The primary goal of fasting is not losing weight, but to “switch off” and “change over” to new, more healthy habits in order to bring body and soul into balance and, thus, to support the reconvalescence.
The 8-day fasting programme for healthy persons offered by the Fasting Academy Bauer comprises a 5-day phase in which external energy intake is reduced to 500 kcal/day. In this phase, the body’s metabolism switches from external to internal sources of energy. During this process excess “depots” (e.g. abdominal fat) are utilised and slowly depleted. It is possible that individual participants may lose between 2-4 kg of body weight during those 8 days, including the preparatory and build-up days.
Sustained weight reduction and stabilisation on a lower body weight level require a repetition of the fasting programme at least twice a year and the adoption and strict adherence to a new nutritional regime.
Fasting is the first step towards new eating habits. During the fasting session our refrigerator is almost empty, and after the programme its contents is newly defined.
Also our breadbasket looks different after fasting. The composition of our stock of beverages is changed and replenished differently. We do this because we enjoy it and we believe in it. However, we do not forget to show tolerance towards ourselves.
My body can cope with a “transgression” of the new nutritional regime once in a while without immediate effect on my body weight.
However …