I’ve never found it a good idea to mention fasting in passing to someone who asks. It always comes with a lecture. I usually just say I already ate, or something is stressful at home and a distraction would be more helpful than talking about it. Interesting to see the shift as more people join this sub because it used to be you wouldn’t mention it unless having a relevant conversation.
Someone’s coworker tried to get them disciplined/fired for fasting. 🙄
Drink more water.
Edit: like a lot. Like a whole 16oz. Expand your stomach. Tell your brain your not hungry.
Also, not sure what you window is or how long you’ve been fasting but the hanger should subside eventually.
Trick your brain with the water. Adapt your hormones. Never think about eating again. Simple.
Edit: edit: If people offer me something I’d say no thinks. If they pried or pushed. I told them I was fasting. If they kept at it I’d recommend a YouTube video. They’re Probably overweight.
Irritability is the worst part of fasting for me. It strains my relationships, makes work harder. Luckily I work remotely now so I can basically hide everything if I want. I’ve never received any good advice about reducing irritability but the best thing I’ve found is a serious meditation routine, like shamatha
You can be irritable for a lot of reasons. Vague “family drama” is a good not-your-fault and relatable one. Not enough sleep also. Or cracking (some other) bad habit?
“Sorry, I’m a bit irritable atm because I’m doing a caffeine/nicotine detox”
or
“Sorry, I’m a bit short on sleep at the moment due to [kids][stress due to family][stress due to some extra-curricular study]”
Drink more water to convince yourself that youre arent hungry. Also sometimes you have to perform happy even when you feel irritable inside. You gotta develop yur happy, sociable character at work so that you can turn it on even when youre not feeling it on the inside
Ah here’s my way to put it. Kinda of a lie but just say your on a diet and you can’t eat as much. So like everyone whose done a diet knows that hunger pains are an ass to deal with. My advice is a) get some electrolytes, b) try to plan fasts for days off., and c) if it’s every day simply explain that’s is more of spiritual thing.
For me it’s somewhat spiritual when I fast. It helps me clear my head of the idea of need vs want. I understand that when I’m fasting I need something and want is an after thought. Part of it is that it’s a philosophical thing to help me appreciate life more.
Whenever that happens I played it off as I need a nap and maybe some coffee will help or water.
My biggest issue with coworkers is that they always want to go out to eat (either lunch or after work) so I’m telling them that I have up restaurant food for lent. Not a permanent solution, but works for now. Idk if that’s something they’d be into, but maybe if that’s something they would respect more than fasting for heath it could work depending on what you want to say you gave up. (Junk food maybe?)
(Not sure how many non-Catholics do lent though so idk if that excuse works for everyone.)
Avoid people. Drink lots of water. Tell people you already ate. Because you did. Even if it was yesterday.
If people ask why you’re antisocial, you could say you didn’t sleep well. Blame a new neighbor with a baby or a neighbor with a new dog. Or make up a new dog. Pretend you got a puppy. Have fun with it. It may lift your mood!