I haven't posted on here much, if at all, but I've been reading other forum posts for about a year now. I started fasting last year, jumping into a 21 day water fast cold turkey (no prepping) and successfully went 24 days last January. Since then I've done 5 day fasts periodically throughout the year and even started doing soft dry fasts (5 days maxing out). I find dry fasts to be easier than water fasts, and will be doing a dry fast and transition to water fasting on this journey. I actually am preparing for this fast as I want to focus on the spiritual aspect of fasting, which is something I've never experienced. I am non-denominational but I went to Bible college and study the Bible at a much deeper than level than average Christian. However, I have always struggled with faith and part of the reason for me jumping into fasting was for the spiritual experiences often mentioned. The other part of why I started fasting was that 2 January's ago, I had a hysterectomy at age 24 due to Essure. I developed hives which I've never had in my entire life, and debilitating abdominal pain. I also ballooned in weight from about 140lbs in 2012 (when I got Essure) to 190lbs with no diet change. I am fairly athletic, walking on average 7-10 miles a day throughout the day, biking 10+ miles on a whim with no physical kickbacks of doing it. I am no slouch in other words, and my weight immediately dropped 20lbs within 2 months after surgery despite resting and a decrease in activity. Fasting helped me get down to 150lbs-ish. I hope get down to 135-140lbs as a maintenance weight. I am 5' 7" and do not see that as unrealistic. Weight loss and personal spiritual reformation is why I want to fast for Lent. With how dry fasts go for me, I will likely do a 3-5 soft dry fast and go to water fasting. I have gotten fairly in tune with my body to know if something is low, as going to a doctor is stupidly difficult in the rural area where I live. I did have my annual physical 2 months ago, and had blood work done, everything checked out fine. With the cold weather in the Midwest of USA, seems like a good time to do it too.