Although fasting is not the most practical or easiest way to lose weight, many people use various forms of fasting to lose weight or detoxify the body.
The simplest form of fasting - i.e. water fasting for weight loss - requires drinking nothing but pure water - and many will argue (and I have to agree) that this is the only real form of fasting. Other forms of fasting, such as juice fasting, for example, are just restrictive diets. Certain “fasting diets for weight loss” allow liquids such as juice or tea, eating only raw foods, or reduce calories consumed daily, without eliminating food altogether. Some people may try fasting every other day for weight loss.
You may be wondering “Is fasting good for weight loss?” The answer is, not really.
Why is fasting to lose weight not the optimal way to shed pounds for most people?
During the fast, your body has to use the energy stores to get the fuel it needs to keep going, which results in weight loss. Unfortunately, the results may not be as fast or as dramatic as one may expect. The reason is that our bodies have been genetically programmed to minimize the effects of fasting, so when we eat less food, our metabolism slows down to conserve energy. That is why it is so improtant to establish some foundation of healthy eating habits PRIOR to starting the fast.
Fasting is a great way to give your body a break from all the hard work it is doing digesting and eliminating the foods you eat. It can do wonders to your body, allowing it to cleanse itself, heal, and - of course - lose weight.
If you are considering a fasting for weight loss - there is one thing you need to keep in mind.If you are unable or unwilling to make PERMANENT changes to your diet and follow a healthy eating plan after the fast, then there really is NO POINT in fasting. If you fast and then go back to your former unhealthy and excessive way of eating, you will eventually GAIN THE WEIGHT RIGHT BACK and the benefits of the fast will go to waste.
That is why fasting is not the best option for most overweight people who are simply trying to lose some weight. It is FAR MORE IMPORTANT for them to adopt a healthy diet and active life-style to maintain their ideal weight and be healthy in the long term.
What you need to understand that fasting will slow down your metabolism, and this lowered metabolic rate will last for as long as six weeks after you end the fast.
So if you go back to your old eating habits - you will actually put on weight even more quickly than before. So it is critical to follow a healthy eating plan and NOT TO OVEREAT after the fast.If you are truly concerned about being overweight, you must make permanent changes to your life-style and eating habits that you are willing to live with for the rest of your life! A slim, healthy body will then be a natural result as a consequence of your new habits, which should include better food choices and - of course - fitness activity.
Fasting For Weight Loss - When is Fasting Weight Loss a Good Idea?
Is Fasting To Lose Weight Safe?
Fasting for a couple of days is safe for people who are in good health. However, fasting for longer periods of time should be done only under supervision of a physician who is knowledgeable in the subject of fasting. Especially if you have a chronic illness, even the short-term fasting is not recommended. Women who are pregnant or nursing, or anyone with a chronic disease, also shouldn’t fast.
Recommended reading: “Fasting and Eating for Health” by Joel Fuhrman.
Read more on the Fastest Way to Lose Weight blog. Read my recent posts: How to Stop Food Cravings: 2 Proven Tips to Stop Sugar Cravings and Stop Craving Food When Trying to Lose Weight and Weight Loss Tips: Are people in your life sabotaging your fat loss efforts?, Hypnosis to Lose Weight: How To Lose Weight Quickly With Weight Control Hypnosis (Diet Hypnosis).
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Fasting is a safe way to detoxify your body,if done right. I recommend doing it when you don’t have any work or any activity that would promote any calorie burning.
I believe “Fasting is a great idea for lose weight” where water plays vital role.
“Drink 8 glasses of water each day” is what we hear all the time but what weight loss benefits do we get from drinking water? Drinking plenty of water will make us feel more energetic and boost our metabolic rate. Water makes your metabolism burn calories 3% faster.
Thank You
Instead of worrying about losing weight, concentrate on eating healthily. You’ll lose weight much faster.
Extra pound you gain is what you eat. So we must be concious about what we are eating and how much.
Drinking water, daily exercise and diet food make us feel good and we don’t need to worry about gaining extra pound.
Thank You