Fasting and Weight Loss

Losing Weight With Fasting

To most people, it’s the most obvious thing in the world – you don’t eat, you lose weight. In fact that’s what a lot of modern diets tell you to do.

However, fasting is a lot more than just the initial weight loss. It’s a way of not just losing weight and maintaining that weight loss but of making sure that unhealthy fat doesn’t get you into its clutches again. Let’s be very clear that fasting should not be an anorexic’s path.

It does not advocate extremes like binging ands then going on a stringent fast to get rid of that weight. It advocates balance. It is like a good daily exercise that keeps you fit. And if it becomes an addiction, it’s not going to do you an iota of good.

As soon as you start fasting, whatever the fast is, you realize that your weight starts dropping, especially in the first two days. Then it tapers off and there is a steady and slow loss. One must maintain balance by not relying totally on fasting but also on light exercise and keeping oneself mentally occupied in order to experience the best benefits.

New fad diets

Unfortunately, a lot of today’s popular diets are all a matter of calculation. Did you eat 52 calories over your limit? Awwwww…you poor thing, you’ll never lose weight! Or it’s getting on to that weighing scales every hour to see how many milligrams you have lost.

The great thing about fasting when done correctly is that it takes your mind to a higher plane. No calculating down to the second decimal point and no hassling yourself over failing to achieve your daily or weekly target. If you fast, you just follow the fast and you’ll be pretty surprised how the rest comes easily. When you do stand on those scales, you’ll have a rather pleasant shock...

After your days of fast, try and make some lifestyle changes as well, no matter how small. Try and include more vegetables and fruits in your diet, try and eat more raw and uncooked foods and remember to eat only when you feel the urge right down in your stomach. Too often, we go by the dictates of smell, taste and looks. Your stomach knows the difference. When you fast, you learn to listen to your body and it helps to only feed it when it needs it.

While you will lose a few kilos in the beginning, after that, the weight loss can be slow. What you need to tell yourself is that if you feel light, healthy and energetic, that is more important than if you lost ten kilos and felt terrible. Fasting the first day or two might be difficult but after that it is a mood elevator. So turn away from those diets that get you all tensed-up and guilty and fast to lose weight – you’ll be glad you did!