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Dieting & exercise

Horizon - intermittent fasting diet.

(165 Posts)
shysal Tue 07-Aug-12 13:08:47

Did anyone see the Horizon programme last night? I was very impressed with the health benefits shown, as well as the weight loss. I would recommend anybody concerned about their health as they age to watch on iplayer. There are several patterns of 'fasting' that were mentioned. I thought the alternate day one might suit me. You eat 500 calories (600 for men) on the fast day and anything you like on the next, and so on. I have ordered a book from Amazon and I will let you know how I get on! cupcake

Annobel Tue 07-Aug-12 18:01:17

The presenter had a good breakfast on his fast day. I don't think I could do without breakfast - ever!

Anagram Tue 07-Aug-12 18:07:31

Surely you can't eat anything and as much as you want on non-fast days?
hmm

whitewave Tue 07-Aug-12 18:27:05

what happens if you get the wobbles? can you just get through it without eating.

Ariadne Tue 07-Aug-12 18:30:27

So - no wine? (she says raising her glass)

Anagram Tue 07-Aug-12 18:36:54

Well, it sounds as though you can drink winewinewine all the time on non-fasting days! grin

Grannylin Tue 07-Aug-12 18:49:01

Think I must be on a non -fasting day today, then. I blame Sir Chris Hoywinewine wine

susiecb Wed 08-Aug-12 09:41:51

I think I could do a fasting day if I had fat free yogurt and banana forbrekkie then homemade veg soup all through the day - small cup every few hours. Might try that!

whitewave Wed 08-Aug-12 10:54:48

just watched the programme last night and it seems one of the ideas is to restrict your protein intake so it would seem a fruit and veg day is the better option. Mind you it comes with a warning that the idea is still in the trial stage.

Sort of trying it today

black tea and 1/2 melon for breakfast also a cup of skimmed milk coffee made with water and topped.
thought I would have a late lunch/early dinner of courgette pasta with a sprinkle of parmesan I think that really takes me over the 500cal target but from little acorns!

Might have another go on Saturday that will be my 2 days for the week. Not sure really if they are supposed to be after each other.
I will however try and be sensible for the other days and not go mad.

Bags Wed 08-Aug-12 11:09:52

Chuckle. I read the title thread as "Horizontal dieting" initially! I do a lot of that.

When I'm asleep.

Anagram Wed 08-Aug-12 11:27:12

grin

shysal Wed 08-Aug-12 11:50:36

susiecb - sorry but you have to consume all your 500 calories in one go, can't spread it throughout the day! I suppose it is more like fasting then. Of course cutting down on calories must be beneficial however it is acheived. I just feel eating nothing may be easier than eating less, no chance of cheating! cupcake

whitewave Wed 08-Aug-12 11:51:54

I'm starving!

goldengirl Wed 08-Aug-12 12:01:57

Oh gawd! Another fad. I'm off to have a nice poached egg on white tiger bread followed by easiyo yogurt and a cup of tea. I'm sure portions on a smaller plate are just as good rather than messing about with the digestive system.

I'm having a grump day today, I think!

whitewave Wed 08-Aug-12 12:07:55

right poached egg it is

Mishap Wed 08-Aug-12 16:50:40

Fasting gives me terrible heartburn so I won't be trying it!

Frankel Wed 08-Aug-12 22:13:16

About 10 years ago, I lost 3 stone over about 12 months, counting calories and using a low fat diet [mainly Rosemary Conley's 'Low Fat Cookbook']. I had to do something after discovering that I was bordering on obesity - while trying to squeeze into a black tie and jacket on New Year's Eve smile. After losing weight, I started jogging but exercise hasn't done much for my weight - except when training for a marathon. This 'Horizon' fasting diet sounds interesting but I am sold on counting calories - it takes self control [sometimes lacking] but it works pretty well for me and it pushes me towards a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetable.

trishs Thu 09-Aug-12 00:14:42

Mishap, that's what I imagine it would do to me too, like I said earlier, on account of the medication and supplements I take which need to accompany food. Also, I'm a bit sceptical about cutting out protein entirely on a fast day. From what I've been reading lately there's a good chance that a lot of us aren't actually getting enough protein as it is! I worry that this could be part of what is causing muscle loss in my arms as I get older.

Anagram Thu 09-Aug-12 15:19:52

Oh dear, I see the Gransnet Newsletter has attributed your post about sometimes thinking you could live on fruit, Annobel, to me! confused

geekygran Thu 09-Aug-12 15:59:17

It's not a fad diet see

The effects of intermittent or continuous energy restriction on weight loss and metabolic disease risk markers: a randomised trial in young overweight women

Randomised comparison of a 25% energy restriction as IER (~2266 kJ/day for 2 days/week) or CER (~6276 kJ/day for 7 days/week) in 107 overweight or obese (mean [±SD] body mass index 30.6 [±5.1] kg/m2) premenopausal women over 6 months.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3017674/

N.B. this study done with pre-menopausal women

Annobel Thu 09-Aug-12 16:18:53

Demand an apology, Anagram!

Anagram Thu 09-Aug-12 16:21:10

Er...I rather thought you'd want one Anno! grin

Anagram Thu 09-Aug-12 16:22:08

But I'll take the rap if you prefer.....wink

Grannylin Thu 09-Aug-12 16:27:14

www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-18770328
This is interesting- see how you measure up to the rest of the world!

Annobel Thu 09-Aug-12 16:28:29

I've emailed them to correct their attribution, but if you don't care, I don't.

Anagram Thu 09-Aug-12 16:41:04

Well, according to that, Grannylin, I'm most like someone from Rwanda! confused