Don't worry; you're not the only one who was shocked when they found out that fasting is actually recommended.
I hope that by the time you're done reading this column, I will have succeeded at convincing you that it is important to fast and how to go about it.
People fast for completely different reasons.
While some fast for religious purposes, others may do it for health reasons among other reasons.
The top most beneficial effect of fasting is that it detoxifies the body.
Just think of all the different things that go into your mouth in a day, your body won't use all of it; neither will it remove all of it as waste.
In essence, there is an accumulation of some food in the body.
If you especially take a lot of supplements, then you most definitely need to detoxify once in a while.
Secondly, it helps you get back on track in terms of great gains.
Many body builders experience a season of stagnation.
They don't get gains as fast as they used to and this can be quite frustrating.
Imagine having a competition in a few months time and your body is simply refusing to go in the direction you wanted it to.
After a fast, your body will absorb more nutrients and this will help put you back on track.
To add onto that, fasting gives you a sharper focus in what you have set your mind to achieve.
It is a good way of clearing your mind and a very good exercise for self-discipline.
If you want to know just how disciplined you are, go on a fast with a set of rules.
If you manage to go through with it faithfully, then you are on the tight track.
If on the other hand you simply can't discipline your body to go without a few meals, then your red lights should be flashing.
You're in need of serious self discipline lessons; you need to be able to subject your body to do as you wish.
Probably that's why you just can't seem to finish the last rep even if you are willing to.
Well, here are some guidelines on how to go on a fast and come out of it healthy.
You don't just wake up one day and decide that you're going on a fast.
You need to prepare you body for the period where it won't be getting any food for some period of time.
Reduce the amount you eat during your meals for the next 2 days before you start your fast.
You also need to hydrate your body thoroughly before you go on the fast.
Drink a lot of water prior to the fast and also during the fast.
I don't advocate for dry fasts as they can do more harm than good.
Try a juice fast which means that the only food you ingest is fruit juice.
This will give your body energy to carry it through your training.
I would also advice that you shouldn't fast for more than a week.