Alternate Day Fasting for 4 Weeks

mifit125
mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
in Motivation and Support
Hi everyone! I am 33 years old, female, 5'7" and 140 lbs. My goal weight is 125 lbs. And, today, I am starting my alternate day fasting to get me there. I've water fasted before randomly for a day of so, and it has been effective at helping me maintain balance in how much I eat overall. Notwithstanding, I am super excited to get this going, so here my stats as follow which I'll update at least once a week:

Day 1 (Feeding Day)

SW: 140 lbs.
GW: 125 lbs.
CW: 140 lbs.
«1

Replies

  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    May I ask what happens after 4 weeks

    Also how many calories are you intending to eat on your feeding day?
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    So how is it going so far?
  • lorrpb
    lorrpb Posts: 11,463 Member
    You are already at an ideal weight for your height. Why do you want achieve such a low weight?
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    @mifit125

    Update?
  • manderson27
    manderson27 Posts: 3,510 Member
    @mifit125

    Any update for us?
  • mifit125
    mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
    edited August 2019
    Alternate day fasting proved to be more difficult to stay consistent with than I anticipated. Here's the exact amount of calories I ate day to day:
    August 5 - 700
    August 6 - 800
    August 7 - 0
    August 8 - 1400
    August 9 - 0
    August 10 - 1400
    August 11 - 0
    August 12 - 1100
    August 13 - 2000
    August 14 - 1000
    August 15 - 950
    August 16 - 3500
    August 17 - 800
    August 18 - 4000
    August 19 - 2000
    August 20 - 6000
    August 21 - 0
    August 22 - 50
    August 23 - 4000
    August 24 - 0
    August 25 - 0
    August 26 - 1500
    August 27 - 0
    August 28 - 0 (so far...)

    My starting weight on August 2nd was 140 lbs. Today, August 28, I'm 135 lbs. So, like I said, it was difficult to stick to in the middle of the month as you can see. So ultimately I didn't end up losing 15 lbs. in a month. I lost a third of that, 5 lbs., and I'm mighty proud of that accomplishment.

    Now, I am trying, as you can see from my calorie logs from August 23 to August 28, to eat on average about 2000 calories, then water fast with electrolytes for two days, and then eat again an average of 2000 calories. I'm combing that with a slow 30 minute jog, followed by 100 squats, 50-100 pushups, 50 ab crunches, 50 back extensions/crunches, and 10/- pullups.

    This is working me so far. I want to meet my goal weight of 125 lbs. soon. And I've got 10 more pounds to burn until I get there. The pathway's not straight and narrow like I thought initially, but I am gonna get to my goal soon enough.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    edited August 2019
    That will have you averaging less than 700 cals per day. That is incredibly unhealthy and certainly not something you should be advertising. Please take better care of yourself and talk to someone if you need to.
  • LyndaBSS
    LyndaBSS Posts: 6,964 Member
    I am very naive when it comes to IF. I do have a question.

    If you're doing IF with alternate days of fasting to lose 15 pounds, when you reach your goal, then go back to a regular eating schedule, aren't you just going to gain that weight back?
  • mifit125
    mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
    pinuplove wrote: »
    mifit125 wrote: »
    Alternate day fasting proved to be more difficult to stay consistent with than I anticipated. Here's the exact amount of calories I ate day to day:
    August 5 - 700
    August 6 - 800
    August 7 - 0
    August 8 - 1400
    August 9 - 0
    August 10 - 1400
    August 11 - 0
    August 12 - 1100
    August 13 - 2000
    August 14 - 1000
    August 15 - 950
    August 16 - 3500
    August 17 - 800
    August 18 - 4000
    August 19 - 2000
    August 20 - 6000
    August 21 - 0
    August 22 - 50
    August 23 - 4000
    August 24 - 0
    August 25 - 0
    August 26 - 1500
    August 27 - 0
    August 28 - 0 (so far...)

    My starting weight on August 2nd was 140 lbs. Today, August 28, I'm 135 lbs. So, like I said, it was difficult to stick to in the middle of the month as you can see. So ultimately I didn't end up losing 15 lbs. in a month. I lost a third of that, 5 lbs., and I'm mighty proud of that accomplishment.

    Now, I am trying, as you can see from my calorie logs from August 23 to August 28, to eat on average about 2000 calories, then water fast with electrolytes for two days, and then eat again an average of 2000 calories. I'm combing that with a slow 30 minute jog, followed by 100 squats, 50-100 pushups, 50 ab crunches, 50 back extensions/crunches, and 10/- pullups.

    This is working me so far. I want to meet my goal weight of 125 lbs. soon. And I've got 10 more pounds to burn until I get there. The pathway's not straight and narrow like I thought initially, but I am gonna get to my goal soon enough.

    Running the numbers, your average interested over 24 days was 1300 calories per day. Your rate of loss indicates a daily deficit of about 750 calories, putting your maintenance at 2050 - seems reasonable given your size and reported activity level.

    Eating 2000 calories every 3 days is NOT reasonable. Be prepared for your exercise performance to suffer and more difficulty with adherence. This course is inadvisable, at best.

    Thanks for that average. 1300 calories per day -- very interesting!
  • mifit125
    mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    That will have you averaging less than 700 cals per day. That is incredibly unhealthy and certainly not something you should be advertising. Please take better care of yourself and talk to someone if you need to.

    I am speaking openly and honestly, not advertising anything. And I'm not going to stop speaking openly and honestly. So, no thanks!
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    mifit125 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    That will have you averaging less than 700 cals per day. That is incredibly unhealthy and certainly not something you should be advertising. Please take better care of yourself and talk to someone if you need to.

    I am speaking openly and honestly, not advertising anything. And I'm not going to stop speaking openly and honestly. So, no thanks!

    Except what you are saying (that you're going to eat a VLCD) is against the TOS of this site.
  • quiksylver296
    quiksylver296 Posts: 28,439 Member
    mifit125 wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    mifit125 wrote: »
    Alternate day fasting proved to be more difficult to stay consistent with than I anticipated. Here's the exact amount of calories I ate day to day:
    August 5 - 700
    August 6 - 800
    August 7 - 0
    August 8 - 1400
    August 9 - 0
    August 10 - 1400
    August 11 - 0
    August 12 - 1100
    August 13 - 2000
    August 14 - 1000
    August 15 - 950
    August 16 - 3500
    August 17 - 800
    August 18 - 4000
    August 19 - 2000
    August 20 - 6000
    August 21 - 0
    August 22 - 50
    August 23 - 4000
    August 24 - 0
    August 25 - 0
    August 26 - 1500
    August 27 - 0
    August 28 - 0 (so far...)

    My starting weight on August 2nd was 140 lbs. Today, August 28, I'm 135 lbs. So, like I said, it was difficult to stick to in the middle of the month as you can see. So ultimately I didn't end up losing 15 lbs. in a month. I lost a third of that, 5 lbs., and I'm mighty proud of that accomplishment.

    Now, I am trying, as you can see from my calorie logs from August 23 to August 28, to eat on average about 2000 calories, then water fast with electrolytes for two days, and then eat again an average of 2000 calories. I'm combing that with a slow 30 minute jog, followed by 100 squats, 50-100 pushups, 50 ab crunches, 50 back extensions/crunches, and 10/- pullups.

    This is working me so far. I want to meet my goal weight of 125 lbs. soon. And I've got 10 more pounds to burn until I get there. The pathway's not straight and narrow like I thought initially, but I am gonna get to my goal soon enough.

    Running the numbers, your average interested over 24 days was 1300 calories per day. Your rate of loss indicates a daily deficit of about 750 calories, putting your maintenance at 2050 - seems reasonable given your size and reported activity level.

    Eating 2000 calories every 3 days is NOT reasonable. Be prepared for your exercise performance to suffer and more difficulty with adherence. This course is inadvisable, at best.

    Thanks for that average. 1300 calories per day -- very interesting!

    Why don't you shoot for that, instead of extreme IF? Much more sustainable for you in the long run.
  • mifit125
    mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
    LyndaBSS wrote: »
    I am very naive when it comes to IF. I do have a question.

    If you're doing IF with alternate days of fasting to lose 15 pounds, when you reach your goal, then go back to a regular eating schedule, aren't you just going to gain that weight back?

    When I reach my goal, I'll be eating at maintenance for my weight. I'll write more on that for sure when I get there. Look forwards to it!
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    quiksylver296 wrote: »
    mifit125 wrote: »
    pinuplove wrote: »
    mifit125 wrote: »
    Alternate day fasting proved to be more difficult to stay consistent with than I anticipated. Here's the exact amount of calories I ate day to day:
    August 5 - 700
    August 6 - 800
    August 7 - 0
    August 8 - 1400
    August 9 - 0
    August 10 - 1400
    August 11 - 0
    August 12 - 1100
    August 13 - 2000
    August 14 - 1000
    August 15 - 950
    August 16 - 3500
    August 17 - 800
    August 18 - 4000
    August 19 - 2000
    August 20 - 6000
    August 21 - 0
    August 22 - 50
    August 23 - 4000
    August 24 - 0
    August 25 - 0
    August 26 - 1500
    August 27 - 0
    August 28 - 0 (so far...)

    My starting weight on August 2nd was 140 lbs. Today, August 28, I'm 135 lbs. So, like I said, it was difficult to stick to in the middle of the month as you can see. So ultimately I didn't end up losing 15 lbs. in a month. I lost a third of that, 5 lbs., and I'm mighty proud of that accomplishment.

    Now, I am trying, as you can see from my calorie logs from August 23 to August 28, to eat on average about 2000 calories, then water fast with electrolytes for two days, and then eat again an average of 2000 calories. I'm combing that with a slow 30 minute jog, followed by 100 squats, 50-100 pushups, 50 ab crunches, 50 back extensions/crunches, and 10/- pullups.

    This is working me so far. I want to meet my goal weight of 125 lbs. soon. And I've got 10 more pounds to burn until I get there. The pathway's not straight and narrow like I thought initially, but I am gonna get to my goal soon enough.

    Running the numbers, your average interested over 24 days was 1300 calories per day. Your rate of loss indicates a daily deficit of about 750 calories, putting your maintenance at 2050 - seems reasonable given your size and reported activity level.

    Eating 2000 calories every 3 days is NOT reasonable. Be prepared for your exercise performance to suffer and more difficulty with adherence. This course is inadvisable, at best.

    Thanks for that average. 1300 calories per day -- very interesting!

    Why don't you shoot for that, instead of extreme IF? Much more sustainable for you in the long run.

    My thoughts exactly.
  • 88olds
    88olds Posts: 4,532 Member
    edited August 2019
    mifit125 wrote: »
    kimney72: Please take better care of yourself and talk to someone if you need to.

    So, no thanks!

    Look at this.
  • missysippy930
    missysippy930 Posts: 2,577 Member
    Isn’t this a VLCD? Against the rules of MFP?
  • pierinifitness
    pierinifitness Posts: 2,226 Member
    Members of the Intermittent Fasting Group do not support unsafe practices and believe there's a kinder and gentler way to support those who are IF enthused. Thank you for very much for your good-intention comments and questions.
  • pinuplove
    pinuplove Posts: 12,871 Member
    edited August 2019
    NVM.
  • mifit125
    mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    @mifit125, consider joining us at the Intermittent Fasting Group here at MFP. It's a tad bit friendlier place at MFP for the IF enthusiast. You'll find us here:

    https://community.myfitnesspal.com/en/group/49-intermittent-fasting

    Wishing you the best, be safe.

    Thanks, will do!
  • mifit125
    mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    Members of the Intermittent Fasting Group do not support unsafe practices and believe there's a kinder and gentler way to support those who are IF enthused. Thank you for very much for your good-intention comments and questions.

    I guess I'm confused, since you keep implying that OP will be better served in the IF Group, but what she is doing is a VLCD. What is "kinder and gentler" than telling OP that her plan is not healthy and asking her to take care of herself? Who here has been unkind, unless you are saying it would be better to be supportive of her plan?

    She's not "IF enthused", she is starving herself for 2 days out of every 3 because she wants to lose weight fast. I'm not sure how to draw any other conclusion than that you are equating being IF enthused to eating well below the recommended calorie level for 4 weeks.

    I hear you -- I ended up not being able to eat so low through the month anyway (though others have been known to do so), and still lost eight pound with a diet averaging more or less around 1000 calories per day.

    I've switched it up somewhat since August 28, using alternate-day fasting with 1800 calories every other day. I can exercise more efficiently and feel more energized this way. And VERY IMPORTANTLY, the weight is coming off.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    mifit125 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    Members of the Intermittent Fasting Group do not support unsafe practices and believe there's a kinder and gentler way to support those who are IF enthused. Thank you for very much for your good-intention comments and questions.

    I guess I'm confused, since you keep implying that OP will be better served in the IF Group, but what she is doing is a VLCD. What is "kinder and gentler" than telling OP that her plan is not healthy and asking her to take care of herself? Who here has been unkind, unless you are saying it would be better to be supportive of her plan?

    She's not "IF enthused", she is starving herself for 2 days out of every 3 because she wants to lose weight fast. I'm not sure how to draw any other conclusion than that you are equating being IF enthused to eating well below the recommended calorie level for 4 weeks.

    I hear you -- I ended up not being able to eat so low through the month anyway (though others have been known to do so), and still lost eight pound with a diet averaging more or less around 1000 calories per day.

    I've switched it up somewhat since August 28, using alternate-day fasting with 1800 calories every other day. I can exercise more efficiently and feel more energized this way. And VERY IMPORTANTLY, the weight is coming off.

    Again, regardless of whether you call it IF or not, or whether you join the IF group or not, averaging @ 1000 calories a day is still under eating. More important than the weight coming off is taking good care of yourself.

    I can only hope that you will be encouraged to eat a healthy amount of food and target less unhealthy weight loss goals in the IF group as well, as it would be unethical IMHO for MFP to allow a private group here promote ideas that would be moderated on the main boards.
  • mifit125
    mifit125 Posts: 18 Member
    kimny72 wrote: »
    mifit125 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    Members of the Intermittent Fasting Group do not support unsafe practices and believe there's a kinder and gentler way to support those who are IF enthused. Thank you for very much for your good-intention comments and questions.

    I guess I'm confused, since you keep implying that OP will be better served in the IF Group, but what she is doing is a VLCD. What is "kinder and gentler" than telling OP that her plan is not healthy and asking her to take care of herself? Who here has been unkind, unless you are saying it would be better to be supportive of her plan?

    She's not "IF enthused", she is starving herself for 2 days out of every 3 because she wants to lose weight fast. I'm not sure how to draw any other conclusion than that you are equating being IF enthused to eating well below the recommended calorie level for 4 weeks.

    I hear you -- I ended up not being able to eat so low through the month anyway (though others have been known to do so), and still lost eight pound with a diet averaging more or less around 1000 calories per day.

    I've switched it up somewhat since August 28, using alternate-day fasting with 1800 calories every other day. I can exercise more efficiently and feel more energized this way. And VERY IMPORTANTLY, the weight is coming off.

    Again, regardless of whether you call it IF or not, or whether you join the IF group or not, averaging @ 1000 calories a day is still under eating. More important than the weight coming off is taking good care of yourself.

    I can only hope that you will be encouraged to eat a healthy amount of food and target less unhealthy weight loss goals in the IF group as well, as it would be unethical IMHO for MFP to allow a private group here promote ideas that would be moderated on the main boards.

    I'm so happy these days -- I feel great and I look great. I couldn't say that a year ago during a job transition that was so stressful that I went from 127 lbs. to 140 lbs. In fact, my weight has been around 123 to 128 lbs. more or less throughout my adult life, so 140 lbs. is very uncomfortable for me, which is why I am trying to get it off as soon as possible. And when the weight finally comes off, I will so gladly look forwards to eating at maintenance. Until then fasting and calorie restriction is the way to go for me.
  • kimny72
    kimny72 Posts: 16,011 Member
    mifit125 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    mifit125 wrote: »
    kimny72 wrote: »
    pierinifitness wrote: »
    Members of the Intermittent Fasting Group do not support unsafe practices and believe there's a kinder and gentler way to support those who are IF enthused. Thank you for very much for your good-intention comments and questions.

    I guess I'm confused, since you keep implying that OP will be better served in the IF Group, but what she is doing is a VLCD. What is "kinder and gentler" than telling OP that her plan is not healthy and asking her to take care of herself? Who here has been unkind, unless you are saying it would be better to be supportive of her plan?

    She's not "IF enthused", she is starving herself for 2 days out of every 3 because she wants to lose weight fast. I'm not sure how to draw any other conclusion than that you are equating being IF enthused to eating well below the recommended calorie level for 4 weeks.

    I hear you -- I ended up not being able to eat so low through the month anyway (though others have been known to do so), and still lost eight pound with a diet averaging more or less around 1000 calories per day.

    I've switched it up somewhat since August 28, using alternate-day fasting with 1800 calories every other day. I can exercise more efficiently and feel more energized this way. And VERY IMPORTANTLY, the weight is coming off.

    Again, regardless of whether you call it IF or not, or whether you join the IF group or not, averaging @ 1000 calories a day is still under eating. More important than the weight coming off is taking good care of yourself.

    I can only hope that you will be encouraged to eat a healthy amount of food and target less unhealthy weight loss goals in the IF group as well, as it would be unethical IMHO for MFP to allow a private group here promote ideas that would be moderated on the main boards.

    I'm so happy these days -- I feel great and I look great. I couldn't say that a year ago during a job transition that was so stressful that I went from 127 lbs. to 140 lbs. In fact, my weight has been around 123 to 128 lbs. more or less throughout my adult life, so 140 lbs. is very uncomfortable for me, which is why I am trying to get it off as soon as possible. And when the weight finally comes off, I will so gladly look forwards to eating at maintenance. Until then fasting and calorie restriction is the way to go for me.

    But you can do fasting and calorie restriction, while eating a healthy amount of calories and losing weight at a reasonable rate.

    I'm glad you feel great now, I hope that continues. It doesn't change the risk factor in your strategy. Some people can treat their bodies badly for 4 weeks or so and get away with it, hopefully you'll be one of the lucky ones. Unfortunately many slightly overweight women fall into cycles of yo yo dieting that they find incredibly difficult to get out of, often due to hormonal imbalance caused by undereating and gradual muscle loss that lowers their BMR and eventually their energy level. Best of luck.

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