Fasting for weight loss can have some very advantageous side effects like quick results and detoxification. There are several ways you can do a fasting diet; you can restrict all foods and only have liquids, restrict some food groups for a certain period of time, or restrict foods on alternating days. Some of them are considered as fad diet because it deliver fast result but it is so hard to keep the weight off once you return to your old eating habits.
Is a fasting diet a safe way to lose weight? It’s relies on many factors; individuals with particular health problems such as cancer, type 2 diabetes, failing liver, kidney, or lung problems are not advised to do this type of plan. A fasting diet program also not recommended for pregnant or lactating women; the side effects can harm both the mother and the baby.
If not, if you believe that you have a fit body, simply go for it; a day fast isn’t likely to result in any kind of problems to a healthy body, even a little longer fast is still tolerable when you have a fit body.
If you are thinking about a fasting weight loss program you should take some time to prepare your body first; the type of preparations will depend on the length of the fast. If it is a program that involving ‘short complete fasting’ (lasts 5 days to 2 weeks) or ‘extended fast’ (last more than 3 weeks), you need to know a few things first:
1. It might be best to lay off the physical activity during your fast because making your body work so hard when you are limiting the amount of fuel it gets could lead to problems like headaches and other side effects.
2. A few days before you start your fast, cut out cigarettes, canned and processed food, caffeine, salt, refined sugar and any other foods that can cause a toxic reaction or allergies. Cut them off entirely suddenly will result in head aches, stomach aches, as well as other discomfort.
3. Reduce your meal portion and increase the times between meals gradually before begin the first fasting day. It will help you to regulate your mind, appetite, and stomach during the program.
4. Make sure you have all the instructions written and understood well. Continue remind yourself of the cause and goals of the project, this should help you to steer clear from any desire to give up halfway.
5. Make sure to consult your doctor if you are under 18 or have any chronic health problems.
This type of fasting usually accompany by other benefits such as detoxification and a fast weight loss. For ‘short complete fasting’ program, repeat it over every specific time until you get the results that you’re looking for. DO NOT extend it by yourself; stick to the program. For an extended fast, you should only do it under a doctor supervision.
The other type is the ‘short fast’ which is only last for a short period such as 1 or 2 days. It’s difficult to use this type of fast and really achieve good results, thus only a few diet programs can do it. From my experience, this type of fast is the best because it offer less difficulties and have minimum side effects.
Fasting weight loss has many variations, benefits and level of results. However, an expert dietitian can include fasting to achieve fast weight loss without making the user sacrificing his body fitness, thus the user can still do his daily activities.
Check the facts of the top recommended fasting diet plan in my Eat Stop Eat review. Also, check out yet another diet method that involving fasting on diet without exercise.
