5:2 opions please

Daisy80

Hi all

I came across 5:2 a little while ago and I am intrigued. What are the general experiences and especially long term experineces? I kind of don't want to do another diet but do quite like the idea of the method. I have fasted in the past and I think It'll be doable for me. I am just not sure if it is something I could keep up forever. Has anyone done it for a long time?

Also what would happen if I would decide to come off it? Would I gain weight? Would my metabolism be messed up?

Would love to hear some opinions.

Thank you

SideSteel

Hi all

I came across 5:2 a little while ago and I am intrigued. What are the general experiences and especially long term experineces? I kind of don't want to do another diet but do quite like the idea of the method. I have fasted in the past and I think It'll be doable for me. I am just not sure if it is something I could keep up forever. Has anyone done it for a long time?

Also what would happen if I would decide to come off it? Would I gain weight? Would my metabolism be messed up?

Would love to hear some opinions.

Thank you

You will not start gaining weight coming out of a fasting protocol as long as you keep total calories and macronutrients under control.

At the same time, you're not going to reap any special weight loss advantages from a fasting procedure provided we're comparing equal calories and macronutrients. The beneficial effects that pertain to weight loss are going to largely exist in how it effects dietary adherence and gym performance.

In general, if fasting makes it easier for you to adhere to your diet, and you don't suffer performance based effects from it, then it's probably going to work well for you.

If fasting makes it more difficult to adhere to your diet, or it negatively effects gym performance, it's not a good idea.

javacafe

I don't do 5:2. I know people who do, and seem to be happy with it.

I do something that is related to it. I complete all my eating within a 8-hour window. I have now done that over 8 months, and it has become a part of my lifestyle.

Metabolisms do not slow down that easily. There is too much emphasis and hype on metabolism changes, which are unaffected unless one enters into long-term fasting (well over three days or more). Also, if you exercise and keep your calorie consumption within bounds, you will be fine.

The primary reason for my 8-hour diet is that it helps me maintain my caloric limits. If, in addition, there are benefits (neurological, growth hormone, etc.) due to the fasted state, that will be an added benefit for me. I tend to think that my strength training routines (which I do in a fasted state) aids in fat burning. But, that's just my impression.

sijomial

It's been really successful for me - I've been doing it since August 2012.
I'm now maintaining on 6:1 (six days slight surplus, 1 day fasting).

When I was losing weight I found it much easier to stick to rather than a deficit every day - the thought that it's just one day at a time makes a huge difference for adherence. It's really changed my attitude to food and food choices. I don't see it as a diet at all - just a different way to eat your weekly calories and macros, no banned foods, very flexible to fit around your lifestyle.

And no, very short term fasting doesn't cause negative metabolic affects - most info I've seen indicates you would have to fast for 3 consecutive days to see any adverse reaction. On the positive side my ability to train fasted and cycling endurance are markedly better than before. Hunger signals are now very different as well - easier to tell the difference between hunger and greed!

Would suggest watching the documentary, maybe read the book, join the two 5:2 groups on here.

For other people's experience see:
http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/1041574-post-results-weeks-on-program-pounds-lost

Roz2889

Is the documentary on YouTube?

tigersword

Hi all

I came across 5:2 a little while ago and I am intrigued. What are the general experiences and especially long term experineces? I kind of don't want to do another diet but do quite like the idea of the method. I have fasted in the past and I think It'll be doable for me. I am just not sure if it is something I could keep up forever. Has anyone done it for a long time?

Also what would happen if I would decide to come off it? Would I gain weight? Would my metabolism be messed up?

Would love to hear some opinions.

Thank you

You will not start gaining weight coming out of a fasting protocol as long as you keep total calories and macronutrients under control.

At the same time, you're not going to reap any special weight loss advantages from a fasting procedure provided we're comparing equal calories and macronutrients. The beneficial effects that pertain to weight loss are going to largely exist in how it effects dietary adherence and gym performance.

In general, if fasting makes it easier for you to adhere to your diet, and you don't suffer performance based effects from it, then it's probably going to work well for you.

If fasting makes it more difficult to adhere to your diet, or it negatively effects gym performance, it's not a good idea.

This. It falls pretty much under "personal preference," like 99% of lifestyle choices.

Daisy80

Thank you all for the informative and helpful input!

It just kind of confirms what i was thinking. I don't have any issues currently with sticking to my daily calorie allowances and I suppose if that works I have no need to change it. So I think for now I will give it a miss. I do like it as a possibility for maintenance though.

Also thanks for the links. I'll still watch the documentary as I am interested in the suggested health benefits too.

I think it is something I might consider in the future but I suppose as what I am doing now is working for me I'll stick what that.

Again thanks for taking the time to help me out :-)

tigersword

The "health benefits" of intermittent fasting are quite honestly minimal at best, and only seem to apply to men, anyway. I think most of the health effects are more accurately attributed to weight loss, not specifically fasting, but implying otherwise sells more books.

Daisy80

That's an interesting thought and I can see your point in regards to the health benefits...I wonder why they only apply to men though?

tigersword

Mostly because very few studies have been done using women, and the few that have been done couldn't find any real difference between a fasting protocol vs a traditional diet.