Fasting with water is an age-old practice for health and religious reasons. It involves simply refraining from eating or drinking anything except for pure, clean, spring water for a day or more. Here are some things to know about water fasting for health and weight loss.
The Benefits of Water Fasting
The practice of water fasting has numerous health benefits, including:
- Lower metabolic disease markers
- Lowered risk of Dementia and Alzheimer’s Disease
- Improved long-term memory
- Inhibiting depressive episodes
- Greatly reduced hypertension
The Problem with Water Fasting
One cannot simply begin water fasting because it can lead to serious symptoms that might harm certain people, especially if you have a medical condition. Before attempting your first water fast or if you are returning to water fasting after a long break from it, check with your doctor first.
Ways to Water Fast
There are numerous ways to water fast, but the most common way is to fast by consuming nothing but water over one to two days every week. This is done by some religious groups and is believed to reduce the development of heart disease.
The length of time and frequency of your fasts will determine your results. To get the most out of your fast, prepare your body ahead of time. You want to make sure that your body is in the right condition to begin fasting, or you may develop health problems during your fast.
Importance of Preparation in Water Fasting
If you begin fasting tomorrow without any preparation, chances are you will feel either sick or lethargic and then energetic by day two, and so on. It is normal to cycle in and out of feeling good and bad, but for all your hard work, the results should last, and those that prepare their bodies have longer-lasting effects than those who don’t.
Prepare your body by stopping junk and processed foods. Abstain from caffeine, alcohol, sugary treats, bread, and soda. Replace one or two meals each day with bone broth to slowly prep your body for the fast. Allow at least a few days like this before you begin. If you’re in ketosis when you begin your water fast, the process will be much easier as you will be less hungry.
How to Start Your First Water Fast
Start your first water fast with just 24 hours. Sip on fresh spring water throughout the day. Add a bit of pink salt, especially if you’re feeling dizzy or feel a headache coming on. Take a relaxing bath, but not too hot, add essential oils, and enjoy the healing process. Do not exercise and try to keep your activity levels low. If you are experienced at fasting, aim for longer, but stop if you feel too lightheaded, dizzy, or any side effects that feel dangerous. Recruit the aid of a health practitioner or doctor if you can, for safety reasons, and be sure to tell family members what you are doing, especially if you live alone.
When done right, you will experience the amazing benefits of water fasting. More energy is usually the first benefit that people report. Regular water fasting can also help with weight loss efforts and fix a sluggish metabolism.
Break your fast slowly with some bone broth, kefir, or yogurt.
Learn About Other Holistic Strategies to Manage Your Weight
If you have struggled with your weight or have chronic diseases, you might want to try water fasting. A water fast can prolong the effects of your weight loss efforts while helping to prevent the return of those issues that caused you to gain weight in the first place.If you’re looking for more information on fasting for health or weight loss, check out my new bestseller book on Amazon: The Fasting Bible: How to Lose Weight, Grow Younger and Heal your Body (in 30 days or less)
