"8-Hour Diet" Plan?

tiffanylacourse

Hey everyone! I was reading in my Women's Health magazine for this month, and they featured an article about the "8-Hour Diet" Plan that was founded by Men's Heath editor David Zinczecko.

(After doing some research, I see that he may or may not have stole the entire idea from the LeanGains plan. I COULDN'T CARE LESS ABOUT THAT. Please don't comment and say anything about the idea being stolen, that is SO not the point of this post.)

My question is this - has anyone tried this plan? Had any successes - or failures? I'm interested to try it and would like to know if anyone else out there has already tried it or plans to try it?

Thanks in advance for the answers! :flowerforyou:

kr1stadee

I haven't heard of it, but it screams FAD to me.. so I'd stay away.

I'm going to google...

tiffanylacourse

I haven't heard of it, but it screams FAD to me.. so I'd stay away.

I'm going to google...

That's what I initially thought... But after researching a bit, it seemed like it was worth a try. Let me know what you find!

Dave198lbs

the leangains approach is great for a lot of people and wont work for others.

I follow it and like it.

try it. If you like it, then continue.

In the end, it will always be finding a way you are comfortable with eating at a caloric deficit.

there are many ways to get in a deficit, the leangains approach is but one of them and it works for me.

trogalicious

In the end, it will always be finding a way you are comfortable with eating at a caloric deficit.

That's what it boils down to.

stroutman81

Plenty of people have had amazing results with intermittent fasting. One of the biggest names in the intermittent fasting movement is Martin Berkhan... owner of leangains.com. So if this diet you're referring to is anything like that, I'm sure it could work well for some people.

However, an important caveat in my opinion is that I (and others) are finding that IF can definitely cause issues with folks who have unhealthy relationships with food to begin with. Eat disordered tendencies can be driven deeper for many of these folks.

Plus, there's some data out there pointing toward the IF approach being less effective for women than it is for men.

Juliejustsaying

I'm not a big proponent of diets in general. I think it takes a lifestyle change, so to me all diets are fads. You have to learn to eat clean and lean...and exercise. IMHO

tiffanylacourse

Thanks for all the replies.

In response to Dave198lbs - I was hoping to hear that some do have success with this plan. I've actually already noticed that I feel better and eat less when I don't force myself to eat in the morning - just because I'm "supposed to".

In response to trogalicious - thanks!

In response to stroutman81 - I don't have any eating disorders or issues with food, other than the fact that I tend to overeat some times. While I'm not obese, I would like to get to a healthy, fit weight and size, and I am hopeful to find the way that works for me. Thanks for the input!

In respnose to JulieJustSayin - I wouldn't treat it like a "diet". I am looking to make lifestyle changes - although I must say that being a working mother, I don't see it as a realistic goal to eat "clean and lean" all the time. I'm trying to make smaller changes that I can stick to. Then gradually make bigger changes as time goes by and I've managed to stick to the smaller changes. Does that make sense?

Juliejustsaying

In respnose to JulieJustSayin - I wouldn't treat it like a "diet". I am looking to make lifestyle changes - although I must say that being a working mother, I don't see it as a realistic goal to eat "clean and lean" all the time. I'm trying to make smaller changes that I can stick to. Then gradually make bigger changes as time goes by and I've managed to stick to the smaller changes. Does that make sense?

It doesn't have to be all the time...that is more of what I would call a diet mentality...I make mistakes and bad choices etc...but if you are dedicated to eating better, more veggies etc..and small changes, well they become bigger changes and bigger successes. I know it is hard with kids, my boys won't eat a lot of the veggies I like to eat...but they also see a good role model and they try. Sounds like you've got the right idea.

kr1stadee

Thanks for all the replies.

In response to Dave198lbs - I was hoping to hear that some do have success with this plan. I've actually already noticed that I feel better and eat less when I don't force myself to eat in the morning - just because I'm "supposed to".

I think if you just eat when you want to, you'll have more success. Following any sort of mapped out plan (eating within a set number of hours, and following a book about it..) may cause you frustration. Sure, eat all you can within 8 hours, 10 hours, 5 hours.. whatever helps you stay on track.
Eating breakfast because you are supposed to.. kinda foolish right? Eat when you're hungry. I think that someone's trying to make a buck off of desperate people "You can't learn anything about this diet unless you purchase...."
The diet doesn't seem all that bad, but I wouldn't go out and purchase anything

Dave198lbs

. I think that someone's trying to make a buck off of desperate people "You can't learn anything about this diet unless you purchase...."
The diet doesn't seem all that bad, but I wouldn't go out and purchase anything

leangains.com

I havn't spent anything but some of my time

tiffanylacourse

The diet doesn't seem all that bad, but I wouldn't go out and purchase anything

I wasn't planning on purchasing anything - I don't have the money for that! lol :laugh:

lydia_the_tattooed_lady

http://www.thepostgame.com/blog/training-day/201212/greatest-weight-loss-myth-ever-told

:noway: Yet another idiotic fad diet!!

tigersword

. I think that someone's trying to make a buck off of desperate people "You can't learn anything about this diet unless you purchase...."
The diet doesn't seem all that bad, but I wouldn't go out and purchase anything

leangains.com

I havn't spent anything but some of my time

Yes, leangains. To be honest, I wouldn't even consider the "8 hour diet" to be IF, as IF is really 18/6, minimum. Personally, I'd skip the "8 hour diet" money making grab, and spend some time on leangains. Or, check out "Eat-Stop-Eat" as that's an alternate intermittent fasting approach, and I honestly prefer it to the leangains approach.

Dave198lbs

. I think that someone's trying to make a buck off of desperate people "You can't learn anything about this diet unless you purchase...."
The diet doesn't seem all that bad, but I wouldn't go out and purchase anything

leangains.com

I havn't spent anything but some of my time

Yes, leangains. To be honest, I wouldn't even consider the "8 hour diet" to be IF, as IF is really 18/6, minimum. Personally, I'd skip the "8 hour diet" money making grab, and spend some time on leangains. Or, check out "Eat-Stop-Eat" as that's an alternate intermittent fasting approach, and I honestly prefer it to the leangains approach.

why? i was considering eat stop eat but wasnt interested in buying his book. Is that 16/8? I thought it was 24 fast every 2-3 days?

tiffanylacourse

. I think that someone's trying to make a buck off of desperate people "You can't learn anything about this diet unless you purchase...."
The diet doesn't seem all that bad, but I wouldn't go out and purchase anything

leangains.com

I havn't spent anything but some of my time

Yes, leangains. To be honest, I wouldn't even consider the "8 hour diet" to be IF, as IF is really 18/6, minimum. Personally, I'd skip the "8 hour diet" money making grab, and spend some time on leangains. Or, check out "Eat-Stop-Eat" as that's an alternate intermittent fasting approach, and I honestly prefer it to the leangains approach.

why? i was considering eat stop eat but wasnt interested in buying his book. Is that 16/8? I thought it was 24 fast every 2-3 days?

I did do some research on leangains.com after reading about it in my magazine. (That's where I first realized about the idea stealing mentioned in the original post). I am going to give it a go - try the 8/16 IF and see how it goes.

Thanks for the feedback everyone! Much appreciated!

Bobby__Clerici

I do this very thing, but I am not into "lean gains" or any other guru prompted fad diet.
My reason for eating in an 8 hour window is for calorie control and discipline.
It worked well for me.

There is nothing magic about it.
You can google "intermittent fasting" for more info, but just beware.
As some have already mentioned, there are loads of fluff for sale with guys making this out to be something it is not.
Just give it a go, and see if you get results. I sure did!

angieleighbyrd

I kind of do IF. I stop eating at 7 and don't eat again until 8. I'm not skipping breakfast. I've lost 88 pounds by not skipping breakfast. I think I can handle the next 20 by still not skipping breakfast.

jayche

Sounds like a boot-leg remake of Intermittent Fasting, IF works.

tigersword

. I think that someone's trying to make a buck off of desperate people "You can't learn anything about this diet unless you purchase...."
The diet doesn't seem all that bad, but I wouldn't go out and purchase anything

leangains.com

I havn't spent anything but some of my time

Yes, leangains. To be honest, I wouldn't even consider the "8 hour diet" to be IF, as IF is really 18/6, minimum. Personally, I'd skip the "8 hour diet" money making grab, and spend some time on leangains. Or, check out "Eat-Stop-Eat" as that's an alternate intermittent fasting approach, and I honestly prefer it to the leangains approach.

why? i was considering eat stop eat but wasnt interested in buying his book. Is that 16/8? I thought it was 24 fast every 2-3 days?

It's a 20-24 hour fast twice a week. It's just a personal preference, I find it easier to just skip 2 meals, than try and fit all of my calories into a prescribed window, due to my work and exercise schedule. Rather than eating 2500 calories every day in a certain time window, I eat 3000 calories 5 days a week (training days) and then skip breakfast, lunch, and snacks on fasting days, just eating a 1250 calorie dinner. Both methods work out to 17500 calories a week, which is about maintenance for me. When I cut, I eat 2500 calories 5 days a week, and 1000 calories on the fasting days, which gives me a weekly deficit of about 3000 calories, but I'm still at maintenance on my training days, which I personally like. It's basically calorie cycling. Eat normally, then stop eating when you finish dinner, and don't eat the next day until dinner. Brad Pilon's only real restriction on the concept is don't make your fasting days back to back. Other than that, set it up anyway you want, one fasting day, or two fasting days, and you can keep them the same, or change up the days week to week.

stephdeeable

I've been considering trying IF, a lot of the time I'm up from 7am to 11pm/midnight, that's a long time to make my calories stretch. I don't really consider it a fad from what I've learned so far....it's just about timing, not putting any foods off limits, or supplements, pills...etc. The only reason I'm hesitant is I work shift work so every week is different for me, may be harder to find a good 8 hour window where I can be consistent.

In line at the grocery store I saw a magazine that said "Lose 8 pounds in a day with grapefruit!". Now, that's a fad diet, haha.

EatClean_WashUrNuts

Someone please smack me to stop from laughing......please......:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


There are no quick fixes. Set goals, eat right, exercise = WIN

lasmit4477

Meal timing is of no importance. You could eat your total daily calorie goal at one sitting. However, the only main objective to this is to find what works for you. Who said you "had" to eat breakfast? You don't. I am one of those people who needs fuel first thing in the morning because that's when I do my most heaviest training.

As long as you are getting proper nutrition and you are in a calorie deficit, you will have weight loss. You don't have to follow some ridiculous plan or go out and buy books on eating certain foods at certain times, ect. If anything, pick up The New Rules of Lifting for Women.


Also for IF, most of the research done showing positive effects were completed on male subjects, and hormonal differences do play a huge role. There is some research done showing females responding NEGATIVELY to fasting:

■ One study (1) found that while IF improved insulin sensitivity in male subjects, female subjects saw no such improvement. In fact, the glucose tolerance of fasting women actually worsened.

■ In another study (2) in response to fasted cycling training, men showed greater skeletal muscle adaptations when fasted. Women had better muscle adaptations when fed.


(1) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15833943?dopt=Abstract
(2) http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20452283

sjeagle30

I think this looks legit. It doesnt look like a fad diet at all and actually eating between 9 and 5 or 10 and 6 isnt that uncommon for most so to me it looks pretty easy to follow. I think I am going to give it a try!

tiffanylacourse

I am loving all this feedback! I'm glad there are people who agree and people who disagree - gives you something to think about. Kind of like a devil's advocate, if you will.

Thanks to everyone who has responded. I really do appreciate ALL input! :flowerforyou:

lydia_the_tattooed_lady

Someone please smack me to stop from laughing......please......:laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:


There are no quick fixes. Set goals, eat right, exercise = WIN

TRUTH^^^^ It's really that simple, guys! It may not be easy but it's certainly not that complicated.

pullipgirl

I eat from 11 am - 6 pm and it works if you have problems with binging. I don't understand the people laughing and saying it's not a "quick fix" all it does is change your eating schedule, you still eat the same amount of calories.

tiffanylacourse

I eat from 11 am - 6 pm and it works if you have problems with binging. I don't understand the people laughing and saying it's not a "quick fix" all it does is change your eating schedule, you still eat the same amount of calories.

Thank you! That is exactly what I was trying to say! :happy:

I'm not looking for a "fad diet" or even a "diet" - I'm making lifestyle changes I can stick to and just changing the hours that I consume my calories.

FOR THE RECORD - I'm not looking for a "quick fix". I will be eating better (not perfect, but oh well), exercising, and trying to accomplish goals.

No reason for all the negativity and/or sarcasm - I thought we were all here for similar reasons and I was just looking for input on an idea.

(My mother always told me "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." - I wish more people were raised this way!)

stephdeeable

(My mother always told me "If you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." - I wish more people were raised this way!)

My mother used to say this too....but that was before the internet existed. :laugh:

connieannw

When I started my weight loss journey I went to the Doctor and asked for some guidelines.
This is what she told me:
Shut your mouth and move!
Once I stopped laughing I realized:
Very simple advice.
If your mouth is shut you are not stuffing food into it.
If you are moving you are burning calories and too busy to stop and shove food in your mouth.
AND IT'S FREE!!!!!!
I am still trying to master this before going on to some other more challenging life style changes.

tigersword

I eat from 11 am - 6 pm and it works if you have problems with binging. I don't understand the people laughing and saying it's not a "quick fix" all it does is change your eating schedule, you still eat the same amount of calories.

This. Choosing to IF is no different than choosing to eat 5 meals a day with 3 strategically placed snacks in between them to "stoke the metabolism" (lulz.) It's not a magical diet method, it's just an eating schedule. Some people prefer it, because we like eating larger portions of food. I'd much rather eat 1 1500 calorie meal, rather than a bunch of 300 calorie "snacks." Plus I work in retail, I don't have the kind of schedule that allows me to stop and eat every hour, on the hour.

There are also a lot of people who put on weight due to mindless grazing all day, setting a hard time window of when they can eat helps break that habit, making calorie control easier.

Bottom line, it's all personal preference, and really, the only thing that's a joke in this thread is the actual book in question, as there is plenty of very good, very scientifically sound information available for free on the internet, like leangains.com. Martin does an excellent job of explaining things. Also, agreed that IF may not be beneficial to women, but there really isn't anywhere near enough information out there to really make a firm conclusion yet.