FAO teandthorazine and any other LC and IFers

[londonone]

Hi,

I think teandthorazine you are a low carber and an intermittent faster, really sorry if I have to the wrong person.

Anyway,I have been low carbing bootcamp/bootcamp lite since mid march and have lost 2.5 stone (yay!) and I was thinking of starting to incorporate some intermittent fasting 5:2 type stuff as well. I was wondering if anyone has experience of this, has it been successful and if so how do you do it I.e do you completely fast or just do the 500 cal days like the 5:2 thing.

TIA

The science seems to show that men and women respond to IF in different ways and that it's actually really bad for women. There's a good review of the research here.

"Actually really bad for women" isn't exactly what that article says, though.

From the link: "This study of alternate day fasting included 12 women and 4 men. In eight weeks, body weight decreased by about 10 pounds, and body fat percentage decreased from 45 to 42. Blood pressure decreased, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and traicylglycerol decreased. These people were significantly obese, which limits the results of this study to an obese population."

What is debatable is the usefulness of ADF for women who are of normal weight, or near menopause. But saying it's really bad for women isn't entirely true- it be beneficial, depending on how much weight the person needs to lose.

It also says more studies on women are needed on the subject. Which is true.

It... CAN be beneficial. at "it be beneficial"

I've not really got a chance to read QS's article so will get back to it later. I know there are some theories about IF not being as effective for women - Mark's Daily Apple has a fair bit on this. I agree however that it doesn't say it's 'really bad for women' - just to read the research, be aware of effects and act accordingly. More studies are always needed!

However... I've not found any ill-effects from IF. I'm certainly not experiencing anxiety, insomnia or a disrupted cycle. My previously acne-prone skin is clear as a bell. But then again, I'm not following a set IF plan, which may be a contributing factor.

My way of 'fasting' is simply that I only eat when I'm hungry. It's not a regulated thing, I don't really choose fasting days and I don't starve myself or stretch the fast beyond what I'm comfortable with. When I'm properly fat-adapted (i.e., in ketosis), I find it very easy to go around 16 or more hours without food. I listen to my body - I know what my hunger cues are. If I'm hungry, I eat - if I'm not, I don't. Some days I'm hungrier than others!

I definitely don't count calories - I loathe the whole calorie-counting palaver as I don't believe all calories are created equal and I also think it can lead to some very dodgy eating habits ('I've got 200 calories left over today so I'll have a Mars Bar and then wonder why I'm not losing weight' etc). I find the 5:2 thing interesting from a health POV but it's too regulated for me.

For me IF is fine, but Your Mileage May Vary . I don't find it problematic but I'm pretty well fat-adapted so it's easy. I make sure I eat plenty of fat when I do eat, and drink as much water as possible when fasting. I'm now sitting at a very happy 10stone (in fact am just under this morning!) down from almost 12st. It's low-carb that's really done it for me, IF is really just an added aspect.

Thanks that's really helpful.