Fasting is a term used to describe not eating for set periods of time. Fasting is done for several reasons, including religious purposes, to remove toxins from the body and quick weight loss. Fasting does drastically cut your calorie intake which can help you lose weight. However, once normal eating resumes, the pounds you lost are likely to return. Speak to your doctor before you use fasting methods to lose weight.
Features
Certain types of fasting can be done to lose weight successfully. Instead of fasting for long periods of time, you may choose to skip a meal or two for a day before returning to your normal eating habits. According to a 2007 study performed at the Louisiana State University School of Medicine, restricting calories on certain days may help you lose weight. During the study, subjects were able to eat normally one day and then fed 20 percent of their normal calorie intake on alternate days. After two months, subjects lost an average of 8 percent of their body weight.
Warning
Lengthy fasting periods or performing fasts repeatedly may cause you to develop serious side effects. Not eating increases your risk of nutritional deficiencies and may weaken your immune system. Along with weight loss, you are likely to experience muscle breakdown when fasting for long periods of time. You may also have gastrointestinal upset and develop gas, diarrhea or stomach pain when fasting.
Considerations
Although you may lose weight by skipping meals, you are not likely to experience sustained results. If you don't eat a meal, you are likely to overcompensate at later meals and increase your calorie intake. You should instead cut calories by 500 to 1,000 per day for a rate of weight loss of 1 to 2 lbs. weekly.
Solution
As an alternative to fasting, you can reduce your calorie intake by eating less at meals instead of skipping them altogether. Keep portion sizes small at each meal and choose foods low in calories, such as vegetables and fruits.
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