A Wiser Weight-Control Approach: 3-Hour Diet Vs. Fasting

We live in a weight-conscious age with media that glamorizes thinness. As we stand in line at supermarkets and drugstores, magazine headlines draw us in on the trendiest weight-control techniques while images of thin celebrities lure us into losing weight. Though many of the diets look appealing, we must consider if they are really worth the hype and decide on the approach that is best for us. Those of us who are not fitness experts can easily become confused. Should we try fasting or the 3-Hour Diet? Although both have their pros and cons, we will discover that the 3-Hour Diet is a wiser approach toward healthy weight-control than fasting.

Foremost, all diets differ in their requirements ranging from low carbohydrate/high protein, to low fat, to low salt, to low sugar and from frequent meals to few meals. Much publicity has been directed toward two very different weight-control methods: the 3-Hour Diet and fasting. The 3-Hour Diet, authored by Jorge Cruise and featured on The Today Show, in USA Weekend, and in O-Magazine, involves eating five small healthy meals every three hours, one hour after awakening, and three hours before bedtime. With this diet, portion size is as important as the frequency of meals. On the other end of the spectrum is fasting, a short-term approach often used for rapid and extreme weight loss by models and celebrities who want to look their best for movies, videos, or photo shoots.

Both the 3-Hour Diet and fasting have advantages and disadvantages. With the 3-Hour Diet, you have the benefit of never experiencing hunger pains; whereas with fasting, you experience a drop in your blood sugar level, causing you to reach a starvation mode and binge when it ends. As a result of a satisfied stomach from eating every three hours, you will experience nicer moods; whereas, when starving yourself, you experience side effects such as grumpiness, dizziness, and headaches. Then, unlike fasting, the 3-Hour Diet increases your metabolism. In fact, the 3-Hour Diet works well for your appearance since eating every three hours decreases cortisol that is responsible for belly fat. In contrast, starving yourself causes your body to store fat, defeating the purpose. In addition, with the 3-Hour Diet, you will have plenty of energy, allowing you to proceed with your normal daily schedule and to even incorporate exercise into this weight-control plan. On the other hand, when fasting you will be very sluggish and will only want to try it on your days off from work or school. The greatest benefits of the 3-Hour Diet, as opposed to fasting, are that it is safe for anyone and can be developed into a lifestyle plan. Yet fasting is safe for about two to ten days, depending on the extremity of it and should be tried only with physician approval. It is not for everyone including those under the age of 18, those who are pregnant, or those with conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, asthma, low blood pressure, and anemia.

Now, consider the benefits of fasting that give it strong appeal. First, it is known to detoxify or cleanse the body of toxins, free the body from congestion including sinus infections, and give the digestive system a rest. The emptiness you will feel can be
tolerable when you carefully prepare three to four days in advance by eating light foods including fruits and vegetables and drinking plenty of water. Another advantage is that you don't have to keep track of how often to eat as you would with the 3-Hour Diet. Most influential, you can achieve quick weight loss if you need to fit into a special outfit for a pageant, play, movie, or wedding.

Moreover, various types of fasts exist. Few people try the consumption of only water. More popular is the juice fast that lasts from one to three days and may include one regular meal. It involves the daily intake of four to eight cups of fruit and vegetable juices, raw vegetables, and soup. Examples of such foods include apples, pineapples, cranberries, carrots, celery, and greens. Another favorite is protein-based meal replacements that come in the form of powder shakes or bars that are consumed for two to six days. Then, more exclusive to celebrities is the Maple Syrup Fast. It is composed of Madal Bal syrup from Switzerland, lemon juice, cayenne pepper, and water. Drinking ten glasses of this concoction for ten days is known to fulfill cravings and provide energy. Singer/actress Beyonce Knowles lost 20 pounds in two weeks when trying this fast for a movie role. It is important to note, that people respond differently to fasts and should carefully prepare before beginning and end it properly. Specifically, one week before, meat, caffeine, and dairy should be avoided to lessen side effects. Fasts should be broken by consuming light snacks, fruits and vegetables, and juices immediately after. Side effects include constipation and gallbladder problems.

Having weighed the weight-control options of the 3-Hour Diet and fasting, we are finally ready to make a wise decision. We acknowledge that losing an average of three pounds in two days by fasting sounds appealing; however, attaining serious weight control comes with the 3-Hour Diet. By carefully following the meal and exercise plan of Jorge Cruise's 3-Hour Diet, you can lose two pounds per week, which is a healthier weight-control approach. The 3-Hour Diet is perfect for long-term gratification, keeps us healthy, and is less complicated; whereas fasting will only result in future weight gain, includes side effects, and is less doctor-friendly. Some people may want to try a short fast out of curiosity and should be warned that too much fasting for weight loss can result in "yo-yo dieting" or a serious eating disorder. Thus, from these comparisons, we discover that the 3-Hour Diet is the wiser choice.