OK lovely readers … before I posted this I wanted to test it so have been following the 2-day 600 calories (Mon & Tues).
This is a concept explored by Dr Michael Mosley in a BBC documentary. The diet is called the Five and Two 5:2 a type of intermittent fasting. The idea is that we fast for or restrict our diet for two days and eat what we want for the rest of the time. The documentary claims that intermittent fasting can decrease risk of chronic diseases whilst promoting weight loss. A number of studies have linked fasting with living longer, meaning we get a few more days or years on Earth.
The results are fascinating.
Dr Michael Mosley has launched an updated version of his diet based on more intensive research and his findings. See The Fast 800
The rest of the week you eat whatever you like – already lost 5KGs, which I’m not bothered about but after a rocky start, I started to feel so much better. Will post the results of the bloods in a week or so and hopefully the cholesterol is coming down too.
Update on bloods:
It appears that I have a genetic issue with the cholesterol. The overall reading is within tolerances but the level of bad cholesterol, the LDL, is of a high percentage. The fasting didn’t change this significantly and I ended up taking medication to sort it … oh the joys of getting old eh!
Update on general well-being after a couple of months on this:
I have to say the first few weeks were really hard as my body cleared itself of the toxins and nasty stuff … but after that real changes began to happen.
Now I haven’t changed my diet in the least which is great … I can still eat all the things I enjoy and as much of them as I care.
I’m now down to just over 100kg which sounds like a lot but then I carry a lot of muscle. I’ve trained all my life at the gym etc so now I’m enjoying my six-pack for the first time in a number of years.
And what is also incredible is the change in energy and stamina.
I started playing touch rugby a few months ago and was awful, I pulled my hamstrings and was like an old slow man around the pitch. Several months into this new fasting diet people have honestly made comments like “What the hell are you on!!!” … and that’s the truth!
I run faster than I ever have for longer. I go mountain biking regularly, proper mountains, not just trails, and I just generally feel good.
The theory is this. Fat is only insurance … to be used in time of need when you’re going through lean times hunting and gathering. When your belly is full, all your resources are busy digesting and storing. To catch food you need to be in top shape so when you’re hungry your resources are all sent to fix and mend.
It all makes sense really and it’s just modern living that’s killing us. We live longer because of modern medicine … combine that with a healthy immune system and barring earthquakes and tsunamis … you will LIVE LONGER!
