FIRM MEMBER OF the ‘4am workout club’, and frequently seen immersing himself in ice baths to boost his recovery, Mark Wahlberg recently shared details about his recent fitness efforts, which included a 63-hour fast and an intense leg day.
Taking to Instagram (and lifting his shirt to reveal his abs), the Men’s Health Hero of Muscle shared that he was 60 hours into a fast before stepping onto the scales, which read 180.9 lbs (82 kg) – down from 192 lbs (87 kg) before the fast. But instead of resting or grabbing a snack, Wahlberg went straight into a gruelling leg day session.
In the caption of his reel, he wrote: “63-hour fast. All I did was think about food, but I felt great and had a lot of energy.” The lack of food didn’t appear to slow him down. During his workout, he was seen completing exercises like hack squats, TRX sissy squats, Smith machine back squats, and goblet squats.
Fasting is a practice where all food is avoided and only water is consumed over a set period. These fasts can range from 24 hours to seven days, although extended fasts may last up to 21 days. People often undertake fasting for reasons such as weight loss, health benefits, or spiritual purposes.
Taking part in fasting can lead to rapid weight loss – like Wahlberg’s 5 kg loss in 63 hours – which might seem appealing if shedding kilos is your primary goal. However, quick fixes aren’t always effective for maintaining weight loss or preserving muscle mass in the long term. Sustainable results are typically achieved through gradual lifestyle changes, such as a moderate calorie deficit, consistent healthy habits, and adequate protein intake.
For certain people, prolonged fasting could come with some unenjoyable symptoms according to a review in Nutrients. However, for others, shorter, intermittent fasts can be a sustainable solution to managing food intake and appetite. As always, consult your healthcare practitioner before embarking on any dietary changes.
This article originally appeared on Men’s Health UK.
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