The practice of fasting is an age old technique for cleansing and purifying the body and mind. "The Miracle of Fasting" by Paul C. Bragg recommends fasting as a quick way to jump-start weight-loss. A 1- to 3-day fast can be used as part of a your diet. More brief 24-hour fasts are also useful for maintenance cleansing and calorie cutting. There are water only fasts as well as juice fasts. If you choose to fast as part of your next diet, implement these strategies to get the most out of your fasting experience.
Step 1
Drink eight 12- to 16-oz servings of distilled water every day. "The Miracle of Fasting" recommends distilled water because it does not contain the impurities that can be found in spring water or treated tap water.
Step 2
Start with a short 1- to 3-day fast to get used to the feeling. Longer fasts of 7 days or more are not encouraged, unless under the supervision of a physician. A 24-hour fast can be used one day a week for cleansing and weight-loss results, according to "The Miracle of Fasting."
Step 3
Drink an apple cider vinegar energy drink three to five times per day. Paul C. Bragg recommends mixing 2 tbsp. of organic apple cider vinegar, 1 tbsp. honey (or packet of stevia) and 8 oz distilled water. This mixture helps to cleanse the body and suppress hunger.
Step 4
Do light cardiovascular activity to accelerate fat-burning. Most people tolerate low-intensity exercise, such as walking, quite well, despite being on a fast. Avoid more strenuous activity, such as high-intensity cardio and resistance training exercise.
Step 5
Take branch chain amino acids to spare muscle tissue. Fasting causes self-digestion, according to "The Miracle of Fasting." This means that the food-deprived body uses body fat and muscle tissue for energy. Taking 5 g of branch chain aminos three to five times per day can decrease the amount of muscle lost during your fasted state, according to "Natural Anabolics." Losing too much muscle will actually serve to derail your long-term fitness goals.
Step 6
Eat fruits, vegetables and nuts or seeds, or drink fruit and vegetable juices when needed. Starving yourself in the name of weight loss is never a good idea. If you must eat, these foods are good choices because they do not stress the digestive system very much. Paul C. Bragg suggests these same types of food for breaking a fast because you do not want to put undue stress on your body by binging on junk foods, negating the positive effects of your fast.
References
- "The Miracle of Fasting" by Paul C. Bragg; Health Sciences, 2009
- "Combat the Fat" by Jeff Anderson; CQC LLC, 2008
- "Natural Anabolics" by Jerry Brainum; Ironman Productions, 2008
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