When people don't understanding fasting, they will do what is natural, push you to eat, because they aren't educated in the process of a fast. Many people thinking that a body can't suffere the rigors of living of water or even juice. They think you have to have solid food in order to survive.

The pressure can be unbearable to the point which a person might break their fast.

I try not to tell anyone if possible. It must be much harder if you have a family and/or husband. I have either, so I don't have to hide much unless I am over and a friend's house and they try to feed me.

I hope you can withstand the pressure and if you do need to, break your fast correctly.

It is a typical reaction of a caring family, friends or peers.
My best defense from the 'negative' comments is not notifying them in the first place. The only person I tell about my fasting are those who are supportive. To expect others who don’t believe in fasting to be supportive would be me forcing my beliefs on them.

If I am fasting and there is a function where food is presented I try to avoid those occasions or plan around them. But no one would ever be told about my fasting plans. I know most would see it as a taboo and I prefer not to deal with the negativity that comes from indifferences of beliefs.

Do you live with these people that are attempting to re-feed you? Maybe you can take a break from visiting them? If possible. For myself I find it almost impossible to fast while family is around.

Typical:

Friend: "Have some of this"
Me: "No thanks, I am not eating"
Friend: "Oh, Have some salad then"
Me: "No, I am not eating anything, I am fasting"
Friend: "Oh, well would you like some juice then?"
Me: "No thanks, I only drink water"
Friend: "Some diet coke? That's low calorie"
Me: "NO! Definitely no coke"
Friend: "So do you take special food supplements?"
Me: No, nothing! I am fasting, I just drink water"
Friend: "What about vitamins and minerals?"
Me: "Nothing apart from pure water"
Friend: "For how long?"
Me: "X days, Y days to go"
Friend: "But you must eat something, otherwise you will get really ill and die!"

It used to then follow me listening to Doctor X from St Thomas's that knew all about electrolytes, his mum, or Mrs Y who has a friend who is a nutritionalist, and then I would come back to this forum and ask Chris or something, of course Chris would always come back with the same answers, and trash the medical papers that I was shown, or the stupid ideas that people came up with.

Now I have less patience. I don't tell people unless I have to, and if I get into that argument I usually tell people I am doing it anyway and they will get an invite to my funeral. Then I get "you are mad", I may respond "absolutely!"

However, just been away this weekend, and firstly, people often "lost" me at the seaside, cos they looked around and I was not there. Then they realised I was there, but was, er, a bit smaller (my fasting was for weight loss). So in the pub, where I was being choosy about my food but eating lots, and explaining that I hate dieting, they started to ask about fasting.

Now two people interested, both women, because they can see what it has done for me, and I explained about detox as well, and they get headaches etc, long discussion.

So at the end of the day I just ignored all the stupid fears in other people, now I am getting raised eyebrows instead. They are very interested. I told them where to come... here! :)

1) You shouldn't have told anyone about it except for (perhaps) people you trust. I know I've learned my lesson, I just don't want to *bother* explaining this to anyone (during the fast itself), ESPECIALLY if it's a nurse or anyone in the medical field. They think they have all the answers, seriously.

2) Now that they know, lie your *** off. Be a hermit for a little while and call people on the phone instead of getting together. Have non-food related get togethers. Say you've already gone out to eat or at worst tell them you ate something.

3) Let them know and if they don't back off, just avoid them for your fast. Ask themselves to educate themselves on it if they want to speak to you about it.

4) Don't tell anyone about your fast, lol. :)

I feel the same way. My husband knows that I am fasting and he is the only one. Fasting should be kept to yourself you do not want other outside influencers. It is none of their business really- it is your body, which is your responsibility. You are going to be ok. Just avoid these tattlers for now.