Here’s a great question:
…Also, aside from fasting, what is your next most recommended weight loss regimen? I really need to lose 10 lbs but no way can I fast.
Now, obviously I could be “that guy” and get on my soap box and start lecturing on the benefits of fasting, however since I’m not a one trick pony, I think it would be fun to investigate this question a little further.
Of course, to do this, we have to start with fasting.
So what is fasting?
Really, fasting is nothing more than a food custom or ritual that allows you to eat less.
Forget all the metabolism and hormonal benefits, because none of it matters if you aren’t fasting. So the benefit of fasting is how easily the RITUAL or CUSTOM of flexible intermittent fasting fits into your life.
In fact, the REAL “secret” to the Eat Stop Eat lifestyle is eating less while enjoying the foods you eat – Fasting is just the easiest means to get there.
So if you don’t want to fast then you simply need to find other rituals or customs that fit into your life and allow you eat less.
I talk about this extensively in “The Ten Day Diet Solution” and some interviews I did with Craig Ballantyne for his TTmembers.com site.
Here are some of my favorite ‘diet’ rituals:
- No eating in the car – Cuts down on a lot of mindless eating for the commuters (and keeps your car clean).
- No eating after a certain time of night – Cuts down on mindless snacking in front of the TV and sets practical limits.
And here is one of my all time favorites – at night, clean your kitchen.
Once you are done cleaning your kitchen is officially ‘closed’. The benefit of this is
A) no night time eating and
B) You wake up to a nice clean kitchen the next morning (I find the cleaner the kitchen the better you eat – not sure why).
The bottom line is that weight loss is all about eating less. Sustainable weight loss is all about eating less while enjoying the foods you eat.
Rather then follow a super regimented diet program, look for simple, easy customs that you can implement into your life that help you eat less without compromising your lifestyle.
I think the ‘on/off’ switch mentality of fasting is the ultimate way to do this, but if you aren’t into fasting, then look for other, just as easy alternatives.
BP
PS – Here’s one more Eat Stop Eat Q n’ A for you:
Question:
Hi Brad–I bought your ebook Eat Stop Eat and aced the first fast. #2 fast is today–I’m going for every 5 days but if something comes up it seems like it’ll be easy to adjust. It’s also pretty easy to do this around my shift work.
Quick question though—Is it okay to chew gum while fasting on Eat Stop Eat? My wife was scolded for chewing gum once by an anesthesiologist before her procedure. She was told chewing gum ‘tricks’ the body into thinking it’s going to eat…
Thanks Jim.
My Answer:
Hi Jim,
I’m glad your are finding your fasts easy. Regarding gum, I’d say this is more a matter of personal preference. If one or two pieces helps you make it through your fasts then I see no problems with it. However, if the gum makes your fasts MORE difficult, then avoid it. Realistically, it’s very hard to “tick” your body – it’s pretty darn smart.
BP
