Fasting for a week as jumpstart?
 

is this a not good idea? I want to fast this week. Will do the protein shakes for my frist two meals, and a healthy meal at dinner with fruit or veggies as snacks.

Will only do for a week. I feel a jumpstart would be a good motivator for me.

What do you all think?

I'm not really a pro at this, but I think it probably wouldn't do any harm, just as long as it's only a week. It might help stop all the cravings for the sugars. Living a healthy lifestyle (to get to and maintain your goal) will take a different kind of committment though, and after that first week, I would try to implement a strategy that I could live with for the rest of my life.

Fasting is not eating... so what you are doing is not a fast BUT it sounds like a good jump start although not something I think that I could live with long term.

Your plan isn't a really a fast. :) It might be too low in calories, though - so make sure that you are getting in at least 1200 calories.

I love fasting, but I usually only do it for religious purposes and for 30 days. If you are not used to fasting, I would only do half day fasts. I usually wake up around 4:45 or 5ish in the morning and prepare foods that will keep me full longer (dates,eggs, meat, bread, yogurt, bananas) and I drink two bottles of water. I break my fast at sunset with some more dates and fruits. I eat a salad and then a piece of meat and I am full for the night :)

I usually drop around 10-15 pounds after fasting for 30 days and I feel great because I feel cleansed :)

If you are on medication, I would not fast. It is an interesting experience, but if you are not used to fasting just take baby steps.

I agree with who said make it only a week. On my eating plan, we had to do a Jump Start where we consumed 1000 calories for one week and it was stressed one week only. I lost 11 pounds that week and lost every week after because it was a sound eating plan but for just one week, yes it is a good idea. It is also very encouraging because after taking off 11 pounds in a week, my back stopped hurting and believe it or not my pants started fitting too big so I continued on. Good luck and make sure you drink lots of water, lots of veggies and only 7 days! :hug:

i also fasted 30 days (religious reasons) right before my weight loss journey and it was great jump start.

That doesn't sound like a fast but it does sound like a good jumpstart plan. What plan will you be following after the fast?
Good Luck!
DJ

I personally see no need for "jumpstarts". Finding a good, healtlhy eating plan is all the jumpstart I think is necessary. If you stay with it, you WILL lose weight.

The only good I can see from it, is that if you really, really stick with it, it's a good way to "detox" so to speak from your previous diet. IF it gets you out of overeating mode, then it can have some redeeming value, I suppose. As a longterm solution, I can't see it at all.

Do you have a good plan in place for after that first week? That's really vital.

I'm not a fan of fasting, unless it's done purely for religious reasons. I did LOTS of fasting when I was an undiagnosed anorexic, and all it did was make me nearly pass out in public places, sap me of all energy, and make me binge like a big dog when I couldn't take it anymore. I say it's not worth ruining your health and your metabolism.

I've observed that starting almost any diet plan will result in a 'jumpstart' - that is to say that the first week's loss will usually be significant. You needn't be so drastic to see impressive results when first starting. Best of luck and well wishes!

Thanks everyone for your thoughts and comments.
I am going to rethink my reasons for a "fast" this week.

Will probably not do it, and just stick to my original plan!

I'd be careful with the fasting-- for me, I think it would just make me hungry! Also, you will take weight off, but I would be concerned about how long the WL will last-- I'd think once you start eating normally again, you might se some of it come back on. I would advise you to kick start your WL plan with whatever routine you're going to start so you can start getting used to it and feeling like it's your new life!

Actually, what you're doing sounds a lot like the slim-fast plan, which many people have had success with.

Or for a real jumpstart you could try it my way: pick up a stomach virus and lose 9 pounds in 3 days. Can't say I recommend it, though. :barf: