It’s lunch time. There is a delicious aroma wafting through the air. Suddenly, cafeteria food seems appetizing and if not, the vending machine, stock full of sweets, looks tempting. Amid all this food, I’m not eating for the entire school day. It’s high school, where teenagers thrive on food and I’m not eating one thing.

Fasting might be a word you have heard if you are a) religious or b) sadistic. You literally deprive yourself of something for whatever reason. For most people, it’s food.

I chose to fast this month during the school day, not because my parents forced me or my church required it, but solely because I decided to. I’m not getting into the private details but there are some things I need to figure out about myself and the only way I feel I can do that is through my religion.

Regardless, fasting is not a cakewalk. Pun intended. I seriously crave cake sometimes. There is temptation everywhere.

Sitting in class, I see students pull out all kinds of snacks. At times I have to beg them to put it away, leave the area or try my best to ignore the sounds. Trust me the chewing, crunching, swallowing and rustling of the wrapped packaging are hard to ignore.

According to science, food is like fuel for the human body. It keeps humans going. So not eating literally drains you. By the middle of the day, I have to push myself to keep focused in class. When I get home, after I eat the whole fridge, I pass out on my bed. I tell myself I’m taking a 30-minute nap, but I end up waking up after four hours.

Fasting is truly an interesting experience though some people just don’t have the endurance for it. After fasting for a couple weeks, it does get easier. The growl in your stomach will subside. My fast is ending right before Thanksgiving and it definitely will make every bite that much tastier. Honestly, I might need a turkey just for me.