What is Fasting?

Fasting is a method of abstaining from eating in order to improve health and fitness markers such as insulin sensitivity, excess body fat and low energy levels. Unfortunately the modern world has made eating and especially overeating too easy; with 24 hour shopping, fast food restaurants and microwavable meals. The current dietary advice is to eat every 2-3 hours but what if we told you that they were wrong and there is another way? Studies have shown that fasting has a positive effect on your metabolism, we believe this is because you're better equipped to tap into fat stores without the presence of glucose (sugar) in the body. 
Fasting is personal and you can utilise it in any way you want. Some people fast every day while others opt for only few days a week while some prefer a longer fast every week or so. The important thing with fasting is how you break your fast and what you do and drink during it.There are many versions of fasting but let's take a look at the variety we like and use.
12 Hour Fasting
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Originally designed to help improve digestion since we're constantly eating and our digestive system is always working breaking down food for fuel and storage. This method is the simplest since it's the shortest and many people are either already doing it or close to it. But why aren't you getting the benefits if you're already doing it? That is because of the food you're eating to break your fast and throughout the day. 
16 Hours

This method is the most popular in the fitness industry. One of the many benefits of fasting is the rise in growth hormone levels during your fasting window which means that training at the end of your window gives individuals a double bang for their muscle building buck. Growth hormone is needed by both men and women for both lean muscle and fat loss. 
24 Hour Fasting 
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This method is a popular detox strategy for most since a whole day of fasting not only allows you to dig deeper into your stored fat but all other benefits are enhanced with the longevity. 
Prolonged Fasting (24-72 hours)
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Intermittent fasting (the three methods previously mentioned) is a very sexy term at this moment in time but prolonged fasting is very much the same. The longer you fast the more enhanced the benefits become but many people like the idea of including a longer fast every few weeks as not to have to do it everyday, others like to keep it as a back up plan or detox if you will for when their schedules become too much like Christmas and New Year. 
What can I drink while fasting?

Still and sparkling water, coffee and tea's (all with minimal milk) are perfect options for your fasting hours. While you're starting out we do recommend sugar free soda's since your first hurdle is to get over not eating but understand that diet soda's don't work like you think and once you're adapted they need to be stopped. Try adding a slice of lemon, lime or orange to your water for some flavour instead. 

Amino acids knock you out of a fasted state which is why we suggest treating them like diet soda's to begin with.