Effects of fasting

 

Fasting: effects - short fasting - liquid fasting

Fasting is a personal process that aims to cleanse the body to regenerate it and stimulate the immune system. Fasting is preventive. Fasting is allowing the body to eliminate all that is useless to it. This approach helps prevent disease.

Fasting is also a moment of pause, in the truest sense of the word. It is a point of focus in life. It is also a strong moment in a spiritual process.

About weight loss

Of course, fasting for several days causes weight loss (a little faster for men than for women). It makes you lose more in case of overweight than normal weight.

Unless in a state of great weakness, it is advisable to do moderate exercise during the fast (hiking, yoga, gentle gym, leisurely bike ride, etc.), to avoid muscle wasting.

Bedridden fasting is the one that is accompanied by the greatest muscle loss ... The time of bedfast will probably seem long!

Going out into the open air, enjoying nature, breathing the fresh air will be another very pleasant food.

The faster first loses all that is useless to him, his “slags”: toxins, unusable / diseased tissues, dead cells, then his fat reserves and his muscles. In fact, the body first separates from what is least useful to it, only to puncture vital tissues in case of extreme need (after several days or even weeks).

Fasting for several days is not a problem for the body, according to Gisbert Bölling. He explains that the body has reserves for one to two months.

If the body is loaded with toxins, the elimination process becomes a bit more taxing. It is then advisable to attenuate the fast by adding fruit juice, vegetable or vegetable broth.

Other effects of fasting

In addition to the elimination of fat reserves, we observe:

• Rejuvenating effect on the skin and complexion
• Detoxification of the body
• Regeneration of cells
• Disposal of old fabrics, waste, slag
• Fasting can be therapeutic in certain cases: joint pain, fibroma. But it is not systematic.
• Increased vitality
• "Victory" over oneself
• Back to basics

This list is not exhaustive.

Different ways of fasting: short fasting length

Fasting a meal or two

Have you eaten too rich and feel smeared? Do you feel a false hunger (you have already eaten but you have the impression that eating a little something will help you calm an unpleasant feeling)?

So above all do not eat! Skip a meal, or even two. If you are not very well it is because you are overloaded and your body is trying to eliminate. If you eat on top of this “too much” of food or toxins, you will make it harder for your body.

Regarding moderate diet, Hatha Yoga

Fasting for one to three days

The shortest fast is the easiest to do. It does not require great preparation. It is best to replace the previous evening meal with filtered vegetable broth.

On the day, refrain from eating and drinking enough water, diluted fruit or vegetable juice (1 / 5th for 4 / 5th water), or vegetable broth. If necessary, take a herbal tea with a little honey to start the day. Use organic juices and vegetables.

The food recovery is done in wisdom: rushing on food can undermine all the benefits of fasting! It is said that the period of resumption of food should be the same duration as the fast.

Food recovery

Food recovery is gradual.

As an indication, for the first day :

• Morning : herbal tea
• Midday : very ripe or steamed apple
• Afternoon : herbal tea
• Evening : vegetable soup with potato, 1 tbsp. of flax seeds and a pancake.

2nd day :

• 3 light meals. Take the time to chew well ...

The weekly fast

It's a fast that I practiced in episodes, sometimes for a year. I have taken it over for some time. It is easy on the principle: do not eat on a fixed day of the week. Follow the directions for fasting for one to three days.

I appreciate this type of fasting, for its long-term purifying effects. But you should know that it is a fast that requires a certain dose of self-discipline. Getting started is the hard part: each week, we experience anew putting the digestive system to sleep, with hunger pangs a little, until the “fasting program” is integrated by the body. Once this milestone is passed, the digestive system goes on standby and the benefits of fasting begin to be felt. There, we realize that we no longer suffer from the ups and downs caused by digestion: we therefore save energy and get in good shape.

According to Lützner's studies, 

we spend as much energy during our activities (physical, mental, ...) 

of the day as to digest our meals!

During this fast, the body lacks nothing. We have everything in ourselves. For 24 hours, the body will use its reserves and will only take the exact amount it needs.

Different Ways to Fast: Liquids

Fasting on vegetable or fruit juice

For years, I practiced an annual fast with carrot juice (if possible fresh), with the addition of a dash of cold-pressed oil (to allow better absorption of the juice). It is a very pleasant fast, a little less demanding than the water fast. At the same time, the body receives vitamins and minerals, and benefits from the elimination properties of plants.

It's also a little easier in the first few years of setting up an annual fast, as the elimination phases are smoother.

H. Lützner recommends cutting vegetable juices and fruit juices (at least half water, half juice, up to 1 / 5th juice for 4 / 5th water). I find this essential for fruit juices. Too much sugar creates a shock for the body at rest.

Use organic juices.

Water fasting

The water fast is the most sober. It is also more demanding, from the point of view of the will. To aid elimination and comply with Ayurveda recommendations, take hot or lukewarm water. It promotes elimination.

Dry fasting

Dry fasting is frankly not recommended because water is necessary to avoid dehydration and eliminate toxins (which otherwise concentrate).

Only very accustomed people end their long fasts with one or two days of dry fasting. Never more than 2 or 3 days. I only tried one day at the end of a long fast… it's intense…

Rosemary herbal tea – ginger

A simple and pleasant herbal tea that strengthens the immune system!

Rosemary : relieves both digestive and respiratory disorders of the Vata and Kapha types. “Rosemary has many qualities: it is antiseptic, antirheumatic, carminative and stomachic. It's a good heart tonic. Rosemary herbal teas are used for their fortifying properties and to treat gastric and hepatic problems. "

Ginger : Fresh ginger calms Vata and Kapha. In the morning, it awakens vitality; it is a restorative. Among its many effects, ginger is known to strengthen the immune system. It is therefore also perfect as spring approaches.

_Sadix_