Is Fasting Just Another Fad Diet?

Fasting is not a new concept - so why all the buzz? Intermittent Fasting is being touted as a great method to lose weight and develop a healthy lifestyle. Read more to learn how it works, and why it might be more than just a passing phase.

Intermittent fasting is a system that recommends fasting for about 24 to 36 hours at a time, ideally twice a week. On the days that you fast, you drink only water. Different to a juice fast, which can raise blood sugar levels, doing more harm than good, intermittent fasting is combined with exercise to create a weight loss method that followers are raving about.

First, let's debunk some of the myths you have probably heard about fasting.

1. Fasting is a religious activity
Although fasting has been used for centuries as a means to seek spiritual cleansing, it has been used by holistic health practitioners for just as long.

2. Fasting will make you feel weak, ill and is not good for you
While some longer term fasting methods may well dehydrate you, starve your body of essential nutrients and cause health problems, intermittent fasting will not result in drastic side-effects. In fact, the most commonly mentioned side-effect is a slight headache - which is usually caffeine withdrawal. Many people state that they feel better than ever - even on the fasting days!

3. It's too difficult to fast, I won't be able to stick to it
This may surprise you, but once you've made it through your first 24 hours of fasting, it will be easy - a lot easier than many other weight loss programs.

How will intermittent fasting help me lose weight?

Imagine that you are starting a 'traditional' calorie-restriction diet plan. You have to work out your ideal calorie intake, then weigh and measure everything you are going to eat, plan menus and check that your daily meals don't exceed your ideal weight-loss intake. Tedious, time-consuming stuff.

Now think about how 2 days of 24 hour fasting a week will instantly reduce your weekly calorie intake. On the days you are fasting, you drink only water. Combined with an exercise program, you're following a calorie-reducing diet without any of the fuss. Intermittent fasting also boosts your metabolism - even on the days you are fasting. Much like the calorie-shifting diets, this type of fasting does not give your body the chance to settle into 'starvation mode' - or get used to the higher calorie intake of your non-fasting days. Keeping your body 'confused' keeps your metabolism boosted - before it can slow down to compensate for the lack of calories on a fasting day, you're eating again! When you include an exercise program, you have a recipe for burning fat that many claim is unbeaten.

Naturally, the day after your fast, you need to avoid binge eating and junk food. A healthy, sensible diet is very much part of an intermittent fasting plan. You CAN eat whatever foods you like - within reason - because you've cut your calories already. This is a big part of the success of this type of diet - more flexibility and choice makes it easier to stay on track.

The psychological benefits of fasting are well-documented. The simple act of NOT eating for 24 hours can give you incredible insight into your relationship with food. Your often not-so-flattering motivations for poor eating habits will become obvious, and once you recognise those, it is easier to overcome them. By proving that you are not a slave to food, and controlling what you eat, you will feel a huge sense of accomplishment, boosting your self-esteem and further helping to rid yourself of those motivations to eat badly.

The theory behind intermittent fasting is much the same as many other weight loss programs: reduce calories and exercise. It just requires a lot less work. Instead of having to exert self-control every single time you eat, you exercise that willpower for only 2 days out of 7.

If you are thinking of trying intermittent fasting as a weight loss method, it is recommended that you check with your doctor first. Certain medical conditions and medications may not be compatible with fasting. It helps to have some advice and guidance regarding how to get started, some of the hurdles you may need to overcome, (nothing's THAT easy), the type of exercise you should be doing, etc. If followers of this type of diet are to be believed, you'll never look back!