topic Re: 2 day fast per week............ in Wellness

2 day fast per week............

granddi — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 15:51:01 GMT

I just heard a report that there are benifits to fasting 2 days per week. Not only weight loss but improvement in blood sugar. The report featured a lady that had lost over 100 lbs over 18 months by a 200 calorie fast 2x per week. She says she now has increased her fasting days to 350 calories and has maintained the weight loss.

The studies show that people that do this do not benge on the regular food days. Lady said she had tried all types of weight loss diets and always gained it back. This diet was good for her bc she did not feel deprived.

Husband and I used to do South Beach with weekends off and had success. I think I would prefer 2 day fast. Any experiences?

Re: 2 day fast per week............

PinkyPetunia — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 16:08:21 GMT

Easier said than done IMO. Have you ever tried to fast all day? It's not easy. I've had to fast on the day before that bowel scope thing (can't remember name now) and I could have clear liquids, broth, non-red jello and applesauce.

I did it but it was not easy and knew it was just one day in 5 years. I don't think I could do it 2 days a week and I certainly do need to lose weight.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

Annabellethecat66 — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 16:36:01 GMT

@granddi About 1 1/2 years ago I saw a whole TV show about this. This person was British and he came over here to study the various methods scientists are using to study health and weight loss.

It was fascinating. The end of the program showed him back at home in England cooking. He said (although it would be difficult) one of the most fascinating things he got from this was how the body was able to 'reset' itself into a healthier form when a person would fast for two days (forget how often). He said he intended to try to do that.

He wrote a book about it. It was on the Science channel. He interviewed various people trying different things. These were studies done by controlled methods.

I remember one woman would take various people and have them fast for a few days. When the started eating again, they didn't over eat like people think they would. They were allowed to eat all of the fast food they wanted. They didn't over eat.

They had one guy who ate only raw food, nothing cooked.

I'll try to find this book or video....

I'm not interested in trying it but it sounds interesting.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

hckynut — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 17:10:53 GMT

When I was running Road Races almost every weekend, I would do "liquids only" either a day or 2 before the Run. Did I lose weight? Beats me, I never checked. I do know it made me feel better mentally and physically before and during the Race.

As the late Dr. George Sheehan, the Running Cardiologist said, and I agree,

"I have been at the finish line of hundreds of races and I have seen many a runner get sick. I have never seen a runner cross the finish line and die from starvation".

If you are looking to give your digestive tract a break, go for it. Permanent fat/weight loss? Me? I would look more at my lifestyle.

hckynut(john)

Re: 2 day fast per week............

willdob3 — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 17:18:56 GMT

Personally, attempting to fast with just a few hundred calories on the fasting day has been difficult. Eating that small amount makes my body want more & I feel hungry and miserable.

Doing a true, full fast (zero calories) for 24 hours or longer is much easier for me. No hunger, no cooking, no thinking about food! I feel good and enjoy it.

On my non-fast days I eat very healthy, no junk.

I have not not been fasting recently but am planning to add it back in on a regular basis. There are many health benefits & they are a better reason to fast than simple weight loss is. There are lots of ways to lose weight.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

hckynut — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 18:57:41 GMT

@PinkyPetunia wrote:
Easier said than done IMO. Have you ever tried to fast all day? It's not easy. I've had to fast on the day before that bowel scope thing (can't remember name now) and I could have clear liquids, broth, non-red jello and applesauce.

I did it but it was not easy and knew it was just one day in 5 years. I don't think I could do it 2 days a week and I certainly do need to lose weight.

@PinkyPetunia

I think the word you are looking for might be Colonoscopy. In 2008 I was in the hospital for a bleeding Right Colon. During that time I had 5 Colonoscopies and 2 Double Balloon Enteroscopies(same procedure, longer and High Definition Scope).

For 17 straight days I was placed on what the hospital and doctor called "A Clear Liquid Diet". During that time, the day prior to each Colonoscopy, I had to drink a gallon of GoLytely, a digestive tract cleanser".

Lost a lot of weight, which I didn't need from my already slim body. Fasting I will take anytime over drinking another gallon of GoLytely or NuLytely. At this point in 2016, I have drank over 15 gallons of this prep. Fasting for a few days is nothing.

These are some of my experiences with fasting. Hospital menu for me then? Apple Juice and Orange Jello, that was it.

hckynut(john)

Re: 2 day fast per week............

country gal — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 18:15:57 GMT

@granddi wrote:
I just heard a report that there are benifits to fasting 2 days per week. Not only weight loss but improvement in blood sugar. The report featured a lady that had lost over 100 lbs over 18 months by a 200 calorie fast 2x per week. She says she now has increased her fasting days to 350 calories and has maintained the weight loss.

The studies show that people that do this do not benge on the regular food days. Lady said she had tried all types of weight loss diets and always gained it back. This diet was good for her bc she did not feel deprived.

Husband and I used to do South Beach with weekends off and had success. I think I would prefer 2 day fast. Any experiences?

I think I heard the same report on NBC Nightly News this week. I have recently started something similar..it's called the "Every Other Day Diet" or "The Alternate-Day Diet". Both have books of the same titles describing the technique involved. You can Google these titles and read excerpts from the books. Basically, I just eat normal, but healthy, one day and the next day I try to eat 500 calories or less. My Dr. had put me on his "Good Food" diet after finding my cholesterol was high, so I had already rid my diet of a lot of unhealthy things and began eating more vegetables ( not starchy), fruits, fat free milk, cheese, ice cream, less red meat and more chicken and fish. When I heard about the "EOD Diet", I decided to try it too, and have found it very easy to do. I simply drink more water on the 500 calorie days and usually have apples, berries, nuts, red, orange, & yellow peppers, etc. throughout the day and have a spinach salad with some grilled chicken for my evening meal. I vary this to keep from getting bored, of course, but I have never felt deprived. I had lost 2 lbs. the last time I was weighed at my Dr's office. It may not seem like much, but I only need to lose about 20 lbs. I don't even own a scale, but I can tell by the way my clothes fit whether my weight is up or down. I know I feel better after starting to eat this way. HTH

Re: 2 day fast per week............

151949 — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 18:27:33 GMT

Fasting is absolutely not healthy especially for diabetics. No halfway decent physician would recommend that. People can easily die from too low a blood sugar.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

country gal — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 19:10:53 GMT

@151949 wrote:
Fasting is absolutely not healthy especially for diabetics. No halfway decent physician would recommend that. People can easily die from too low a blood sugar.

I don't believe anyone here said they were diabetic. My DH is so I cook for him as he should eat ... he does not do the "Every Other Day Diet" as I do. Just to clarify.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

151949 — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 19:37:21 GMT

@country gal wrote:
@151949 wrote:
Fasting is absolutely not healthy especially for diabetics. No halfway decent physician would recommend that. People can easily die from too low a blood sugar.
I don't believe anyone here said they were diabetic. My DH is so I cook for him as he should eat ... he does not do the "Every Other Day Diet" as I do. Just to clarify.

The OP stated it was a way to get blood sugar under control.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

willdob3 — Sat, 09 Apr 2016 23:59:22 GMT

@151949 wrote:
@country gal wrote:
@151949 wrote:
Fasting is absolutely not healthy especially for diabetics. No halfway decent physician would recommend that. People can easily die from too low a blood sugar.
I don't believe anyone here said they were diabetic. My DH is so I cook for him as he should eat ... he does not do the "Every Other Day Diet" as I do. Just to clarify.
The OP stated it was a way to get blood sugar under control.

OP is correct - assuming current research is right. But, like with everything, one does need to know what one is doing.

Among other things, it is also said to help with insulin resistance. Of course, anyone on medication for anything should know to check with their doctor and be careful.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

MomCat — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 11:54:24 GMT

I've seen a lot lately on fasting diets, and it's clearly not for the masses. I'm not sure I understand why it's being promoted since I'm sure most think it's ridiculous. There are days I eat smaller amounts and am not hungry, but I contribute that to my regular diet. The more you cut sugar, the less food you require on a daily basis. I lost significant pounds years ago and since I stick to more of a grazing way of eating, with an occasional large meal at gatherings, I have no problem with extra weight. It also helps to stay occupied with activities in your life too. I'm not someone who wants to spend time thinking about food. If I try to do something out of routine, that takes up too much brain space for me. Ha!

Re: 2 day fast per week............

Ms X — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 12:00:04 GMT

I would never consider fasting. As for its effect on blood sugar, I don't know about that. I have read articles about how cutting out carbs for a couple of days does the same. That sure beats fasting. I wouldn't recommend either without checking with a doctor or nutritionist.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

emma bunting — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 14:23:22 GMT

@MomCat wrote:
I've seen a lot lately on fasting diets, and it's clearly not for the masses. I'm not sure I understand why it's being promoted since I'm sure most think it's ridiculous. There are days I eat smaller amounts and am not hungry, but I contribute that to my regular diet. The more you cut sugar, the less food you require on a daily basis. I lost significant pounds years ago and since I stick to more of a grazing way of eating, with an occasional large meal at gatherings, I have no problem with extra weight. It also helps to stay occupied with activities in your life too. I'm not someone who wants to spend time thinking about food. If I try to do something out of routine, that takes up too much brain space for me. Ha!

I think it's being promoted because there's a lot of research out there that fasting...or severly restricting calories.......actually leads to longer life span. So it's not just good for losing weight......but maybe for overall health.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

sfnative — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 19:11:17 GMT

Could never do this: I'd have the biggest migraine flares ever.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

muttmom — Sun, 10 Apr 2016 19:44:06 GMT

@granddi

I saw a segment on NBC News. I thought it was interesting.

While it may not be for everyone, I've known a number of people who fast at least one day a week.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

Anonymous — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:22:17 GMT

This post has been removed by QVC baiting

Re: 2 day fast per week............

violann — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 12:58:08 GMT

I was diagnosed with prediabetes and prehypetension about 5 years ago, and after some trial and error, learned that eating a well planned very nutritious meal once a day, for me, in the evening, allowed me to lose 85 pounds and restore my blood chemistry and blood pressure to normal.

I've also been able to maintain my improvements for 2 years.

At my age, all this has worked very well for me, but I never recommend my lifestyle to anyone else BECAUSE- we are ALL DIFFERENT.

I did a great deal of research during my start up days, and chose eating strategies that complemented my prior ups and downs with eating disorders and obesity. I read a pile of reseach. If something didn't to help, I discarded it.

Happy with what I do for myself!

Re: 2 day fast per week............

Trinity11 — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 14:56:45 GMT

@151949 wrote:
Fasting is absolutely not healthy especially for diabetics. No halfway decent physician would recommend that. People can easily die from too low a blood sugar.

Fasting is not going to kill a diabetic. Plenty of diabetics need to fast for a colonoscopy and don't die. A too low blood sugar? All they need to do is adjust medication if they are not eating. A physician can help the patient do just that.

It shocks me that being a nurse you are unaware of that fact.

Re: 2 day fast per week............

Trinity11 — Mon, 11 Apr 2016 15:26:54 GMT

@violann wrote:
I was diagnosed with prediabetes and prehypetension about 5 years ago, and after some trial and error, learned that eating a well planned very nutritious meal once a day, for me, in the evening, allowed me to lose 85 pounds and restore my blood chemistry and blood pressure to normal.

I've also been able to maintain my improvements for 2 years.

At my age, all this has worked very well for me, but I never recommend my lifestyle to anyone else BECAUSE- we are ALL DIFFERENT.

I did a great deal of research during my start up days, and chose eating strategies that complemented my prior ups and downs with eating disorders and obesity. I read a pile of reseach. If something didn't to help, I discarded it.

Happy with what I do for myself!

Congratulations!! Just a question. Are you hungry during the day? Or have you trained yourself to just have water or tea or coffee? I was wondering if this works so well for you because you don't have the constant question of what to eat. That's the hard part about food....the numerous choices and staying within a range of calories everyday. I struggle with consistency....