Fasting

I did try this once, and personally, in the end I gained more weight. It put my body in starvation mode....and it just kept everything I gave it when I started eating regularly again. If your stuck I would suggest upping your calorie intake a bit, depending on how much you're exercising, your body might need more calories to burn in order to lose weight.

i fast every wednesday of lent for religious purposes. i am under a doctor/dietician supervision and they have me consume at least half my calories in liquid - milk, v8, soup broth, apple juice, smoothies, etc. i usually gain 3 pounds or so by the next day, which is probably from the water, that goes away over the next 2 days and i am exactly where i was weight-wise before i fasted. (however, i have a hormone imbalance that makes it difficult for my body to use stored calories, so that may not happen with you.)

i really don't think fasting is neccessary for weight loss or even that it helps much. call your doctor and ask him/her what he thinks. i think you need to examine your motives when fasting - is it a method of encouraging faster weight loss, is it to 'cleanse' your system, is it going to make you binge the next day or do you have the willpower to resist over-consumption, etc.

if you watch your calories (making sure you are not over- or under- eating) you will have results, without fasting.
dawn

I did something called the daniel fast to begin with. I actually had really no intention of continueing the weight loss journey when I started. I actually was just doing it to break food addiction and sugar and caffeine. I felt that it was consuming me ad getting in the way of my relationship with God. After a week I decided to continue but add some foods. I felt wonderful and wanted to stay that way

i think you need to examine your motives when fasting - is it a method of encouraging faster weight loss, is it to 'cleanse' your system, is it going to make you binge the next day or do you have the willpower to resist over-consumption, etc.

in re-reading my reply, i hope you didn't think this sounded snotty. i really didn't mean it that way at all! i'm sorry if it came across that way.

I would use it to jump start the weight loss, start clean I guess is the better way of describing it.

you don't need to fast to start clean. just start now. i think sometimes we want something that 'defines' the time when we started losing weight, for example a fast or starting on a monday or the first of the month, etc. you don't really need it. that said, the daniel fast looks great!

*Foods to include in your diet during the Daniel Fast

All fruits. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Fruits include but are not limited to apples, apricots, bananas, blackberries, blueberries, boysenberries, cantaloupe, cherries, cranberries, figs, grapefruit, grapes, guava, honeydew melon, kiwi, lemons, limes, mangoes, nectarines, oranges, papayas, peaches, pears, pineapples, plums, prunes, raisins, raspberries, strawberries, tangelos, tangerines, watermelon

All vegetables. These can be fresh, frozen, dried, juiced or canned. Vegetables include but are not limited to artichokes, asparagus, beets, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cauliflower, celery, chili peppers, collard greens, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, garlic, ginger root, kale, leeks, lettuce, mushrooms, mustard greens, okra, onions, parsley, potatoes, radishes, rutabagas, scallions, spinach, sprouts, squashes, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, turnips, watercress, yams, zucchini, veggie burgers are an option if you are not allergic to soy.

All whole grains, including but not limited to whole wheat, brown rice, millet, quinoa, oats, barley, grits, whole wheat pasta, whole wheat tortillas, rice cakes and popcorn.

All nuts and seeds, including but not limited to sunflower seeds, cashews, peanuts, sesame. Also nut butters including peanut butter.

All legumes. These can be canned or dried. Legumes include but are not limited to dried beans, pinto beans, split peas, lentils, black eyed peas, kidney beans, black beans, cannellini beans, white beans.

All quality oils including but not limited to olive, canola, grape seed, peanut, and sesame.

Beverages: spring water, distilled water or other pure waters.

Other: tofu, soy products, vinegar, seasonings, salt, herbs and spices.

*Foods to avoid on the Daniel Fast

All meat and animal products including but not limited to beef, lamb, pork, poultry, and fish.

All dairy products including but not limited to milk, cheese, cream, butter, and eggs.

All sweeteners including but not limited to sugar, raw sugar, honey, syrups, molasses, and cane juice.

All leavened bread including Ezekiel Bread (it contains yeast and honey) and baked goods.

All refined and processed food products including but not limited to artificial flavorings, food additives, chemicals, white rice, white flour, and foods that contain artificial preservatives.

All deep fried foods including but not limited to potato chips, French fries, corn chips.

All solid fats including shortening, margarine, lard and foods high in fat.

Beverages including but not limited to coffee, tea, herbal teas, carbonated beverages, energy drinks, and alcohol.
--from http://danielfast.wordpress.com/daniel-fast-food-list/