Fasting Weight Loss – Know Before You Start
Fasting weight loss is an attractive option for many people for several reasons such as quick weight loss 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. The only problem with this type of weight loss is that it’s very difficult to keep the weight off once you start eating a normal diet again.
Is a fasting diet a safe way to lose weight? If you are healthy and have no underlying health issues such as cancer, diabetes, liver, kidney or lung disease you should be alright with a short term fasting diet, no more than a few days. For someone who is healthy it’s unlikely to do any harm in such a short time. It’s still a good idea to talk it over with your doctor before you start. If you have health issues, nursing, or pregnant this is not the weight loss method for you.
Before you start on your fasting weight loss program you need to prepare your body and evaluate your lifestyle. Whether you’re planning a short fast, anywhere from 5 days to 2 weeks, or a long fast lasting more than 3 weeks, there are some things you need to keep in mind before you start:
1. It might be best to lay off the physical activity during your fast. 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. Prior to fasting slowly decrease the amount of canned and processed foods you eat. Also decrease your consumption of cigarettes, salt, refined sugar and other foods that can cause food allergies. It’s easier to slowly cut them out of your diet over a period of time than to just cut them off abruptly when you start your fast.
3. Before you begin your fast start decreasing your portion sizes and increasing the amount of time between meals. By getting your body used to eating less it will be easier when you start your fast.
4. Before you start make sure you know everything you will need to do, write all the instructions down. If you start to get discouraged during the fast just remind yourself that the health benefits will far outweigh any unpleasant feelings during your fast.
5. If you are under 18 years of age or have any chronic health issues make sure to consult your doctor before you start.
This type of fasting usually accompany by other benefits such as detoxification and a fast weight loss. For the short complete fasting, you should repeat it every specific time until you obtain the result you want, do not extend it more than recommended. As for the extended fasting, do it with physician supervision.
The other type is the short fast which is only last for a short period such as one or two days. Only a handful of diet programs can use this type of fasting and still create great result.
There are many variations of fasting weight loss plans. Each will offer it’s own unique benefits and results. Fasting weight loss is not right for every one. If you arm yourself with the right fasting plan, and you are healthy and determined to succeed a short term fasting plan can deliver the results you’re looking for. If you want to try a longer term fasting plan talk to your doctor first.