How to Fast and Lose Weight Safely

People may fast for various reasons, and methods of successfully losing weight may vary for different people; but fasting has worked for many people in regard to losing weight and / or improving general health. Fasting may range from simply excluding a few foods from your normal diet all the way to eating and drinking nothing but water for a specified amount of time. This article discusses fasting using juice and / or water.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plenty of water, juice, etc

1. One of the most important aspects of fasting takes place even before you start your fast. For at least a week before you start fasting, avoid eating fast food, drinking alcohol, or consuming anything else generally unhealthy. This is vital because your body will be basically living off of the nutrients from these foods while you fast.

2. 

   Purchase plenty of water and juices before you start fasting. One suggestion is to buy fresh fruit beforehand and juice them as you go so you have fresh, pure fruit juice whenever you need it. It is preferred that you buy everything you need beforehand so that you do not have to go to the grocery store a day or two into your fast when you are extremely hungry. That way, you eliminate the temptation to prematurely break your fast because you are surrounded by food.

3. Drink plenty of water. (7+ cups a day is recommended.) After the first few hours pass by the hunger will dissipate and come back in waves. Fight hunger by simply drinking a whole glass of water and / or involving yourself in some activity.

4. Drink various juices for nourishment. Carefully select juices that do not contain sugar or high fructose corn syrup. Natural, pure fruit juices are best as other juices high in sugar will most likely make you more hungry.

5. Break the fast gradually. The method you use to break the fast will differ based on how long you have been fasting. If you have been fasting for over three days, on the first day you start eating again start out with light soups and possibly by the end of the day slightly heavier ones, oatmeal, etc.

6. Continually eat light and healthy. A good fast's beneficial effects can quickly be reversed based on your eating habits afterward. Hold off on fast foods, alcohol, etc. for at least a couple of weeks, and at that, eat and drink in moderation. You will find that fasting somewhat regularly will help you to develop better self control, as you do not give in to eating food anymore on a whim or craving.

Tips & Warnings

• Based on personal experience, shorter, quicker fasts are better for general health than extended week-plus-long fasts; although I personally know some people that would rather fast for twenty plus days at a time twice a year. Also, for me the first two days are worst as far as hunger goes but after that I don't really feel it at all except for maybe once or twice a day. In fact, one time after four days of fasting I even cooked a big, delicious dinner for my family and did not eat a thing. I continued to fast for a couple of days afterward.
• As with any kind of diet, it is highly recommended that you first consult a doctor or other health care professional before you start fasting.
• If you can't do it, you can't do it. Although it takes determination to successfully fast, do not push it.

[chrisanimelo444]

on 8/18/2009 Very informative! Thanks for the tips. :)