is anyone doing this diet for the health benefits rather than to lose weight?

[Merguez]

That's all really.

Swore off diets 10 years ago after doing Atkins ruined my metabolism and I ended up regaining all the weight I'd lost.

And this one seems to have become overcomplicated - too much calorie counting. Boring.

Many of us who have lost the weight continue to do 5:2 for health benefits (and to keep the weight off). It isn't complicated unless you make it so. if you don't want to count calories then don't, just pick 2 days per week where all you have is a light supper. I have 4 or 5 meals that I have counted the calories of, but I don't count them any more as I know what they are. I don't really care if I eat 454 cals or 532 cals on a fast day.

Aside from the proven health benefits, there is the simple fact that I feel better.

But how long have you successfully kept the weight off? Anyone managed it for more than a year?

Given that the documentary only went out last August that is a big ask, but B&W has been doing a form of IF since Jan 2012.

Thanks, FF, but not quite.

I began intermittent fasting (IF) in Feb last year, after reading a couple of articles about it in the Independent and Time magazine.

I lost about 10kg over 8 months - without even trying to lose weight as I didn't know I had any to lose. And I've been maintaining my current weight - 9.1 to 9.4 - since November, by practicing 6:1.

I had some blood tests done after 12 months on IF, which my doctor described as 'perfect'.

Here's my story of this WOL (Way Of Life):

nobreadisanisland.blogspot.co.uk/2012/02/eat-less-live-longer.html

One final note - I can't see me ever having a week when I don't fast. The evidence is overwhelming!

Cheers, B&W

I do 6:1 for the health benefits. I was doing 5:2 but I don't need to lose weight and am conscious that of the dangers of looking haggard when you are too thin and over 40!

It is so easy, I do it on Mondays. I make a big pot of soup and have a bowl for lunch and another for dinner.

Yes am now (have been doin gthis since August last year and maintainin since december ) but also like FF and B&W to keep off what we have lost . I see me doing this for life now, its so easy and I feel really good on it, (of course as ive never had bloods etc done Idont know if its helped and i'll never know if It wil help me live longerthan I would have, but I think it will )

Why not join us on the' maintenance' thread? the focus is more on keeping on track not on losing weight, .

I have been happy within my weight fluctuation range since Mid December

I started in january 13, yes i want to lose weight but hate diets have tried eating better and did lose a bit but slip a bit and it's all back on again. So saw the 5:2 and all the health benifits and since one of the real thing i want to lose the weigh is for the worry about future health. So thought i'd give it a try, 5 months on really easy to do feel great and have lost 1.3 stone.
Plus my father has started total for the health benifits (was found to have high blood pressure) again he's finds it easy feels great and loving the fact hes trousers are fitting him a litte better as they were all getting a little tight.

Yes, I have high blood pressure and cholesterol and have been doing 5:2 since February to see if it will help.

I had some bloods last week and was a bit disappointed that the cholesterol was still high, but am due more tests in September so I will wait until then before making a final judgement.