Fast-5 Diet and Lifestyle: [fast5] Re: Help

I fully agree. Fast-5 gives you the clear rules that will provide maximum benefit. Sure, it will be best to follow them fairly closely especially as you start out. During the first few weeks, as you try different things and read some of the older messages in this group, you will start to figure out what works best for you.

This is as much a mental thing as a physiological thing. For many the idea that they can eat whatever they want (within reason) gets them over the hurdle that they have lost control. It is the regimentation and loss of control that makes them quit other diets. Fast-5 overcomes that; you are in control and lunch one day every two weeks doesn't change that fact. As Phil pointed out, there are different ways to handle it and you should do whatever you feel comfortable with. It doesn't even have to be the same thing every time!

I've been doing Fast-5 since Aug 9 last year. I am down 30 lbs which is a little more than a lb a week. No real effort. I try to make sure I get enough protein and I probably have increased my fat intake a little. Pasta is a favorite and I don't avoid it! I try to stay away from ice cream and candy, but ate a ton of candy and deserts over the holidays (with the expected results). Now I am back eating in my window and the weight gained is already gone and a few lbs more. This weekend was the first time I have weighed-in at less than 200 lbs in over 10 years; maybe 15. So it can work without all the tweaks that some others use on top of it.

--
Marty

--- In fast5@yahoogroups.com, Phil Voelker <mail4pvoelker@...> wrote:
>
> Hi ya, Sandra -
> Â
> OK - there are three answers to your question, and all three are applicable:
> Â
> 1. If you want to maximize your fat loss potential, I'll tell you what I do when I have the occasional work lunch (about as often as you're describing here):Â what I do is just enjoy my lunch and move my 5 hour window, just for that day, so that it starts when I first start eating.Â Yes, it shortens the fast from the previous day, but . . . .then the next day, I don't start eating until my normal window, so actually I end up fasting more than 19 hours on that day.Â My body seems to be pretty okay with that flexibility, and being that you can fast for up to three days without it negatively impacting your musculature, it's a safe way to put some flexibility into your lifestyle.
> Â
> 2. If you're more about 'quality of life' than speed of fat loss, then do what I do - cheat sometimes.Â :-)
> Â
> 3. Lastly, if you're about quality of life, AND want to lose fat at the same time, then do what I do - act like a human being, love yourself, and work to keep your cheat days lower than your disciplined days.Â Don't beat yourself up - just know that the better you perform, the faster the results.
> Â
> Look, this is just my own opinion, but everyone's going to look at this thing differently.Â Sometimes I have to laugh a little because many folks are so puritanical about this approach that I feel like they're leaving out an important point (and maybe intimidating some of the newer folks).Â To me, the whole point of eating like this is not about being strict, and not about creating a "diet" that one might think they'll magically adhere to when others have failed them.Â This is about creating a little more education within yourself about how your body processes energy, and how you can use that knowledge to your advantage by modifying the times you take in energy.Â Maybe I'm overly simplistic, but to me it's really just that simple.Â
> Â
> Back in 2000 - 2001 I weighed well over 400 pounds, and whittled myself down to about 210 while adding about 25-30 pounds of muscle (I'm 6'4" and will be 43 this summer).Â No surgery, no radical diets,Â mostly justÂ paying attention to calorie intake and lifting weights. Â Granted, I've put on about 20 pounds between Halloween and today (kept up the weight training but ate like crap, hahaha), but hey! This is my life and I refuse to live it in fear of my physique any longer.Â It's just not the way we were meant to live.Â Maybe that's more my point -- by understanding how you can use your body's own abilities to your advantage, you can live your life feeling a little more like you're doing it the way you're supposed to -- at least from a dietary standpoint.Â Â I'm writing this after a great workout and a 1200 calorie day, and fully confident in my knowledge and ability to get back on track.Â It's easy once you believe in yourself and your knowledge
> (and yes, 1200 cal. isÂ very lowÂ for a guy my size and build.Â There will be more caloric days -Â believe it, LOL).
> Â
> You're on day three - you're not at the point yet where you should even be worried about modifying your diet.Â Keep on keepin' on, read the book so you understand the science behind the process, and have a wonderful new year.Â
> Â
> Regards,
> Phil
>
> --- On Mon, 1/18/10, Sandra <samdgood@...> wrote:
>
>
> From: Sandra <samdgood@...>
> Subject: [fast5] Help
> To: fast5@yahoogroups.com
> Date: Monday, January 18, 2010, 7:54 PM
>
> I am very excited to be starting this lifestyle (i hate diets). Today is my third day and doing good so far. I started my 12 hr window at 12:30 pm the first day and 2 pm the second and third. I'm not sure if i want to move it all the way to 5 pm or stay earlier. I do have a question i thought someone might help me with. I have lunch every other thursday. do i cheat and have a meal outside my window or do i move my window up on that day? which would be best?
>