I’ve written a lot about the importance of drinking plenty of water, and the more research I do the more convinced I am that drinking lots of water is not just an important part of the Weekday Fast lifestyle – it’s a habit that everyone should adopt!
As we’ve discussed, when you are fasting, your body goes into “Repair and Replenish” mode. One important thing that happens during this time is called cellular apoptosis. It’s a fancy term that just means the death and recycling of old cells. But if you aren’t adequately hydrated, your body cannot flush out the old dead cells. Once they are dead, you want them out of your body. Also fat is where your toxins build up, so again we need to have lots of water in your system to flush those fat cells away!
As anyone who has tried it will tell you – the WDF program is very effective at dropping weight during the week while you are fasting. It is sometimes a challenge to prevent regaining some of those pounds over the weekend when we are “Living our Life.” However based on my experience and that of several others I have spoken with, continuing to drink your water over the weekend helps keep the pounds off. I suspect some of that is because drinking a lot of water naturally keeps you feeling full and as a result you don’t eat as much. I also think it helps at flushing out some of the extra sodium we tend to consume with our weekend treat meals.
I watched a video on YouTube this weekend by Thomas DeLauer, who is a big proponent of intermittent fasting. He recommends the following concoction first thing in the morning on a Fast Day. It sounds a little gross but it’s actually not bad – kind of salty, citrusy.
12 oz of water
2Tbs Apple cider vinegar
1/4-1/2 tbs cream of tartar
1/2 tbs sea salt
juice of one lime
Apple cider vinegar has long been recommended by doctors as an all natural supplement that helps with a variety of health issues. A Google search reveals lots of benefits such as lowering blood pressure, killing harmful bacteria, lowering blood sugar, encouraging weight loss, increasing digestion, lowering cholesterol, and even fighting Cancer! It also helps regulate your blood sugar, which in turn reduces your cravings during the day. I am going to start drinking 2Tbs in a glass of water before bed along with the morning concoction above. I’m also going to try a mustard/apple cider vinegar dressing on my salads on Fast days!
Cream of Tartar is extremely high in potassium, which along with sea salt makes sure that you have adequate minerals in your body while fasting. This helps keep your cell walls permeable, so nutrients can flow in and toxins and waste can flow out to be flushed out of the body.
Finally, the lime juice boosts your Glutathione which is your body’s detox warrior. While you are fasting you are already in “Repair & Replenish” mode, and boosting your Glutathione just kicks it in to overdrive.