Fast Way To Lose Weight
Know When To Stop!
Ever considered trying to lose weight by fasting? Well if you have or you just want to find out more about a subject I am getting an increasing number of questions on, then read on!
A complete fast in its traditional definition, is abstinence from all food and liquids except for water. Pretty drastic stuff!
On the face of it you would expect to lose a lot of weight by fasting, wouldn’t you? After all if you’re not taking anything in that’s half the battle won, right? Well yes and no.
Will you lose weight? Probably, yes.
Is it a healthy option to lose weight? Possibly not.
3 Reasons We Fast
The three main reason we fast are:
- religious instruction
- detoxifying or cleansing of the body and/or blood
- weight loss
Fasting plays an important role in most major religions. The belief is that it promotes self-control and strengthens the will.
Religious Fasting
Jewish law orders a yearly fast on Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement.
Many Christians fast during the Lent, which lasts 40 days from Ash Wednesday until Easter, commemorating the 40 days that Jesus spent fasting in the wilderness.
Muslims fast from dawn to sunset every day during Ramadan, the ninth month of their year. During these hours, Muslims abstain from food and beverage, even though this month often comes during the hottest season of the year. Muslim’s believe that fasting is the epitome of the five pillars of Islam upon which the other 4 pillars are balanced, so an integral part of the religion.
Vaklush: “To fast is to be God or gods in God.”
Buddhists and Hindus also fast but they will more often see this as a way to help them reach spiritual enlightenment, fasting is said to promote moral height and spiritual clearance. Buddhist monks as part of their daily routine, will not take solid food after midday.
To Cleanse The Body
According to mainstream medicine, there is absolutely no medical benefit derived from fasting. Removing so called “toxins” is successfully carried out by your kidneys, liver, and various other organs, and rather than fasting, switching to a healthy, natural diet is probably a better long term solution.
Absolutely Non-toxic Body!
Ok, can’t argue with that one. However, when you consider how much junk the liver, kidneys and other filtering and digestive organs have to deal with, the idea of a fast to allow these organs time to rest and recuperate makes sense to me.
Now I know the idea of a colon cleanse is about as attractive as a visit from the tax inspector, but again you just can’t argue with the logic of getting all that gunk out of your body and giving the poor old battered digestive system a rest.
After all, our body’s digestive organs require a rest from time to time, just as we require days off from work. And think how much more efficient they are all going to be after all that accumulated rubbish is flushed out!
Different Types of Fasting
Although our earlier definition of fasting was pretty clear, nothing but water allowed, the basic elements that we need to remove from our diet for the sake of our health are cooked food and animal products.
The biggest drawback to fasting for seven days is that it makes one weak.
This includes the denatured processed and packaged products such as white flour, refined sugar etc. and all animal products such as red meat, poultry, fish and eggs. The only animal product that is usually allowed is a little honey for sweetening purposes.
In practice there are three main types of fasting commonly seen.
- water fasting
- juice fasting
- selective fasting
Fresh & Fruity
Water fasting is what it says it is. You fast and only take in water, normally purified or distilled to minimise the risk of ingesting toxins.
Juice fasting, funnily enough, is also what it says it is. You fast and are allowed to drink juices, of fresh fruit or vegetables. Not a juiced double cheeseburger, coke and chocolate ice cream! (Nice thought though)
The third fasting method allows you to eat raw, fresh vegetables and fruits but completely avoiding processed foods, meats, poultry, fish or dairy products. Not exactly my idea of fast food but you got to admit it sure sounds healthy!
Next week I am going to take a closer look at the pros and cons of fasting as well as some tips and advice on how to get it right.
And remember one truism that applies well to folk of all sizes.
If you are NOT overweight; then don’t eat fast.
If you ARE overweight; then don’t eat – FAST!
Get it?