If you’re looking to lose weight fast, then you may have heard about the 3-day water fast and its promised weight loss results. Is this safe? Can you get away with it? Can it work as a detox? And most importantly, will it really help you lose weight? This article explores all of these questions, so continue reading to find out more about the 72-hour water fast and whether or not it’s worth trying.
What is water fasting?
In the 3 day water fast, you drink only plain water. Some people believe that fasting, in general, can improve health because of its alleged ability to detoxify your body. Water is considered harmless, so a 72-hour fast might not seem risky or difficult. But if you’re planning on going without food for three days (that’s 168 hours) or more, there are risks that you need to be aware of and prepared for in order to safely complete your fast. Here’s what you need to know about water fasting, and why it may not be as safe as you think.
The Science Behind It
Before we dive into whether or not you should try 72-hour water fast, let’s look at what a 72-hour fast is. A fast typically involves a reduction in calorie intake, but there are several different types of fasting that can be done. For example, intermittent fasting has become popular as an easier way to fit in exercise and calorie restriction without doing all of your food restrictions at once.
Intermittent fasting can also help reduce insulin resistance and overall inflammation, which have been linked to various health issues like diabetes and Alzheimer’s disease. Another type of fast includes caloric restriction done over an extended period of time with no more than 500 calories per day taken in—something called alternate day fasting.
Why I Decided to Try it
I’ve always been curious about intermittent fasting, but I never could get past my reservations about starving myself. 72 hours seemed like a short enough time to be plausible, so I figured it was worth a shot. After all, if it didn’t work, I wouldn’t really suffer any long term effects. To avoid that fate, here are some things you should know before you decide to try a water fast of your own.
With these things in mind, I decided to give it a shot. There are tons of different intermittent fasting plans out there, but in my case, I decided to go with the 72-hour water fast because it was long enough to provide some clear results and short enough that getting through wouldn’t require any serious commitment on my part.
Basically, if it didn’t work for me I would be able to try again later without feeling like I was missing out on anything or making any major changes to my diet. Most importantly, I wanted something low commitment that wouldn’t force me into drastic changes or cause a significant drop in weight loss results.
The 3 Day Experience
The whole idea behind the 3-day water fast is to cleanse your body and lose weight. And while you might lose weight, it’s not because of some magical metabolic changes that come with extended periods of fasting. The goal with water fast is to eat fewer calories than your body needs, which will cause you to shed fat stores.
So when you break that 72 hour fast at dinner time on Friday night, your body is still burning its own fat reserves for energy. If done correctly (consuming 500-600 calories per day), many people can experience weight loss while on a 72 hour fast – but those results may be short-lived once they reintroduce food into their diet.
My Results
The results from my 3-day water fast were interesting. I lost 5 pounds and was surprised to find out that I also lost an inch off my waist. Although I did not notice much of a change in my energy levels during my 3-day water fast, I can see how others could find it helpful. One thing that bothered me about doing 72-hour water fast is having to explain it to people all week long.
Potential benefits of water fasting
In addition to weight loss, there are other potential benefits of water fasting, including increased energy, mental clarity and reduced pain. Some people have also reported that a fast has helped them deal with bad moods or destructive behaviour they might otherwise exhibit while hungry.
For some people, these potential health benefits may be enough to recommend a 72-hour fast over an extended juice cleanse or another type of diet. But you should know that fasting isn’t for everyone—and it’s definitely not a quick fix for weight loss. Fasting is actually something that should be done carefully and responsibly by someone who understands how it works.
Dangers and risks of water fasting
The most common 72-hour fasts are juice or water, but you’ll be consuming fewer calories than if you were to drink smoothies. However, prolonged fasting (more than three days) can potentially result in side effects like dehydration and dangerous reductions in your heart rate—so don’t risk it! Just because something sounds like a good idea (losing weight quickly!) doesn’t mean it’s actually safe or effective. Plus, restricting your caloric intake for too long might make you gain weight once you start eating again. Consider that one of many reasons not to fast for longer than three days.
Conclusion
72-hour water fast can give you results. It may be a stretch for some, but if you can pull it off and take advantage of what it has to offer, your weight loss results will speak for themselves. Set yourself up for success by doing some research before you dive in. Whether or not you decide to try it, understand that there are other ways to lose weight—and not just by going hungry or taking pills!
