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Does Fasting For Weight Loss Work ?

By Pooja Kaushal

Fasting has been a part of Indian culture since time immemorial. No matter what religion you follow, there is always a period of fasting to be observed. The fact that all religions follow it does speak a lot about its credibility.

Surely, there must be a great deal of goodness in the practice of fasting. Taking this further, there are now increased instances of practicing fasting for weight loss. The effectiveness and benefits of fasting for weight loss are debatable with the pros and cons often being discussed.

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Health experts as well as fitness experts come up with their own views on the matter. The internet is loaded with information on the weight loss and fasting topics. You do one Google search and tons of results are thrown up.

In this huge pile of information, how does one conclude whether fasting is good for weight loss or not. And this brings up back to the basic issue - Is fasting really healthy in the first place?

Fasting For Weight Loss

Fasting, no doubt, is healthy? But, like all other matters, there is a particular way to do it. Fasting too needs to be observed in a healthy manner. When you decide to fast, you do not just give up all food and water. Draw up a plan, gradually approach it, consult a medical practitioner and if all goes well, go ahead and fast. When done in a systematic way, it will be beneficial for your health.

Let us first discuss the benefits of fasting and then look at it from the weight loss point of view.

Gives the body rest: Our body is a complex system that works 24x7. Even when we are resting, there are various systems at work. The digestive system is one of them. Fasting helps to give the digestive system rest for some time. Unlike the heart and nervous system, the digestive system can afford to take a rest. This will be beneficial for the body.

Flushes out toxins: When we fast, we abstain from food for a period of time – a day or two or an alternate day fast. During fasting sessions, especially water diets, the toxins of the body are flushed out leaving you fresh, recharged and cleansed internally.

Conserves energy: Food is the source of energy of all living beings. However, we humans have taken to food too seriously. We tend to eat at any time and often eat more than required. In fact, our diet becomes a habit and we eat out of habit rather than requirement. Try to monitor your diet and cravings and soon you will realise that you can do with much less. Imagine the amount of energy you will be saving then. Your body will be far more relaxed and easy to work with.

As agreed upon, fasting is good for health. But is fasting good for weight loss? According to health experts, it is not a good idea to fast for weight loss. Initially, one may experience loss in weight and that might give a positive hope but this is not permanent.

How long can you go without food? There will be a time when you will crave for food. What happens then? You will be going back to your initial meal schedules and in no time, the kilos will start coming back.

Rather than going for only fasting for weight loss, try pairing it up with a workout regime. When put together, it will give a complete and all-round treatment. Exercising will tone the body while fasting in the form of healthy food intake will help the body stay charged and perform exercises in a better manner.

Story first published: Saturday, September 13, 2014, 9:38 [IST]
Read more about: weight loss wellness