Fasting

[jusbnme]

What's up my Sly Bros?  I have been thinking about getting back to eating healthy and exercising.  I have at least 20 extra pounds that I would love to lose.  Maybe more, but I know at least 20 needs to come off.  I heard from someone once that fasting, even though not entirely healthy, is a good way of dropping pounds quickly.  But this same person said that you have to be careful when starting to eat again because if you don't discipline yourself when you start eating again you can really bloat up because your body has been starving itself.  I also heard that another way you can fast is by just eating empty calories such as lettuce, cucumbers, etc...That way you get the nutrients without any fat, protein, calories, etc...Does anyone have any opinions on this or helpful tips?  I don't want to do it and hurt myself.  But at the same time I'm one of those people that if I don't see results quickly I get bored and tired of waiting. 

[Koaa2]

I think the general feeling in the medical community is that fasting for weight loss is unhealthy. You will see results very quick, but I think it is mostly fluid loss and muscle. Of course we all want to lose weight quickly and easily and it does feel good to see it come off so fast. I think the thing with fasting is that you also put the weight right back on, because you haven't changed any of your eating and exercise habits.

I think that moderation is the key. Eat, drink healthly foods, exercise regulary and it will come off. Pretty simple but the hardest thing to do.

[Marz]

Loosing weight from fasting or extreme diets is a quick fix that is not only unhealthy but a sure way to even gain more unwanted weight by slowing your metabolism down and making your body store more fat as a precaution for starvation.

Also loosing weight from diets looks alot different than loosing weight from exercise. It doesn't look healthy it looks hollowed out and ghostly.

Just get out there and exercise man, there is no substitute. You can even eat well with a good exercise routine.

[TheSlyBear]

By fasting, you tell your body that its famine time and it will go into panic mode and start putting everything that you do eat into fat storage.

Not the best way to go.

(Says the fat man.)

[JohnMont]

it depends on your definition of fasting.  I fast for religious reasons ( ooopppss !!  sorry...  )   ; but this only involves a small amount of COMPLETE fasting.  It's more accurate to say it is abstinence from certain foods.   During Lent we are to fast/abstain from :    meat; fish; dairy; eggs, wine (i.e. all alcohol) and ... OIL  (mainly olive oil; as this was the major food oil in the ancient mediterainian world--)    some years I dont pay much attention to the oil ban; but this year I did;   and ... I've lost nine pounds so far this Lent.   ( I was also doing some heavy manual labor at the beginning of Lent; refinishing a floor -- and I think this helped too).   But cutting the oil is amazingly effective.  Also;  the idea of fasting during Lent is to eat smaller amounts as well; and to keep the food as simple as possible.  mainly I have bread and/or Alpen with soy milk for breakfast (only a little jam or honey on the bread/toast-- no margarine); Lunch is a  tofu hotdog with bread;  or pasta ("Chinese noodles" is an old family favorite; nothing but spagetti or --yes;  Chinese noodles; with water and soy sauce.  Dinner is simple ; beans; pasta;  cooked with as little oil as possible.  

This has worked for me.  Also; we have a service on Friday evenings that requires total fasting (not even water; but you could take water);  from noon till evening (then a light meal around 8 pm)...  Sunday mornings we do a coomplete fast till around noon / 1 p.m.  

Like I said; it has worked for me.   I have been wanting to get to the gym and really start working out in earnest to build muscle; but  I wanted to get rid of  -- like you --about 20 pounds of dead fat weight.  I've been doing arobics and light weights; but after  two more weeks of this fast I plan on going on high protein and serious workouts.    

Good luck; ....   try this for a month and see how it works

Best,

John

[schro]

it depends on your definition of fasting.  I fast for religious reasons ( ooopppss !!  sorry...  )   ; but this only involves a small amount of COMPLETE fasting.  It's more accurate to say it is abstinence from certain foods.   During Lent we are to fast/abstain from :    meat; fish; dairy; eggs, wine (i.e. all alcohol) and ... OIL  (mainly olive oil; as this was the major food oil in the ancient mediterainian world--) .....   

Best,

John

I hope we don't become hyper sensitive (i.e. paranoid) about everything we post. Just hope people take into consideration how a post will be received by the rest of the board's readers.

I wouldn't worry about it, John. You're not attacking anyone here.
Just my two cents.

Schro

[JohnMont]

it depends on your definition of fasting.  I fast for religious reasons ( ooopppss !!  sorry...  )   ; but this only involves a small amount of COMPLETE fasting.  It's more accurate to say it is abstinence from
I hope we don't become hyper sensitive (i.e. paranoid) about everything we post. Just hope people take into consideration how a post will be received by the rest of the board's readers.

I wouldn't worry about it, John. You're not attacking anyone here.
Just my two cents.

Schro

It was only a joke !

[schro]

well, given the events of the last week, who knows these days. 

[jusbnme]

Please guys.  I feel bad enough already about what I started last week.  I was hoping it would slowly die out.  But it's becoming apparent to me that I have left a permanent scar on this site that may never heal.  I know you have your certain beliefs JohnMont, as does Koaa2, but when I said what I did last week it was mainly all out of personal things I was going through.  So don't use it as a new opening to start sparking a fire every chance you get.  I was wrong and should have looked to some of these guys for a ear to listen but instead attacked them.  These guys do help out a lot on the forum and for you to keep instigating them and trying to push their buttons just isn't right.  I know you two are not going to like me calling your names out but this is how I feel.  Take it how you want.  Peace.

[Sgt. Pate]

Quick weight loss is quick weight gain in the long run.  I think fasting has a place for cleansing your system and of course self discipline but I don't think it's of much value for weight control.

I've done it all and I've discovered the secret to permanent weight loss... I would write a book but it would be a "short story"! 

Okay, are you ready for the secret?  Here it is:  Eat Less - Move More!

[jusbnme]

Okay, are you ready for the secret?  Here it is:  Eat Less - Move More!

I like that Sarge.  Simple but effective.      

[BaldRob]

Okay, are you ready for the secret?  Here it is:  Eat Less - Move More!

BING!!!  We have a winner!!!

[tomgallagher]

Quick weight loss is quick weight gain in the long run.  I think fasting has a place for cleansing your system and of course self discipline but I don't think it's of much value for weight control.

I've done it all and I've discovered the secret to permanent weight loss... I would write a book but it would be a "short story"! 

Okay, are you ready for the secret?  Here it is:  Eat Less - Move More!

OMG...Sarge, you figgered it out...LOL

[JDog]

Sarge nailed it.


But like Koa said,it is difficult to put into practice. Whenever I have been able to shed weight it has been 3 things that really show results. Eat Less,Plenty of Exercise,Drink A lot of water.

[bludger44]

The good Sgt. is on point...cut down your portions, and excercise more. I try and stay away from carbs after lunch as well.