40 day fast/liquid diet: Is it safe?

[Swozzle]

Quick background:
As a person with a genetically huge rear-end I've never been all that comfortable with my weight. I feel like I've tried everything except for the quack diets and magic pills, and I just can't get rid of more then about 5 pounds. I'm 5'5" and 185 pounds which I know isn't all that healthy.

I tried the whole anorexia thing in highschool so I know that doesn't work. But could sticking to a diet of mainly fruit/vegetable juice (and my daily multi-vitamins) work? Or will it just destroy my body? I know it'll probably play hell with my systems for a few days but I'm willing to deal with that if this will work.

What do you all think?

 

[brikis98]

Unhealth, unnecessary and likely very ineffective. You'll be constantly hungry, tired, you'll burn up lots of muscle mass, your metabolism will crash and your weight loss will probably stall.

Read the fat loss sticky for a much more reasonable guide to weight loss.

 

[Swozzle]

I tried something very similar to the fat loss sticky for about a year in highschool. I had a strict diet and workout through a personal trainer at my gym. It didn't really work all that well. I lost about ten pounds and gained definition in my arms and legs. It did almost nothing to my troublesome middle area and rear end.
Now I'm at college in a room with no stove and no microwaves allowed and some pretty nasty cafeteria food. The caf's protein choices are chancy at best (and by chancy I mean soaked in grease and of uncertain origin). I can get fruit and raw vegetables pretty consistently from them, but that's about it.
I wouldn't be super worried about this but I'm getting married in a few months and going through the usual slim down urges most brides experience.

 

[lothar]

Moses fasted for 40 days and 40 nights.

Seriously: Control the food that enters the mouth first, then worry about exercise.

 

[rcpratt]

The information in the fat loss sticky will work if you're motivated and stick to it, guaranteed. I tried to work out/lose weight several times over the past several years, but I couldn't truly find the motivation until I split up with my girlfriend of 6 years recently. Getting married should be pretty good motivation. I'm down about 15 pounds in 7 weeks following the fat loss sticky. It's all about the diet.

You'll just have to try to work around your cafeteria issues as well as you can, since you have no options for cooking at home. I know at my school most of the stuff was fried and soaked in grease, but there was usually at least one choice a day that was, uh, slightly less objectionable than the others.

Your problem areas are always going to be the last to go. Don't let that discourage you. Just takes time and dedication.

 

[brikis98]

I tried something very similar to the fat loss sticky for about a year in highschool. I had a strict diet and workout through a personal trainer at my gym. It didn't really work all that well. I lost about ten pounds and gained definition in my arms and legs.

Really? You tracked every single morsel of food that entered your mouth? You maintained a moderate caloric deficit every day? You ate sufficient protein? How long did you keep it up? If you are maintaining a ~500-750 calorie deficit per day, you'll lose 1-1.5 lbs per week. Depending on your starting weight and goals, losing 10lbs - especially if you added any muscle simultaneously due to the workouts - is not exactly a failure. If 10 wasn't enough, you probably should have just stuck with it longer.

It did almost nothing to my troublesome middle area and rear end.

Unfortunately, there is no way to control where you lose fat from. All you can do is create the conditions for weight loss (as described in the fat loss sticky) and your body will decide where it comes from. Usually, you'll lose weight pretty evenly from all over. Due to genetics, most people have certain body parts that retain more fat than others. Nothing you can do except continue to lower your body fat percentage: eventually, your "troublesome" areas will lose the fat too. It is all about consistency and sticking with it. Shortcuts like an all liquid diet are just asking for trouble.

Now I'm at college in a room with no stove and no microwaves allowed and some pretty nasty cafeteria food. The caf's protein choices are chancy at best (and by chancy I mean soaked in grease and of uncertain origin). I can get fruit and raw vegetables pretty consistently from them, but that's about it.

You'll have to do the best you can. Fruit and veggies are a great start - pile them on as much as you can. Find whatever protein is possible. Milk is a cheap and widely available source and can be easily kept in a mini fridge in your room. If necessary, you can even add some protein shakes.

 

[Swozzle]

Thanks for the encouragement rcpratt I'll keep trying my best!

brikis I wasn't quite so overweight in highschool and yeah gaining the muscle probably made up for a lot of the pounds I maybe should have lost. While I didn't write down every morsel of food that entered my mouth I kept myself to a pretty strict diet that kept me in that 500-750 deficit. I was just frustrated with the lack of inches lost around my middle I've been doing my best with the cafeteria but the lack of protein is hurting me and causing some my already present anemia to get worse. Even being able to make eggs in my room would help but because we're in an ancient building with outdated wiring we're not allowed well, anything really.
I know shortcuts can mess you up but I'd heard some positives about a liquid diet so I thought I'd check it out. Thanks for the advice

 

[alkemyst]

First I'd figure out what you should be weighing. This is the you you want to feed.

What I personally do is then take that weight and for each pound allow myself 1g of protein. Then I figure about 10-20% of that in fat grams. The rest are carbs.

Now carbs are where people fuck this up. White bread and enriched pastas, things like frosted flakes or even plain corn flakes are bad carbs. Darker and whole grain breads are much better. Instant oatmeal (esp all the fruity ones) are bad.

Take this 'calorie' limit and divide it by 5 or 6 over your day. Keep eating every couple hours.

This does a couple of things, first and formost you are eating all the freaking time and for many it gets to be more a drag than something you are looking forward too and gourging yourself. Second it keeps your metabolism working for you. You will have a lot of energy and your body will be burning efficiently. Some of these meals may be liquid. two or three of mine a day are just a protein shake. Keep in mind most of the 'health' shakes you will buy out and about are more desserts than healthy. Avoid them and make your own, or find a place that makes real health shakes without bullshit in them like chocolate syrup and sugars.

You really have to stick to this though, almost anyone I have watched will cheat left and right and not even realize it. Those cookies/donuts someone in the office brought in. They skip lunch and then think a whole pizza makes up for it, or a pint of ice cream, candy bar, etc...

do some cardio 3 times a week for 30mins, heck if you can just walk for 30-45mins a day (a real continuous walk, not just counting all the steps you have done during the day) that goes a long way. You don't have to kill yourself.

If you are not losing in a deficit of calories plus cardio then something is wrong with your body, get a metabolism screening.

Also as a female any diet you go on (and just in general) you should be supplementing calcium. Tums is a great way to get it and also get a bit of a treat with the flavored ones.

 

[DougoMan]

Safe? Definitely not!

 

[alkemyst]

you can be on a liquid diet and be perfectly safe. fasting no.

 

[DougoMan]

you can be on a liquid diet and be perfectly safe. fasting no.

yes and no doubt people in persistent vegetate state love it.


But something tells me they take more than fruit juice and a multivitamin ;-)

 

[SociallyChallenged]

Thanks for the encouragement rcpratt I'll keep trying my best!

brikis I wasn't quite so overweight in highschool and yeah gaining the muscle probably made up for a lot of the pounds I maybe should have lost. While I didn't write down every morsel of food that entered my mouth I kept myself to a pretty strict diet that kept me in that 500-750 deficit. I was just frustrated with the lack of inches lost around my middle I've been doing my best with the cafeteria but the lack of protein is hurting me and causing some my already present anemia to get worse. Even being able to make eggs in my room would help but because we're in an ancient building with outdated wiring we're not allowed well, anything really.
I know shortcuts can mess you up but I'd heard some positives about a liquid diet so I thought I'd check it out. Thanks for the advice

You'd be surprised what your calories actually come to once you measure everything you eat. People usually either grossly undereat or overeat a fair amount. I wrote the fat loss sticky to help people like you. The information there will allow you to lose weight in a healthy manner, as long as you abide by the guidelines. I dunno how many people we've had utilize the fat loss sticky and lose a ton of weight (even those who had stubborn weight loss before) - probably 10-15 that I know of. A liquid diet has several problems: 1) the psychological effects of not actually eating have a huge negative impact, 2) your hunger hormones (ghrelin, leptin, CCK, etc) don't respond as well to liquid calories - that's why people can drink so MANY calories, 3) you would be cutting out things like leafy greens, healthy lean proteins, etc - what you're likely to be putting in your system is processed crap that is NOT healthy for you. This is an extreme way to diet. You would have much greater success on something that is similar to the way you do things now. If you try the fat loss sticky and don't find any results in 2 weeks, then do what you'd like, but you can't cheat. You can do measurements, you can utilize the scale, etc. I will bet that you'll lose inches and weight. Best of luck to you.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

you can be on a liquid diet and be perfectly safe. fasting no.

Eh, you're cutting out a lot of fiber and liquid diets don't really act much on leptin and ghrelin in particular. I wouldn't say it's a diet setting anybody up for success (unless you're trying to GAIN mass, much like the GOMAD suggestion).

 

[Swozzle]

Alright, thanks everyone I'm pretty sure I can do what alkemyst suggested with the walking cardio if nothing else. Like I said before, protein is the hardest part for me to implement since our cafeteria is absolute crap at providing healthy protein. Protein shakes I make myself may be my best option. I bought a measuring tape and scale in order to keep track of what my body days so maybe that'll help the hopeless 'i can't seem to lose any weight' feelings.
I think I'll find an accountability partner, either my fiance, or another friend of mine who's about to get married to help keep my honest and encouraged.
Thanks again everyone

 

[brikis98]

While I didn't write down every morsel of food that entered my mouth I kept myself to a pretty strict diet that kept me in that 500-750 deficit.

When you actually start writing everything down - or better yet, letting a website like fitday.com or thedailyplate.com do the tracking for you - you'll be surprised by how different the numbers are than what you estimate in your mind. Unfortunately, it is well known that people do a poor job of estimating food intake, so there is a chance that your "pretty strict diet" didn't get you into the caloric deficit you expected. On the other hand, you did lose 10lbs, so perhaps it was working and you just didn't stick with it long enough.

I was just frustrated with the lack of inches lost around my middle

NO diet, not even a liquid diet or a total fast, will help you lose fat specifically around your middle. As I said before, your body decides where the fat comes from and most people have trouble spots that hang on to extra fat. The ONLY solution is to maintain the conditions for weight loss long enough that the trouble areas lose weight too. This applies to ANY diet. Stay on a moderate caloric deficit long enough and you WILL lose the fat around your middle.

I've been doing my best with the cafeteria but the lack of protein is hurting me and causing some my already present anemia to get worse. Even being able to make eggs in my room would help but because we're in an ancient building with outdated wiring we're not allowed well, anything really.

That's a crappy situation, but if losing weight is important to you, you'll need to put in the effort to get around it. If you can get a mini fridge, you can keep plenty of high protein food items in it that require no cooking, such as milk, smoked fish, deli meats, and cottage cheese (check out this list of high protein, low calorie foods). If you can't get a mini fridge, things are a bit tougher, but you can still get by with canned tuna, canned salmon, and whey protein.

I know shortcuts can mess you up but I'd heard some positives about a liquid diet so I thought I'd check it out. Thanks for the advice

No problem. Weight loss is only frustrating if you expect results fast from some magic bullet. If you instead get in the mindset of changing your eating habits - rather than using a temporary diet - you'll find things much easier going, healthier, and ultimately more effective. Good luck.

 

[alkemyst]

just avoid the dogma here you have do Starting Strength, Rippletoe, Strong Lifts and Crossfit to make it.

 

[alkemyst]

Eh, you're cutting out a lot of fiber and liquid diets don't really act much on leptin and ghrelin in particular. I wouldn't say it's a diet setting anybody up for success (unless you're trying to GAIN mass, much like the GOMAD suggestion).

She was talking a 40 day diet...I was answering her question, not pulling everything out of my books I could.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

She was talking a 40 day diet...I was answering her question, not pulling everything out of my books I could.

And you can ravage your body in 40 days. Why does the rest of the world eat solid food? Because that's what your body was built to eat. These liquid diets are not biologically sound due to the hormones involved. Lol, I love how you refer to utilizing books for knowledge with negative connotation. I wish I had enough time to give such concise example as books typically do.

 

[alkemyst]

And you can ravage your body in 40 days. Why does the rest of the world eat solid food? Because that's what your body was built to eat. These liquid diets are not biologically sound due to the hormones involved. Lol, I love how you refer to utilizing books for knowledge with negative connotation. I wish I had enough time to give such concise example as books typically do.

I lost 86lbs in three months. Books are great, but you have to apply it. You are a natural ectomorph, you are seeing life through those eyes along with being too young to know better.

At 5'10.5", I was right around 190lbs at 20ish, less than double digit bodyfat.

In the last three weeks I have gone from being a fatbody to someone people that know me ask if I had surgery or doing illegal drugs etc.

You are just starting out on this path. It's like the MCSE saying your ethernet cable is WAY TOO LONG...yet it fucking works just fine.

Just the fact that you guys think bodybuilding.com is all bullshit is classic. I don't agree with it all there, but seriously it's just like those here crying how some top 10 performer just sucks and couldn't sell a record if they tried.

I can't wait to post back next year as an old man of 39-40 here.

 

[SociallyChallenged]

I lost 86lbs in three months. Books are great, but you have to apply it. You are a natural ectomorph, you are seeing life through those eyes along with being too young to know better.

At 5'10.5", I was right around 190lbs at 20ish, less than double digit bodyfat.

In the last three weeks I have gone from being a fatbody to someone people that know me ask if I had surgery or doing illegal drugs etc.

You are just starting out on this path. It's like the MCSE saying your ethernet cable is WAY TOO LONG...yet it fucking works just fine.

Just the fact that you guys think bodybuilding.com is all bullshit is classic. I don't agree with it all there, but seriously it's just like those here crying how some top 10 performer just sucks and couldn't sell a record if they tried.

I can't wait to post back next year as an old man of 39-40 here.

I think you should just save us the trouble and come back in 10 years. Really.

 

[spamsk8r]

I think you should just save us the trouble and come back in 10 years. Really.

QFT.

just avoid the dogma here you have do Starting Strength, Rippletoe, Strong Lifts and Crossfit to make it.

Nobody here is suggesting that Starting Strength, Crossfit, etc., are the only ways of doing things. They're just the most efficient for the most people, depending on their goals. For goals of getting stronger either for athletics or aesthetics a linear progression is the best choice for a beginner. If you want to lose fat, fix your diet first, then worry about your program. If you want to be a competitive bodybuilder then you should train in a sport-specific manner, but I doubt most people asking for advice on these forums has that desire. Heck, there are even professional (natural) bodybuilders and figure competitors that use Crossfit as their main training program. The information you suggest is tired and old, even in most bodybuilding communities, and certainly in any strength and conditioning circles.

Also, you even stated yourself in another thread that using your extreme method of weight loss resulted in a kidney infection. I'm not sure how important your kidneys are to you, but I would be concerned about something like that. The whole "not dying from my body's own poison" thing would seem pretty important to me.

As an aside, why do you always insist on spelling Mark Rippetoe's name incorrectly in every thread? Do you have some kind of learning disability, or is it just something that trolls like to do?

 

[alkemyst]

I have a tendancy to throw an L in it because that's how I saw it brought up originally. If you search you will see I spell it correctly too...not that I know what the fuck that has to do with anything...I don't have a fucking hardon for the dude.

My weight loss I followed closely and actually saw the doc each month. I was losing almost 1.5 pounds a day the first month, about 1 pound a day the second and then tapered it off the third.

What have I suggested that's considered old in BB circles? I guarantee an open poll of what would your rather have "ultimate strength" or "ultimate body to the opposite sex" the ultimate body would win out...most people aren't caring about max strength.

 

[kamper]

I guarantee an open poll of what would your rather have "ultimate strength" or "ultimate body to the opposite sex" the ultimate body would win out...most people aren't caring about max strength.

Great, now you're claiming to know what all women want in a guy who exercises. Even if the majority of women said they preferred someone who worked out just for the sake of flashy muscles, I'd be more interested in the minority who actually care that a guy works out to be healthy and to enjoy physical activity.

I wouldn't vote for either of "ultimate strength" or "ultimate body to the opposite sex". I'd vote for a level of exercise that brings the most enjoyment, with any added sex appeal coming as a welcome bonus. If ultimate strength is what you enjoy, so much the better. If purely going for sex appeal is your thing, fine, but don't go trying to convince everyone else that that's what they really want as well.

 

[alkemyst]

Great, now you're claiming to know what all women want in a guy who exercises. Even if the majority of women said they preferred someone who worked out just for the sake of flashy muscles, I'd be more interested in the minority who actually care that a guy works out to be healthy and to enjoy physical activity.

I wouldn't vote for either of "ultimate strength" or "ultimate body to the opposite sex". I'd vote for a level of exercise that brings the most enjoyment, with any added sex appeal coming as a welcome bonus. If ultimate strength is what you enjoy, so much the better. If purely going for sex appeal is your thing, fine, but don't go trying to convince everyone else that that's what they really want as well.

You are right I do know this and anyone that has paid attention out and about would know this too. You know what else, it has already been polled...several times.

Now you are coming in and suggesting that you are a minority, but this over rides whatever the majority thinks.

 

[spamsk8r]

I have a tendancy to throw an L in it because that's how I saw it brought up originally. If you search you will see I spell it correctly too...not that I know what the fuck that has to do with anything...I don't have a fucking hardon for the dude.

My weight loss I followed closely and actually saw the doc each month. I was losing almost 1.5 pounds a day the first month, about 1 pound a day the second and then tapered it off the third.

What have I suggested that's considered old in BB circles? I guarantee an open poll of what would your rather have "ultimate strength" or "ultimate body to the opposite sex" the ultimate body would win out...most people aren't caring about max strength.

You're setting up a false dichotomy between ultimate strength and ultimate body. If you lift heavy and eat right you will end up with a body that will be very attractive to the opposite sex, and which will actually be useful. Traditional bodybuilding routines may generate sarcoplasmic hypertrophy but not myofibrillar hypertrophy, which is where real strength comes from. Sure, you won't be all swollen and misshapen, but I don't think the ladies really dig that look (unless you're looking for "Jersey Shore" kind of chicks, in which case go right ahead. No accounting for taste and all.).