Thank you, Michael

I am definitely part of all three types. I found it easy to lose weight with 5:2 and I really appreciate having the support of people on this site to help maintain. I still need to fast twice a week and keep off the sugars and processed carbs.

Cheers, Bay

Hi All, I am in the UK and saw the programmes. While they were certainly worth watching (if you can) Michael’s summation above is all you really need to know about it. It certainly told us nothing about 5:2 that we didn’t already know as 5:2 vets. In fact the ‘Constant Cravers’ were on a different version of 5:2, where they had to do their 2 days consecutively and were allowed up to 800KCal (no mention of why, or why the number was the same for male and female).

I checked my results on the test and I came up as overwhelmingly and almost equally split between Constant craver and feaster with a little emotional eater thrown in there. That seems about right for me and I definitely think that the programme gave me ideas of how to deal with my non-fastdays (high protein, low GI to deal with the Feaster in me).

My friend was actually one of the ‘Feasters’ on the programme and he lost the most weight throughout the course of the programme.

He has kept it up and looks great!

Found the programme so interesting and picked up a lot of tips for myself!

Living in Oz I have not seen this program either but am not surprised that different styles of eaters require different styles of dieting. I myself have been successful on about three other diets but ultimately found them unsustainable in the long run, this one though, after giving myself time off over Xmas/New Year I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was to pick up again! I have also gone back to the CSIRO diet on my non fasting days as it is higher protein/lower carb diet, very easy to follow and a great whole family strategy.

I have watched all 3 programs and found it quite helpful and interesting. It seems I’m mostly a CC but with a splash of Feaster thrown in.

I think of food quite alot IF I’m inside the house and it’s readily available for me to grab, bit of a ‘grazer’, otherwise if I’m busy doing something or away from the house I don’t think about food or get hungry for some hours. As for my other habits; I always eat my meals on smaller salad plates but sometimes after eating a meal I’ll eat snacks & never really getting too full….. BUT my worst thing is I EAT TOO FAST! I’ve always said that “mothers are the last to sit down at the dinner table and the first to get up to clean up”, LOL!

I learned some good hints from that show; 1) SLOW DOWN in my eating, 2) surround myself with better snack choices and 3) continue with a Fast Diet program.

I watched the programme. It was interesting – but didn’t actually tell me much that I don’t already know!

It is good to see the 5:2 approach being encouraged…it is the BEST way of eating I have found! (And I have tried EVERY diet you can mention!)

I did find the ‘which diet’ approach was a tad simplistic….like most people I don’t fir into just one group…I am mainly a constant craver but with definite streaks of emotional eater embedded…which the online-questionnaire proved.

One thing that confused me a bit…maybe I misheard…but were the 5:2 group told to take 800 calories in a fast day? I though it should be 500/600?

I tend to agree with Buttonboots in that I found it slightly simplistic. I too would like to know their rationale behind 800 cals on FD; and why the Constant Cravers were told to fast 2 days on the trot.

I was dubious about the use of commercial slimming clubs for the Emotional Eaters. When I attended one, I didn’t find it particularly supportive and it did little to establish sustainable changes in my way of eating – unlike 5:2, for me. (In fact I found Overeaters Anonymous was a better space for exploring emotional issues, although I did leave there eventually, too, as I didn’t really agree with the 12 step ethos. Yup, I’ve been around the block a few times!) My suspicion is that the support the Emotional Eaters got from each other, in their online forum and the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy were more important than joining a slimming club.

There were only 2 people who did not lose weight out of their large cohort. Good ‘success’ rate but I was immediately intrigued about those 2 people. I hope someone from the scientists follows up and offers them some further support.

I hope there will be a follow up programme in a year, as that is the acid test of any change to a Way of Eating (as many of us ex- yoyo dieters on here will know!) With your ‘meejah’ contacts, Dr M, maybe you can suggest that to them 😉

Agree with comments above. People are not one or the other tribe. However some very good hints and tips, especially eating slowly, avoiding high GI foods and being more aware of the way you eat. I liked the idea that you should see food in shops as being just marketing, and refuse to fall for it.

Bootsy Badger, I agree. What about the people who were not successful, even with the added motivation of being part of the programme?

I would have liked them to have said more about what the CBT was, and to have been explicit about the fact that it can be uncomfortable not to eat when you want to. Every overeater has to accept that and not look for some system that promises they never have to face that and deal with it.

Also I would LOVE to have a follow up in a year. That would be interesting.

Hi. I watched all three programmes, and found them interesting too. I did the test was was a combination of all three types/tribes!!! Interesting to watch is YouTube “Weight Management Science Interview”. I used the programme they refer to. After years of trying to lose a few kilos and those few kilos always finding me again, I am thrilled that at long last they haven’t found me again. As far as I know its the first weight management programme dealing with all these issues – not feeling full, mood, and craving – at the gene level using epigenetic science. its certainly worked for me and the other people I know who have used it. From what I can understand caloric restriction is important for lonegevity, and I think fasting has its place, and agree, that protein cannot be stored. All the best everyone

Thanks for that really helpful link. Very interesting. I realise that muscle weighs more than fat and that progress would be slow: however what about % body fat and dress sizes? Would they not reduce at a faster rate than the scales might indicate?

I think the major impact is that the program dismisses the simple “Calorie in” argument for weight gain. There are lots of causes, some genetic some life style and I over eat because I am fat not the other way around. So rather than beat myself up for “lack of self will” I can lay that one to rest and focus on the changes needed, fasting works ( third year 3 stone lighter and kept off) plus drastically reducing processed carbs, eating within an 8 hour window, not being sedentary, support from this web site and trying to keep to a Mediterranean diet. Phew its not easy but at least I don’t feel its all my fault.

I agree- it’s the first time ever that I don’t feel guilty every time I eat something, and the flexibility is great. I sent off for the zero noodles and have researched them too. Not only are they not harmful- but they can help medically- and they are a good substitute for pasta, rice, noodles etc. Upwards and onwards!

Well, this is interesting, and I’ve done the test. Result 44% Constant Craver, 31% Feaster, 25% Emotional Eater. In other words a bit of everything. For me, this has brought up 2 questions that seem anomolous.

1. I have ADHD. I have food intolerances that have an addictive componant to them. This is not uncommon in people with ADHD. It works like this: eat some non – tolerated food, enjoy it a lot and it may even be a favourite food, feel somewhat compelled to eat it or crave it constantly, a while after eating it, say 1-2 hrs but could be longer, there is an adverse reaction of varying sorts, start craving the food, eat the food, adverse symptoms stop, a while later adverse reaction begins again,And the cycle keeps repeating. I had a full elimination testing regime with a dietitian and then spent a no. I have this type of intolerance to most grains, and am intolerant to amines and various added chemicals, the cabbage family, raw but not cooked onions ,peppers/chillies etc etc. For about 8 years in the past, I only ate things I didn’t react to with the addictive quality, and during that time I did not crave food at all and my profile on the test would have been different. I just didn’t seem to get hungry much and could walk past food no trouble.. Think I better go and do the test from my memory of that time, and see how that works out.

2. My OH has been in the past, on the Pritikin 3% fat diet for 12 yrs. The anomaly I’m seeing is that on that regime the results ( and havin g a lot of contact with people on it because it was me who had to find the foods, plan and cook it etc) is that this Low Protein, Low Fat, High Carbohydrate way of eating acts differently to the Low Fat High Carb diets being repoted on. In the 3% FatPritikin Diet not only are people not putting on weight, but they lose it and a few people get underweight. Also there are diabetic people, type 2, who are no longer diebetic, most people’s cholesterol drops a lot to healthy levels, cardiac patients living way longer than expected.

Merry

Use Google Chrome with the “Hola” plugin. It allows you to watch UK programmes as if you are in the UK. I’m not in the UK and I watched the series that way on the BBC web site.

Hi there love the website very informative. I tried the 5:2 diet when you first televised it and it did work but sadly i lost my way a bit with sticking to it and have since given up. I started again last week but have read that there is an alternative fast where you stop eating at say 8pm then fast for 16hours (14 if a woman) and then eat within the next 8 hours then repeat next day. It sounds easier than the 5:2 personally but do you think it will give the same results ? presume you can eat whatever you like otherwise.
I have just done the Horizon special Test and i am very overweight and a complusive eater mainly so would be keen to hear your opinion Michael as to which diet will do the job.
Thanks

I watched the Horizon special in Australia on utube..I knew the intermittent diet works for me and definitely which group I belong to.

I too am sticking to the 800 calories suggested in the Horizon series and have lost 21 lbs since January fasting on 2 consecutive days per week which I find works well for me as my body seems to get used used to fasting and the second day is easier than the first. I am very happy with results and am now lighter than I have ever been as an adult ( I am 60). I plan on keeping up IF for the rest of my life as I am definitely a Craver/ feaster so eat low GI Mediterranean on non fast days.

Hello.

My wife Sarah is following Mediterranean diet. She says she feels a lot better already, and she has been following it for only 30 days. She loves the Mediterranean diet food and she actually enjoys being on this diet.

She decided to start following it after reading ebook “Mediterranean diet weight loss results” on Amazon.

Here is her meal plan:
On Mondays she eats Greek yogurt with strawberries and oats for breakfast.
For lunch, she usually has whole grain sandwich with vegetables.
And when it comes to dinner, she often makes tuna salad; dressed in olive oil (she loves it). It’s really delicious.
For a dessert she is allowed to take a piece of fruit.

Hope you’ll enjoy in your diet, and achieve weight loss & health benefits.

Billy

Yeap I’m a feaster and that hasn’t changed LOL!

Hi Larraine and good luck x. My first post too. I find I change my strategy so often , even daily,, and realise I’m just using the ‘start again tomorrow’ technique. Which has led inevitably to a gain of two stone in 4 years and no success shifting it in 2015. Friends have reported success on 5:2 and I did the quiz showing I’m a constant craver…no surprise there. But as a single parent I’ve tried alone and given up alone. Maybe it’ll be better with others to compare notes with. Right now, aiming to stick with 5:2 for a couple of weeks!! And go from there. but the scales have gone to the back of the wardrobe for the duration, so I’ll have to judge progress by how I’m feeling. Thanks and best wishes to all… x

Wow Cinque, how do you combine more than one plan? I like low GI eating much of the time, but it’s only the thought of a ‘treat’ tomorrow that’ll get me through a fast day today! Start with one thing at a time I guess!

you can from australia http://www.bbc.co.uk/diets

hi Cinque
you can read more http://www.dietfoci.com/optimal-health-calorie-cycling-101-a-beginners-guide. It can help you learn more

I’ve been on the Atkins diet for 5 weeks. I’ve only lost 3 pounds, and I’m sure that was only water. I feel awful.I stay so tired and sleepy. My heart beats so fast when I exercise, I feel like I will faint. So…I don’t get as much exercise as I once did. So..In looking for another approach. I’ve never been a big eater,in fact I used to only eat once a day. My biggest problem is I am a sugar addict. I’ve actually felt like I would get sick if I didn’t get sugar in my blood quick.I got though getting rid of the sugar intake, I manage to get down an egg,and a slice of bacon in the mornings.when llunchtime arrives I think I cannot eat all this stuff, I’m just not hungry. I eat again mostly meat and eggs. Everyday morning noon and evenings,it’s meat and eggs. I feel terrible and see no results. I’m not an emotional eater, I do crave sugar,but do not give in to it. I don’t have a problem with hunger. I do have a problem with not being able to lose. I’ve had a total thyroidectomy and take medication for it. I had thyroid cancer, but have no signs of any others malignancy. So.. what is the right diet for me? Is there any out there that can help me lose ?