by Gill Jennings

Created on: November 04, 2010   Last Updated: November 08, 2010

Before we can consider how healthy fasting can help with weight loss, we first have to define what healthy fasting is. I hope you will understand when I begin by saying what it is not:!

Healthy fasting is most definitely not starving yourself, and, unless you are still growing or have an underlying serious health issue, it is not physically harmful. I have been told that it is possible to fast healthily on water alone for up to 3 days (72 hours), but that beyond this time limit the body enters 'starvation mode'. Therefore refusing to eat for longer than 3 days becomes not fasting but starvation.

Healthy fasting is also not simply 'skipping meals', although your first fast may involve a short period of time such that only one meal is removed from your day.

Healthy fasting is the conscious decision to go without food (i.e. to consume only liquids, preferably just water) for a brief period of time. I have found that I can fast quite comfortably on water alone for one day (24 hours) or on fruit and vegetable juices for up to three days (72 hours): if you try fasting for yourself you will find what suits you best but I wouldn't recommend exceeding these times. Also, as with all changes to your diet, it is advisable to check with your physician before starting a fast, for whatever reason you have chosen.

Having made the decision to fast, how should you proceed?

Firstly, make sure you make adequate mental preparation. Ask yourself: am I sure I'm doing the right thing, and am I committed to going through with it? If you are at all unsure you are likely to fail, which would be such a shame! Choose a day when you can avoid being around lots of food. If necessary, warn your family & friends that you will be fasting, explain your reasons to them, and ask them to be supportive and encouraging. Some people will be shocked that you have chosen to fast, and will do their best to put you off. Avoid these people if at all possible!

Secondly, decide what type of fast you will follow. The simplest fast is a water fast: as you might expect, this involves simply eating nothing and drinking only water. As I said before, I would not advise water fasting for more than 24 hours.Personally I find a water fast easiest as it avoids anything that could be seen as 'food' and helps me to keep my mind of the subject! But if you wish to start more gently, I would recommend a juice or soup fast (i.e. you drink nutritious fluids but avoid solid food).

Thirdly, and this is very important,

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