BBC Horizon - Eat, Fast, Live Longer

Blueskye · 06-08-2012 9:52pm #1

Anyone watching this? http://http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b01lxyzc

Donelson · 06-08-2012 10:02pm

Just caught the last twenty minutes, looks really interesting. Anybody know if it's going to be repeated?

superelliptic · 06-08-2012 11:05pm

Dont know about a repeat, but you will be able to get it on youtube or torrent shortly I'd say. Im going to give that diet a try - seems fairly straight forward.

Currently 15.5 stone as it is, so I'll take help from anywhere tbh...

mike65 · 06-08-2012 11:09pm

It was interesting but clearly its a matter still in the very early stages and certainly not something one can jump into without proper prep and supervision. Sadly as an already low BMI type 1 diabetic I doubt I could do this without causing more problems than the diet might solve.

Akrasia · 07-08-2012 7:57am

I'm gonna try this today. Already missing my morning cup of coffee. Black tea ain't the same. Still trying to decide what to eat for my 500 calories. Probably go for a half portion of dinner after work just cause I think its important to sit down and eat as a family

TheZ · 07-08-2012 9:28am

Interesting show - suggested link between IGF1 and various diseases was interesting particularly as protein is what increases IGF1 production

the day on day off fasting or 5 off 2 days on fasting seems like something that a person with any willpower can manage

also liked the phrase "hunger doesn't build and build but comes in waves and passes"

NinjaK · 07-08-2012 5:55pm

makes sense, our ancestors fasted for days im sure, all this food every day must be very new to our bodies

Gummy Panda · 07-08-2012 6:21pm

Was it about IF?

Gummy Panda · 07-08-2012 9:26pm

86 hour fast... fúck that. Lose all my gainz!

Generally you don't do a 500 calorie meal on fast days. Just drink some coffee or green tea.

TheZ · 07-08-2012 10:30pm

Gummy Panda wrote: »

86 hour fast... fúck that. Lose all my gainz!

Generally you don't do a 500 calorie meal on fast days. Just drink some coffee or green tea.

He did four days with nothing except water, black tea, one cup miso soup
Supposed to repeat every two months

Then did fast day and feed day every second day - fast day one meal about 500 calories and feed day eat what you want (people tend to only eat about 110% of normal calories on feed days)

Then did five days feeding and two fasting (fasting in sense of restricted calories)

Restricted calories grows brain cells too as hunger means body says **** better start thinking!

Was fasting once a week part of Catholicism until recently

All produced similar results

twang · 08-08-2012 8:05pm

I thought this program was fascinating. Particularly with the 5-2 fast. It left me with two question, can anyone here shed any light?
1. What was he having for his ulta-low calorie lunch on his fast days? Just miso soup?
2. I guess that the 2 days of fasy have to be consecutive so that the 'go-go genes' which into 'repair mode'. Is that correct?

Anyone any ideas?

Thansk

TheZ · 08-08-2012 9:06pm

twang wrote: »

I thought this program was fascinating. Particularly with the 5-2 fast. It left me with two question, can anyone here shed any light?
1. What was he having for his ulta-low calorie lunch on his fast days? Just miso soup?
2. I guess that the 2 days of fasy have to be consecutive so that the 'go-go genes' which into 'repair mode'. Is that correct?

Anyone any ideas?

Thansk

It was just miso soup for the four days with no food
On the 5-2 fast I believe he was eating about 500 calories in a single meal

RobAMerc · 09-08-2012 12:03am

twang wrote: »

I guess that the 2 days of fasy have to be consecutive so that the 'go-go genes' which into 'repair mode'. Is that correct?

Thansk

no - he was doing 2 random days and not very strict afair.

Rascasse · 09-08-2012 12:11am

What's the story with the guy he met that was on the 'stem' diet? The bowl of fruit he had was huge, like a mixing bowl when you are cooking. Not to mention the cost - a huge bowl of berries and apple skins can't be cheap!

I like the idea of the 5-2 fasting idea (with 500 cals on the fasting day). It seems sustainable atleast.

Vico1612 · 09-08-2012 10:15am

http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLEE0322D24FB93746&feature=g-high-a

RobAMerc · 09-08-2012 12:32pm

quick one lads - does anyone know if IGF-1 levels were lower no matter what his diet was like ? Kinda scares me I am purposefully eating lots of protein which is doing me damage in the long run. I'd like to think IF can negate the IGF-1 issue. ( if any of that makes sense )

Typewriter · 09-08-2012 12:40pm

So let me get this straight. The two days fasting were random and not censecutive?

RobAMerc · 09-08-2012 1:20pm

Typewriter wrote: »

So let me get this straight. The two days fasting were random and not censecutive?

yep - from what I remember.

RobAMerc · 09-08-2012 1:23pm

double post

Applepony · 09-08-2012 7:20pm

Just watched this documentary on you tube. Very good, going to start Monday ( diets always start Monday ðŸ˜œ. Going to get my bloods taken before the plan to see does it work. Is anyone doing it? The 5/2 is definately the way to go

boogle · 10-08-2012 12:54am

Going to give this a go. Probably start with one 24h fast per week to start. One thing I'm a bit worried about is the dizzyness/light-headedness. Have visions of passsing out while driving

bambera · 10-08-2012 10:28am

boogle wrote: »

Going to give this a go. Probably start with one 24h fast per week to start. One thing I'm a bit worried about is the dizzyness/light-headedness. Have visions of passsing out while driving

I know what you mean.

I was amazed watching this program. If I don't eat regularly, I get really shaky and then throw up a lot when I do eventually eat. (Nothing medically wrong with me, just seems like my blood sugar drops)

To me going for even one day without eating is unthinkable!

RobAMerc · 10-08-2012 11:48am

I started IF last Monday - but 16/8 version and training fasted.

Wednesday my lifts suffered - no doubt and I got very light headed after some warm up squats ( I'll admit I am not immune to this anyway ) and didn't continue.

I've been awake since 5 am and have thought about food every minute since ( feed at 2 ) - I am told I will get used to this and really its just a mental thing.

edit : there is also a definite haziness to my thought patterns, don't go saying "I do" to anyone before you've eaten ! ;-)

rocky · 10-08-2012 1:17pm

Do you manage to get your daily calories in the feeding window? If you're not, this might be a reason for your gym regress

Vico1612 · 10-08-2012 1:27pm

Worth reading this also : http://www.precisionnutrition.com/intermittent-fasting

RobAMerc · 10-08-2012 2:10pm

rocky wrote: »

Do you manage to get your daily calories in the feeding window? If you're not, this might be a reason for your gym regress

you may very well have hit the nail on the head there !

funkey_monkey · 12-08-2012 5:27pm

How does this work for those trying to increase muscle mass. I'd not like to end up looking like the guy eating fruit. He was like a rake!

Currently, I'm doing leangains : http://www.leangains.com/2010/04/leangains-guide.html

However, it seems that the difference here is that although you skip breakfast your calorific intake for the day remains unaltered.

I am wondering if this approach can be used for those trying to gain muscle mass. It was a bit discerning that protein got mentioned in a bad light during parts relating to IGF-1 levels.

Has anyone stumbled across anything on this?

RobAMerc · 13-08-2012 9:43am

rocky wrote: »

Do you manage to get your daily calories in the feeding window? If you're not, this might be a reason for your gym regress

funkey_monkey wrote: »

However, it seems that the difference here is that although you skip breakfast your calorific intake for the day remains unaltered.

I think I have just realised a major flaw in MY approach to 16/8 IF.

I am eating no where near enough calories - to the point where 3 people in the last 2 days have commented on my weight loss and I am down on strength compared to my normal WO.

thanks for highlighting this guy's, I guess I fell into the trap of because its a "diet" I need to eat a bit less - I hadn't planned to do it, t'was kinda subconscious like.

TheZ · 13-08-2012 9:47am

The guy in the programme made observation that when fasting the hunnger does not build and build but rather it comes and goes in waves

Gummy Panda · 13-08-2012 7:58pm

RobAMerc wrote: »

I think I have just realised a major flaw in MY approach to 16/8 IF.

I am eating no where near enough calories - to the point where 3 people in the last 2 days have commented on my weight loss and I am down on strength compared to my normal WO.

thanks for highlighting this guy's, I guess I fell into the trap of because its a "diet" I need to eat a bit less - I hadn't planned to do it, t'was kinda subconscious like.

What are your goals with IF?

Recomp? weight loss?

RobAMerc · 13-08-2012 10:13pm

Gummy Panda wrote: »

What are your goals with IF?

Recomp? weight loss?

build muscle - with little or no fat gain

Gummy Panda · 14-08-2012 8:43pm

RobAMerc wrote: »

build muscle - with little or no fat gain

Maybe this will help you - http://www.1percentedge.com/ifcalc/

15-08-2012 1:23pm

bambera wrote: »

I know what you mean.

I was amazed watching this program. If I don't eat regularly, I get really shaky and then throw up a lot when I do eventually eat. (Nothing medically wrong with me, just seems like my blood sugar drops)

To me going for even one day without eating is unthinkable!

Should you see a doctor? I can't imagine this is common
I have no problem doing the 24hours with only 3-500 cals somewhere in there

patmac · 16-08-2012 2:37pm

I started this on Tuesday. I like it as I need to lose weight. I started following Dr Michael Mosely on twitter where he answered a lot of questions. Basically he fasts on Tuesdays and Thursdays 200 cal in the morning and 400 in the evening, 600 in total (500 for women). My wife has a Rosemary Connolly diet book that she uses for the meals.
I have detoxed for 5-7 days before and struggled, the beauty of this is that you can eat and drink what you want on your feast days. So no problems so far.
Started of 15st 6ft 1in so will see where we are next week.

j@utis · 16-08-2012 5:17pm

I watched this show last week. it was great for this guy to loose some fat and improve his cholesterol levels but what happened to his muscle mass? I think loosing muscle = active tissue mass is very bad thing this especially in older age.
I would be tempted to give this 16/8 idea a go but I work shifts and it'd be just too complicated.

LaChatteGitane · 17-08-2012 11:29am

We (OH and I) have started the IF 5:2 on Monday.
The BBC programme came just at the right time for us as we had to do something drastic with our calorie/carb intake.

It was a little difficult to start planning. Made sushi for the first day and vegetable soup for the second. Both days also had fresh fruit salad.

What we won't be doing next fast is use carbs (like the rice for the sushi) because it doesn't give you room for anything else.
A mug of soup is ok to satisfy some hunger pangs, but one liter each on Tuesday gave us very loose stool the next day. Definitely need some solid foods.

We now also watch what we eat for the other 5 days. Normal calorie intake doesn't mean pigging out.

Applepony · 17-08-2012 1:01pm

Hey guys,
Started my fasting this week, found it fine, no dramas at all and didn't even reach 500 calories on my fasting days.
Got my bloods taken and waiting for the results of the IGF-1 so I can compared results before and after.
Was speaking to a top endocrinologist and I was asking him about the 'diet', he stated that from all the recent research that this plan is the way to go, that it will be the future for a longer life and the weight loss is just a beneficial bonus of the plan.
Dr Mosley is also on twitter and is bombarded with loads of questions regarding the plan, he is answering what he did if you need more info!

farmerval · 17-08-2012 1:11pm

On day three of the 16-8 diet. Have to say after day one it's been easy enough.
I'm quite surprised how the fasting is easier than I'd expected it to be. Now to control the intake for the 8 hours is the next battle!!:rolleyes:

Richard tea · 06-12-2012 1:15pm

I recently read that Michael Mosley has a book coming out soon based on the fasting doc he done. Has anybody heard about this book? I cant seem to find any info on it.

P.s , Anyone here that started the fasting diet any further opinions on it? Pro's , Con's

patmac · 06-12-2012 2:53pm

Richard tea wrote: »

I recently read that Michael Mosley has a book coming out soon based on the fasting doc he done. Has anybody heard about this book? I cant seem to find any info on it.

P.s , Anyone here that started the fasting diet any further opinions on it? Pro's , Con's

I was doing 5-2 but have reduced it to 6-1, I feel a lot better and have lost a stone since September. I am thinking of going back to 5-2 in the Spring. I found it easy at first but the fast days became tough as winter kicked in so the will power has gone I am still losing about a pound a week but enjoy my few pints at the weekend.

LaChatteGitane · 06-12-2012 3:38pm

I have also been at the 5:2 since mid August and lost 10 kg plus. Like above poster patmac I am having difficulties atm. Don't know if it is indeed because of winter or because I am preoccupied with other stuff...
Maybe I'll try to go to the 6:1 aswell.

Vico1612 · 06-12-2012 6:03pm

Richard tea wrote: »

I recently read that Michael Mosley has a book coming out soon based on the fasting doc he done. Has anybody heard about this book? I cant seem to find any info on it.

P.s , Anyone here that started the fasting diet any further opinions on it? Pro's , Con's

According to his Twitter update, the book is coming out in January and will be called The Fast Diet.

Richard tea · 06-12-2012 11:50pm

LaChatteGitane wrote: »

I have also been at the 5:2 since mid August and lost 10 kg plus. Like above poster patmac I am having difficulties atm. Don't know if it is indeed because of winter or because I am preoccupied with other stuff...
Maybe I'll try to go to the 6:1 aswell.

Is it the hunger that gets to you on the fast days? Is it a strict 500 cal for women & 600 cal for men or could you sneak in an apple to kill off the hunger?

patmac · 07-12-2012 11:08am

Richard tea wrote: »

Is it the hunger that gets to you on the fast days? Is it a strict 500 cal for women & 600 cal for men or could you sneak in an apple to kill off the hunger?

I drink some herbal teas and lots of water this helps detox as well as keep the hunger at bay.
On a side note in my opinion this time of the year is the worst for dieting and even the beginning of January wouldn't be the time to start as you are heading back to work and that's tough enough for some people especially in the cold mornings.
I gave up the cigs in February 3 years ago and intend to go back to 5-2 then.
The beauty of the 5-2 diet is that your food intake is lower on the non fast days, so I am still losing about a pound a week and not killing myself at the moment!

g'em · 07-12-2012 11:16am

I've been struggling maintaining fast days too

I think during summer months (or at least days when there's more than four hours of daylight

) it's significantly easier because of the types of food that you'll be attracted to. During the summer I could sit and eat salads for every meal of the day, so fast days are relatively easy as I can stuff my face with all the greens I can manage. But in winter a salad might as well be a wet lump of bog roll for all the appeal it holds. Soup is a good substitute but can get very tiresome.

I've still lost all the weight that came off and I'm happy enough to maintain for a few weeks and get back to it with a renewed sense of determination after Christmas.

LaChatteGitane · 07-12-2012 11:27am

Richard tea wrote: »

Is it the hunger that gets to you on the fast days? Is it a strict 500 cal for women & 600 cal for men or could you sneak in an apple to kill off the hunger?

No, it's not really the hunger that's bothering me at the moment. I guess it's more to do with my love of culinary delights and the lack of motivation to count calories.
I am also on a low carb diet, which just is a bit much at this time of year, with the festive season rolling in.

The whole point of intermittent fasting is that you do go hungry, so no apples. When you're hungry your cells start repairing themselves (that's how I understood it, anyway), which will give you a healthier and longer life.
The fact that you can lose wheight this way is a bonus, but not the objective.

Ant11 · 07-12-2012 11:33am

g'em wrote: »

I've been struggling maintaining fast days too I think during summer months (or at least days when there's more than four hours of daylight ) it's significantly easier because of the types of food that you'll be attracted to. During the summer I could sit and eat salads for every meal of the day, so fast days are relatively easy as I can stuff my face with all the greens I can manage. But in winter a salad might as well be a wet lump of bog roll for all the appeal it holds. Soup is a good substitute but can get very tiresome.

I've still lost all the weight that came off and I'm happy enough to maintain for a few weeks and get back to it with a renewed sense of determination after Christmas.

Just an idea but why don't you do 16/8 (16 hour fast 8 hour earing window) during the cold months.

g'em · 07-12-2012 11:40am

Ant11 wrote: »

Just an idea but why don't you do 16/8 (16 hour fast 8 hour earing window) during the cold months.

That's probably what I do by default - I tend to only eat from 12pm to 7/8pm

Richard tea · 07-12-2012 11:59am

The 16/8 sounds interesting. I havent even decided if ill give it a go yet but if I do ill leave it till the new year. Thanks all

Ant11 · 07-12-2012 12:02pm

g'em wrote: »

That's probably what I do by default - I tend to only eat from 12pm to 7/8pm

It might help you maintain over Xmas anyway.

I've been doing IF since July, I would never go back to eating the way I used to. I know most people look at IF from a weight loss perspective but as a lifestyle choice it's seems to suit me very well. The biggest benefit for me is my sleep. I don't know how but I sleep soooo much better now. That reason along is enough for me to stick with IF. The fasting does seen to have benefits when wanting to cut body fat plus when bulking its a lot easier to sit down and eat 2 or 3 BIG meals instead of trying to eat 5/6 meals a day. It's also less cooking and preparation

LaChatteGitane · 07-12-2012 12:42pm

g'em wrote: »

That's probably what I do by default - I tend to only eat from 12pm to 7/8pm

Same here. It doesn't do anything for my IGF-1 though.

Guess I'm eating - by default - too many calories.

BBC Horizon - Eat, Fast, Live Longer

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