KANPUR: Navratras are here and so is the practice of observing fast for nine days. An ancient practice, fasting doesn't involve any elaborate preparations - you just have to say no to food. And in this age of fitness it is a healthy weight-loss option too.
"The holy and spiritual atmosphere during the nine-day Navratra radiates positive vibes giving energy to the individual to follow the healthy diet plan," believes 27-year-old, Vandana Bhalla who has been observing fast during Navratra for the last decade, despite being a working woman.
She adds, "The appeal lies in the fact that it is a quick method for substantial weight loss. One tends to take a limited diet during this period surviving on fluids, juices and liquids."
A limited diet coupled with more fluid intake surely does wonders in removing the extra flab from the body and that too without much effort. If the health experts are to believed, the liquid and fruit diet during the Navratras helps in avoiding the thoughtless eating which is usually done in normal days. Non-cereal meal during fasting is a good method of reducing the weight.
However, there is a downside to this trend too. The girls observing fast and depriving themselves totally of food often land up at the doctor's with stomach pain or other problems.
On the other hand, keeping in view the preference of the customers for `satvik' food during the ongoing `Navratra', the city restaurants and sweet shops too are making efforts to lure their customers by arranging for no-onion and no-garlic food.
---Catholics also have this kind of practice called the Holy Week, right? And they are also encouraged to fast during those "holy days." But I don't think it's a very good way to losing weight. I tried fasting a lot of times during my younger days but I always end up having stomach problems. I lose much of the energy needed to do a good job at work and my mood is also not very good most of the time. I'd rather exercise than starve myself.
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