Eat. Stop. Eat. Update and Questions

Okay y'all.  So, I got a lot of different responses from you all when I announced my participation in Eat. Stop. Eat.  I'm talking WIDE variety of opinions.  It was pretty amazing to see how many of you were supportive, curious and also how many of you are already on the program, or some other eating style where you incorporate fasts.

On the other hand, there were a few readers who were skeptical, unsure, and some of you were downright against the idea.

I want to talk about a few things today.  First, I'm gonna give you a little update on the program and how it's working for me.  Secondly, I want to talk about restriction in eating plans, and what's the deal with that?

So.  Update.

I started out really well with the "Eat" part of Eat. Stop. Eat.  I mean, I kicked ass at it.  I ate and did it well.  Big salads, a hot dog, some delicious ice cream, chicken, milk, cereal, whole wheat bread.  I didn't restrict my eating and it was amazing.  But then I realized I'd forgotten something crucial after a few days.  The "Stop." part.  I was enjoying eating freely, and forgot I was supposed to schedule in my stops.  HA!  So.  I did my first 24-hour fast on Tuesday and it was amazing.  9pm-9pm, y'all.  (I have a really late schedule, so for most of you normal people that'd be more like 6pm-6pm, dinner hour.) 

I didn't feel cranky, light headed, or shaky.  I felt sort of hungry after being awake for three or four hours, but the feeling passed.  I got another slight wave of hunger another four or so hours later, but for the most part it wasn't bad.  I drank water and diet soda and I was fine.  Then, 9pm came and it was time for dinner, and I had chicken, a little bread and some mashed potatoes.  (Had no salad in the house and it was too late to go to the salad bar at the grocery store.  I'll be better prepared next time.)

So!  Overall I'm looking forward to my next fast (which is right now, actually.  No food until 10pm tonight.)  It feels amazing.  I feel empowered and freed.  Which leads me to my next topic:  Restriction.

Here are some of the comments I got on the post I did:

Fasting two days a week is not sustainable.  Why?  Lots of people do it.  Dan's grandfather has been doing it for 30 years.  I have stacks of books on the subject.  It might just not be sustainable for some people, and that's cool. 

It seems like a modified version of anorexic behavior.  Anorexia is not a behavior, it is a sickness.  This program is specifically for healthy adults, and is not for anyone who has eating disorder issues.  Fasting has been practiced for centuries.  We're just not used to it here because we think we are supposed to eat three to five times a day. Breakfast (break-fast) breaks the fast after we sleep, right?  Well, the word dinner actually ALSO means "break fast."  And lunch?  Didn't even exist until ladies tea became "luncheon," became a full meal we eat sitting down.

I wasn't aware that restricting your food was criteria for a healthy diet.  It absolutely is.  It's scientific, actually.  Eat less, lose weight.  I don't get why people are so freaked out by the idea of food restriction.  It's not a BAD thing.  (If you have eating disorder issues or tendencies, obviously I'm not talking to or about you.)  But for those of us who struggle with weight... restricting food (and exercise for those who exercise) is the only way to lose weight.

Not fasting to allow us to make poorer choices on the days we can eat. It just doesn't sound healthy to me.  For me, it's not about "poorer" choices.  It's about freedom from food psychotic behavior (which is a term I apply to myself and my obsession with numbers, calories, carbs, and the guilt and head issues I get about food.)  This week for the first time I actually felt GOOD.  I didn't feel guilty when I ate mashed potatoes.  I had a Subway sandwich and didn't feel like crap afterward because I ate bread.  I made Dan banana bread, and I actually had some of it myself.  This program is about allowing me freedom to enjoy food, instead of feeling guilty if I "mess up."  It frees me to live my life and not worry about what I'm going to order at a restaurant, and if there's a dry chicken breast and steamed broccoli available or not.  It allows me to not sit and loathe and be jealous while I drink a bottle of water at a baseball game as my friends have hot dogs.


The entire time he was knocking other diets and counting calories and such saying that "they wont work."  I'm pretty sure he wasn't.  In fact, I'm pretty sure he said any of those ways can be good ways to lose the weight, and that there's not a "right way" or a "wrong way."  He DID point out how frustrating those other programs can be, and I personally agree.  I do not want to be counting points for the rest of my life.

Not once in the video you linked did it say "how" it is supposed to work, only that it will.  That's because if he explained all of the how, he wouldn't be able to sell the program.  I bought the e-book and I have all the information I need.  Can't fault him for not giving it away, can we?

I think you will be upset if it doesnt work and/or you come off of it, and gain it all back.  Absolutely!  Just like I've been disappointed when I've gained weight back after Atkins, counting calories, doing Weight Watchers, and being a Vegetarian.  But all of those options are also fully valid, fantastic eating programs that are totally sustainable and life-changing for some people.  It's all about finding the program that works for you as an individual.

I hope this is an april fools joke. Of course a diet like this will work since basically you will eat less, a lot less.  ... No, not an April Fool's joke.  And yes, diets where you eat less, are the ones that will work.  That's the point.  Eat less, lose weight.  Calories in, calories out.  If you think the formula is different from that, you're mistaken.  It really is that simple.

I sincerely hope I am wrong in thinking this diet is a great way to start a serious eating disorder.  This has actually given me freedom from food issues, and I've seen that feedback from several people who fast.  Fasting does not equal anorexia.  Seriously.

If you don't like calorie counting then try weight watchers?   Weight Watchers IS calorie counting.  It's just modified into points.  The numbers are smaller but it's the same idea.  It's great for some folks, but it just didn't work for me personally.  :)


Umm.... why not just eat what you want to eat in moderation and exercise??  I did that for five months and lost five pounds.  Literally, was under 1700 calories a day and worked out for an hour three to five days a week.  My body needs a little extra boost.  Oh, and I hate working out.  That too. :)


So for me, here's the thing.

I don't understand why someone who counts calories or points all week, digs into their little bags of celery or noshes on their delicious rice cakes... can say they're not on a restrictive diet.  Ummm, you are.  In fact, you're restricting your eating all week.  AND you're counting numbers while you're doing it.  In fact, it doesn't even have to be that kind of an example.  Do you sometimes want to eat chocolate cake at a restaurant after your dinner?  Do you sometimes say, "Nah, I probably shouldn't." ?  That's restricting your intake.  That's saying, "Yeah, this probably isn't the best choice for me." 

This is just a different approach.  It's more flexible so I do NOT have to count points or calories or carbs.  I simply cut two days out.  So instead of watching my intake all week, counting calories, skipping desserts, staying away from bread, and at the end, having cut 30% of my calories for weight loss... I'm eating what I feel like eating when I feel like eating it (yes, still in moderation,) skipping food for two 24-hour periods, and coming away with a 30% deficit of calories at the end of the week.

Personally, I like option 2 the best.



On another note, I'm going to be in Denver for the next week but I'll try to do a few updates while I'm there!

~J