5:2 what happens when you stop?

[frayededges]

a lot of diets don't really work because they are a bit silly-- only eat this or that so that when the dieter reaches ideal weight , they start eating "normally" again and regain the pounds. so what happens when you stop this fasting/eating nonsense oops slip of the typing finger

Wow. Did you work that out all your own? You must be feeling terribly clever.

frayed - what a shame all those silly gerentologists have been studying calorie restriction for years, all those daft scientific papers when they could have been spending their time just being smug!

As 5:2 isn't a diet to lose weight, but rather to improve your health, why would you stop?

Indigo, my mum's doing this diet and losing 2lbs a week so far, which is great. But I think it's a legitimate question - although possibly a thick one, I don't know, may I'm thick - presumably she won't continue to lose 2lbs a week indefinitely? Will she just stop losing weight at some point even if she continues to do 5:2?

Maybe that wasn't clear, sorry - I'm saying, isn't that why you would stop? Because you didn't want to keep losing weight? Lots of people are using it as a diet to lose weight after all, and it works on that basis. But does it also work as a way of life that doesn't involve weight loss?

I think the scientist in the Horizon programme dropped to one day of fasting to maintain weight and health benefits.

Ah, thanks ALN. My mum saw the programme, but I missed it. Good to know.

Ahh that explains why a lady from dancing is fasting one day a week. I haven't seen any programmes on this? She hasn't lost weight though.

So it's supposed to be healthier is it?

It is meant to have significant health benefits - the Horizon programme may still be on iplayer, you should watch it if you are interested.

I think it's meant to help with insulin levels, and help the body repair itself. They have tested mice and found mice that fast are healthier and live longer. Obviously mice are not humans and it is still early days for research...

I am doing it to lose weight and because diabetes and high blood pressure is what kills my family on both sides. I certainly feel I am eating more healthily as a result: much more veg and am losing weight.

thorazine - i am terribly clever and a perfect size 10. are you a bit tetchy?

thanks aboutlastnight i didn't see the programme am intrigued by the change in marker thing. have read around the subject of fasting and what you say makes sense.

The programme can be viewed on You Tube here

I am doing this. I want to lose some weight, and when I get to where I want to be weight-wise I will decrease the frequency of the fasts to stay at the same weight while (hopefully!) still getting some health benefits out of fasting.

Thanks I'll watch it. And thanks OP for drawing my attention to it never mind the snide remarks.