Fast 5

[temporus]

Steve,

Just wanted to say again thanks for putting me on to this. I've been hovering over the edge of IF, but hadn't quite gotten up the gumption to dive in. Fast 5 however, seems like it's right up my alley. I'm starting on it today. As of now, I'm 13 hours into the 19 hour fast. Actually this is pretty normal. It's hours 15-19 that I think will be more challenging. Mostly because I'm conscious of the fact that I'm fasting, as opposed to days I just forget to eat because I'm busy.

I think it will take a little time to get used to, but once I do, I'm hoping to use that lunch hour to tackle things I haven't had the time to do before. If this does work out, I think it's great that there can be many variations on this process to help fit differing personalities and lifestyles.

Regards,

Ed

[Steven Barnes]

You bet. I love the flexibility. If a friend pops into town on a fast day and wants to have dinner, the heck with it: I eat! This isn't about obsession, it's about health, performance, and appearance.

[temporus]

At 15 1/2 hours now. Don't really feel all that hungry. Small pangs, but not too bad. I think the toughest part is the social aspect. I tried to be not at my desk at noon, to avoid my co-workers asking me to join them for lunch. But I must have misjudged it because just after I got back, my boss came by. I just told him I had a few things to finish up. I'm not interested in discussing such things around the office. Not "joining the gang" is a little awkward. I hope that passes.

Regards,

Ed

[Steven Barnes]

Of course, you could join them, and munch carrot sticks...but that would probably trigger lotsa questions and discomfort...

[temporus]

Well, made it all the way til 5:30 before food. (The last half hour was commute, so no choice there.) Not bad on a first try, and as long as I kept working, I didn't even notice that I was hungry. Which proves to me a suspicion that I've long held, that I eat more than I need because I'm not actually getting hungry.

As to going to lunch, well, the one advantage of my job is that I don't work on the same floor as the cafeteria. The only thing available to me is the water cooler. If I don't bring food, then I have to actually go to a different floor to consume. If I don't go to lunch with the gang, there's less temptation. I prefer to put myself in situations that help me succeed rather than the opposite.

Regards,

Ed

[AdamCrafter]

Please take note on how this approach effects you,
I don;t need to collect data on how most people live...
that's been done.
-
If you could collect as much data and as many impressions you have about your trial of fast 5, I'd really appreciate it!

heh: rough experiment design.
Control: normal diet: most everyone in america.
Fast-5: fast-5 diet : YOU & maybe I can get someone in my labgroup to try it.
Int.Fast: Steve / Nicki / Me / & anyone who cares to play along!

[temporus]

I'll do my best Adam. What exactly are you looking for? Right now, it's day two on the plan. Nothing noticable yet. But I'm doing my d**nedest to keep as busy as possible so I don't think about the fact that I'm doing the plan. Right now, the toughest challenges have been: no juice in the morning before the commute, and no cream in my coffee. Which is tough, because the coffee at work isn't all that high quality that it can stand up without the flavor cream lends. But I'll survive.

Regards,

Ed

[AdamCrafter]

Weights?
can you get your BMI measured early on in your try?
keep a daily log of anything that you notcie about changes in your body makeup and energy levels?
-
No need to make all that public, just save it for yourself, and give us the highlights or oddities....

[temporus]

If BMI is the reading that my scale can do by sending electric current through the body (I have to enter height and age info as well in order to get this statistic) then I can measure that weekly too. These are numbers I intend to track anyway.

I think the tricky part with this plan, is remembering to check what time it is. I was doing some writing last night, and was eating an apple. I got absorbed in the writing, and forgot about the apple. When I hit a pause I picked it up and ate a bite. Then I checked the clock, and realized it was 10:30. Not like that's the end of the world. Just requires a bit more attention on my part.

[Steven Barnes]

I've heard that eating anything at all during the fast can trigger "Limbic hunger"which can make it very difficult to stay on your fast. Now, if that ain't true for you...then I suggest cutting yourself a little slack! Eating an apple will have next to ZERO effect on your weight loss. Same for carrot sticks, celery, or raw mushrooms. The beauty of this program is its flexibility.

[temporus]

I have to say, I'm shocked at how minor hunger feels. Okay, last night, when I didn't get home until 6 PM, and then had to wait for some friends to come over so we could go out to dinner, I felt a the hunger. Then I went and got some fruit and munched while waiting. At that point though, I wasn't considering myself fasting, I just felt odd eating before going out to eat. I guess a mental hold over from the days of "don't spoil your dinner."

I thought for sure that yesterday, the hunger would be stronger. But it wasn't. Today so far, not really any different either. If I dwell on the idea of food, sure, I start to notice hunger. But as long as I keep busy, I'm fine.

I'm not really worried about a few bites of an apple. What I am more concerned about is being conscious of my decisions and actions. In general, my fast won't likely be from 10PM - 5 PM anyway, because I almost never make it home from work before 5:30. So in the long run, I will probably shift the "window" back a little.

[AdamCrafter]

Temporus: Yep, that BMI scale will give the rough data we are looking for. It is more important to use the same method for measurement as you go, than it is to choose a specific metric.

[mikeralls]

Hi Adam,

I've been measuring my body fat and weight every morning at the same time since I started IF (April 2, 2007). The data is here mikesbooknotes.blogspot.com/2007/05/intermittent-fasting.html

if you are interested.

Cheers,
Mike

[AdamCrafter]

Yes, that is exactly the sort of thing I am collecting during my first phase of research on Int.Fasting.

Many thanks!
A

[ladyk]

Hi! I'm new and I'm interested in the Fast 5. How does it work? Do you just eat only every other day? On your fasting day do you drink lots of water and nothing else? Please catch me up!

By the way Steve, LadyK is short for Karen Willson! Hugs and love from me and Chris!