Your opinion about fasting

[Mike 03]

This is my third day of fasting, and I have some good feelings about it and some bad feelings about it as well as having read various contradictory opinions, studies and papers about the entire issue.

What say you about fasting? Is it healthy? Unhealthy?

[LeftyMom]

1. Honestly?

I think you should talk to a professional about your eating habits and self-care. Between the fasting, the supplement obsession and your near-constant questions about various remedies you've read about, I think it's fairly safe to say you have a problem.

[HarukaTheTrophyWife]

2. I second this, and I worked in a health food store where I saw all sorts of customers

Some of their "healthy" habits, were anything but healthy.

[emilyg]

5. Good advice. I had the same thought.

[mike_c]

8. thirded....

Remember, my friend, that you asked for opinions.

More generally, I think there are certainly some good reasons to abstain from eating for short periods of time. But beware of compulsive behaviors. Just my $0.02.

[AlCzervik]

3. not for it, don't know why anyone does unless it's Ramadan and even that's only until sundown.

why would you intentionally deny your body of fuel unless it was medically necessary?

[arcadian]

4. it's more efficient than slowing.

[emilyg]

6. Why are you fasting?

[Zavulon]

7. Define "fasting."

I hope it doesn't mean "no food at all." If it does, my opinion is that nothing could be more stupid.

If it's one of those "fasts" in which there is no real reduction in intake, like those idiots who are on "hunger strikes" which involve five or six milkshakes a day instead of three squares, that's equally stupid. Those "hunger strikers" evoke my laughter, not my sympathy.

Actually, I see no benefit to fasting at all. In any case, any major change of diet is probably unhealthy unless you're morbidly obese and are used to ten thousand calories a day.

[Lorien]

9. I finished a 17 day fast last month and felt great

I'd like to do it again in a month of so. Lost several dress sizes and felt healthier overall. I did the master cleanse; lemon juice, water, agave nectar, cayenne pepper and nothing else.I wouldn't recommend fasting on water alone, though.

[Dangerously Amused]

10. I've done a lot of fasts over the years, most when I was younger.

Obviously in my experience fasting has been beneficial to me. But of course I wouldn't recommend it for everyone. I guess my opinion depends upon why you want to fast, and what you mean by "fasting." To some people, "fasting" means intake of nothing but water. To others, "fasting" is water and juice and vitamins, and yet to others, "fasting" is minimal food (one apple or a few slices of bread or whatever per day) along with unlimited beverages (soda, beer, etc.).

[WinkyDink]

11. How does one have "feelings about" fasting? Either you're hungry or you're not.

If you starve to death, it was unhealthy.

[NJmaverick]

12. I believe it to be unhealthy

your body is forced, to a small degree, to consume itself to keep you alive. Evolutionarily speaking, your body can handle it, but it's not an ideal situation.

[Drunken Girlfriend]

13. Fasting

I hear fasting can be dangerous,and that most ppl gain back
the weight(and then some) once the eat solid foods.

If you are going to fast,I would not do it any longer than
4 days.

Personally,diet accompanied by exercise is the only way to lose
weight and keep it off.

I consider myself a diet guru,I've tried it all.lol

I've lost 35 pounds so far,and it's all been due to healthy
eating along with regular exercise.