QUOTE (Joheri) |
So, basically you mean fasting as a means of periodical cleansing of the "system"? |
Rather off topic, but... Two things, we have a Survival Board and a Military Board both of which your expertise will be well appreciated. Thanks. |
I agree that most of the time when we skip a meal and we say we feel hungry is in fact food stimulation than hunger. Nobody died for missing some meals. What about children? How can fasting be a benefit for small kids? Should they fast at all? At what age it should be recommended to start this?
I do not think Children should fast, and when I say Children I refer to those under 12. I believe teenagers can start to fast as it prepares their system for adulthood. Of course all of this is in my opinion - one should always seek professional advice first.
I have fasted for both religous and dietary purposes on two different occasions. What I have noticed the first time I fasted, I was praying , singing, reading the bible, my mind was totally focused on God, I was not hungry at all. On the other hand when I did fast to loose weight I was weak and fatigue , had the most painful headaches ,my stomach had this burning sensation and I found myself eating twice as much the next day. I felt so hungry I thought nothing was able to satisfy me and I am really not exaggerating, it was a terrible experience.
Recenlty, I lost some weight and one of the reasons why I was fat in the first place was because I didn't eat properly. I would have eaten, something like one meal a day and when I did eat the next time my body stored all the fat ,I lost nothing and gained twice as much. So it is quite evident that fasting as diet is unhealthy and unsucessful, at least for me. However I can't explain why, but I know for a fact fasting for religous purposes I a completley different and opposite experience and at that point the body doesn't seem to be under any pressure at all.
I would say some things in answer to post above...
1. When you fast to lose weight you are making the first big mistake
2. Fasting as I have described is about self control and body cleansing, if you lose weight that is a secondary issue, but is not the primary reason.
3. I think people see 'diet' and think it means losing weight. "Diet" is about a way of eating for a purpose. The purpose in this case is NOT about fat reduction.
4. I think when you reach the stage of doing proper fasts (you are obviously not ready) you will find food a non-issue
I am personally able to work all day and fast, in fact today I moved a whole bunch of furniture without any food. Later in the evening I had just a few biscuits and that was it - no hunger pangs, no starved feeling.
There are better alternatives than 'fasting'. I strongly advise fasting in any way. It is better if you eat well-balanced meals in Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and then exercise after. You will lose weight faster, it is much safer, and ultimately, its healther for your body.
QUOTE (Touchstone) |
I strongly advise fasting in any way. |
JB,
How often should one fast to get these benefits?
You are not advocating this as an everyday thing are you, because my body is so conditioned to the 3 meals a day kick that missing a meal or two daily would would be more then I would want to bear.
I don't mind a monthly fast or even once a week, but more then that I am not sure.