Horizon - intermittent fasting diet.

I saw the BBC Michael Mosely Horizon programme. Last summer I did the Dukan diet. lost 2 stone and have now put it back on + more. I eat healthily, have diet days and it makes no difference. Classic yo yo dieter age 60. Is there any hope for me, could fasting help or will I never learn ?

I think I will stick to Slimming World.

Years ago Weight Watcher had a follower who suggested people followed her plan, I think it was called Wendy Plan but dont quote me.... she suggested instead of having your weekly points spread evenly over the week you should shake it up a little and have a really high point day then a very low ... cant remember the details but her reason was that it shook up your metabolism by making things work harder on the high point day. I am going to have a look and see if I can find it.

Here it is

www.wendie-plan.com/about.html

So I suppose it runs along the same basic theory.

Trishs: Muscle loss in arms? Tell me about it. In my case those droopy, hanging bits of skin are nothing to do with too little protein. Gentle yet persistent working out with weights machines at the gym and hand weights at home is well on its way to curing the problem. Now I need a solution for my tum!
Have you noticed how summer dresses accentuate all the bad bits?

snailspeak: Fortunately my upper arms don't look too bad, so I am happy to expose them, but I just have very little strength. I'm going back to see the physio soon to ask for some new exercises for my quads and upper arms. Many years ago I used to use a few of the machines at the gym but I haven't been anywhere near fit enough to even contemplate trying anything that's there now! A few months ago I could barely lift the duvet when I was in bed, and even now I am unable to pull my swimsuit on myself, but I can at least reach to peg the washing on the clothes line again As for summer dresses, I have to go for the lagenlook, long skirts or loose trousers under shorter lengths to hide my mishapen legs.

I been watching the Hairy Bikers Diet programme and it seems so much easier than other diets - and simple. I hope they bring out a cook book soon - or perhaps they already have. I love Nigella's cooking but diet recipes they ain't!

I agree, they really show how to halve the calories and still eat well. They're so real-life about losing weight, too. Nice to see how they struggle with will-power like the rest of us

I've just realised, I've being doing this fasting thing for years! It hasn't done a thing for my weight though?

I received my Hairy Dieters book today. There are some tasty recipes, made using methods I have used for years. I have used cabbage leaves in the way they use leek sheets for lasagne. Another substitute I use for pasta is cooked shredded white cabbage instead of spaghetti with home made pasta sauce. Spray oil is easier than brushing, and all my bechamel type sauces are fat free, thickened with cornflour.

Having a 500 calorie day today, just eaten the lot for lunch - wholegrain bagel with turkey and loads of watercress and salad, then one Weetabix and 8 cherries. I won't be eating again till tomorrow morning, I'll let you know how it goes!

shysal Good luck with the calorie counting, you will need a lot of will power.

Shysal - it's only midday!

I now realize that the point of the Horizon programme was more about preserving the presenters organs and health than losing weight. As he said, he wasn't exactly fat before and so that was a bonus. Perhaps intead of doing the classic women thing of obsessing about our weight , we should be doing it for our blood pressure, cholestral, mental health and longevity. That seems much more positive. it makes me hungry just thinking about dieting!
SO I will do the 2 day fast for 2 months and see how it works , Hmm must go and get lunch ( tuna sandwhich, salad, peaches ). Oh no! going to a BBQ tonight. I'll start fasting next week.

trishs: So sad about your problems. My upper arms seem to be an age thing that has only just hit me or that I have only just noticed. I have never been one to diet and stayed a perfect size 12 until just a few years ago. Think I must be under-doing the physical work around the house and garden in favour of a good book and the odd ! My saggy upper arms would be improved by increased fat but that would mean increased weight. Aah!
Anyone else got the same problems eg upper arms and tum?

Missed the bit about your swimsuit, Trishs. What's that? AND pulling it on yourself ..... now that is something.

I was sunbathing in a bikini the day I gave birth! (It never fitted again - don't know why - lol.) Then I hit about 40 and my husband seemed to suggest that my bikini days were gone. Thank goodness for tankinis but pulling on my swimsuits is a bit of a tug, I have to admit. I am currently settling for a very strappy sundress as I sun myself on the patio.

albertine - I too am a serial dieter. We know any diet works if you stick to it, but as soon as we stop the weight gradually piles back on. I was impressed with the health benefits of the fasting diets, which is why I am giving it a go. I dread the thought of developing type 2 diabetes or heart disease.

shysal Go for it. I think doing the fasting diet would be a good idea and is the way forward for me too. I fear chronic ill health in my third age but I also don't want to die before my time ! Like you I found the evidence compelling so will do it. Good luck.

I have not eaten since having 500 calories at 11am yesterday, and I can honestly say I don't feel at all hungry. I will probably have an early lunch. In an odd way it was easier to eat nothing, I did not once stand and look into the fridge as is my normal practice.
I haven't decided when to do it again, twice a week probably, but alternate days seems possible. I wish my book would arrive so that I can make an informed choice. Unfortunately Amazon's estimated date is August 28th.

I was fascinated by the programme and the evidence for the intermittent fasting. My only anxiety about doing it myself is on the grounds of age. Michael Mosley is 51 and I am 65. Does jeni perhaps have a view on the age issue?

Did you sleep OK shysal? I would worry about that - it doesn't take much to knock my sleep pattern off track.

Anagram, That was my worry, which is why I decided to go from part way through the day. I really felt no hunger pangs at all and slept really well, it was more a question of it feeling odd not preparing my evening meal, so I went for a walk instead. I expected to feel greedy today, but I have only had a couple of small ham salad sandwiches and a pear a few minutes ago,and that was enough. I was 3lb lighter this morning, what a pity it is not a true weight loss at this stage!

That's good news anyway - I expect your stomach has shrunk a bit and feels full quicker!

Are you allowed coffee on fast days ?

I can't quite remember albertine, you would have to check on the iplayer. I vaguely recollect a mention of green tea and possibly black coffee, but the emphasis was on lots of water. I am not a tea or coffee drinker so stuck to my usual water throughout the day.
I found an on-line interview with Dr Krista Varady, who featured in the TV programme.
www.healthyfellow.com/511/alternate-day-fasting-interview-part-1/

What was the programme called? Is it still on iplayer? I saw the last minute or so by accident but assumed it was a repeat. I'm a great believer in ayurvedic medicine which advocates fasting, and think that home made organic chicken soup with lots of vegetables and garlic, along with black pepper, ginger and turmeric is the thing to eat on fasting days, Having said that I've completely gone to pot this year, finding myself eating rubbish food and too much of it which is a downward spiral because eating badly makes you feel tired and when you feel tired you eat. Years ago I did a sponsored fast and by about the third day I wasn't all that bothered about food at all. When I used to get my 'once every couple of months' migraines [always on a Saturday, never a work day] I always felt better the day afterwards, as if my whole body had been cleansed. [Must point out that they weren't the awful migraines that some people suffer; I wouldn't wish them on anyone, but more a build up of tension over a period of time]. At the moment I'm just trying to eat soup because I'm getting close to needing to take omeprazole of something and I want to give my tummy a bit of a holiday. And I'm drinking far too much tea and coffee and not enough water.

Yes, it is still on iplayer. The programme, on BBC2, was Horizon - Eat, fast and live longer
I have now decided that I will do the Alternate Day Fasting method. I am well into my non-fasting day, but haven't thought about eating much, which is great. I am normally a bit of a grazer but not doing it today.
The programme mentioned that most over 65 year olds take 8 types of medicine. I am very lucky to be on none, and wish to stay that way.