First you need to decide which fast you want to do. There are fruit juice fasts, raw food fasts, and fasts where you only drink water.

Before going on your fast, you should take a laxative to empty out the colon. This will help you feel not as hungry while on your fast.

Don't take the laxitive while you're on the fast though, as it can dehydrate you. Just take it once the night before you start your fast.

If you're on a juice fast, you're still getting the vitamins and nutrients you need. So you can be on a juice fast for 10 - 20 days. If you're on a raw food fast, you can go even longer 10 - 30 days.

If you're only drinking water on a fast, you shouldn't go too long on that especially without consulting a doctor.

Fasting is more fun with a partner, especially if you live with someone else. It becomes very difficult to resist food when you smell it cooking in the house. And a partner can help support and talk you through cravings.

Try to start the fast when you are low on groceries. Having food in the fridge can be too tempting at times.