If you look at photographs of groups of Americans fifty years ago, you would not see a lot of overweight people.
Now, wherever you are, all you have to do is look around and you will see people of all ages and ethnicities, who are extremely overweight.
What was once unusual is now the norm and it has become a national epidemic of obesity.
Many people are just trying to lose a few extra pounds, or just a couple of pounds to get their diet started, and that is where fasting for weight loss may work for you.
Fasting is not easy and it is certainly not for everyone, but if you can do it for a day or two, you will find that you can lose a lot of weight.
The first thing you need to do before you try fasting for weight loss is talk to your doctor.
If you have any health conditions or are taking medications, you may want to discuss your fasting plan with them.
But, if you are healthy, then a day or two of abstaining from solid food may actually make you feel a lot better.
Most modern fasting for weight loss diets allow you to get nutrients in the form of liquids, but no solid foods.
They usually also require that you take a fiber supplement and plenty of water so that you can flush the extra toxins out of your body.
The body weight that you lose will not be fat or muscle mass, but rather water and waste materials, but that can actually add up to several pounds very quickly.
Keep in mind that this is only a short-term diet and not to be meant for people who are obese or need to lose a lot of extra weight.