Introduction
Every time I find the words 'healthy' and 'weight loss', I'm always reminded of the extremes to which people take this aspect of fitness. Anorexia, bulimia and off late, orthorexia are some of the most popular eating disorders that people struggle with, all because they idealize that perfect hour-glass figure that they see so often in magazines.
At another level altogether, if you look at Christian Bale who played the lead role in "The Machinist" who apparently just lived on apples and coffee for a substantial amount of time in order to get that 'withered' look which he really had to get rid of in time to play the next role as Bruce Wayne/ Batman in 'Batman Begins'.
None of these activities related to losing weight (for whatever reason!) can be considered as 'healthy', as there is always an extreme ideal attached with these goals set by these individuals.
However, not every fast diet that can be used to lose weight is as crazy as the examples mentioned earlier. As you all know that there are a slew of diets that are available to people in order to help them lose weight.
Fasting – An Antiquated Method or not?
Among the Pritikin, Atkins, Paleolithic and other diets that offer people "healthy" ways to lose weight, one of the oldest methods that was used as far back as King David's times and even earlier was "fasting", that was used as a sign of repentance. Now, of course, fasting is said to be one of those healthy ways to lose weight.
By definition, fasting is the willful abstinence of food or drink or both for a certain period of time which could span a few hours to almost 24 hours or in the case of extremists who want to rebel or publicize a particular cause, this could span several days.
But is it really healthy?
Of course, this depends on how you do it much like any other form of dieting that you might take up.
Things to consider in Fasting for Weight Loss
Most doctors recommend that before you try long fasts (not unless you're rallying attention for a noble cause), it's best to start by reviewing the different kind of fasts, and whether or not they will fit into your daily routine.
Some of these fasts include water fasting, juice fasting and fasting that excludes only meat and dairy products.
In most cases, doctors suggest that one should start with short fasts (the 24-hour type) regardless of the type that you choose. The reason for this is so that you can determine HOW your body reacts to this period of fasting before trying anything else.
While some people say that a one day fast gives the digestive organs a rest, helps us eliminate toxins and is indeed healthy, some medical experts state that there is no evidence for the benefit of eliminating toxins.
Once you've begun the fast, make sure you drink at least 7 to 10 glasses of water even if you're on juice based fast. Interestingly, people have found that alternating your periods of fasting with periods of eating works better for weight loss unlike going on an extended period of fasting. Finally, when you break the fast, eat a small meal and watch how your body reacts to it, and then proceed to eat normally after that.
In Closing
Unless you're fasting for a worthy cause that goes on for days or just nuts, don't overdo this, as even Gandhi who went on a fast for several days drank lime water during that period.
Medical supervision and moderation to losing weight with fasting is the key!
Other Posts You'll Find Useful:
Every time I find the words 'healthy' and 'weight loss', I'm always reminded of the extremes to which people take this aspect of fitness. Anorexia, bulimia and off late, orthorexia are some of the most popular eating disorders that people struggle with, all because they idealize that perfect hour-glass figure that they see so often in magazines.
At another level altogether, if you look at Christian Bale who played the lead role in "The Machinist" who apparently just lived on apples and coffee for a substantial amount of time in order to get that 'withered' look which he really had to get rid of in time to play the next role as Bruce Wayne/ Batman in 'Batman Begins'.
None of these activities related to losing weight (for whatever reason!) can be considered as 'healthy', as there is always an extreme ideal attached with these goals set by these individuals.
However, not every fast diet that can be used to lose weight is as crazy as the examples mentioned earlier. As you all know that there are a slew of diets that are available to people in order to help them lose weight.
Fasting – An Antiquated Method or not?
Among the Pritikin, Atkins, Paleolithic and other diets that offer people "healthy" ways to lose weight, one of the oldest methods that was used as far back as King David's times and even earlier was "fasting", that was used as a sign of repentance. Now, of course, fasting is said to be one of those healthy ways to lose weight.
By definition, fasting is the willful abstinence of food or drink or both for a certain period of time which could span a few hours to almost 24 hours or in the case of extremists who want to rebel or publicize a particular cause, this could span several days.
But is it really healthy?
Of course, this depends on how you do it much like any other form of dieting that you might take up.
Things to consider in Fasting for Weight Loss
Most doctors recommend that before you try long fasts (not unless you're rallying attention for a noble cause), it's best to start by reviewing the different kind of fasts, and whether or not they will fit into your daily routine.
Some of these fasts include water fasting, juice fasting and fasting that excludes only meat and dairy products.
In most cases, doctors suggest that one should start with short fasts (the 24-hour type) regardless of the type that you choose. The reason for this is so that you can determine HOW your body reacts to this period of fasting before trying anything else.
While some people say that a one day fast gives the digestive organs a rest, helps us eliminate toxins and is indeed healthy, some medical experts state that there is no evidence for the benefit of eliminating toxins.
Once you've begun the fast, make sure you drink at least 7 to 10 glasses of water even if you're on juice based fast. Interestingly, people have found that alternating your periods of fasting with periods of eating works better for weight loss unlike going on an extended period of fasting. Finally, when you break the fast, eat a small meal and watch how your body reacts to it, and then proceed to eat normally after that.
In Closing
Unless you're fasting for a worthy cause that goes on for days or just nuts, don't overdo this, as even Gandhi who went on a fast for several days drank lime water during that period.
Medical supervision and moderation to losing weight with fasting is the key!
Other Posts You'll Find Useful: