alternate day fasting

I have been doing ADF for a few weeks now (not always religiously!) And I was wondering what everyone's opinion of eating back exercise calories on fast days was? Does that defeat the purpose of the fast and therefore it's health benefits or not? Any opinions would be greatly appreciated

You don't eat back your calories on fast days, but you go over your allotted calories (calculated to lose weight) on other days, so over a week you eat what you would have if you weren't fasting. = Average out over a week.

Hm, for a typical day that would be a skinny latte in the morning (130 cals), a sushi tray from Itsu for lunch (240 cals), an apple in the afternoon (50 cals) and the rest for some carefully weighted bread and cold cuts for dinner. (just can't throw that bread habbit, being German)

I find that if I exercise I put on weight - no matter what I'm eating, the next day I am heavier. I have stopped doing it. I understand that research has shown that exercise does absolutely nothing for many, many people. If it doesn't do anything for you and you don't do it for enjoyment, I suggest you stop. There is no point in beating yourself up with no positive result.

Ok all this ADF talk sounds to good to be true..... so I got some questions....

Is there anyone that has lost the weight from ADF and are now on maintanence.... I ask this because what is your plan for maintenance... Do you intend to ADF for the rest of your life??? Or are you switching back to eating daily but tracking your calorie intake?

Also, it seems one can lose a lot of weight in a short period of time.... because of this do you have lose skin?

Also, if you do ADF then on maintenance switch back to eating daily, by tracking your calorie intake to ensure you’re netting the same calories weekly, have you gained any back?? Or are you the same cause it is the same net calories for the whole week?? I am more interested in the long term effects of this diet then just dropping weight fast

This sounds stupid to me! Sounds like a good way to screw up your metabolism...slow and steady is much better. Why do this?

I didn't watch it, but I love fasting. I can't tell you how many times I have read to fast one or two days a week. It makes sense. Tosca Reno suggests fasting two days a week. Jenn Aniston's nutritionist said she fasts one day a week. Dolly Parton fasts one day a week. Woman's World article by a nutritionist said to fast two days a week. Countless books I have read on health say to fast two days a week. A doctor I know told me to fast two days a week. Tons of benefits, cleans your system, etc. I fasted 1 to 1.5 days once a week (ten yrs ago) and lost 50 lbs doing it. I did the Master Cleanse fast 6 mos ago and lost 17 lbs in 14 days. I only gained 5 lbs back and that was between Thanksgiving and Xmas when I was at my parent's house out of state for the holidays and pigged out. So I think that is pretty good, I am still at a deficiet from it 6 mos later. I have been eating pretty semi-healthy ever since and am only maintaining. That said, I am doing a semi fast now and eliminating junk to ease into the Master Cleanse again. Anyone who is negative here, has NEVER tried fasting. That said, discount their posts, they are uneducated guesses and not from experience.

So glad I read your post - I won't bother trying it now as I am sure some woman whose just been dieting for years is bound to know more about nutrition and biology than whole teams of university scientists

MFP needs a 'like' button.

Hi Mick,

I've been alternate day fasting for about 5 weeks now, much the same pattern as yourself although I allow myself 600 cals on down days and don't really look to closely on up days.

On down days I just eat regular food but choose low fat/calorie options, favourites are: egg white omelettes, lean ham, white fish. I usually skip either breakfast or lunch and have lots of vegetables in the evening! I find spicy food helps with keeping me satisfied, home made veggy curry with a bit of grilled chicken can be under 250 cals! also sugar free jelly and frozen berries is great for desserts!

I've found that I get full much more easily now and that I eat much less than I used to. I also feel like it's helping me change my relationship with food for the better; I'm much better at leaving food on my plate than I use to be!

I started at 250 lbs, 5'10'' about 5 weeks ago. I've since lost about 13 lbs.

its really early days and I've failed at diets before but I think the psychology of this one is spot on and I'm enjoying feeling in control of my weight and I can imagine doing this long term. I can envisage dropping it to two days once I'm at a healthy weight.

My guess is you were having trouble losing weight because you were getting too few calories overall. If were doing 1600 for 4 days, plus 500 on fast days, and 2000 once a week, your weekly calorie intake was 9400. That's an average of 1,343 spread over a 7 day period. If you were working out for an hour 3 times a week-- I'm guessing you're at least burning 500 calories or more, taking at least 1500 calories off your weekly intake. That brings you to an average of 1128-- which can very well slow down weight loss.

i also reccomend alternate day fisting

I think that might leave one a bit sore...

LMAO! Too Funny!!

I am at a plateau, maybe alternate day 5:2 moderated fasting will help me punch through. I am at BMI 25, on my way to BMI 23 for blood sugar and liver health reasons.

I just starting trying it today after seeing the BBC Horizons Michael Mosley show yesterday. I feel fine at 121:45 PM, and 300 Calories left for tonight...

I saw a TV show on this. I tried to limit myself to 500 calories the first day and was starving and ate some more up until about 1000 calories that day. So on my up day instead of unlimited I am aiming for 1600. I can't go without anything on a day (but from what I have read that is OK, as long as it is fairly low - you still get the health benefits). Worse case scenario, is that I will end up doing that calorie confusing diet that says as long as your weekly goal is met it is better to not consistently do low calorie day after day so that your metabolism does not slow down. I've seen this happen to myself before. So if I can't do extreme swings from day to day I figure some swing from day to day is better than none. Good luck to you alternate day real fasters. More power to you!

I found that when I fasted, either for a meal or an entire day (especially) I was able to get back on track and be more realistic with my portions. It helps with control (less emotion behind the eating/cravings subside)..

I'm interested to see how everyone does with this. I've been trying to lose 30# since the start of the year. I was fairly successful for the first 3 weeks, lost 4# & 5.5 inches over all, but have stalled and gained back & lost the same 2# since the middle of February and have actually gained back all but 1 inch. I am doing a minimum of 40 minutes and a max of 120 minutes of Richard Simmonbs 5-6 days a week. I have been keeping track of calories on this site and trying to keep my calories under 1500/.day. Am actually having to force myself to eat at least 1200/day. I have chronic digestive problems so I have about 2 days a month or so that I cannot keep anything at all down. Of course on those days, I see my weight drops 1-3# but it comers right back when I am able to eat again. I'm really getting discouraged. The calculations here on this site predict a 2#/wk weight loss but my numbers just aren't moving, NOR are my measurements.

Sounds like a path to an eating disorder, IMO.

But more power to you if it works for you :ohwell: