Even though it may seem patently obvious, if you can stop eating, your body will have to burn fat and get rid of excess water. Interestingly enough, your body is naturally designed to store extra fat and water in case food becomes scarce. Therefore, most diets actually trigger these conservation mechanisms. On the other hand, the most effective diets make use limited fasting and exercise to help reduce weight. When you time these events appropriately, you will notice a significant change in your weight, and overall health.