Alternative day dieting

mermer45

Been doing the alternative day fast for 4 weeks after seeing the horizon programme. I eat around 2400 calories on feed days and around 600 on fast days (1 meal). I exercise 4-5 times each week. So far lost around 2.8kg and 2.5% body fat. I've had a couple of days where I've found it tough but generally the fasting has been easier than expected.

Interested in sharing experiences and joint encouragement. Also interested in the underlying science in why fasting (CR) seems to have health benefits.

Gailey

Do you fast on 2 consecutive days per week?
Be interested to follow your progress - I saw the programme (or a programme.....) and remember thinking it would be good and have lots of health benefits. I looked up the Genesis programme but didn't fancy the rigidity- I hate being told what to eat and what not to eat - I seem to remember the chap in the programme had much more freedom.

mfpcopine

Been doing the alternative day fast for 4 weeks after seeing the horizon programme. I eat around 2400 calories on feed days and around 600 on fast days (1 meal). I exercise 4-5 times each week. So far lost around 2.8kg and 2.5% body fat. I've had a couple of days where I've found it tough but generally the fasting has been easier than expected.

Interested in sharing experiences and joint encouragement. Also interested in the underlying science in why fasting (CR) seems to have health benefits.

Glad it's working for you. I wanted to point out that Intermittent Fasting (IF) is different from Calorie Restriction (CR). With CR, individuals eat less than the normal amount of calories. A recent story reported on by the New York Times just a day or two ago found that CR does not prolong life (the expected purpose), although it may have other benefits. It also was just one study, and it was of monkeys, not humans.

mermer45

No, I fast on Monday, Wednesday and Friday only. This is working for me...two consecutive days of fasting would be too tough particularly as I like to exercise. Also I like the fact that I get a break for the weekend when I'm most active or socialising.

McBully4

You plan on doing this forever? Or just until you reach your goal?

mermer45

Been doing the alternative day fast for 4 weeks after seeing the horizon programme. I eat around 2400 calories on feed days and around 600 on fast days (1 meal). I exercise 4-5 times each week. So far lost around 2.8kg and 2.5% body fat. I've had a couple of days where I've found it tough but generally the fasting has been easier than expected.

Interested in sharing experiences and joint encouragement. Also interested in the underlying science in why fasting (CR) seems to have health benefits.

Glad it's working for you. I wanted to point out that Intermittent Fasting (IF) is different from Calorie Restriction (CR). With CR, individuals eat less than the normal amount of calories. A recent story reported on by the New York Times just a day or two ago found that CR does not prolong life (the expected purpose), although it may have other benefits. It also was just one study, and it was of monkeys, not humans.

There seems to be different views on this. In my case over the course of two days ( 1 day on and the next off) I'm consuming around 3000 calories rather than a typical 4000-4500 calories.....so in effect it is calorie restrictive. Thanks for the heads up on the new York article.

Helloitsdan

This is a great plan!
Just be sure to pick things up a few times a week so you'll take advantage of the insulin sensitivity it brings.

GJ!

Send a FR if you need other supporters of this!
I'll seed you out to my Gang!

mermer45

You plan on doing this forever? Or just until you reach your goal?

I more interested in the potential health benefits than the weight loss. If it was just about losing weight I would just exercise more as I love running.

My plan is to keep it going for another 4 weeks... (8 in total) and see how I am, and get my blood tested and see if it has a good profile.

LaurasClimb

I did this for about a year. I actually loved it, felt great all the time once the initial shock was over. Never tired, slept great and lost a lot of weight. Unfortunately, it did not help enforce proper eating habits for me. So when I stopped, I gained more than half the weight back
So here I am, learning moderation...

tigersword

Been doing the alternative day fast for 4 weeks after seeing the horizon programme. I eat around 2400 calories on feed days and around 600 on fast days (1 meal). I exercise 4-5 times each week. So far lost around 2.8kg and 2.5% body fat. I've had a couple of days where I've found it tough but generally the fasting has been easier than expected.

Interested in sharing experiences and joint encouragement. Also interested in the underlying science in why fasting (CR) seems to have health benefits.

Glad it's working for you. I wanted to point out that Intermittent Fasting (IF) is different from Calorie Restriction (CR). With CR, individuals eat less than the normal amount of calories. A recent story reported on by the New York Times just a day or two ago found that CR does not prolong life (the expected purpose), although it may have other benefits. It also was just one study, and it was of monkeys, not humans.

Completely different things. IF is an eating plan, and calorie restriction is a weight loss technique. You can do one without the other, and you can also do both at the same time. Without a calorie restriction, you can't lose weight, so if weight loss is part of the goal, a calorie restriction is necessary.

McBully4

My plan is to keep it going for another 4 weeks... (8 in total) and see how I am, and get my blood tested and see if it has a good profile.

And if so, you plan on doing this for life?

WhoIsAmber

I've been interested in Alternate Day Fasting and IF, I'm just working on controlling my willpower/self control. I tried to not eat all day and caved by 8PM. Any tips on controlling yourself/your hunger?

bada_bing

There is a group on here dedicated to 5:2 Fasting.

Come on over if you want to know more:

http://www.myfitnesspal.com/groups/home/8005-5-2-fasting..this one has the link to the documentary which is on You Tube

There is also a Facebook group that is very active and if you search it is

5:2 intermittent fasting.

McBully4

You guys have fun with this...

mermer45

I've been interested in Alternate Day Fasting and IF, I'm just working on controlling my willpower/self control. I tried to not eat all day and caved by 8PM. Any tips on controlling yourself/your hunger?

Well the plan allows you to eat around 25% of normal on the fast day. So I eat 1 meal at around 7:00 pm of about 600 calories and that makes it much easier. I also keep myself active so I don't think about food. You know what it's like...when you're engrossed in something then you can skip a meal and not notice. Also I drink lots...particular green or black tea....works for me

WhoIsAmber

I've been interested in Alternate Day Fasting and IF, I'm just working on controlling my willpower/self control. I tried to not eat all day and caved by 8PM. Any tips on controlling yourself/your hunger?

Well the plan allows you to eat around 25% of normal on the fast day. So I eat 1 meal at around 7:00 pm of about 600 calories and that makes it much easier. I also keep myself active so I don't think about food. You know what it's like...when you're engrossed in something then you can skip a meal and not notice. Also I drink lots...particular green or black tea....works for me

Thanks I usually start eating around 3-4PM every day because I wait until I'm hungry before I eat. I do pretty good to distract myself until then, I'll try to push back until 7PM and have a nice meal then. I drink a lot of water throughout the day, it helps, sometimes lol

californiagirl2012

Yup I did something similar. fascinating! Look up "eat stop eat" for a scientific explanation. You can view it on my blog bobbiesfitness.com if you want as well. It is a paper backed with pages of scientific evidence. LOVE IT!