my twenties, I used to fast (ingested nothing but water) one day per week. Over the years, I've tried to get back into the habit, but couldn't seem to find the right schedule.

I've thought about it recently, though and that fasting might help with my various joint problems, the pain & swelling that is still left over from my shin splints, and it might even help burn off a few pounds of fat.

Well, the program that spotlighted fasting was just the catalyst that I needed to launch me into action. Last week I went on a modified juice fast for two days (ate lunch as normal on Wednesday, and then took in only water, juice and grapefruit until lunchtime Friday)

This week I went three days -- from after lunch on Tuesday until after lunch on Friday. I included an 8-oz. glass of prune juice each morning. Prune juice is naturally high in sugar, but it sure helps to clean out the colon, so it's a trade off.

I also continued working out on my fast days. My rationale is twofold:
  1. Serum protein levels in Americans tend to be high, which will carry me over for a few days;
  2. After the fast, I don't want my body to react to the "starving time" by redoubling its efforts to store energy as fat -- instead, I hope my body will say to itself, "Finally I have the nutrients necessary to repair & build muscle tissue.
On the second and third days, I had a thick coat on my tongue (something I remember from previous fasts) I believe this signifies that my body is throwing off toxins. I also experienced a lot of mucus production at the same time.

As far as benefits, the swelling and pain has decreased in my legs, my knees feel better and I have a general sense of well-being. My wife says she has noticed that my breathing does not seem as labored when I undertake any strenuous activity.

Anyway, if you want to view the video of the segment that got me back into fasting, you can watch it below. My use of it here, however, does not constitute an endorsement of the 700 Club of Pat Robertson's teachings.

2 comments:

  1. Good stuff. I do what is called intermittent fasting. Every day, I eat only from 4p.m-7p.m. This allows my body to fast for 21 hours a day. I did this when I weighed 315 lbs, and dropped to 175.
    I am 190 (already lost another 10 lbs) years later and am doing it again. I had a knee surgery and now have arthritis in both knees and alot of other joints, and I am only 27.

    My intermittent fasting keeps my inflamation under control and destroys the toxins in my body. The 58th chapter of Isaiah says that when you fast your health shall spring forth speedily.

    I see this as the perfect lifestyle. I am no longer addicted to food, or counting calories. Its alot of freedom. I think clearer and have detoxed so much that my skin, hair and mouth all feel cleaner. I love it.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Hidden Bars,
    Thanks so much for your comment. For several months now, my wife & I have been on the "warrior diet" which includes undereating all day, with "overeating" (a hearty supper) in the evening. It has helped my wife a great deal, and it's been good for me too, but I now think I'll go back to doing the juice fast one or two days a week. Glad to hear that your regimen is working out for you.

    ReplyDelete