Never Fast for Weight Loss

Some people have the idea that they could just fast for weight loss, and be done with the whole weight loss process in a few days. Bad idea. Really bad idea. A fast should never be undertaken in this way. Fasts can be useful for cleansing, over a very short period of time, or for spiritual purification. However a fast for weight loss can be downright harmful, and not accomplish the goal too boot.

Why A Fast for Weight Loss Won’t Work

The basic reason that a fast for weight loss won’t work is similar to the reason that under-eating for weight loss won’t work. Your cells need food in order to survive. The body wants to live, not die. If the cells in your body begin to think that they are not getting enough nutrition, they will begin to hoard fat, as a survival method. So in fact, while you are fasting, your cells are holding on to the fat. You may lose some pounds in the form of fluids, but you won’t lose any fat, which is what weight loss is usually about.

Why a Fast for Weight Loss Can Be Harmful

Unless you are supervised, you run the risk of creating havoc with your body when you undergo a fast. For example, during a fast, you would not want to have many activities going on, because there is no fuel to do so. Most fasts are accompanied by a meditative lifestyle for the few days of the fast. If you just fast, and think you can go out and about, you run the risk of passing out.

What Kinds of Fasts Might Work?

There is another kind of fast that can actually be helpful for weight loss and not cause you harm. That is a “one-food” fast for a few days. For example, in the Ayurvedic medical tradition from India, people who want to cleanse their system might only eat on food, kichadi, for several days. This food is made with rice and a legume (mung beans) so it has a complete protein and carbohydrate balance. It is also filled with ghee, a clarified butter. Going on this kind of fast is very easy on the digestive system, and is not harmful. You may or may not lose weight, however, as the rice and ghee are no lightweights in food. But it can be useful as a way of breaking harmful eating habits. After the fast, you could begin to add in new foods, one at a time, being careful to avoid foods that previously put on weight.

What is better than a fast for weight loss?

The most sensible approach for weight loss is a healthy life style, with fresh foods, a conscious eating attitude, lots of water, and exercise. If you can make this kind of lifestyle change, you will find your weight loss will be great. The way to do it is to fast from fried foods, breads, and alcohol. It’s a fast for weight loss of the best kind.

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