Fasting ...

We all fast about 10 hours a day (night) and it doesn't hurt us. But if you're sleeping, getting up at 4, then not eating any more for 17 hours, eating a bunch of calories, then sleeping again, it might not be a great idea.

Fasting once in a while isn't a problem. But for long periods of time ... that I don't know. What is the reason for your fast?
I do remember hearing that sumo wrestlers would get so big by eating all their calories at one meal and nothing the rest of the day. But I don't know of anything that backs it up.

Fasting slows down your metabolism tremendously. Eating at night, before you sleep isn't going to do you any good either. If you're trying to lose weight, this isn't a good way to do it.

That's not a good idea at all. Where on earth did you get that from? You're going to be tired and hungry all day and you'll burn LESS calories then if you eat normal because your metabolism will be all messed up. You'll also gain a little weight if you eat all that food before you go to bed.

Unless you have to fast for a certain medical test it is not a good idea . . . ever.

Well...what about fasting for religious reasons?

Unless you have to fast for a certain medical test it is not a good idea . . . ever.

Well...what about fasting for religious reasons?

Fasting for religious reasons is okay since that is done for a specific purpose, and for a specific, defined time period. And there are various types of religious fasts, some of which do include eating (for instance the Daniel fast)

The sheer amount of misinformation about fasting here amazes me. Do what one of the people above suggested, look at leangains.com. BTW, intermittent fasting does not slow down your metabolism. In fact studies have shown that intermittent fasts of even up to 36 hours actually increase your metabolism, they increase fat burned, growth hormone levels, increase insulin sensitivity, and increase glucagon levels. Search for intermittent fasting on this site and you will find a lot of people who do it. I would not do your specific approach, but if you eat all your calories, that will not hurt you. Another good resource is Eat Stop Eat, but since that costs money unless you are serious about learning all you can about intermittent fasting you would do just a good with leangains.com
Here is a great collection of myths about fasting http://www.leangains.com/2010/10/top-ten-fasting-myths-debunked.html

Fasting slows down your metabolism tremendously. Eating at night, before you sleep isn't going to do you any good either. If you're trying to lose weight, this isn't a good way to do it.

This is completely false information.

Muslims do this for a whole month, from dawn to sunset, except liquids are also forbidden. My ex was a Muslim, and I attempted it every year for several years. I was never actually able to do it for the entire month for various reasons and I got colds within the first week every time. I always gained weight. It did give me an immense amount of respect for Muslims' dedication to their beliefs.

I really don't think this is such a wonderful idea just for health reasons. How will you function at work/ school/ whatever? You'll be exhausted and your concentration will be all over the place. Eventually half your thoughts will just focus on what you're planning to have for dinner.

So let's say you do plan to fast for religious purposes for a whole month from sunrise to sunset (I am Muslim, so this applies to me)... what would be the best way to go about doing it? I've been losing steadily up until now and I'm really afraid that fasting will either stop this trend or even cause weight gain as it has in the past.

Any suggestions on how to keep losing weight if I am to eat my 1200 cals only before sunrise or after sunset?

Eat before the sun comes up and again when it goes down. The fasting during the day isn't going to destroy your diet. Your body will adjust to the lack of food for 12 or so hours. What will suck will be the lack of water during the day. I don't see any way around it though if you're going to be fasting. Maybe load up the best you can in the morning.

If you're thinking about it solely as a means to lose weight, it is a really BAD idea. The BETTER idea is to eat your 1200 NET calories in several small meals THROUGHOUT the day... it gets your metabolism going and helps burn off more calories which is what burns the fat away and drops the weight.

There are some really misinformed people that are mistaking fasting and starvation.

For your body to start slowing down and enter starvation, you would have to not eat anything for 72 hours, or 3 full days. Then it starts to think, "Wait a minute, this might be the real deal here."

Fasting in the diet sense, is to encourage fat burning, and it can indeed. I agree to check out the www.leangains.com site. It's about intermittent fasting, which occurs withing a certain time frame each day. From what I understand, most people utilize their sleep period as part of their fast. They eat ALL their daily calories within the Noon to 8pm time frame, then fast from 8pm until noon the next day. So it's not really drastic.

The science behind it is that your body will start encouraging fat release and burning within that time period (to put it in a nutshell...the guy on leangains will explain all the particulars and chemical processes that occur). There's a certain number of hours that is optimal.

Your body always gets the full amount of calories it needs.

thanks for this. its an interesting read for sure.

Fasting for weight loss is a trap! Take it from me. I fast regularly, just to cleanse my body and give it time to heal and rebuild. The weight loss is dramatic and awesome. The spiritual side effects are wonderful as well. The weight that comes back...not so wonderful! I am an advocate for it, but never to lose weight. Its much too easy to set up an unhealthy pattern. Good luck, hun!

A long term fast for weight loss might be, but intermittent fasting, say 24 hours 1 or 2 times a week is not. In fact it is probably the easiest way to create a caloric deficit out there as all it requires a person to do it stop eating from supper one day and start with a normal supper the next. In fact the more research that comes out about intermittent fasting, the healthier it looks. Face it our bodies can be in two states, fed or fasted, but only in the last 100 years or so has a constant fed state been possible for the vast majority of people in the developed world. Our bodies are not designed to be constantly fed, but are designed to go through cycles of fed and fasted. I think at least part of this is why people have no sense what real hunger feels like in general. If you want to make statements like the above, at least take the time to research intermittent fasting. I have not seen any post here that is advocating more than 24 hours of fasting except for religious purposes. Even the OP was an intermittent fast of sorts.

(Meant to put that first paragraph in quotes)

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'm starting to preapre myself for the month of fasting - which is August 1st. Usualy i end up gaining weight during that month and completely stop to exercise. You can't worout during the day- because you can't drink water ( cardio workouts ) .. and it's now so super hot - here in Az it's about 112-115 F daily ! So not a good idea to attempt working out while doing this fast. Than after the sundown- you have the dinner and there are certain prayers we attend after the dinner. So you come back home fom the group prayer late- arround 11 pm - than you have to wake up very early in the am - to get your water and food intake for the next 12 + hours. Latest you can eat/drink this year will be something arround 4:30 am.. and than no food or water until 7:30ish pm. ( that's where i live .. each state /coutry has diff. times for sunrise and sunset )

Spoke to my trainer today and she suggested - following :

Do your workouts reall early .. /cardio
Do strength training or " light " walking on treadmill durng the day or any other - bike etc. just " light "

Eat carbs- ( quality carbs ) in the morning
More protein in the night.

So my plan is following - and i know it's not going to be easy ..

switch the " day " and night ".. During the night stay up- prepare the meals for next day.. do the workout.. - have the morning food and water.. than go to sleep .
I can do this because i don't work at this time- but i will have to get up to drive the kids to school - so not much sleeping there .. but the point is to take it easier during the day- and save the energy and work for the night.

Let's not forget- for the rest of the year we focus on the body - this one month of the year is devoted to the " spiritual " to the soul .. reflection and meditation- withdrawing from everyday things .. just focuing on your " internal " .. so don't forge the whole reason behind this fast.. It's not just to be hungry and thirsty all day- it has to have a deeper meaning behnd it, the intention, focusing on doing more good deeds, donating to charites, helping more , volunteering, etc.
So - maybe -just for this one month - the " weight loss " shouldn't be the main focus- if you are a muslim you know this allready - and if you follow the rules of fasting etc " you shouldn't be gainng to begin with .. as long as we continue with " healthy food " we can at least maintain for this month.. .. for me the hardest part is the lack of sleep.. during this month.. trying to do so many things- attending the community prayers, reading books, get up early, .. etc..

Many people think this is " crazy " or not good for you- but if you do more research on fasting- you can see how much good you get from fasing.
You cleanse your body - You focus on other things - not just food. You get " down to earth " and can really feel with the hungry and poor in the world- so you shar more of your wealth. you feed the hungy and donate money etc. Since you don't have to make lunch, snacks, you don't have dishes to wash and clean the kitchen - you realize how much more time you have during the day for other things .. it gives me time to just " unplug " from the world and focus on the spiritual part.
During this month especially we shouldn't be watching TV because , like i said it's not just about " beeing hungry and thirsty " but to witdraw from all the distractions.. " naked female bodies, fashion, music, etc.. " ..

There's so much more to this "F ast " than just pure obstaining from food and water.. it's a " spiritual cleanse " . Have you ever tried meditating on a full stomach ? Can you picture a " yoga-guru " or some other meditating-guru's -meditating after binging on some burgers and fries ? .. " Empty stomach " - yes first maches you weak and tired, but after a while you get used to it and you can concentate actually better than when your belly is loaded and all you want to do is take a nap.
And no to forget the "discipline ".. can you imagne how much discipline it takes to stay away from food for 30 days - not just food- but water - and any other " physical needs " - like sex ? .. It takes a lot of discipline .. but - it is easy when you know you are not " alone " but milions of people are doing it with you at the same time. So you feel like a " part of a huge fasting community " ..

I hope i have explained a little more about this " fasting month " .. didn't intend to offend anyone.. sorry if i did.