Fast Diet

I know dieting is probably not a hot topic on this board, but I figured both providers and hobbyists alike stand to benefit, so here goes.

My sister recently told me about the "Fast Diet" which involves fasting (eating 25% of your normal daily calories) once (maintenance model) or twice (for weight loss) a week. On non fast days you can eat what you normally would eat (but don't overeat to compensate for the fast day).

There are also lots of potential health benefits, though in most cases trials have only been done on mice, so there is no scientific proof those benefits will accrue to a human.

I was just on vacation and fasted on travel days and was surprised how easy it was. Never really got hungry as long as I drank lots of water. Obviously, you should read the book and talk to your doctor before starting.

Links if you want to know more

http://thefastdiet.co.uk/

http://www.amazon.com/The-FastDiet-R.../dp/150110201X
mr666's Avatar
  • mr666
  • 07-19-2015, 04:53 PM
I half ass tried this for a month. No difference.
People's bodies are different and they may respond differently. It could be possible that you won't see results after a month, while others could see results immediately. Another possible reason could lie in what "half ass" means.
Oralist's Avatar
I have a friend that went to his doctor and asked for something to help him lose weight. The doctor wrote him a prescription and handed it to him.

"Food x 1/2, exercise x 2".

Tried the prescription. 37 lbs. lost and counting. Goal is 100 lbs
saving money = spending less than income

losing weight = burning more energy than consuming
I fast like that for 5 days, skip 5 weeks then do it again. (not a total fast I eat one small can of tuna, one boiled egg, and one half an apple per day, for an active adult male that is not very many calories but it does make the fast much easier)

It is actually easy to do if you drink plenty of mineral water or lemon water. But by the fifth day you will feel lethargic and weak.

The reason I do it every 5 weeks is because of the health benefits. It sort of resets your glycemic index in your body and helps with weight control.
  • anita
  • 07-20-2015, 04:19 PM
If people want to lose weight, I suggest they eat veggies and fruits only. A bowl of cucumber, lettuce, tomatoes, avocado and bell pepper is as filling as fries and steak. Also, only drink water and tea. Add half hour of workout. You will see results. Diet plans never worked for me.
@Oralist & @Globespotter Obviously that's the best way to lose weight. The point of fasting is it allows those with less will power to lose weight by only changing their habits on 2 out of every seven days

Like @Spear88 mentioned, you will get better results if you chose foods with a low GI on fast days. You also increase the effect of your repair genes when they are activated during the fast

@Anita An unintended consequence of doing the fast diet is that many people start to naturally desire healthy foods like vegetables, i.e. you sneaky trick your brain into liking healthy foods
frankocean187's Avatar
Fasting can only go so far.
Eating only fruits and veggies will not last for most people.
Skipping foods your body needs leads to cravings which are most easily satisfied by cramming donuts, chips, fries, soda etc down your throat. But those foods do not satisfy for long and your cravings take over and you get hungry again quickly.
Eating low GI is a good idea always to keep insulin from spiking as that leads to diabetes/metabolic syndrome.
Weight lost through fasting/restrictive dieting etc is not usually permanently lost. Most people boomerang back, sometimes heavier.

Read:
Big Fat Surprise, Teicholz
Perfect Health Diet, Jaminet
Why We Get Fat and What to Do About It, Taubes
Eat the Yolks, Wolfe

There is more but this will be a good start. It will change the way you look at food and you will no longer crave the shallow promises of junk food.

Eating low GI is a good idea always to keep insulin from spiking as that leads to diabetes/metabolic syndrome.
Weight lost through fasting/restrictive dieting etc is not usually permanently lost. Most people boomerang back, sometimes heavier.


There is more but this will be a good start. It will change the way you look at food and you will no longer crave the shallow promises of junk food. Originally Posted by CycMike
Agreed , quick fixes rarely last long, surgeries and fasting and potions are just that , quick fixes. I've tried slim fast and cabbage soup all that stuff and the weight always came back , I've been doing weight watchers 3 years and have lost 80 pounds and have kept it off and am a lifetime member and feel so much healthier it has changed my relationship with food I can't even stand junk food , I love fruits and veggies and lean meats , plenty of water no cokes and I exercise . I love the way I feel , but while I was trying the quick fixes I felt yucky and sluggish and had zero energy .but that was my experience with it ..
Oralist's Avatar
I found that eating 1/2 the food, but eating what I want, works better for me than Atkins, fasting, etc. Pretty soon your stomach shrinks and you get full with less food. When you go to a restaurant, put 1/2 of it in a To Go box and enjoy the rest.

Another thing that has really helped is eliminating fast food and fried foods. I have always liked veggies, but have added more fruit to my diet.

I cheat a couple of times a week and enjoy a toasted bagel with cream cheese or a nice burger and fries. I get full with 1/2 of the burger and even less fries.
boardman's Avatar
Here's your definitive ECCIE weight loss guide...

http://www.eccie.net/showthread.php?...ghlight=eating
NikkiSecrets's Avatar
Thanks for the info OP. Def going to look into it been trying to diet and exercise a lot lately just can never find the best diet for me.
Your welcome. I was trying to post in a way that was informative without being to preachy. I definitely recommend trying to read the book. If you don't want to buy it, you can drop by a book store read it for 30 minutes to an hour. That should be enough time to know whether or not it's something you want to try.

Thanks for the info OP. Def going to look into it been trying to diet and exercise a lot lately just can never find the best diet for me. Originally Posted by NikkiSecrets