FASTING for FASTER results? pt.1

i) The WATER FAST

Just as the name suggest, you only drink water and stop consuming any food (not the other way around). However, any zero calorie drinks are allowed, for instance, black coffee and tea.

Some takes it to the extreme, a simple search on youtube will show videos such as the “30-day fast” etc.

Recently, a friend of mine did a 7 day fast. Personally I try not to fast for any duration longer than 12h, but I thought I wouldn’t have enough understanding to write about it unless I give it a go, so I did a 36h fast myself.

*PROS AND CONS*

PROS	CONS
Rapid weight loss	Extreme hunger might lead an inability to focus
Possible increase in insulin sensitivity	Possible dehydration
“Detox”	Decrease in lean muscle mass

*Vincent aka Ton² aka the dude who went 7 days without eating*

Duration: 21st-28th Feb
Starting weight: 81.6Kg / 180lbs
Ending weight: 75.3Kg / 166lbs
Amount of weight lost: 6.3Kg / 14lbs
Continued weight training despite fasting*

Although a body composition analyzer still has an error margin but for this case, let’s look at it as source of reference.

The 2.5kg gain is in my option not pure fat but also water. However, lean mass remained the same, which is good news.

Ton² comment: Wouldn’t recommend anyone doing this since you’ll likely to lose muscle mass but if weight loss is what you’re aiming for there’s no harm giving it a try.

My 36h water fast

My weight remained the same. I was at maintenance and I think that might be a factor as to why I did not loose any weight, but to be honest, come on, it’s impossible to lose too much weight from a 36h fast.

How I felt:
1) I wasn’t extremely hungry till the 24h mark
2) Food was all that I could think about. All I could think off was my meal after the 36h period.
3) My sleep quality that night was terrible, I woke up several times throughout the night.

Final thoughts

All in all, fasting might be a fast way to lose weight but is in my opinion not the wisest choice because it will likely hinder one’s quality of life.

A caloric deficit is the main reason of weight lost and to fast is to essentially putting one’s state into a caloric deficit state. Apart from someone who’s doing a water fast for medical reasons, a water fast is not an approach I’d personally suggest.
(Rmb, I ain’t no doctor, take what I say with a pinch of salt.)

Unless you’re in a rush to lose those kilos I suggest replacing it with a more sustainable way such as cutting out 100-300 kcal (or even more) from one’s daily intake for weight lost.

That’s all for this post.
This is again a 2 part post, I’ll discuss about OMAD and IF in the next part.
Until then.

Disclaimer: I am not a medical health practitioner, registered dietitian, or fitness expert. The content I provide will be based on my personal experience. I recommend that you consult your medical health provider before beginning any fitness or nutritional program.