Give a full meal day to charity
I think this is such a simple but really cool concept. Brad Pilon of Eat Stop Eat has been twittering about the idea of doing his program for a day (its a fasting program) and taking the money you would have spent in food that day and donate it to a charity of your choice.
For the past week I have donated 14 bucks, not too shabby. I am a cheap date what can I say.
Even though I am not trying to lose fat right now, that doesn’t mean I can’t appreciate the values of a fast.
Growing up I didn’t eat breakfast. I didn’t really eat much at all. I would just have something when I thought about it and I called it a day. In short most days I had one big meal and maybe a snack later. So it is safe to say I was “If’ing” it before I knew what it was the “in” thing to do.
For a while now I have been adopting a fasting program much like what Brad discusses in Eat Stop Eat. I of course put my own spins on things for my needs and lifestyle, but it is very much in line with what Brad discusses in his book and I have to admit, the more and more I test out clients on this eating pattern, the more I am impressed with how many people it fits as a lifestyle. This isn’t just fat loss clients either, some are athletes, and it has worked great for my bulking female clients.
From my own personal experience, I focus much better and have noticed a great difference in early morning activity in fast than previously with split meals. Plus, I like to stuff myself, but that is just me.
Is it for everyone? No, of course not, but I think even if just for a little test that people should try taking it for a spin.
So if you care to play along then do the following…
1) Grab a copy of Eat Stop Eat (very good price for what you get, I highly recommend the audios)
2) Write down the amount your food costs during your time of NOT fasting
3) When it comes time to fast make a tally of what you would have been spending otherwise. Be it a coffee or a bar, whatever it is. If in a deficit all the better!
4) For one week save up that amount of money and then at the end of that week donate it to your favorite charity.
Next week I am going to re-post to check in on how much you saved, and who you gave it too. It would also be cool if you had a pound or two down to report as well.
I’m out, time for 1000 calories in one sitting. Now that is a charity I can get behind!
You in?
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Tracy Bertagnole
Leigh,
March 24th, 2009 at 7:41 pmThis is an awesome principle. Can I say that I have been doing this every month for many years. I am LDS (mormon) and the first Sunday of every month all the members fast (Wow thats like 13 million people fasting at one time)for 24 hours or they really fast for two whole meals. They donate the money they would have used to buy the food, to the local congregation. The Bishop then uses the money to his discretion and gives it to those in need. The great thing is that we have a lay ministry (no one is paid), therefore I know that all my money is going to someone in need. I am glad you are emphasizing something this awesome. Thanks.
Leigh Peele
That is really cool! Thank YOU for what you are doing to play your part.
March 24th, 2009 at 7:44 pmJames
Very cool Leigh.
March 24th, 2009 at 8:03 pmLoal
I have already been fasting so this will be easy for me! Great idea
March 24th, 2009 at 8:55 pmMissy
I have been doing this lately but never thought of money saved! I like that! Of course, I love stuffing my face as well. My problem is that I can go overboard and eat as much as I would have normally so I sometimes don’t come out exactly in a deficit
that is my next dragon to slay, not overdoing it!!!
March 24th, 2009 at 9:32 pmI will go and buy Brads books cause I know I am doing it wrong (I do it daily); so I will use that money I have been saving on breakfast and lunch to buy the books!! Then the money I save starting tomorrow, I will give to St. Judes!
~ildi
I have only just begun to fast on a regular basis, and the idea of donating the money saved to charity is a wonderful one! I was actually just doing my budget for April and calculating how much money I will save by fasting two days a week, and now I know what to do with that extra money!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:13 pmSinead
What a cool idea! I might give it a try this summer…wait, probably not compatible with nursing. Ok, next year. lol
March 24th, 2009 at 10:20 pmLeigh Peele
Tell you what Sinead I will donate a weeks worth to your charity of choice in honor of the little one. I will even eat a little less and maybe get it up to 20 bucks!
What ya say!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:23 pmSinead
Hey thanks!
You’re so awesome. 
I might have to have a look at my budget and donate a day’s worth of food just because. 
ooooh, and working on a c-section date! It will either be May 7 or early that next week (May 11/12). That’ll put me back on the weight loss train at the end of June.
yay!!
March 24th, 2009 at 10:34 pmSinead
gee–look at all those smilies! Think I’m happy or something?
March 24th, 2009 at 10:34 pmJules
I considered it, I’m just afraid I would indeed eat way too much in the non-fasting period.
March 25th, 2009 at 3:03 amJules
Also, how am I going to eat through 150 grams of protein in one or two settings? I already get sick of chicken breasts now!
March 25th, 2009 at 3:05 amRoyal
I do this every month with my Church. The first Sunday of every month is what is called “Fast Sunday”. We fast for 24 hours (for spiritual reasons) and the money that we would have spent on meals for those 24 hours is given to the Church for it’s welfare program.
March 28th, 2009 at 1:39 amETANA
Jules: you said it “afraid;” that’s fear talking, not rationality; I did ESE twice a week for 4 months or so, ate at night, then ate 22 hours later in the evening, 2 small meals or 1 larger meal or a small meal and some treat, and it usually was 600-750 calories; when my normal day was 1300-1400 cal, so it saved about 1400 cal for the week. You don’t eat the 150g protein in 2 meals. That’s the point. You give your body a rest for 22 or 24 hours, and you survive and have plenty of energy, surprisedly.
etana
March 28th, 2009 at 6:25 pm