5:2, discuss.

I started 5:2 2 years ago and lost 30 lbs. Then I went down to 6:1 to mtn. I think that was a mistake for me anyway. Eventually I stopped all together and gained back 15 lbs. So 6 or 7 weeks ago I started 5:2 again and I lost about 8 lbs and feel so much better. It has to be a lifetime thing. For everyone doing 5:2 feel free to friend me. I love chatting with people about 5:2 and seeing what others eat on fast days. I belong to a closed facebook group but unfortunatley 90% of the people in this group are in england, so the hours are way off! I think this is the best way to lose weight and improve your health.

herrspoons wrote: »

I don't honestly think it'll work for most people, and they'll just yo-yo over the years.

A PhD who's been studying it in human trials for almost 10 years found differently.

I'm not generally a fan of Mercola but he gives a nice overview of IF and Varady's results.
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/08/alternate-day-fasting.aspx

I've tried IF and I do believe in the studies. I've watched the BBC documentary, read a book (The 5:2 Diet), and several internet articles/blogs. I know this diet works and kudos to anyone that can do it. I however, have lots of trouble with it. I have thyroid disease and take meds for it, but I'm not sure if that's an excuse. On the days that I was only allowed 500 calories, I was sad and cranky. On the other days, I ate like there was no tomorrow. Then I reevaluated this plan for ME. If I was sad 2 days a week/ this means sad and cranky for 8 days a month. This means about 100 days of cranky and sad out of 365 days per year - which means about 25-30% of my year would be sad. So with all these calculations, I just stick to a low calorie diet until I can go into maintenance mode. But once again/ Kudos for those who can do it.

herrspoons wrote: »

I'm sure some people will thrive on it. To me it's too regimented in what it does, and doesn't teach good eating habits, which would be to understand why you put weight on in the first place - by overeating every day. Getting in the habit of being consistent across the week, rather than going from crash to maintenance, seems a better means of developing good dietary habits to me. I don't honestly think it'll work for most people, and they'll just yo-yo over the years.

That's just a personal opinion, mind, but the OP did ask for discussion.

I would have to disagree that this diet doesn't teach good eating habits. I find that I have been successful so far because I am still very careful to eat within my maintenance calories 5 days a week. And learning to eat at your *maintenance* levels is the key to sustaining a long-term healthy weight.

Just like any other MFP'er, I log all my calories every single day, and I have to say "no" to certain foods sometimes...just not as often. I think that people who look at this diet and say, "Oh cool...I can eat 500 cal 2x a week, and the other days, I can eat any amount of anything I want", are the ones who 1) have difficulty losing and keeping it off, and 2) do not learn good eating habits in general.

herrspoons wrote: »

WalkingAlong wrote: »

I've read the article and her studies and her book. What do you see in it that supports your assertion that it doesn't work for most people and they'll just yoyo?

Dr. Mercola's article is comparing complete fasting to intermittent fasting, and shows that IF works as well as CF. Dr. Varady's study does not consider long term (i.e. two years plus) effects, only six months on the diet and then a six month transitional period.

Here's the NHS's view, which considering they don't have a book to sell, is probably a good deal more impartial. The bottom line is that there is no hard evidence to support IF as an effective and long term means of controlling weight. That doesn't mean it isn't - merely that there isn't enough evidence that it's any better or worse than a more even calorie restriction diet.

http://www.nhs.uk/news/2013/01January/Pages/Does-the-5-2-intermittent-fasting-diet-work.aspx

Given that there are a number of people in this topic who have admitted that 5:2 worked initially, but then they put the weight back on, I'm not convinced it has legs.

And how many people following every day calorie restriction either fail to get to goal weight or fail to maintain that goal weight long term?
About 90% perhaps? Whatever plan people follow the stats aren't good.

You will find that what works for some doesn't work for other in terms of long term adherence. IF in its various forms is a tool that works really well for some.

The other thing you don't seem to realise that many people who have succeeded with 5:2 have previously failed with the more traditional diets. People like me.

Maybe don't knock it until you have either researched it or tried it?
You are entitled to your opinion of course and it's all good discussion but I do wonder why people take against the various forms of IF.
Is it a fear of hunger? Fear of something that doesn't follow the traditional "3 square meals a day" routine?

herrspoons wrote: »

Given that there are a number of people in this topic who have admitted that 5:2 worked initially, but then they put the weight back on, I'm not convinced it has legs.

If you'd like to compare the adherence and maintenance stats of IF with full-time reduced calorie intake you might see if differently . It's very common to put weight back on after dieting.

I understand. I didn't have headaches or hunger pangs, but I've been dieting for 6 months so I think the headache stage from reduced calories ended back in April. I've never had hunger pangs.

I decided to try high fat today to see how it felt. It's 6pm and I've had 240 calories total of coconut oil and almond butter and I feel fine. I can still have a small meal today. Tomorrow I can eat without logging or like I'm on a diet. It's well worth it to me, especially after 4 months of daily, level calorie restriction, logging everything.

I have been doing 16:8 since mid August and have lost 1lb of a stone! Love it - couldn't recommend it more! I have never been a breakfast lover anyway so I guess that helps but eating within that time period and missing breakfast gives me lower cals for the day so I can still eat normal for the rest of the day without feeling restricted.. best part is I can have the same dinner as everyone else and not feel left out or worrying if we eat out!

Don't get me wrong I have the odd days where maybe on a Sunday mid-morning we will go out for a cafe breakfast but once in a while doesn't hurt!