Fasting For Fast Weight Loss!

There are a number of reasons to follow a fast diet, not the least of which is fast weight loss. This usually involves not eating any food at all, or just fasting on a specific type of food, but only for a short period of time. For instance, there are some religions that recommend fasting occasionally for the purification of the body. Others use fast diets to detoxify their bodies.

But the weight loss fast seems to be the most common fast followed by the majority of people. Fasting is usually done for only a couple of days or possibly up to a week, but this type of diet can be dangerous if it is maintained for too many consecutive days.

Most doctors do not recommend fasting to lose weight, even though you will certainly see a rapid weight loss by fasting. The problem is that this weight will most likely be gained right back as soon as the fasting diet has stopped.

When a person begins fasting, their body goes into an emergency mode, actually trying to hold to the fat it has stored up because it believes it is being starved to death, defeating the whole purpose of fasting in the first place.

A fast diet also causes the metabolism to slow down, trying to conserve energy, and a slower metabolism will result in fewer calories being burned. Believe it or not, the best way to keep the metabolism up is by eating several small meals each day.

Some fast diets call for a person to drink a specific juice or other liquid. These liquids provide the body with enough nutrients to keep it functioning properly, and typically you will experience a rapid weight loss while following these fasts.

A juice fast can last anywhere from a couple of days up to two weeks. Choosing to fast on alternate days may also provide significant weight loss, without the risk of starving the body.

Other fast diets may consist of only a specific fruit or a special soup or stew. These types of diets are designed to keep the body and metabolism at the maximum speed, but the fruit fast could be dangerous for diabetics because of the natural sugars. Therefore, if you are - or think you may be diabetic, caution must be taken and you should never undertake a diet like this until you have the green light from your physician. Stews provide plenty of nutrients, but may not have the same results as a total fasting diet.

When a person is fasting, they will almost certainly have a smaller appetite. However, when the fast is over, one's normal appetite will return and in some cases a person may even overeat after fasting for a period of time, resulting in gaining back any weight lost plus extra pounds as well.

Any kind of extreme diet, including fasting, should be discussed with a doctor. A fast diet is great for fast weight loss for a special occasion, but most fast diets do not result in a long term weight loss.