Re: Paul Bragg's Fasting For Weight Loss Plan

I began fasting for weight loss in my teens, and have generally been disappointed with the results, although I discovered many other good things about fasting. I think the whole key is our metabolic rate. Fasting will naturally lower how fast our bodies burn calories. Bragg's plan for combining periods of eating between fasts goes against more traditional fasting modalities, but most of what I have been researching lately are more related to fasting for healing and health rather than weight loss. (I have a chronic pain problem due to nerve inflammation from a spinal injury and a diagnosis of probable Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Since water only fasting is supposed to help the body recover from both inflammatory and autoimmune diseases I am wanting to work up to a long water fast, but am not able to do it at this time)
I am one of those people who can lose a lot of weight, as much as five pounds a day, the first three days of a fast. After that the rate of weight loss slows considerably. Most of the early weight loss is from excess water and the removal of the contents of the digestive system, this weight is usually quickly regained. The key to permanent weight loss is utilizing stored body fat to fuel the body. Unfortunately, this burning of fat becomes slower and slower during fasting as the metabolism slows down. Still, the body is burning some fat and detoxing too. The real problem arises
when eating is resumed and the slow metabolism requires fewer calories to fuel the body. One book I read compared this to how a tuned up car gets better gas mileage. So sadly, even a very low calorie diet can pack on pounds especially after a prolonged fast.
I still believe that fasting can be an important part of a healthy weight loss plan, but I do not believe the answer lies in doing continuous prolonged fasts where the metabolism will slow down radically. That is desirable for healing fasts, but not when needing to drop a lot of weight. Doing a water only fast one to three times a week and eating a diet much like you described is probably the best way to keep the metabolism up. By the way, last time I did a diet of salads and steamed veggies I became very constipated, which surprised me considering all the fiber I was consuming. Some form of magnesium based Bowel Cleanse is a good way to draw fluid into the bowel and keep things working. Be sure and sip water throughout the day to stay hydrated and take only enough of the product to keep you regular. No body needs to stress their body with constant diarrhea.
I hope you will keep posting and letting everyone learn from you experience. Tweet