Fast-5 Diet and Lifestyle: Re: [fast5] I am not reaching target weight with fast-5

Saturday, March 6, 2010

Re: [fast5] I am not reaching target weight with fast-5

As a Brit I can certainly relate to the attractions of the odd pint of liquid calories! Congratulations on achieving your weight loss - it's already evidence of the way Fast-5 helps you to limit your calories in a more natural way. Like you, I've also had the experience of achieving considerable initial reduction in body fat, and then stabilising around a lower weight for a while. I think that there is indeed a sort of "set point" for our fat levels - or perhaps a series of them. I think it's tied to the daily calorie balance we find possible to sustain indefinitely, as opposed to a temporary one used to achieve some level of body re-composition. I actually seem to have had three of these set points over my adult life as a 5' 10" bloke: 13.5, 12.5 and 11.5 stone (the latter equates to a 32" waist measurement and body-fat level of about 10% or a little below). I've maintained each of these weights quite handily for years, based on different life-style choices with characteristically different mixtures of calories in (i.e. gluttony) and out (i.e. exercise).

So from this, for me at least, it would seem that what was "natural" about any of these apparent set points was the mechanism - and the motivation - for achieving a specific, sustainable energy balance in terms of my overall life-style at a given period. For example, right now I'm maintaining the lowest of my "set points" without too much struggle. The "calories in" aspect is of course based on Fast-5, and is helped by having a 2-3 hour eating window, and by favouring "bulky" foods to help with feelings of satiety. I've also entered a phase (brought on I think by approaching, and then turning, 60) of exercising and being physically active quite a bit more, which has helped to establish a lower calorie balance point. But the continuing "naturalness" of this will depend, I'm sure, on the degree to which I continue to be motivated by the benefits of a sleeker self in terms of an active life-style, as opposed to the competing attractions of relative sloth and gluttony! Right now I'm feeling great benefit, and my self-image would have to deteriorate a lot, I think, for this to change (or is it the other way around?)

So I suppose you will discover just how "natural" your present weight is, in not dissimilar terms. Are you attracted, over the longer term, to a way of living in which typically more modest amounts of food (though above those required for a weight loss phase), and higher average levels of physical activity, are a permanent feature? Will you get more satisfaction from the freedoms this offers, as opposed to the restrictions? If not, you might find a significantly lower weight unsustainable in the long run. If yes, you may eventually get to meet the thin(ner) man who's struggling to get out!

David

On 5 March 2010 11:38, wexbrew <wexbrew@yahoo.com> wrote:

I started fast-5 in September and have completed 29 weeks. I chose fast 5 as an alternative to a reduced calorie diet as a longevity lifestyle option. I read that intermittent fasting had the same beneficial effects as CR and is much easier to manage. I read Bert's book and started with a late window 18:30 to 23:30 which suits my workday and lifestyle. I like a few beers in the evening.

I am 6' male with a large frame and calculated a target weight based on Bert's book of 14 stone (1 stone = 14 lb = 6.35kg). I started at 16.5 stone and over the first 13 weeks lost 1.5 stone to a weight around 15 stone (21 lb loss). Since then my weight has stayed much the same
varying between 14-11 and 15-1. I still have a belly and 40" waist.

I know that if I want to lose weight I should eat less and/or exercise more and am the considering 3 options. My wife does weightwatchers so I could easily start counting points if I feel so inclined. The days are getting longer so I could start bike-riding several evenings a week. Or stay as I am - after all I am doing fast-5 as a life style option and I don't have an issue with my weight.

Fast 5 is a good lifestyle option. Losing the 21 lb I did was fast and relatively effortless. However, my weight is not dropping to the target by fast-5 alone. Perhaps I am at my natural weight?