Fasting is a natural capacity !
Both animals and humans have the ability to use their reserves, mainly fat, when when faced with a shortage of food. As the reserves give us energy, we can live as usual when we fast, and are generally not hungry. Alternating feasting and fasting is a natural cycle that we have forgotten for too long.
Beneficial to the Body
We are eating ourselves to death. Our bodies are less adapted to gluttony and junk food than to fasting. Overeating is a major contributor to the diseases of civilization, of which obesity and type 2 diabetes are just a few examples.
Most people who fast for 6 days, according to the proven Buchinger method, are deeply satisfied. Many decide to change their eating habits afterwards to keep some of the benefits of the fasting. It´s usually easier to reduce one´s sugar consumption after a week on fat fuel. Many also chose to introduce intermittent fasting as a part of their lifestyle.
At the end of a fasting week, most people have more energy than ever, and feel lighter and rejuvenated. Some even have to be persuaded to break the fast !
Fasting is also a natural detox method. It stimulates the body's autophagy, which both remove defective cell parts by "self-eating" them, and forms new cell parts.
The immune system is also strengthened, and the microbiome is regenerated. Blood pressure, blood fats, blood sugar and insulin levels also improve. Like the weight and waist measurement.
Why not monitor your weight,
waist measures and blood values
before and after fasting ?
Liberating for the Soul
During a Fasting & hiking week, we let go our burdens and don´t waste energy on digestion. It allows us to relax and get away from the everyday stress. Being in the Nature also contribute to the wellbeing.
Some feel calmer and more insightful and connected during fasting. This might explain why fasting is an important component of all religious and spiritual traditions.
During fasting, you can take it easy, slow down, live her and now and enjoy the small things around you.
Digital detox -
deconnect and meet yourself !
How often do you look at your smartphone? Do you get nervous when it´s not close to you?
How about a week without a computer and a tablet? A week where the mobile phone is switched off when not in use, and where your colleagues have been informed that you are not available? Could you imagine a week without social media? A week where you have an appointment with your true self?
We believe that deconnection and relaxation are related and recommend Digital Detox during the fasting, However, it´s not mandatory. You decide to what extent it is desirable and possible for you.
Transition problems
On the first day of fasting, we empty our glycogen stores. The stress hormones are turned on and the body is working towards the metabolic switch (to fat burning). It takes 2-3 days before the production of ketones is operational, and the energy supply from fat burning fully engaged.
Then the "happy hormones" take over. Our force returns and we feel calm. Before we get over that threshold, it is common to suffer from one or more transitory ailments. With the coach's tips and the group's support, those days go by quickly, and with preventive approaches, most potential troubles are alliviated or completely avoided :
- Weakness and dizziness when waking up (move slowly, take it easy, it passes)
- Headache (progressively stop coffee before fasting, drink water)
- Sleep deprivation (mindfulness, outdoor activities, digital detox)
- Bad breath, coating on the tongue (oil pulling)
- Frozenness (warm clothes, herbal tea, hot water bottle, hiking, sauna).
- Pain or cramps in the legs and the lower back (take seasalt, mg and other electrolytes).
Fasting
according to the Buchinger-methode
- Water free (1,5 - 3 liter/day)
- Herbal teas free
- Vegetable/fruit juice 20-30 cl/day
- Vegetable broth 25-30 cl/day
The approximately 2-300 kcal that these drinks add up to give a smooth transition from eating, without disturbing the fast. Listen to your body in order to adapt the quantities : If they provoke hunger, you've taken too much. If you want to avoid sugar, you can skip the fruit juice. It is also possible to water fast, but in that case we recommend a sea salt supplement.
At the Buchinger-Wilhelmi clinics in Germany and Spain, they treat patients with fasting with very good results. After almost 100 years of experience, you can safely say that the method has been proven !
It is good to exercice and keep the muscles working during fasting, but you should avoid explosive training. Hiking, cycling, swimming, yoga and gym training at a reasonable pace, are some examples of suitable forms of exercise.
Sten vitalité organizes Wellness Fasting retreats aimed at Healthy adults. If you are taking medication or wondering if your mild or chronical health problems are compatible with fasting, ask your physician for advice. If you suspect that you are in a gray zone, please contact us. In some cases, it might be better to start with a diet change. You can also choose a week with delicious Raw food /Green paleo, hiking and yoga instead of fasting.
One can also treat metabolic and other diseases with fasting. Therapeutic fasting is offered in clinics and hospitals in some countries (Germany, Russia, USA, Canada etc), under medical supervision.
Although we do not offer therapeutic fasting, many participants (anecdotally) testify about a better health and wellbeing during and/or after the fasting week. Less pain, fewer allergic reactions, fewer colds, lower blood pressure, improved blood values, more energy, better focus ...
Everyone has an innate ability to fast, but some may or should not. See the list below.
Who should not fast at all ?
- Underweighted
- Pregnant or breastfeeding
- Eating disorders, psychiatric problems
-
Severe Burn-out or Fatigue
-
Decompensated hyperthyroidism
-
Type 1 diabetes
-
Alcoholics and drug addicts
- Severe liver or kidney problems
- Heavy medication, serious illness