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Author Topic: Alternate Day Fasting  (Read 75710 times)

giniboz

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Alternate Day Fasting
« on: August 11, 2012, 07:59:38 AM »

I'm trying this new way of eating, called alternate day fasting, and wondered if anyone else has tried this?  Basically I've developed (like a lot of other ladies on here) an unattractive, bloated tummy and despite lots of agonising sit-ups and generally trying to up my exercise, it just won't budge  >:(   Last week I saw a documentary about this alternate day fasting, where a chap tried it for a few weeks, and not only did he lose weight, but also cut his chance of certain cancers by roughly 50% (prostate, breast etc.)  He had a lot of prostate cancer in his family, so he was really pleased.  As breast cancer is in my family (so no HRT for me  :( it seems like a good idea.

Basically you eat normally for one day, and then the next day you consume roughly 20% of your normal calorie intake, the doc on the programme suggested about 400 calories or so, for women, so say a small sandwich and a couple of bits of fruit.  And that's it. Black coffee, tea, water etc. allowed also. The following day you go back to eating normally - they even suggested that you could eat rubbish on your 'feast' days, as long as you follow it with a 'fast' day.  I started on Tuesday, and have kept to it rigidly (OH also trying it too).  So far we haven't really felt too deprived on the fast days, as it's only for 24 hours!

According to the scales I have lost 1lb already (and it's day 5) so it seems to be working.  Anybody else trying this 'lifestyle choice'?  And if so, is it working for you?
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gilaray

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #1 on: August 11, 2012, 08:44:13 AM »

I saw that programme too. Im also going to give it a go
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Taz2

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #2 on: August 11, 2012, 08:54:21 AM »

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Skylark

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #3 on: August 11, 2012, 11:21:47 AM »

I saw that programme, too.  You're right, Mrs. P., I don't think anyone with existing metabolic disorders like diabetes and thyroid should try this but in any case it's probably wise just to confirm with a G.P. that it's okay to try if you intend to do this on a long-term basis.  By its very nature, it puts your body's systems under a certain amount of stress and all the participants on the programme were being regularly monitored by specialists.

It was interesting, none-the-less, to see how the programme's presenter responded, but he was by his own admission, overweight to begin with and any loss of weight however you do it will have a beneficial effect on glucose levels and future cancer risk.
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jax

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #4 on: August 11, 2012, 11:52:00 AM »

I would be inclined to just cut my intake everyday from 1400 to 1000 everyday??1 day on, 1 day off seems a bit radical ??? :o
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CLKD

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #5 on: August 11, 2012, 12:31:09 PM »

Jax - my initial thoughts.  We are hunter gathers so would not eat on a regular basis anyway 'in the wild'  ::).  Cutting down what we put on our plates makes a difference, we are what we eat.  Also as oestrogen levels drop off muscles all over the body become lax and there is NOTHING we can do about those.  It's Nature  ::) ......... regular exercise however means that our internal organs get the exercise we require as well as the outer levels.

If one already feels OK why risk making ourselves ill because of a programme we saw on TV?  If the body diets too quickly then it begins to eat itself  :o  ..........  as for my blood sugar levels well I weigh just under 8st - having been between 6-7 and a half since 1972 until 4 years ago.  If I cut down too much I begin to feel dizzy, nauseious and my anxiety levels rise, fast.

Even those cultures which fast for religious purposes eat at night time  ;)
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Taz2

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #6 on: August 11, 2012, 12:39:22 PM »

It seems as if the purpose of alternate day fasting is not just to lose weight. It has overall health benefits  apparently. This article is about three years old http://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-1230347/Feast-famine-The-diet-wont-just-help-lose-weight-youll-live-longer-brainier.html   

I would be worried about my concentration on the fasting days especially while driving long distances and I am not sure how I would cope at work either. When I am hungry I feel very spaced out.

Taz x
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CLKD

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #7 on: August 11, 2012, 12:40:19 PM »

I feel spaced out at times too .......... usually due to the busy dreams I've had in the night.  I think hydration is important during these types of 'diet' too.  Otherwise the body soon gives up.  Also, we can be de-hydrated and think we are hungry  ;)
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giniboz

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #8 on: August 11, 2012, 04:39:21 PM »

Thanks for the link Taz2, really interesting.  I am currently 10 1/2 stone, and should be 9 stone ideally for my height - that's when I feel really good.  I'm fairly fit, but am getting so fed up with carrying this extra stone and a half around, that I'm going to give it a shot for a few weeks and see how it goes.  So far, I have not really felt starving hungry on the 'fast' days, and apart from the odd tummy rumble late in the evenings, feel fine!  (Do miss a nice glass of wine tho...)

I do appreciate it's not for everyone, and it's a good idea to check with the GP first if you have concerns. 
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CLKD

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #9 on: August 11, 2012, 05:11:51 PM »

Well, alcohol is known for putting weight on.  When Himself decided to diet 2-3 years ago he cut out cider and lager and lost weight easily.  Then the "I'll have a bottle of wine" type conversation interuppted his Good Intentions and before you know it  ::)
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pixie

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #10 on: August 11, 2012, 05:39:13 PM »

I saw the programme and not sure I could follow the diet on alternate days, however, I thought what he did was better, eating normally for 5 days, then fasting for 1 or 2.  It was interesting to note that the nerves went into repair mode if hunger was there, therefore cell renewal more likely to take place.  Also that too much protein stopped this process.  I would be more inclined to go on a fast for a day  to begin with and because realistically I could not maintain, it, would consider eating more fruit and vegetables cutting my protein and calories by about 500 and eating smaller portions.  I think the main message there was over eating is a killer! ;)
I try to keep to the 'eat well plate' and have a balanced diet.
« Last Edit: August 11, 2012, 05:47:31 PM by pixie »
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pj44

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #11 on: August 11, 2012, 05:50:18 PM »

I saw the proggramme and it did seem like a very good idea.  I thought i might try it, but as i have very bad pmt which is near enough all the time now i'd hate to think how i would be on the fasting day. I have to eat every 3 hours or i might kill someone my temper at times is dreadful and i'm just so hungry all the time. I want to lose some weight as this eating all the time is getting silly now. But think i need to wait untill i'm past this crap stage.
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pixie

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #12 on: August 11, 2012, 05:56:24 PM »

They did cover themselves by saying that you should be healthy consult a doctor before trying this fasting.  I was amazed at that 101 year old fella running the marathon.  He had eaten small portions of punjabi diet all his life. 
Its interesting to find out that the best nutrition we had was during the war, when everything was rationed!  :)
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CLKD

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #13 on: August 11, 2012, 09:28:41 PM »

Do we not 'fast' overnight?  :-\
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zelda

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Re: Alternate Day Fasting
« Reply #14 on: August 12, 2012, 12:52:35 PM »

I think it sounds excellent, especially for those who want to cut down on tablets because it improves blood pressure and lowers cholesterol.
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