Is there a healthy way to fast?

Question

I'm trying to lose weight. I'm going to start working out , but I heard that someone fasted for two weeks and it helped them a lot. I'm trying to do it a safe way so if anyone has ever done it before, which would be the right way of doing it?

Answer 1

Yes. If you abstain from eating foods, but take vitamin supplements, drink plenty of water, natural juices, and electrolytes. But do not do this for too long it will weaken your system.

Answer 2

You have recieved quite a few informative answers to your question. I tend to agree with the majority of people in saying that a "fast" in not intended to coincide with rigorous excercise. You would be taxing your body to it's limit in doing so. This could prove to be dangerous. You must first consult your physician before attempting to do this. There are too many variables that need to be taken into consideration before you can make a informative decision to either move forward with the fast or decline. Here is something that you have probably not considered. When you fast, your brain/body doesn't know that you intend to eat again at a set date, thus, it will think you are starving. When that happens, the body tends to hold onto the extra fat calories just to survive. Some people who fast, don't lose very much weight because of this phenomenon.

I am in the middle of losing weight, 30lbs. First, I went to my physician for my annual check-up (blood work, urine, EKG, etc.) to get a qualified opinion of what would be the best excercise program for a person of my age and weight. As of yesterday, a month after visiting my physician and getting the green light to excercise, I am down 9lbs. What am I doing to lose the weight? Walking. I walk every day if not every other day 2-2 1/2 miles. That's all. It's not a slow paced walk...I keep a steady fast pace which allows me to sweat. My diet has changed also...I read food labels more now. I check for cholesterol and sodium contents and of course calories. All of this is not time consuming nor is it crimping my lifestyle at all. If it did I'd probably would still be 9lbs. heavier and on my way to becoming 10, 15, 20 lbs or more overweight.

I put as a source the wikipedia definition of the word "fast".

Good luck to you. Remember it took effort on your part to become overweight...it will take that same amount of effort and then some to lose it. There are no quick fixes.

Answer 3

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Answer 4

I clicke in and there were already 202 answers. Still, I've got to try.

By definition, fasting is not heatthy. Anything you do to to alleviate the risks involves feeding the body, and THAT is not fasting.

So, I have to consider that you are just curious and have no intention of really fasting, or you intend to join a so-called fast to support a cause. Some folks, locally are doing a "rotating" fast, where people take turns not eating. Heck, I've done that when I was too busy to grab a bite. That's NOT a fast. Not even close.

Cesar Chavez did periodic fasts, where he was closely monitored and fed, I beleive, a cup of milk each day. Mahatma Ghandi truely fasted, accepting only water. Since water offers no nutritional value, I consider this a genuine fast.

There are many forms of modified fasts that are less dangerous than others. What ever you are considering, if it is an extreme form you will attempt, do it under doctor supervision, take a couple of good multivitamins, and if your health begins to fail, FOR ANY REASON, you must stop.

Answer 5

First, fasting is overrated. Usually the weight you lose is water weight, which can be as much as 10lbs if you're heavy enough. But if you really want to try it, the best way would be to keep yourself as hydrated as possible and make sure you get 1200 calories a day, most likely from drinking something like fruit juice. Make sure you get lots of vitamins, or your body will hate you. :P

Bear in mind that 2 weeks is unrealistic. 24 to 48 hours is all you should do at once. Some people fast for this length of time once a month, but it really is just more effective to combine diet and exercise and not look for a miracle cure. There isn't any, unfortunately.

Answer 6

I did a macrobiotic fast for three days. the only thing you could eat was brown rice. it was really hard and I had horrible cravings. I felt really tired but atleast with this type of fasting you can eat something. If you are going to fast I would try to clear as much food that will tempt you out of your house. and dont do over a atime when you will need to think (like a big test) because it will take all the energy out of you physically and mentally.

I dont really fasting is the best technique to lose weight. I did lose 5 lbs but the day I started eating again I gained it back. In the beginning you will lose weight by fasting but eventully your body will think you are starving and will hang on to every ounce of fat on you and the weight wont come of as easily. and it could damage your metabolism and make it even harder to lose that weight in the future. is it really worth it? especially if all that food deprivation will go to waste as soon as you start eating a little more normally (and trust me after seriously fasting your body is going to store up every calorie because it thinks that you might starve again)

If you want to lose weight I would recommend excercising moderately (start out slowly) and as far as food eat a big healthy breakfast, a satisfying lunch and then a snack og something moderately healthy at about 3 p.m.. then skip dinner or if need be, somedays have a light, early dinner(the earlier you eat the more time your body has to burn off extra calories). and if you ever get the evening urge to raid the refrigerator do something else as distraction like talk on the phone, get on the computer or take a walk. this is much healthier than a fast and it works better at maintaining weight loss.

sorry this is so long but I wish this is something that somebody would have told me a long time ago. hope it helps you!

Answer 7

Well in my opinion to lose weight fasting is not enough! What's the use of fasting one day and eating a load on the other days? It is firstly important to control your daily diet. Eat less chicken, meat,...and specially avoid non veg foods. It's far better to have a veg diet as it has far more nutritive elements (i.e, Vitamins, minerals and the most important thing-fibres). Well i'm not publicitising veg diet i'm simply stating the fact that this is the best diet. But however an oily veg diet will not be of much help! Cut down on fatty and oily foods. Alongside it is also beneficial
to practice a sport and do some yoga exercises. If you have such healthy eating habits, automatically you'll become fit!! I would then say that there is no real need to fast!!!!!

Answer 8

Ryoga316 seems to have the best and most informative response. I was going to say much of what was already said, but I just want to add that you really should check with a doctor before beginning any fast. Knowing your conditions with your health prior to a fast can at least inform you of some things. I found out that I had high blood pressure a while back and it was because I was going to start a diet and wanted to make sure of my health - I might not have known. Fasting does give the body and organs a rest - and it is also a time when you can think, pray and meditate. Use the time wisely - and you don't have to tell everybody what you're doing. It's your personal time with you and your body. Good luck to you!

Answer 9

A fast is a fast. If you fast, you don't eat or drink anything except water, how healthy is that?

You can do a partial fast and drink fruit juices to get the needed vitamins.

Overall, fasting is not healthy. When you starve your body of the nutrients it needs, it begins to use vital organs to sustain itself.

When you fast, you will lose weight but as soon as you break the fast, you will gain all your weight back plus some extra.

You don't say how old you are but I think you are very young so I will tell you my story.

When I was sixteen I was ideal weight. I played basketball, volleyball and badminton, I was a cheerleader and had physical education 3 times a week. I thought I was fat so I tried every fad diet in the book, Lose 10 pounds in 1 week, fasting you name it and I did lose weight just like it said but when I stopped, I gained it all back plus 2 extra. Over the years, I continued to do that until in the end at 23 years old, I was 197 lbs. Please don't fast. Unless you are very much over weight, do not diet at all just eat well and keep active.

Answer 10

I know there are sometimes Spiritual/Religious reasons for a fast, but to kickstart weight loss fasting is definitely not the way to go. By fasting you actually lose muscle and once you start eating again that can easily be turned into fat. Fasting also slows your metabolism which is never good for losing weight.


If you're feeling as though you need to cleanse your body as part of your weight loss program, that's easily done by eating fruits and vegetables that are low in sugar content. Also by eating whole grains instead of breads that are made with enriched flour, etc.

Answer 11

As a Muslim, I fast for 30 days during Ramadan. Fasting is healthy because it releases all the toxins in your body. If you're serious about fasting. Try these:

1) Eat a full breakfast before the sun rises (usually 3 or 4 am).

2) Don't eat or drink anything until the sun totally sets

3) Break your fast by eating soft food (soup, bread, fruit) in small portions

4) Start slowly by fasting for 3 days (you can increase the length of your fast as long as you wish, but not over 30 days). But consult a doctor first before fasting.

5) Fast 3 days every month. Fast 30 days in 1 year.

Good luck. Peace