You are here: Weight Loss Blog » Intermittent Fasting » Fasting To Lose Weight – Why It is A Better Way To Lose Weight.

Fasting To Lose Weight – Why It is A Better Way To Lose Weight.

by Dave on January 26, 2011

So my first weight loss blog post of 2011, but I now enter my 3rd year of blogging about my own weight loss journey and how intermittent fasting has been a major tool in my efforts to first lose weight, and now keep it off. When I started this blog back on New Years Day 2009 vowing to never go on another diet again, I decided that fasting to lose weight was the best way forward for me to finally break free of the good food, bad food mentality. Now 2 years on, I seem to be on the outside looking in as I watch people I know start their  ” New Year resolution diet “. Now as we come to the end of January, most have ” fallen off the wagon ” or ” broke the diet last weekend ”  I start to hear the ” I will get back on the diet on Monday , I have a party this weekend “.  The fact is, if you are on a diet that restricts what you like, at some point there is always going to be something that comes along and puts a spanner in the works. I wonder, why do we put ourselves through it ?

So here we are, as January draws to a close, I am quietly back to my usual routine. No diet to break, and free of the frustrations that I see so many others currently struggling with. The one thing I find different now at this time of year is, that it’s very easy for me to lose the weight I gained over the holidays. Why ? well for simple reason everyone else seems to be on a diet ! .

Want To Know More About Why I Am A Retired Dieter ? Want To Lose Weight Without Giving Up The Foods You Love ? Then Enter Your Email Below And Get My Story

Related posts:

  1. Intermittent Fasting Week 9
  2. Intermittent Fasting June 19th
  3. Intermittent Fasting – End Of Year Weigh-In
  4. Fasting For Weight Loss – Post Holiday Fast
  5. Flexible Intermittent Fasting – Doing What Is Best For You
  • http://paleoforlife.blogspot.com/ Bill

    Hiya Dave,
    I have to admire your willpower.
    Considering the amount of carbs you consume, it must take an effort to do your intermittent fasting.
    I honestly think that the majority of people would struggle to follow your regime.
    Have you plateaued with your weight loss and body composition? Or are you gaining muscle mass whilst still losing fat?
    Some recent photos would be appreciated for the record.

    Best wishes for another good year.

    • http://retireddieter.com Dave

      Hi Bill, good to see you back… Happy New Year ;)

      I do find it funny how we have such differing views, but both maintain our weight.It shows you can get results from totally different methods. You see for me I have the same view. I actually admire your willpower, because I don’t know how you go without grain on your diet. No grain for 3 years ? No way I could do that.

      Why would you think my intermittent fasting would be an effort though ? Do you think because I eat carbs it makes it hard to do it ? Certainly not what I have found. Trust me if it was hard for me to do it, there would be no way I would be here writing now 2 years later about it. I find my fasts got easier over time. I lasted on Atkins for 12 weeks, that was hard for me, this is not hard for me to do at all. I play around with the days and the timings, but I still fast every week.

      Anyone who wants to lose weight has to find a way to restrict calories in a way that works for them or find a way of eating that works for their lifestyle. Is my way right for everyone ? I would be the first to say it isn’t, but I would say that when it tailored to your own lifestyle it is easier to use to lose weight and keep it off, than any other. I do not view carbs as the enemy, why would I ? I have lost over 70lbs while still eating them.

      I agree on the photos though,so will look to get one done this weekend holding the paper !. I have not weighed in this year yet but I would say I am somewhere around 165 lbs. I do think I need to be around 161 for those abs to really show though, but we shall see.

  • Brian

    Dave,

    I just wanted to thank you for your blog. Please do not stop! You are a tremendous encouragement for the regular guy out here that loves to eat great food. I lost35 pounds several years ago on IF and frankly just got away from it and gained it back. Started to believe the eating more and working out more BS and now am overweight again. I am 49 years old and 5′ 9 ” 200 lbs. I would like to get down to 155 lbs. My birthday is in November and would like to get in the best shape of my life before the big 50. Anyway, I know this will work for me and just wanted you to know that we are reading. There are alot of IF folks out there but I think that your flexible style will work for the masses. I think that you are truly on to something revolutionary.

    Take care,
    Brian

    Thanks

    • http://RetiredDieter.com Dave

      Brian,

      Thanks for kind words, I really do appreciate it, and any help I can give to help you reach your goal then you know where I am.

    • http://RetiredDieter.com Dave

      Brian,

      Thanks for kind words, I really do appreciate it, and any help I can give to help you reach your goal then you know where I am.

  • Brian

    Dave,

    And another thing – I have a healthy addiction to ice cream. I eat some each night – I figured about 300 calories worth a night. Do you think that I can continue with it as long as I keep my other calories in check. I know that you had mentioned that you did not give up your taste for beer. Just wanted your thoughts.

    Thanks,
    Brian

    • http://RetiredDieter.com Dave

      Hey Brian, As long as you are below the calories you need to lose weight, then no problem at all, the last thing you should do is give up on what you like.

  • dave

    Hi Bill, good to see you back… Happy New Year

    I do find it funny how we have such differing views, but both maintain our weight.It shows you can get results from totally different methods. You see for me I have the same view. I actually admire your willpower, because I don’t know how you go without grain on your diet. No grain for 3 years ? No way I could do that.

    Why would you think my intermittent fasting would be an effort though ? Do you think because I eat carbs it makes it hard to do it ? Certainly not what I have found. Trust me if it was hard for me to do it, there would be no way I would be here writing now 2 years later about it. I find my fasts got easier over time. I lasted on Atkins for 12 weeks, that was hard for me, this is not hard for me to do at all. I play around with the days and the timings, but I still fast every week.

    Anyone who wants to lose weight has to find a way to restrict calories in a way that works for them or find a way of eating that works for their lifestyle. Is my way right for everyone ? I would be the first to say it isn’t, but I would say that when it tailored to your own lifestyle it is easier to use to lose weight and keep it off, than any other. I do not view carbs as the enemy, why would I ? I have lost over 70lbs while still eating them.

    I agree on the photos though,so will look to get one done this weekend holding the paper !. I have not weighed in this year yet but I would say I am somewhere around 165 lbs. I do think I need to be around 161 for those abs to really show though, but we shall see.

  • dave

    Hey Brian,
    As long as you are below the calories you need to lose weight, then no problem at all, the last thing you should do is give up on what you like.

  • http://paleoforlife.blogspot.com/ Bill

    I believe that sugar, starches and grains cause insulin spikes which cause insulin resistance over time, and make you hungry and crave more carbs.
    I look at grains as toxic, causing inflammation, especially gluten. Autoimmune issues such as rheumatoid arthiritis, M.S. etc., are to some degree caused by grains. In my case it was alopecia areata. 10 years of bald patches.
    It’s now totally cleared up for the past 2 years. I must admit that freshly baked bread is very tempting, but then I think of the bald patches….
    Also grains are linked to gut problems such as IBS, diverticulitis, Crohn’s disease, bowel polyps and bowel cancer.
    It can take more than 3 years for problems to heal up, going grain free, after a lifetime of toxin trickle.

    As far as my weight is concerned, I have very low body fat and I am trying to gain weight. I’ve got healthy skin, bone and not enough muscle. I can eat 4,000 calories a day and not gain weight, mainly from sat fats such as pastured butter, fermented cheese and full fat probiotic yoghurt. I also eat around 125 gms of chocolate a day. It’s 85% cocoa fat, high calories but low sugar. (more fat)
    I tried 4,000 a day for a week and gained nothing.
    I normally eat around 3,000 calories. I never snack, and eat at most twice a day. Big meal in the evening. I am rarely hungry.

    I’ve just invested in some weights, and with resistance training at the gym, I’m aiming for 7 pound increase in lean muscle by April. 10 stone at the moment, so we’ll see…..

    Art Ayers writes extensively about reducing inflammation in the body. He advises low carb, high sat fat, low sugar, grain free.
    His website is a mine of information.
    If you ask him a sensible question he always responds. The advice of a top neurobiologist for free!
    http://coolinginflammation.blogspot.com/

  • http://www.wildeaboutsteroids.co.uk/ Margaret Wilde

    Cutting down on salt and salty food is a safe, rapid way to lose weight, for overweight people who have the problem of fluid retention. The problem is often the consequence of taking prescribed medications like steroids, antidepressants, anticonvulsants and painkillers, or by eating a lot of salted food in childhood.

    I hope that will help you or some of your readers, Dave.

  • http://paleoforlife.blogspot.com/ Bill

Previous post:

Next post: