Intermittent fasting, anyone want to join me?

[achillea]

Anyone watch Horizon last night want to try fasting for weight loss and general health?

www.bbc.co.uk/mobile/iplayer/episode/b01lxyzc

I might try 6 days on and 24 hours off has anyone tried this and does it work?

I have occasionally done this, in fact did it today, but probably shouldn't have, low blood sugar and school shoe shopping are not a good combination!

Info here about 5:2 intermittent diet

Achillea, that study is saying that the benefits of fasting come from the act of fasting NOT from an overall calorie reduction, well in mice at least. So it's the pattern of the eating that's beneficial not just that it results in a reduction of calories.

Thanks for clarifying that Johnny, that was the main point made in the programme I think, but then I couldn't understand why Moseley ended up with two days of 600 cals per day, that's not fasting really, although he did eat it all in one go.

DameEnid thanks for that, I was reading elsewhere that there is evidence that when we reach ketosis, the ketones destroy cancer cells, not sure I believe that (and cancer is not the reason I'm doing this) but I do believe that it is important to give the body the opportunity to repair cells, which it can't do if it's constantly being fed.

I'm really interested in this, - my sister phoned today, she has started doing it, and I'm going to join her (but we need to synchronise so we are fasting at the same time ) - I haven't seen the programme yet, so need to catch up with it.

But I'm very up for chat and mutual support about fasting.

I'd also heard the things about fasting and destroying cancer cells - I've had cancer, and tend to be sceptical about such claims, but I think fasting would be a healthy thing to do, regardless of any possible cancer protection.

I am going to wait until the dcs are back at school and do two days. If I do it while they are around I think it will worry them if I'm suddenly not eating.

I am trying his 5:2 version, with a 500 cal limit in the fasting days. Today is my first fast day!

Wow Leonie, that's great. Did you fast when you started this? The Horizon programme implied that there's something different that happens when you fast that doesn't really happen when you are restricting your calorie intake.

I started yesterday but messed it up I think by splitting the 500 calories into 2 small meals. I am a hungry person and 4 stones overweight but I have to say I love this idea both for its simplicity and health benefits.

I drank lots of water, black coffee and herbal tea yesterday and felt very well indeed with hardly any hunger at all. I felt amazing ! Normal day today then another fast tomorrow.

Good luck to everyone else who tries it :-)

Heffer, the guy on the programme split his up into 2 emals, I dont think thats a problem. Those who follow the UpDayDownDay diet (fasting every other day) split their 500 throughout the whole day. I think as long as its 500 cals in that day, it wont matter a great deal how you split it.

I've always been interested in fasting. I only watched the tail end of the program. 600 cals two days a week seems ok to me. I think the point is that in nature we should be "full" all the time, which we are. I could do with losing maybe 5 pounds, but am in a healthy weight range and bmi. I want to do this mainly for the health benefits. I am going to give it a go today.

Do you need to avoid anything in particular? I have calculated in 4 cups of tea and a portion of chicken curry and brown rice (family tea) later and some melon and that comes in at 599 calories. Don't know if I can do it two days in a row, but could def do it two days put of 7.

I dont think you have to do 2 days in a row, I plan to split mine up (Tuesdays/Thusrdays when the kids go back to school).

Leonie I still can't get over the fact that you lost 3 stone since Christmas. That's fantastic, and exactly the amount I need to lose. I might not clear out my wardrobe after all. I think the thing is to find what suite you because that's how you keep the weight off.

In the program Wolsey fasted for 4 days straight and then went into the 5:2 system. I don't know if that's a crucial thing. It's hard to get info.

www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes/pictures/27182/150-family-dinners-under-500-calories

I'm going to have a look at this later - haven't done yet though, so I don't know if it's any good!

Thanks ILoveStripeySocks :-) I'm doings Tuesdays and Thursdays - one day at home and the other a work day. Glad to hear I can split the calories into two meals. I had two scrambled eggs and a small portion of cottage pie yesterday. Slept really well and so far today I seem to have more self control - haven't snacked this morning which I would do normally.

Early days and have still to contend with THAT monthly thing! :-(