A water fast is when a person does not eat or drink anything but water for a set period of time. This obviously results in rapid weight loss because your body is not taking in any calories through food. However, the weight you lose through fasting will come back when you start eating again. In fact, because your metabolism slows down to deal with the lack of energy coming in through food, you may gain back more weight than you lost in the first place when you start eating again.  If you’re trying to lose permanent weight, you should drink plenty of water in concert with balanced meals and regular exercise. However, if you need to drop a few pounds for an event, a water fast might be a quick solution for you. The human body is incredibly resilient, and can last a long time without food — so long as it’s not dehydrated. Fasting for a few days is not harmful to most people as long as they drink plenty of water — which you’ll want to do anyway to trick your stomach into thinking you’ve eaten something.  However, people with some medical conditions should not fast under any circumstances. Diabetics, for example, need to regulate their blood sugar with food throughout the day. Consult your doctor before beginning a fast. Children, the elderly, pregnant or breastfeeding women, and people with chronic illness should not fast. Even otherwise healthy people will feel negative side effects while fasting. When you stop eating, your body doesn’t have an energy source; as a result, you will feel fatigue and dizziness. You may also feel nausea or suffer from constipation, and, obviously, you will feel very hungry. You may want to consider a clean eating cleanse instead. Focus on eating lean proteins, vegetables, fruit, nuts (i.e. almonds and cashews), and complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes, brown rice, and quinoa, for at least 48 hours. You may see recommendations for 21 or 30-day fasts online, but these are extremely dangerous if not under direct medical supervision. If you choose to fast, do so only for the three or four days before the event for which you’re preparing. Beyond that, you will be so fatigued and dizzy that you may hurt yourself or others just going about your daily life. If you have a big deadline coming up at work, or you’re going to be taking a road trip, you shouldn’t fast. The side effects will impede your ability to concentrate, and you’ll end up doing a bad job or being dangerous behind the wheel of a car. Don’t try to exercise while fasting, either, as you have no excess calories to burn off. It will only make you feel terrible! Ideally, you should have a stress-free, low-energy stretch of days during which you can lay about. You want to look great on that day, not nauseous, tired, and dizzy! Don’t rush back into fatty foods immediately, as they can cause digestive problems after a fast. Instead, eat healthy, low-fat foods like fruits and vegetables to get you back on track for your big day.

Summary: Understand that water fasting does not yield permanent results. Consider the health limitations of water fasting. Fast only for a few days. Fast during a stress-free stretch of days. Break your fast before the event you’re preparing for.


When you have all of your sources together, you'll want to look at how to best present your family tree.  Some “vertical" or "standard" options feature the familiar chart-type designs you see in printed family tree documents. Other styles like an hourglass, bow-tie or fan format make a family tree document look different. The format you use will depend on how far back you wish to go and what kind of information you want to include.   When starting your family tree, you may find that it's easiest to start with a simple five generation format.  Many five generation family tree structures are great for starting out as you'll have room to add some vital information. You'll also be able to go fairly deep into your history. At the same time, after five generations, you may have a much harder time finding information. You can also find helpful templates for families that aren't “traditional”. There are options for blended families, single parent trees, adoptive family trees, etc. In some cases, a nicely printed family tree is a better reference point than an online document. However, if you need to send this information to many people, you may want to choose an electronic option.  Making a detailed tree by using a website or software like Excel allows you the freedom to easily make notations and changes. Using a printed version will allow you to make a very nice looking family tree on nice paper. You can even add some art to your family tree. If you're just starting out, making an electronic tree might prove to be easier and more efficient. Then, once you have completed it, you can recreate it on paper. In most cases, starting with yourself as the reference point is the best method. But even if you didn't, you should still begin actually populating your family tree with yourself.   If you have children, you can place your children behind you on the chart. Then moving out and away from you. Family trees can branch out in many different ways. Which is why starting with yourself as the anchor will help you stay organized. Whether you go from the bottom up, top to bottom, or horizontally, the first box should contain your information. Many of those who have experience in making a family tree recommend starting with a rough draft of what you know.  In whatever format you've chosen, a rough draft will help you determine how much information you can fit. Having a basic structure in place can also help you find more of the missing pieces in your genealogy and organize your family tree. Your draft will inform you of how complex your current format can be. If you want to include more details than you have space for, you may need to restructure your family tree's format. In your draft, start to create a legend to reference. For example, brackets going from one box to two boxes typically indicate the parents of the previous box. Note this method for connecting family members somewhere in your tree. Also make sure that you are using birth names in your draft. For example, if your mom took your dad's last name when the two married, don't use your last name. Use your mom's maiden name.

Summary: Select a format. Decide on a print or electronic version. Start with yourself. Create a draft.


Use your extra time to treat yourself to a luxurious DIY bubble bath. If you don’t have bubble bath soap or crystals, just make it a regular bath, setting up candles and snacks to make it feel special. What better time to curl up with some tea, coffee or hot chocolate than a rainy day? If you’re with friends or kids, you could even host a “tea party.” Wear fancy clothes, set out some nice china and appetizers and use your best manners. Pinkies up, everyone! Put on some relaxing songs, light a few candles and use your rainy day as a chance to unwind. Maybe your life has been so hectic lately that you’ve been missing out on sleep, or you just need a quick power nap to get back up to speed. The sound of rain on the roof and in the streets can be very soothing. Let it lull you right to sleep.
Summary: Have a bubble bath. Mix up some hot drinks. Listen to music, the radio or a podcast. Take a nap.