Alternate Day Diet - Good or bad?

lauraroberts · 08-20-2008, 08:48 PM

Anyone here ever tried Alternate day diet??

Alternate day diet involves eating whatever you want one day, only to cut your caloric intake down to about 20-50 percent of its normal value the next day.
There were reports that it is really effective.

Does anyone here tried it? what are your views?

fjeld · 08-21-2008, 08:03 PM

Laura

I did try the Alternate Day Diet sort of for two weeks, but I only did down days two days a week. I lost quite a bit of weight judging from how I could easily button a pair of jeans, after the two weeks, that when I started I could hardly get over my derriere.

My down days were pretty low in calories and I only ate raw vegetables and a little fruit. I did this more to try a variation similar to Intermittent Fasting (IF).

I've found that I can easily skip breakfast and most often do one whole day of low carb/low calorie juice fasting a week, but fasting or doing a down day every other day will not work, it usually backfires. It made me feel deprived and obsessive, it felt unsocial and going hungry for so many whole days of the week is just too unpleasant.

(I also think that Dr. Johnson who's written a book on the the ADD (or JUDDD - Johnson's Up Day Down Day Diet) states that you can't really overindulge on your up days if you want to lose weight.)

skeeweeaka · 08-27-2008, 05:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by lauraroberts

Anyone here ever tried Alternate day diet??

Alternate day diet involves eating whatever you want one day, only to cut your caloric intake down to about 20-50 percent of its normal value the next day.
There were reports that it is really effective.

Does anyone here tried it? what are your views?

I'm currrently doing it, this is my first week... I'm hoping that it will work for me as well...

I'm feeling good alternating the down days with the up days... I hate tracking my foods but you gotta do what you gotta do... I usally fast until dinner on my down days....

TJ

mssusthang · 09-26-2008, 03:45 PM

I just started doing it as well.

I love it so far ... I couldn't believe how easy the first DD was ... I felt completely energized.

Good luck!

dasiey · 09-27-2008, 01:00 PM

sounds interesting. Maybe I will try it to.

musingforces · 10-13-2008, 07:51 PM

I've been alternate day fasting for nearly a year now. It has completely changed my life around. I have more energy than I've had in years and I've lost about 45 pounds. I started a blog to track my progress when I began doing it: Musing Forces Alternate Day Fasting

It's not for everyone, but I love it. If you are curious, give it a try. You'll know pretty much right away if it is for you or not. There are other ADF blogs out there too if you search for them.

Regards,

Theresa

janetaz · 10-18-2008, 10:15 PM

Musingforces! Your blog is awesome! I am still reading it right now, on March of this year. Thank you for sharing your story!!

I am off to walk my dogs and then I will keep reading!!

Are you going to continue alternate day fasting now that you are at goal?

skeeweeaka · 10-22-2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by musingforces

I've been alternate day fasting for nearly a year now. It has completely changed my life around. I have more energy than I've had in years and I've lost about 45 pounds. I started a blog to track my progress when I began doing it: Musing Forces Alternate Day Fasting

It's not for everyone, but I love it. If you are curious, give it a try. You'll know pretty much right away if it is for you or not. There are other ADF blogs out there too if you search for them.

Regards,

Theresa

Great progress Theresa....I'm going to check out your blog and read your story... I do IF as well so for me it helps to take the focus off of food, when I was trying to eat 5-6 times per day I became obsessed with food and that was just too much for me... I can handle this much, much, better...

There are more benefits than just weight loss...from what I've read in the past.

TJ

Ailuros · 10-22-2008, 08:57 AM

I really liked the idea - and the studies seemed to show some good effects (like reductions in inflammation and allergies), but it just didn't suit me. I had the opposite experience to Skeeweeaka - I became obsessed with food on the down days, as well as feeling lightheaded. I do better with 3-4 meals per day. I don't know what it is that makes the difference, but as Theresa says - try it, and you'll soon know if it's a good fit for you.

skeeweeaka · 10-22-2008, 09:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ailuros

I really liked the idea - and the studies seemed to show some good effects (like reductions in inflammation and allergies), but it just didn't suit me. I had the opposite experience to Skeeweeaka - I became obsessed with food on the down days, as well as feeling lightheaded. I do better with 3-4 meals per day. I don't know what it is that makes the difference, but as Theresa says - try it, and you'll soon know if it's a good fit for you.

Hey Ailuros, sorry to hear about your experience. I actually do intermittent fasting on my down days...which is not a full fast....that helps me to look forward to a good meal and fast at the same time...

TJ

katwhitts · 10-28-2008, 08:15 AM

I think I might give this a try, I'll let you guys know how it goes. Nothing else seems to be doing it for me

skeeweeaka · 10-29-2008, 11:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katwhitts

I think I might give this a try, I'll let you guys know how it goes. Nothing else seems to be doing it for me

Are you drinking any diet sodas or anything with artificial sweeteners...they stall some people...me for instance! I just discovered some in my supplements...heavy sigh...so check everything out that you are ingesting... They also cause really bad food cravings in me...

TJ

katwhitts · 11-04-2008, 08:15 AM

Okay, here's what we got. 1 week later of being on this plan and I'm down 9.5 lbs. My goodness, this is the best plan since sliced bread- which I can have as much as I want every other day!

dasiey · 11-05-2008, 07:26 AM

are you going to continue...kat

dasiey · 11-05-2008, 07:27 AM

oh can you tell me what have you been doing... both days your off day and on your fasting day.

skeeweeaka · 11-05-2008, 08:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katwhitts

Okay, here's what we got. 1 week later of being on this plan and I'm down 9.5 lbs. My goodness, this is the best plan since sliced bread- which I can have as much as I want every other day!

Great job Kat...

I did IF today and will do 3 meals tomorrow... Will try to continue this pattern for November...

TJ

dasiey · 11-06-2008, 06:02 AM

well I have been doing the egg fast for almost 3 weeks. I think saturday I will switch and give this a try any advice.?

kind · 11-06-2008, 01:48 PM

Hi.
I was just reading this site.
This might be something I can do.So maybe this weekend.?
How to do?
Do u just fast with no food? Or do u do fresh fruit and veg. juice?
I have a Jack Lalanne
What about diet pop made with splenda?Any tips for me to do for week 1. Seems I do better if I have a plan and someone to do this with
Kind.
Right now cals are 700 something.
can you eat when u do veg burgers whey shake made with water?or light soy milk? Or Im I wrong.Salads?
Help.

dasiey · 11-06-2008, 01:52 PM

kind go up tp musingforces and read her blog. also there is a link to jasons blog as well. I think I will try this starting saturday. it will be a eat day and sunday fast.

08-20-2008, 08:48 PM	#1
lauraroberts Junior LCF Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Posts: 8 Gallery: lauraroberts	Alternate Day Diet - Good or bad? Anyone here ever tried Alternate day diet?? Alternate day diet involves eating whatever you want one day, only to cut your caloric intake down to about 20-50 percent of its normal value the next day. There were reports that it is really effective. Does anyone here tried it? what are your views?

08-21-2008, 08:03 PM	#2
fjeld Senior LCF Member Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 182 Gallery: fjeld WOE: Eat well/Intermittent calorie restriction	Laura I did try the Alternate Day Diet sort of for two weeks, but I only did down days two days a week. I lost quite a bit of weight judging from how I could easily button a pair of jeans, after the two weeks, that when I started I could hardly get over my derriere. My down days were pretty low in calories and I only ate raw vegetables and a little fruit. I did this more to try a variation similar to Intermittent Fasting (IF). I've found that I can easily skip breakfast and most often do one whole day of low carb/low calorie juice fasting a week, but fasting or doing a down day every other day will not work, it usually backfires. It made me feel deprived and obsessive, it felt unsocial and going hungry for so many whole days of the week is just too unpleasant. (I also think that Dr. Johnson who's written a book on the the ADD (or JUDDD - Johnson's Up Day Down Day Diet) states that you can't really overindulge on your up days if you want to lose weight.) Last edited by fjeld : 08-21-2008 at 08:04 PM.

10-13-2008, 07:51 PM	#6
musingforces Junior LCF Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1 Gallery: musingforces Stats: 155/110/110 WOE: Alternate Day Fasting Start Date: November 2007	Yes it works! I've been alternate day fasting for nearly a year now. It has completely changed my life around. I have more energy than I've had in years and I've lost about 45 pounds. I started a blog to track my progress when I began doing it: Musing Forces Alternate Day Fasting It's not for everyone, but I love it. If you are curious, give it a try. You'll know pretty much right away if it is for you or not. There are other ADF blogs out there too if you search for them. Regards, Theresa Last edited by musingforces : 10-13-2008 at 08:07 PM.

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09-26-2008, 03:45 PM	#4
mssusthang Junior LCF Member Join Date: May 2004 Posts: 1 Gallery: mssusthang Stats: 180/141/130 5'8" WOE: Atkins Start Date: 6/2002	I just started doing it as well. I love it so far ... I couldn't believe how easy the first DD was ... I felt completely energized. Good luck!

09-27-2008, 01:00 PM	#5
dasiey Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 669 Gallery: dasiey Stats: 162 WOE: CR/eggie Start Date: Sept. 14,2008	sounds interesting. Maybe I will try it to.

10-18-2008, 10:15 PM	#7
janetaz Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 680 Gallery: janetaz	Musingforces! Your blog is awesome! I am still reading it right now, on March of this year. Thank you for sharing your story!! I am off to walk my dogs and then I will keep reading!! Are you going to continue alternate day fasting now that you are at goal?

10-22-2008, 08:57 AM	#9
Ailuros MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 2,682 Gallery: Ailuros Stats: Maintenance (since 2003) WOE: Controlled carb, real food Start Date: 2003	I really liked the idea - and the studies seemed to show some good effects (like reductions in inflammation and allergies), but it just didn't suit me. I had the opposite experience to Skeeweeaka - I became obsessed with food on the down days, as well as feeling lightheaded. I do better with 3-4 meals per day. I don't know what it is that makes the difference, but as Theresa says - try it, and you'll soon know if it's a good fit for you.

10-28-2008, 08:15 AM	#11
katwhitts Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 23 Gallery: katwhitts Stats: 246/236.5/135 WOE: alternate fasting Start Date: June 2008	I think I might give this a try, I'll let you guys know how it goes. Nothing else seems to be doing it for me

11-04-2008, 08:15 AM	#13
katwhitts Junior LCF Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: NW Arkansas Posts: 23 Gallery: katwhitts Stats: 246/236.5/135 WOE: alternate fasting Start Date: June 2008	Okay, here's what we got. 1 week later of being on this plan and I'm down 9.5 lbs. My goodness, this is the best plan since sliced bread- which I can have as much as I want every other day!

11-05-2008, 07:26 AM	#14
dasiey Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 669 Gallery: dasiey Stats: 162 WOE: CR/eggie Start Date: Sept. 14,2008	are you going to continue...kat

11-05-2008, 07:27 AM	#15
dasiey Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 669 Gallery: dasiey Stats: 162 WOE: CR/eggie Start Date: Sept. 14,2008	oh can you tell me what have you been doing... both days your off day and on your fasting day.

11-06-2008, 06:02 AM	#17
dasiey Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 669 Gallery: dasiey Stats: 162 WOE: CR/eggie Start Date: Sept. 14,2008	well I have been doing the egg fast for almost 3 weeks. I think saturday I will switch and give this a try any advice.?

11-06-2008, 01:48 PM	#18
kind Senior LCF Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: mid west. Posts: 181 Gallery: kind Stats: 150-/145 /123 WOE: Eat to live. Start Date: OCT.1st. 08	Hi. I was just reading this site. This might be something I can do.So maybe this weekend.? How to do? Do u just fast with no food? Or do u do fresh fruit and veg. juice? I have a Jack Lalanne What about diet pop made with splenda?Any tips for me to do for week 1. Seems I do better if I have a plan and someone to do this with Kind. Right now cals are 700 something. can you eat when u do veg burgers whey shake made with water?or light soy milk? Or Im I wrong.Salads? Help.

11-06-2008, 01:52 PM	#19
dasiey Senior LCF Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 669 Gallery: dasiey Stats: 162 WOE: CR/eggie Start Date: Sept. 14,2008	kind go up tp musingforces and read her blog. also there is a link to jasons blog as well. I think I will try this starting saturday. it will be a eat day and sunday fast.