Losing weight: The ‘fasting’ way

Fasting is often considered a way of losing pounds. It is often resort to when you want to reduce weight fast for a shorter duration. Fasting could be of many types – a total no-no to food, a fast where only liquids can be consumed, a fast with restrictions on certain foods. First you need to figure out which one is the best for you. Try a few types before adhering to a long term fast as this will help you to gauge the reactions of the body.

Fasting is bound to disrupt your daily routine in the sense that your energy levels, mood levels will undergo a change. See if it is feasible for you to fast. Be practical.

Long term fasting can lead to a severe deprivation of essential nutrients in the body. Without medical guidance, it can prove to be dangerous. Another downside of long term fasting is once you resume eating, you are likely to put on weight again.

Periodic fasting may be a much better option than long term fasting. Thus, keeping away from food for a day or two helps to provide rest to our digestive system, remove toxins from the body and also lose pounds.
A proper fast involves three stages:

• Preparation – where you motivate and prepare yourself physically and mentally about your decision for fasting. Making up your mind in advance with clear motives and how to go about with it prepare you in advance for the fasting day. There is no ambivalence on the day of fast then and you are likely to be more determined. Physically you can prepare yourself by taking proper solid and liquid intake the night before the fast. Make sure you do not overeat.


• The day of the fast – On the fasting day, avoid exerting too much physically and mentally. Pace yourself well. Avoid thinking about food. Take a day off or do it on Sundays so that you can be physically and mentally relaxed.
• Break the fast: the following day, take at least two glasses of fresh lime juice with salt. Wait for some time then have your breakfast. The lime juice will help in stronger bowel movements and eliminating toxins from the body.

Fasting for a single day at least two times a month can be very beneficial. Since the whole process is not excruciating the idea of fasting does not put you off. Moreover, the amount of weight loss you will end up achieving will be significantly better.