The common misconception of fasting for weight loss
We are told that in order to lose weight we need to create a calorie deficit, meaning you should burn more calories than you consume each day. Most experts and nutritionists will recommend adding more physical activities to your routine as well as eliminating foods with high caloric values and few nutritional benefits, also known as empty calories. However, many people resort to methods that seem like quick fixes and then often turn to fasting to lose weight fast. Although it seems like an easy way to lose weight fast, there are many myths and misconceptions that could see you gaining more weight on the long run.
Calorie intake while fasting
While fasting, you will optimally be consuming very few calories, depending on the chosen method. Some people even opt to undertake water fasting, which essentially means you will consume nothing but water during the fasting period. However, this can often be unhealthy and, in some cases, even dangerous. Learn more about water fasting.
In the minds of many, this creates the greatest calorie deficit, as every calorie you burn will not be compensated with a calorie consumed. As the body is not gaining any energy, it is forced to find new energy reserves within the body. This is when the body turns to fat reserves. However, if the body feels it is in starvation mode from not receiving any calories through food, it may even start to consume muscles or cause unnecessary stress to vital organs. Not only that, you are not only depriving your body of calories, but of nutrients and electrolytes that allow vital functions to continue while fasting.
The refeeding risks
If fasting is not done with proper supervision of a medical professional or expert, you also run health risks when reintroducing food to your body. Through the body’s perceived starvation, the abrupt changes to electrolyte balances and calorie intake can cause the body to experience refeeding syndrome, as additional stress is put on organs and internal systems.
The benefits of fasting
In modern medical practice, fasting is more often used to detox the body and hit the metaphorical reset button. This helps many people get a handle on chronic conditions, improve their mental and physical health, as well detoxing the body after medical procedures or unhealthy periods. To learn more about what fasting can do for you, visit our fasting therapy page.
Diet by fasting: Achieve long-term weight loss results
Although classic fasting is not the ideal weight loss diet, it can be a very helpful tool in order to achieve lasting results. Our extra pounds are more often than not due to unhealthy eating habits, whether it’s simply eating too much or succumbing to vices such as sugary and fatty foods.
Establish healthy eating habits
Fasting can help you take a break from your daily diet and re-establish healthier eating habits. For example, by detoxing from a sugar addiction through fasting, you are less likely to crave processed sugar when you return to a normal diet.
This, in turn, will help you to stick to healthy food and fresh ingredients and you will be more likely to succeed in achieving your weight loss goals.
Reintroduce vital nutrients
In choosing healthy fasting methods, such as the Buchinger method, you will also be giving your body nutrients and minerals, as you are given a base caloric intake each day. These calories are consumed through broths and juices made from fresh and organic produce.
Your body will begin to crave these healthy foods, as it will learn what it needs for vital functions. Fasting can also help your body return to a natural balance after poor diets or malnutrition.
Find new joys and comforts
Losing weight doesn’t happen overnight, it's about making lasting changes. However, we tend to indulge in bad habits when we feel ill or unhappy. Fasting not only allows you to reset your eating habits, but it also produces what some refer to as a fasting “high”. Your mood and spirits are lifted as your body adjusts to the new circumstances. Through detoxing your cells, your immune system is given a boost. If you’re happier and healthier, you’re also more likely to stick to your new routines, making you find new joys and comforts in your healthy lifestyle.
Fasting diets: The best fasting methods to lose weight
There are many different fasting diets, each with their own benefits. Where some methods focus on detox, the short-term fasting regimens, others focus on long-term fasting diets that enable you to create and maintain lasting change.
Buchinger fasting method
The Buchinger fasting method is a powerful detox tool and, under the correct supervision, is a considerably safe method of fasting for the majority adults. During this liquid fast, you will only consume vegetable broth, juices, and teas. Solid food is not put on the plate. This is the figurative reset button, allowing your body a break and giving it a chance to relearn healthy habits.
Buchinger fasting is also a great way to get a handle on chronic conditions that are often a result of poor diets, such as high blood pressure or diabetes. Find out more about Buchinger fasting here.
Intermittent fasting
Intermittent fasting is viewed by some as a diet and by others as a fasting method. Essentially, you are limiting yourself to eat during certain windows of time, whether it would be certain days of the week or certain hours of any given day. As you are simply restructuring when you eat your meals and all foods are technically allowed, this method is safe for healthy adults to pursue at home. Of course, this method is much more effective if you stick to healthy and low-calorie, nutrient rich foods. Intermittent fasting is best for weight loss according to many experts. Check out our intermittent fasting page below!
Alkaline diet
Similarly to intermittent fasting, you are not greatly restricting calories. However, you are adjusting the foods you eat to be highly plant-based and nutrient rich. In restricting yourself to foods that have an alkalising effect on your body, you are also detoxing any toxins as you go. The diet avoids processed foods and sugars, which are known to contribute to weight gain.
The alkaline diet de-acidifies your body, detoxes it, and allows you to eat healthy, low-calorie foods to your heart’s content. Dieting without starvation! Take a closer look at the alkaline diet here!
Fasting holiday for weight loss
There are lots of things to consider when starting a fast, whether the ultimate goal is weight loss, detox, or simply better health. Each person is also different, having different hurdles to overcome and different goals they should meet. Our hotels not only offer qualified experts in these particular fields, but also beautiful surrounds, great food, activities to get you back into shape, as well as top-of-the-line treatments to pamper yourself. The diet and fasting programmes already include the meals as well as the consultations with fasting and nutrition experts, which means you will be well taken care of and they will help you determine what is best for you. Combining a fasting holiday with your weight loss goals is the best way to get the most out of your fast! Here are some more details on what you can expect from our various fasting programmes:
Medical experts and assessments
The greatest benefit of a fasting holiday is the expertise that comes along with it. This is particularly important for any first-time fasters. Doctors and nutritionists will help you evaluate your individual situation and help you tailor your fast or your diet to your specific needs and health requirements. You will have a better idea of your fasting and weight loss diet plan, which you can take home with you to continue to see results. As no two bodies are the same, neither are the regimens that are best for them! Not only will you have consultations with specialists, but the staff at these hotels and clinics are very familiar with all aspects of the process and will be able to offer you advice and care as you go. Everybody is there to make sure you reach your weight loss goals with the ideal fasting programme!
Time to relax
You should not underestimate the importance of relaxation during a fast. Doctors agree that fasting is already taxing on the body and the best thing you can do for your health is take time off while you fast. What better way to relax than at a beautiful hotel, at a stunning location, where all of your daily needs are cared for?
Get far away from your vices and distractions
The pitfalls when we start a diet is that our vices are still all around us: the friend that invites us to dinner, the chocolate bar at the cash register when we’re trying to make health conscious choices, that open packet of cookies that we tell ourselves will just spoil if we don’t finish it (such a waste!). If you go on a fasting holiday you will not only be surrounded by like-minded people who are on the same weight loss journey, but you will be far away from any vices that may otherwise hinder your progress. You will have time to solidify your new habits and be less likely to turn to your vices when you get back home.
Treat yourself
And most importantly, give yourself a treat! Dieting and fasting is not always the most fun, but you’re doing something great for your well-being. Why not combine that with a holiday and give yourself a real treat for sticking to your goals. Our hotels and spas offer indulgent massages and treatments, often times even already included in the packages! The meals they offer are prepared each day by qualified and highly trained chefs and they will show you that dieting does not need to be boring or bland.
Check out our amazing offers for fasting for weight loss
FAQ: How to lose weight with fasting
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