Starting The UpDayDownDay Diet... Anyone Try this?

I would starve with only 344 calories. I would basically pass out with only 344 calories and working out on a day like that is a definate no.

You get used to it. I kind of like fasted cardio.

They suggest using slimfast or atkins shakes and bars on down days to avoid going over on calories, but those are full of carbs and sugars.

That recommendation is for the first 2 weeks - and is just for portion control (since most people have no concept of portion control).

Slimfast has a "high protein" version that is low carb. (20 grams protein, 4 grams carb (2 sugar)).

But yeah - you've been super-successful on your plan (Well done!) - definitely stick with what works!

I don't put a lot of faith in gimmicks for dietary changes or fitness in general. Catchy diets are easy enough to remember and can go viral because of that, but they aren't sustainable in the long run. The basic idea from this seems to be to keep your body guessing on how many calories it'll get and also cutting your total weekly calories by a good amount. I'm a big believer of keeping both diet and exercise inconsistent enough to prevent your body adapting to regular routines and getting stuck in a plateau, but there are lots of ways to mix things up other than just drastic changes in daily calorie totals. I throw a high or low calorie day into the mix every now and then, which works well for me, but much more randomly than every other day.

However, if you do pursue this diet, then use common sense and don't also try and do cardio on your super low calorie days. Its also not smart for weight lifting where you will be seriously shorting yourself on protein and other nutrients in the rest and repair days afterwards.

I don't put a lot of faith in gimmicks for dietary changes or fitness in general. Catchy diets are easy enough to remember and can go viral because of that, but they aren't sustainable in the long run. The basic idea from this seems to be to keep your body guessing on how many calories it'll get and also cutting your total weekly calories by a good amount. I'm a big believer of keeping both diet and exercise inconsistent enough to prevent your body adapting to regular routines and getting stuck in a plateau, but there are lots of ways to mix things up other than just drastic changes in daily calorie totals. I throw a high or low calorie day into the mix every now and then, which works well for me, but much more randomly than every other day.

Fasting has been around for a long time for a number of reasons. This is not a gimmick for everyone. This is a lifestyle change for me. What is not sustainable about eventually fasting one day a week? It's not like you're not eating at all or fasting daily, which IMO would not be sustainable.

Your health, your choice. But if I've read your posts correctly you say you don't want to mess with counting points with WW but you will count calories for this new diet and your new doctor says you'll lose weight faster on this up/down diet? So, in other words, you're looking for a quick fix? I hope this isn't the case. However, there does seem to be a sizable number of folks here who are on the 5:2, which sounds similar to what you're suggesting...you might want to seek them out. Fasting is not my thing, but I wish you success and good health.

Definitely not for me, I get weepy and irrational any days when my net calories falls below 1200-1300 or I have to go more than 2-3 hours between meals/snacks.
As an example I had my whole life planned around a run on Wednesday. I ate a small meal at 6:30, was supposed to run from 8:15-9:00 and then have a protein shake, hit the hot tub and go to bed. My husband was late from work so when he walked in the door at 9:00 I was sitting on the couch sobbing because "I just wanted to run and now I'm so hungry waaaaaaaaaa".

On the other hand, my husband fasts 2 consecutive days a week and it works well for him. His total calorie intake on those days is under 400 and he's just fine. He has supplement that he takes to keep his blood sugar more or less stable. He's been doing this for a couple of years now.

JUDDDing's posts have covered all the bases. I just want to add that it IS sustainable and quite a nice way to live one's life. I've done it for nearly two years now, with a few breaks to try other plans "just to see" and I always come back to JUDDD. I've lost nearly 130 pounds, and I'm enjoying maintenance easily and with no food restrictions. I've actually increased my UDs to 2000 calories and my DDs are now around 750 average, but I go anywhere from 500-1000 calories on a DD. In weight loss mode, I was eating 1750/350 or so.

I also thought, "There's no way I could eat that little." I had blood sugar swings, would get shaky and irritable if I didn't eat. DH was very worried for his safety when I started doing JUDDD. :blushing: The first DD wasn't super easy, but I managed, and my relationship with food has gotten SO much better. I never have crazy mood swings or blood sugar issues anymore. I suspect it was more in my head than actual physical issues.

I don't put a lot of faith in gimmicks for dietary changes or fitness in general. Catchy diets are easy enough to remember and can go viral because of that, but they aren't sustainable in the long run. The basic idea from this seems to be to keep your body guessing on how many calories it'll get and also cutting your total weekly calories by a good amount. I'm a big believer of keeping both diet and exercise inconsistent enough to prevent your body adapting to regular routines and getting stuck in a plateau, but there are lots of ways to mix things up other than just drastic changes in daily calorie totals. I throw a high or low calorie day into the mix every now and then, which works well for me, but much more randomly than every other day.

Fasting has been around for a long time for a number of reasons. This is not a gimmick for everyone. This is a lifestyle change for me. What is not sustainable about eventually fasting one day a week? It's not like you're not eating at all or fasting daily, which IMO would not be sustainable.

Fasting is fine. Everyone should do a fast day now and then, but this is not about fasting. It's eating extremely low calories every other day. That 's the gimmicky part. Depending on what those calories are from and how they are spaced could cause some insulin swings or dizziness in some people. Avoiding exhausting workouts until you know how your body will handle the 400 or so calorie days is what I was suggesting.

Very glad to hear that it's going well for you!

I looked at the 5:2 diet, but I dont think i could 2 down days in a row.

Most people who do 5:2 don't do the 2 fasting days consecutively.