Fasting for Weight Loss

At first it may sound good, but fasting for weight loss is no way to permanently take off weight.

I'm not going to say that there are not legitimate reasons for fasting, but fasting diets are not the way to lose weight and keep it off.

Is it possible to lose 20 pounds fasting? Sure, but do you really want to do this to yourself for such short term results?

Fasting for weight loss will definately help you shed pounds in a very short time, but during that time you are not getting proper nutrition and are starving your body of all of the nutrients that it really needs.There are hundreds of websites out there that will give you fasting tips if you are dead set on doing this to your body.

What is Fasting?

Fasting is going without solid food. Think Liquid Diet.
Many people believe that fasting can bring about spiritual and physical cleansing.
You are basically causing your body to flush out all of the yucky stuff that builds up over time by consuming larger than normal amounts of liquids. (You can do essentially the same by maintaining proper hydration) And you are also causing your body to use up everything it can get its hands on to burn, including fat and muscle, just to keep you going.

Fasting Tips

I would highly recommend not truly fasting for more than 24 hours as a cleansing method. Though I don't really recommend fasting at all, since your body reacts to it by slowing down your metabolism because it thinks your are going into a time of famine.
I would alson recommend that if you are going to fast for more than 1 day that you seek the guidance of a physician or medical doctor before doing so.
And as a final fasting tip, DO NOT fast for more than 3 days without medical oversight. You know, someone who will monitor your progress, and help you keep from doing permanent damage through malnutrition.

Theraputic Juice Fasting

Theraputic juice fasting is becoming rather popular these days as a cleansing method. This is something you would do on a semi annual basis to help flush out the toxins that build up in our bodies over time from consuming the substandard food that is currently available, and all of the junk that is added to the processed foods that we eat.
Some of the more popular drinks during these theraputic fastings include lemonade and sometimes cayenne as an additive, since they both have very strong acidic properties. At least, in a juice fasting, you are getting some nutrients.

Reasons for Fasting

In my mind there are no real reasons for fasting if you are eating properly, and maintaining good hydration to avoid the build up of toxins in your system.
But some of the reasons people fast include religious fasting to bring one closer to their god. Most of the major religions have a multi day fast in their calendar year either as an atonement or a celebration.
Scarily, some people think that fasting for weight loss works. (It's not permanent, so why do it?)
As mentioned above, fasting can also be used as a cleansing ritual.
There are even medical reasons for fasting as an attempt to get a cleaner reading on some types of blood tests.

Intermittant Fasting

I can see some benefit to intermittant fasting...
Once again, not for more than 24 hours, and only a few times per year. This will minimize the effects of your body seeing this as a famine and causing a decrease in your metabolism and an increase in fat storage.

Free Fasting Information

Free Fasting Information is available all over the internet. Some of it is very well thought out, but much of it could be just plain dangerous.
If you are seriously thinking about doing this, share the information with your doctor and discuss why you are going to be doing this.
The only free fasting information I will give you is that fasting for weight loss, DOES NOT WORK. At least not for any lasting results.

Water Fasting Dangers

If you are going to do a multiple day fast...
At least take into consideration water fasting dangers.
If you are only consuming water, you are only taking in ONE of the MANY nutrients your body needs in order to function properly.
Even fish and plants need more than water to live.
We are all taught that we cannot live for more than three days without water, and that life becomes very difficult to maintain without food after 7 days under good conditions. The dangers of water fasting are the same as starving. You are looking at the possibilty of malnurition and damage to your major vital organs.

Is losing a few pounds really worth the potential long term damage of fasting for weight loss?

Philip Kustner

Fasting for Weight Loss should only be done under a physicians care.

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The information found in and throughout The 7 Habits of Weight loss (www.7habitsofweightloss.com) is not intended as a substitute for the advice or treatment that may have been prescribed by your physician.

Information found here should NOT be construed as definitive or binding medical advice and is NOT intended to diagnose, prescribe, nor endorse any brand of products or services. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new weight loss or exercise regimen or with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.