I actually bought a book about it a while ago. I do find the whole subject (fasting) very interesting. Have not tried it for myself yet though. I need to lose around 20-30 pounds, and its a struggle, no question.
As always nature is more complex and beautiful than scientists or laymen initially think.I've lost a lot of weight - several times in my life - and it all comes down to one single thing:
The quote is taken from the article Chemical messengers: how hormones make us feel hungry and full but you can find numerous recent articles when using ‘fat’, ‘hormones’, ‘signal’ and ‘intestines’.Several studies have found that diet-induced weight loss is associated with hormone changes that, together, promote weight regain.
Following weight loss, leptin levels decrease profoundly. Other hormonal changes include increases in circulating ghrelin, GIP and pancreatic polypeptide and reductions in PYY and CCK. Almost all of these changes favour regaining lost weight, by increasing hunger, reducing satiety and improving the capacity to store fat. These hormonal changes seem to be present for at least one year after weight loss, leading to a persistent increase in hunger.
I've lost a lot of weight - several times in my life - and it all comes down to one single thing:
Motivation.
I've used a wide variety of "methods" - and the only thing that has worked consistently is motivation.
I don't doubt that some approaches, like Keto (eliminating carbs to force fat burning) or fasting can work better for some people, but - in reality - there's just no way around the whole calorie concept.
I mean, throughout my life - I've seen people in amazing shape and people who're fat and out of shape.
It's only in the past 10 years or so that all these "miracle" methods seem to have become so widespread and popular. One wonders how weight loss was even possible back in the day
Essentially, it's the same old thing. They come up with new approaches to health and food every few months or years.
If you want to lose weight, it's still the same old inevitable truth: Consume fewer calories than you burn.
I've lost a lot of weight - several times in my life - and it all comes down to one single thing:
Motivation.
I've used a wide variety of "methods" - and the only thing that has worked consistently is motivation.
I don't doubt that some approaches, like Keto (eliminating carbs to force fat burning) or fasting can work better for some people, but - in reality - there's just no way around the whole calorie concept.
I mean, throughout my life - I've seen people in amazing shape and people who're fat and out of shape.
It's only in the past 10 years or so that all these "miracle" methods seem to have become so widespread and popular. One wonders how weight loss was even possible back in the day
I've lost a lot of weight - several times in my life - and it all comes down to one single thing:
Motivation.
I've used a wide variety of "methods" - and the only thing that has worked consistently is motivation.
I don't doubt that some approaches, like Keto (eliminating carbs to force fat burning) or fasting can work better for some people, but - in reality - there's just no way around the whole calorie concept.
I mean, throughout my life - I've seen people in amazing shape and people who're fat and out of shape.
It's only in the past 10 years or so that all these "miracle" methods seem to have become so widespread and popular. One wonders how weight loss was even possible back in the day
I've never fasted on a specific regimen like this, but I have tried cutting back calories (lost 20 pounds in the last 6 months). And I do fast for religious reasons once a month.
One thing I've been wondering about fasting though is why do I sweat so much when I fast? I Googled it a couple of times and it seems like a bunch of hippy gurus say that it's my body purging toxins from my body. OK, well, I'm not going to say that's not happening, but I would like to read an actual study on the subject.
I can understand it has a place among religious beliefs, fasting makes you feel very - in lack of better words - "pure".
It's interesting how the body/brain adapts to fasting. The first few times it's like its just screaming "Where the fuck is my FIX, it's been hours now!!!!". Quite annoying, but that stage passes. It's been quite the eye opener of how eating is (partially) very much just an addiction.
Today i'm doing 48h for the first time (36h into it now).
It's amazing how society easily falls apart once lack of food is threatened. People tend to become less "humane" give in to their base desires. I think fasting and meditation has been taught in religion for thousands of years as a way to exercise self control, and understand the value of sacrifice. Ironically, I find it fascinating how hunger actually goes away after a few days of an extended fast, whereas most would think it would just continually get worse. Ghrelin is an interesting hormone.
I try and do an extended fast once a year. For myself, a 1 week fast tends to be spot where I see the best benefit, which anything longer being just diminishing returns. And gives me a good excuse to cook some tasty electrolyte bone broth. But most of the time, intermittent with the occasional 36/48 hour fast, is probably more than enough for those looking to get benefits.
IF = intermittent fastingWhen prescribed at matched energy restriction, IF reduced weight and fat mass and improved total and low‐density lipoprotein cholesterol more than DR. IF prescribed in energy balance did not improve health compared with other groups, despite modest weight loss.
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A total of 88 women enrolled in the study.
Research carried out at the University of Adelaide shows that obese women lost more weight and improved their health by fasting intermittently while following a strictly controlled diet.
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decreased markers for heart disease
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Participants who fasted intermittently ate breakfast and then refrained from eating for 24 hours followed by 24 hours of eating. The following day they fasted again.
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The most successful participants lost approximately 0.5 to 1 kg per week for each week of the study
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New trials now being undertaken will examine the effectiveness of long-term fasting on both men and women.