[Closed] Horizon 'fasting' diet/lifestyle 3.5 weeks in... updates

Cry me a river, Mike

To paraphrase the great frog, it's not easy being lean.

I started something like this about 2 months ago; 3 days a week I only eat an evening meal, usually a chicken salad, and don't drink alcohol, the rest of the time I'm my usual gluttonous self (although my appetite has definitely diminished).

Total weight loss so far = just under 2 stone. It's the easiest form of dieting I've ever done and it works. Unlike previous low carb / high protein diets I've tried I haven't once felt ill and once I got used to being hungry it wasn't a big deal.

Edit: Going out and buying a load of new clothes yesterday made me feel great - for the first time in 20 years I am in size 34" jeans!

Congrats 🙂 good work, impressed.

Well done RJ, I'd like to try this, but I dont know if I could skip brekkie and lunch for 3 days!. I'd be bloody ravenous.

I managed to get to 20 hours then scoffed the fish I'd got for tea...first day fasting,ill do it again on Thursday...just had water/coffee and my vitamins all day...it's tough but I reckon I can do it twice a week...off the bike at the mo so hopefully it'll keep the lard off

Update, just weighed and I'm 12st 4lbs, the lightest I have been for a very very long time. Also doing a light set of weights every other day and I can see the tone appearing. My mojo is back, lock up your daughters 🙂

Update here too. This weekend i ate EVERYTHING... it was my birthday you see. 41. I had 4 decent slices of chocolate caterpillar cake, TGI Frdays for tea, PIzza, cookies and a trip to the pub (no beer, but bad bad food)

The net result mid-week this week is a loss of 1 lb.

This could well be the perfect 'diet' for me

currently trying the 2 day a week fasting diet .

First week was hard , fasting on a monday and wednesday .

This week a lot easier .

Dont weight myself , so no idea if lost weight , but felt good .

I'm not really fasting, more just skipping meals.
Today was a small breakfast, no lunch for example.
Still eating the same in the evenings, but I go easy on spuds, rice or bread. And no booze on school nights. Usually. 😉
Have lost 3kg since I last weighed myself about 2 weeks ago.

I read this thread when the o.p first posted around two weeks ago. My "normal" weight is around 15st10 but ideally I'd like to take a stone off that. I've dabbled on and off with the iDave/4hb plan but like the o.p I'm weak and tend to lapse after a few weeks. Plus it doesnt really suit to be eating different meals to the rest of the family all of the time.

I decided to give the I.F thing a whirl, pretty much as the o.p has described and so far, so good. I vary my fasting days to fit round my shifts (basically I find it much easier to fit the fasting in around a late shift) and I've lost almost half a stone and that's while suffering a heavy cold and therefore not exercising at all for the last week.

In a perverse kind of way I've actually started looking forward to the fasting days too!

Congrats mate. I'm giving up weighing myself for a month now as i'm happy where i am at the moment both physically and mentally with this. I had a new gym session and program with my instructor yesterday. Today i ACHE.... which is weird, as i didn't really even sweat lol

good work with the fasting & gym. The aching is DOMS and IME comes solely from using muscles that don't normally see much use. Once you settle into a regular exercise routine you don't get it anymore.

Once you settle into a regular exercise routine you don't get it anymore

I have one, it's not like exercise/gym is new to me.... it obviously just wasn't doing the right things 🙂

So i've moved my fasting days to Mon and Wed due to working in the office on them days, it's a lot easier when in the office and the temptation of being at home is out of the way.

For anyone asking about performance, today was a fasting day (2nd this week) and i did some rowing sprints. My performance was actually better than any other times in my past

500m Split/interval times
1.46.2
1.47.1
1.46.1
1.44.5
1.45.2
1.46.5
1.46.9
1.45.8
1.47.3
1.45.2
2.59.0 (i collapsed lol)
1.44.4

I started this also doing Mon & Wed's and I've lost 3lbs in two weeks. I have melon & tangerine for breakfast , soup @ lunch and soup & 2 slices of bread in the evening....no booze obviously. Not finding it too hard.

Been doing this since 1st week in September. So far lost 26 lb, although getting past the second stone loss mark is proving trickier than the first. Tbh im not cutting back on alcohol as much as i coud at weekends etc...and i could easiy do more exercise ! this was always my plan having shifted the first 2stone...wanted to save my knees/ankles some unecessary pain when i do go out jogging !...oh yeah i ought to get out on the bike more too hehe

A mate has done this diet with great success - me and the wife are about to give it a go to maybe loose a stone each.

600 calories a day seems ok.

Banana 100
Innocent Sweet Chilli Vege Pot 218
Bag of Popcorn 100
2 pumkin Rivita and 250 of mushrooms with Garlic (microwaved....try it!) 120

I will keep you updated....

600 calories is way too low!!!

'kinell hoodie, well done mate!.

Is that just 2 days a week, hoodie?

600 calories is way too low!!!

Just on the fast days, no?

er..... a fast day is zero cals surely??

ive done it 2 ways, firstly a 24hr period with no cals, then theres eating in 8hr windows, so naturally eat less. zero calories for 16hrs. if you are eating tho, id say 600 is far too low.

ideally youd be doing this way of eating for ever, so it needs to be something you can sustain. i prefer the 16/8 method, and am doing that presently to lose some gut fat 🙂 still on 2000 cals a day tho and lost around three quarters of a stone over a couple of months.
when im ready ill just up it to around 2500 per day to maintain weight, or mebbes 3000 if im trying to put on some lean mass.

The 5:2 method, that was featured on the Horizon programme as well as in The Times mag the other weekend, dictates 2 days a week at 600kcal for men, and 500kcal for ladies. The rest of the week is business as usual.

ah right, sorry, i missed that. i didnt see the programme, just chipped in with a bit of fasting experience 🙂
without knowing all the details, personally id find it easier to just do a big blank zero for the day, than nibble away at 600 cals and still feel hungry. thats just me tho *shrugs shoulders*

Watched this show last night, been on my pvr since broadcast but found it quite revelatory. Ok it was almost seemed structured as an advertorial for the 5:2 diet but given that I'm sold.

It's not that I even need to lose weight really, although a few pounds off would be nice, it's that the idea of being a bit hungry for a couple of days a week could extend your life potentially by years and prevent you from getting any/many of the common illnesses of ageing. [url= http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-19112549 ]BBC blurb here[/url] sure it's been on this thread before.

Gratuitous pic of Dr Krista Varady here>

[img] [/img]

Just weighed - 12 stone bang on. BOOM 🙂

Evening folks,
weeksy, I'm starting the "horizon" diet next week to shift about a stone.

Was looking through the thread but crap computer is slow so skipped to the end.

Am planning to weigh myself each week but also going to measure my waist etc, did you do any if that?

Good stuff by the way, keep it up! Den

As long as you way yourself at the same time each week, you will be able to track the loss. I do it the morning after my second fast day! (Should be at my lightest)
18lbs gone. I'm exactly 1 minute quicker up the hill from Hathersage to Burbage a 2 mile, 3.5% climb.
Log your rides on Strava and as the weight comes off, watch as you get new PB's nearly every week.

edit wrong thread

Well the weight is only sneaking off a little bit at a time, however on my non-fasting days i have been VERY bad... bordering on ridiculous at times hahahaha.

Mother-in-Law came over today, first time in a few months i've seen her, she arrived with the words "oh my, you can't lose any more weight, you look far too thin".... which is obviously quite pleasing to a man on a diet

I can though... i still have 14lb... although i said that 14lb ago

Mother-in-Law came over today, first time in a few months i've seen her, she arrived with the words "oh my, you can't lose any more weight, you look far too thin".... which is obviously quite pleasing to a man on a diet

Just got weighed this morning and I think I'm just about half a stone lighter in one month....so really pleased with myself !

Aye, this morning's weigh in shows that Operation TubGone is going well, 1.5kg lost this week, 5kg in total over the last six weeks 🙂

It's nothing too scientific either, sort of kind of fasting-ish, or rather going on an empty stomach for a bit, especially after exercise:

Mon, Weds, Fri - coffee on way to work, take breakfast (muesli) to work so have it about 2 hours after I get up. Sarnie and apple for lunch. Normal dinner, no snacks, no booze.

Tues, Thurs - three quarter of an hour ride straight out of bed (rollers, road or MTB, depending on weather). Coffee but no breakfast. Lunch, dinner etc same as above.

Weekend - At least one decent ride. Normal food and booze, but no snacks.

Seems to be working, and should be entirely sustainable.

Congrats lads 🙂

[i]and should be entirely sustainable.[/i]

Exactly !. While the how is important and will vary for lots of people.
Sustainability is key. imo.

Carry on !.

Tuesday weigh in: 0.4kg lost this week. Bit less than I was hoping for, but no big ride this weekend due to this and that. Still, it's continuing in the right direction.

I've been going about five weeks on the 2 day fast plan now and have lost just over half a stone...Can I expect to see the weight loss continue for some time or will it plataeu after a couple of months?

Just wondered if any people were still on this diet ? I stopped over xmas but continued with it after New Year. Probably lost about 9 lbs now in about 2 months ...though lost some during xmas.

Wondering how long the weight loss may continue?

Stopped for christmas, but started again last week. I'd put on 4 pounds (from my lowest) over christmas, which isnt bad. better than expected.

Dabbled with it for a bit. Seems ok, but I don't think they have factored just how much I 'go for it' on the alleged eat as much as you want days 8)

I suppose the fact I maintained, rather than put any weight on, shows it works.

I also see that Mr Mosley [url= http://www.amazon.co.uk/The-Fast-Diet-Intermittent-Fasting/dp/1780721676/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1359548029&sr=8-1 ]now has a book on Amazon @ £3.85[/url].

11st 3lbs and in 32" jeans! woohoo

Me and Onzadog started doing this just after New Year and are pleased with the results so far. Fasting days are nowhere near as bad as I thought they'd be, and I've always been of the 'eat regularly' camp, have always thought about food and what I'd be eating next!
In fact, the last two fast days I've gone all day without food (just lots of herbal teas and water) and have one main meal of 500 calories about 6-7pm. Feel surprisingly good doing that. And in total I've lost 8lbs so far.

I've already had one comment just this morning that I don't need to lose any more weight, but piffle to that. I'd like to lose another 9lbs to get to 10 stone, which would still peg me in the 'healthy' bracket for my height and I might even stand a chance finding some knee/shin pads that will fit over my 'sturdy' legs 🙁

[i]Wondering how long the weight loss may continue[/i]

If you're doing exactly the same thing each week. Then I reckon you will lose weight until you reach an energy balance. After that I'd expect you would have to create a different imbalance for your body to use up fat reserves ?.

EDIT:
[b]I[/b] [b]a[/b]m [b]n[/b]ot [b]a[/b] [b]D[/b]oughnut.

If you're doing exactly the same thing each week. Then I reckon you will lose weight until you reach an energy balance. After that I'd expect you would have to create a different imbalance for your body to use up fat reserves ?.

This is what I can't quite get my head around...shouldn't the weight loss continue forever if you are in a calorie deficit position....or is it that the "lighter you" requires less calories to operate and this is where the balance occurs ?

If you are lighter you need less calories to maintain your weight. Also you may find your metabolism slowing which is why rats and mice put on very low calorie diets live longer than those allowed to eat what they like. No clinical trials to prove it will work in humans but also no reason to expect that it won't

I'd like to lose another 9lbs to get to 10 stone, which would still peg me in the 'healthy' bracket for my height

are you 9 feet tall or a girl ?

[i]If you are lighter you need less calories to maintain your weight.[/i]

AFAIK, this is valid. Having less living tissue to keep alive, your body will require fewer calories.

Thing is, you don't really want to be losing muscle, only fat and only if you have an excess of fat, on board.

interesting thread. i missed this show, anyone know if its on iplayer or anything?

it would be really easy for me to adapt by diet to include 2 fasting days, mon-fri i'm almost there anyhow. breakfast 2 eggs scambled, lunch 1/2 tin baked beans, sensible dinner. no booze. may well give it a try.

interesting thread. i missed this show, anyone know if its on iplayer or anything?

Probably not on iPlayer anymore, but the main points are covered by Weeksy on page 1 of the thread.

...or the book I linked to above is only 3-4 quid on Amazon.

weeksy - Member
are you 9 feet tall or a girl ?

I was a girl last time I checked 🙂

Gav, you can watch the Horizon proggy [url= http://www.disclose.tv/action/viewvideo/110651/BBC_Horizon_2012_Eat_Fast_and_Live_Longer/ ]HERE[/url] if you want.

Currently on my 10th week, gets much easier after a while and am feeling all the better for it. May not be the fastest way to lose it but I can still enjoy my beer

Hi
I'm into my 5th week. I was at the top end of normal
weight and want to lose about half a stone. I have not weighed myself at all, but I can tell by my clothes that O'm gradually losing weight.
I find the fast days way easier than I expected though I sometimes wake up in the early hours feeling ravenous!

cheers for the prog link and book comment guys.i'll check em out.

I have two-three packs of bacon and 4 bottles of redwine a week.

Coldturkey day 2..

Has anyone used this successfully to cut? Gain lean mass and reduce fat?
Are you all losing fat and not lean mass?

Repeat of the Horizon exercise prog on BBC2 now

The research has shown that people following the 5:2 plan lose body fat, not lean mass.

i've just started 5:2 and have found the fasting days ok. i skip breakfast, have a cuppa soup lunch then something like beans on toast to make my evening meal up to 600cals. The problem i'm having is when the safety catch is off on the feast days it really is off and i eat it all back on. Anyone else find this?

Deepo, keep with it. As you get used to fasting, the feast days will become less desperate. The research shows that those who over eat on feast days do so by about 15%. That still gives a net loss for the week. As you start to reaslise that fast days are more doable than you thought, then you'll eat less on feast days.

Thanks Onzadog thats encouraging stuff.

If there's a sign up sheet - my names just gone on it.

Since new year, I've been using MFP to calorie count, trying to keep to 1600/day. I'm 6ft, and started off at 15st 3.

Barring a business trip to the states (I tried, honest, but American portions!) i've consistently been under my average per day on a weekly basis, ie some days i'm a bit over, some a bit under but over the course of a week the average is always there or slightly under.

Last weigh in I had lost about 10lbs, in 5 weeks - so above the target i programmed into MFP of 1.5lbs per week, but not massively so, and possibly attributable to the increased exercise I've been doing as well.

However - constant calorie counting is doing me in. MFP has been good up till now, not for the absolute numbers but for the 😯 moments when you realise exactly how much calorie content there is in a particular food (makes mental note that red meat is significantly higher than fish / chicken) - which will stand me in good stead in future for understanding better what my intake really is. And secondly - i do travel with work which means every now and then I need to go out for dinners which can be an issue.

Hence this 5:2 malarky looks like a better bet for me - along with the suggested health benefits, i can be extra careful 2 days a week when I'm not travelling, remain sensible for the rest, and if i have to travel I've got the safety net that it shouldn't make such an impact. Sounds easier to me than thinking 'I've got dinner out on Thursday, so for the rest of the week i have to stay under 1400 instead to compensate'.

Day 1 today. Porridge for breakfast, didn't have enough (my normal bowl is 20g dried with 150ml skimmed milk = 125cals; mental note, have a big bowl of porridge!) and the plan was to go until dinner on black coffee. I haven't got tyhe book yet, so to help me out today; is it important to fast right through to dinner as the Radio Times article plans all seem to propose - or can i have some carrots for lunch and keep the wolf from the door, as long as i knock the amount off my dinner allowance?

Sorry only just seen this - I guess as you posted this 10 hours ago you made a decision as to whether to eat the carrots for lunch or go through til dinner!

But as there's no concrete evidence as yet about whether you're better eating your daily calorie allowance all in one go or spread out through the day, the advice seems to be to do what works best for you!
When I started I skipped breakfast and had a little bit of lunch and a little bit of dinner, but increasingly I found that having a little bit of anything during the day made me want a little bit more, whereas if I don't eat anything all day it almost seems easier to totally switch off from food and just look forward to a normal, decent-sized dinner in the evening!

Michael Mosely splits his allowance between two meals - breakfast and dinner.

I prefer to wait as long as possible, and usually make it til 2pm. At the moment the routine is a packet of ham, then a natural yoghurt later in the afternoon, then a tin of soup for dinner. Lots of liquids to keep you full - I find peppermint tea really good.

I'm really enjoying it! Usually feel tip top the day after a fast.

Cheers all. I got through to dinner after all, had a 450 cal dinner which was good enough, didn't have hunger issues in the night as some say they get, now I'm on a trip in Holland enjoying a degree of freedom without going mad. This just might work for me (assuming it results in weight loss, of course)