ADF - A diet that works and is good for your health!

ADF - A diet that works and is good for your health!

Author
Discussion

Carl_Spackler

2,647 posts

189 months

Wednesday 3rd October 2012
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tyrewrecker said:
Not lost weight
Odd
You haven't seen me on my "normal" days!

Nom nom nom.....

I understand the main point in this is allowing your body to heel/repair as your giving it a break from protein, etc, weight loss being a nice benefit.

I might have lost some weight, but I don't weigh myself, just judge using a mirror and my clothes, I don't think I'm looking any thinner and my clothes fit the same.






BuzzLightyear

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

183 months

Friday 5th October 2012
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Day 5 today and the 2nd "reduced calory" day, for me.

I'm resisting the urge to weigh myself too often but I do feel like I may have dropped a little weight.

I have also just done my 2nd bi-weekly gym visit and am starting to find I can do a bit longer on the treadmill etc and a bit more weight on the machines although this is also part of my general program - gradually increasing reps or weights (or both?).

I am feeling quite hungry atm and only have some soup to look forward to at lunchtime but hey-ho, I guess it will take a little while for my body to get used to these days as I usually eat quite heartily (but mostly healthily).

Anyone else wanna share...?

tori

1,729 posts

182 months

Friday 12th October 2012
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5Kg down, healing rate increased, skin looks better, clothes baggier and oooh, wallet fatter. This alternate fasting thing is fantastic!

parapaul

2,828 posts

199 months

Sunday 14th October 2012
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It seems that I've been inadvertently doing this for over a year now. When I split up with my wife I knew I needed to lose weight, so decided rather than eating 3 meals a day just because it was 'mealtime', I would eat when I was hungry.

In the space of a couple of weeks it settled into a pattern where some days I would have a small, late breakfast, then not feel hungry until teatime, when another small meal would be enough to get me through till bedtime.

Other days I'm ravenous and will happily eat 3 large meals.

In 12 months, I lost nearly 3 stone, 4 inches off my waist and probably the same from my chest. I feel energetic and healthy, I haven't even had a cold in the last year or so. If this is a recognised way of eating better (or less), then I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I haven't ever felt like I was dieting, quite the opposite in fact. By eating what my body was telling me I needed, rather than what society and habit were dictating, I feel much more in control.

Hoofy

76,408 posts

283 months

Sunday 14th October 2012
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parapaul said:
It seems that I've been inadvertently doing this for over a year now. When I split up with my wife I knew I needed to lose weight, so decided rather than eating 3 meals a day just because it was 'mealtime', I would eat when I was hungry.

In the space of a couple of weeks it settled into a pattern where some days I would have a small, late breakfast, then not feel hungry until teatime, when another small meal would be enough to get me through till bedtime.

Other days I'm ravenous and will happily eat 3 large meals.

In 12 months, I lost nearly 3 stone, 4 inches off my waist and probably the same from my chest. I feel energetic and healthy, I haven't even had a cold in the last year or so. If this is a recognised way of eating better (or less), then I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I haven't ever felt like I was dieting, quite the opposite in fact. By eating what my body was telling me I needed, rather than what society and habit were dictating, I feel much more in control.
Interesting. I am guessing you're choosing the right foods by luck most of the time by the sound of it?

Robin Hood

703 posts

206 months

Sunday 14th October 2012
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For anybody who hasn't seen the Horizon programme it's on youtube:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfna7nV7WaM

I've been on the 2/5 day regime since about a week after it was on TV so 2 months now. It's from about 35 mins to the end on the video

I'm 67, 6ft 3", 20st 7lb at the start, 18st 7lb now. Hoping to loose a similar amount again eventually.

BuzzLightyear

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

183 months

Monday 15th October 2012
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Those posts make interesting reading, thanks guys - it does look like it helps lose weight (which might be expected) but is sustainable over a longer period than "normal" dieting and, subjectively at least, does have a positive impact on health, beyond merely the weight loss.

This is the beginning of week 3 for me and my OH and the 5th day of reduced calories: We have both lost a few pounds and feel quite happy with how things are going. I now weigh less than at any time in the last 3 to 4 years. In another couple of weeks, I will see if the scales at the gym show any reduction in weight / fat etc but the signs so far are positive.

thumbup

parapaul

2,828 posts

199 months

Monday 15th October 2012
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Hoofy said:
parapaul said:
It seems that I've been inadvertently doing this for over a year now. When I split up with my wife I knew I needed to lose weight, so decided rather than eating 3 meals a day just because it was 'mealtime', I would eat when I was hungry.

In the space of a couple of weeks it settled into a pattern where some days I would have a small, late breakfast, then not feel hungry until teatime, when another small meal would be enough to get me through till bedtime.

Other days I'm ravenous and will happily eat 3 large meals.

In 12 months, I lost nearly 3 stone, 4 inches off my waist and probably the same from my chest. I feel energetic and healthy, I haven't even had a cold in the last year or so. If this is a recognised way of eating better (or less), then I wholeheartedly recommend it.

I haven't ever felt like I was dieting, quite the opposite in fact. By eating what my body was telling me I needed, rather than what society and habit were dictating, I feel much more in control.
Interesting. I am guessing you're choosing the right foods by luck most of the time by the sound of it?
Probably. I eat quite well anyway, very little processed stuff, mostly wholemeal bread/pasta etc. I hardly drink (through choice) and cut out take aways altogether, although as much for financial reasons as weight loss.

Hoofy

76,408 posts

283 months

Monday 15th October 2012
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parapaul said:
Probably. I eat quite well anyway, very little processed stuff, mostly wholemeal bread/pasta etc. I hardly drink (through choice) and cut out take aways altogether, although as much for financial reasons as weight loss.
I figured you'd be going for the wholemeal stuff. smile

andyjo1982

4,960 posts

211 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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I'm thinking of giving this a go for a few months. But I'm just looking for a few ideas as to what you guys eat on your fast days. I'm thinking that I'd just drink water on these days, probably a low cal weight watchers soup for lunch, and a small chicken fillet with some veg for tea, maybe an apple/banana mid afternoon.

I've already started cutting down on a lot of sugary things I used to consume after reading the fizzy drinks thread a few months ago. I reckon on I do stick to the average of about 2500 cals a day for probably 5 days a week, but fast foods and take aways at the weekend usually push me well over my weekly allowance. As a guide, I'm, 30, 5'10 and about 13'8 stone. I don't really do much exercise, but I'm just starting to try and run 3 or 4 times a week for, usually 1-2 miles a time. I know I can get in more exercise, I just need to push myself a bit harder, and there are opportunities to cut out the crap food too.

Also, if I did a 1 mile run on a fast day, which I'm led to beleive would be around 100 cals burnt, would I still have that to eat on the fast days?

Thanks

Hoofy

76,408 posts

283 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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From what I've heard, you don't eat back the calories. I mean - what I've read doesn't say "eat 600 calories if you're leading a sedentary lifestyle but eat more if you have an active job". The rule is 600 for men, 500 for women.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19112549

BuzzLightyear

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

183 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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andyjo, what hoofy said ^^^ and you're about right with what you propose to eat. It is actually quite difficult to stick to 600 cals so on a typical day, I have a small bowl of fruit & fibre for breakfast with semi-skimmed milk (c140kcal); half a pot of soup for lunch (c90kcals) and the balance for dinner: Turkey escalope and veg or similar (c370kcals).

On the low-cal days, I only drink water (diet coke?) except for a cup of coffee with s/s milk in the evening.

Robin Hood

703 posts

206 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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andyjo1982 said:
I'm thinking of giving this a go for a few months. But I'm just looking for a few ideas as to what you guys eat on your fast days. I'm thinking that I'd just drink water on these days, probably a low cal weight watchers soup for lunch, and a small chicken fillet with some veg for tea, maybe an apple/banana mid afternoon.
I have a slice of toasted wholemeal bread + Marmite for breakfast and fish for tea, either poached or done in the oven wrapped in tin foil. If/when I'm peckish during the day I eat tomatoes, peeled carrots or a chunk of cauliflower.

Worked for me

andyjo1982

4,960 posts

211 months

Tuesday 16th October 2012
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Cheers for the replies. I'm not 100% sure when I'm gonna actually start the plan, I know I've got a couple of nights out next week which I know will involve a good few beers, so may well be the end of next week or start of the week after.

I would be very intrested if you other guys who are on this diet will keep us up to date with the results and good luck.

BuzzLightyear

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

183 months

Saturday 27th October 2012
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A brief update:

This morning, I weighed under 16stone for the first time in about 5 or 6 years! woohoo

Coming towards the end of week 4 and have pretty much managed to keep to the regime of 600 calories on two non-consecutive days of the week (possibly a little over one day when I went out to lunch with one of my sons).

I have also been going to the gym twice a week except last week when I only managed to get there once.

Not losing weight quite as quickly as Mrs BL (who has gone down a dress size) but I feel I am building a bit more muscle mass which may be offsetting the fat loss. My trousers certainly fit more comfortably and my belt is a notch tighter, too. I will have a second go on the weight / fitness / fatness machine at the gym next week to see if that's the case...

Overall, I feel much fitter and healthier and a mild skin condition which I've had for about 20 years is clearer than it has been for a long while. Coincidence? Possibly. I can now jog and run a couple of kilometres easily and my heart rate afterwards is lower than previously, so it's all good news at the moment smile

Hoofy

76,408 posts

283 months

Saturday 27th October 2012
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thumbup

Asterix

24,438 posts

229 months

Sunday 28th October 2012
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Good work mate - keep at it smile

a311

5,808 posts

178 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
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I inadvertently ended up having a fast day on Monday. Had a big-ish meal on Sunday evening and didn't feel gungry for breakfast on Monday morning. Then due a combination of things at work I didn't get time for lunch so though nows as good a time as any to try this out, so had a peice of chicken with some green veg for my evenign meal. Ended up having circa 400 cals that day and did a 4 mile run.

I felt pretty good, the next day I did another 4 mile run and I found it hard going, as if I was running on empty almost, this was after taking the dog on a 2 hour walk too.

I've deciced to try a 4 week trial of a on a 5/2 basis and see how it goes. I lost 5.5lbs in the space of 24 hours which isn't really unusual for me as a swing after a good turd and a long run!


Hoofy

76,408 posts

283 months

Wednesday 31st October 2012
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This week I've decided to do IF for November - Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays I'll not eat until 2pm (previous meal about 10pm). Other days eat normally (ie all day). Target 1700-1900 calories every day (which is what I'd been doing previously).

BuzzLightyear

Original Poster:

1,426 posts

183 months

Tuesday 6th November 2012
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Thanks for the comments and encouragement, guys - it does help on the low-cal days when you're feeling a bit peckish...

Hoofy, I'd be interested to see what effect your regime has - please keep us updated.

One thing that is rather disappointing is that, other than the scales / BMI calculator machine at the gym, it's difficult to get a regular check on the other factors like cholesterol levels other than going to your GP for a blood test. Am I right in thinking that? It would be useful to be able to home-check such things, if available at a reasonable cost.

Anyway, I did go back on the scales / BMI machine today and the results were OK but perhaps not quite as good as I'd hoped for at the end of the first month. According to the machine - and I have no idea how accurate it is but offers a comparable set of figures which I'll do on a monthly basis - the results are:

weight loss 5 lbs (2.3kg)
BMI down from 30.7 to 30.0
Body fat down from 31% to 29.5%
Body fat mass down also by 5 lbs (2.3kg)

Meh!

Still, as I said originally, my wife and I are looking to do this 2/5 thing long-term for the hypothesised health benefits, as well as the weight loss. I have lost almost all that weight from round my middle and have toned up quite a bit by maintaining the visits to the gym. We went swimming yesterday and I felt happier with my "physique" than I have for a while.

Mrs BL has lost just over 1/2 stone and gone down a dress size and a bit which is a lot considering her start weight and size - she is very happy!

Anyone else want to share?
smile