Yep, i fast.

We have 2 major fasts a year (around 25 hours, dusk - night) - on Yom Kippur (the day of atonement, which is in about 2 weeks, eek!, and the 9th of Av. These are the only 2 days were everyone has to fast, unless it is life or death not to (not, "i have a headache kind of thing". Pregnant and bfeeding women do also.

We have about 8 other minor fasts a year, which go from daybreak until night. These ones pregnant and bfeeding women can be excluded from (i haven't done one since beginning 2005, my aim is not to until menopause )

As much as fasting is exhausting and hard at times, i enjoy it when i'm not around the kids and i have time to think about why i'm doing it. I find it very refreshing and cleansing in a way.

My tips for fasting are:

1) stop drinking caffine etc at least 3 days beforehand.. the biggest cause of headaches are always caffine withdrawl
2) the day before just keep drinking water.. very important tha you are hydrated enough during the fast
3) complex carbs and protein are the way to go for your pre-fast meal.
4) break your fast on something light, like a cup of tea and some cake.. then after an hour when your stomach has adjusted have a proper meal.
5) have a sleep during the day, makes it easier.
6) make dinner in advance, - it's hard enough fasting and feeding kids, let alone cooking all day long.