Good afternoon.  I am a new member to this group and thought I would
introduce myself.  My name is Nancy and I found out about Fast-5 at
the
Earth Day celebration in Jacksonville.

I travel for a living and am often on the road.  Much of my work has
me
meeting with clients over a meal.  I can still maintain a five hour
window; however, the window may fluctuate depending on what meal I
start with.

I have been working with this program for a few weeks and see great
results when I stay in the 5 hour window.  I have trouble on the
weekends mainly because I want to "nest" with my family and enjoy
food
as comfort and grounding.  I remain excited by the program and am
looking forward to adopting it successfully as a new lifestyle of
eating.  So, here I am...sort of starting over after a weekend of
being
off the program.  My weight has gone up and down with my
learning/adjusting; however, I haven't gained any weight from where I
began and am looking forward to fully transitioning to this style of
eating.

Arlene,


It's good to hear from you. We hope things are going well!
When starting out on Fast-5, it's important to stick to the plan
consistently until weight loss is steady and comfortable. After that,
modifcations to suit one's preferences and schedule are appropriate.

Once you've adapted to Fast-5, are comfortable with the Fast-5 schedule,
and are seeing steady weight loss, then changing the window to suit a
particular schedule is unlikely to cause problems.  The worst it can do
is slow your weight loss or make it more difficult to close your window
and not eat for the remainder of the time you are awake. There is at
least one Fast-Fiver who eats a business lunch once a week and is still
losing weight at a pace that is completely satisfactory to him. Fast-5
is meant to be tailored to suit individual needs. If you stop losing
weight, then go back to what worked. If you keep losing weight, and are
still comfortably keeping your fast,  then the change is one you can
keep. What works for others may not work for you, and what works for you
may not work for others, so your personal experience after making an
adjustment is what matters.

Accidentally eating something can trigger limbic hunger and make it
difficult to keep your fast, and a bite of something sweet may  release
enough insulin to shut down your fat metabolism for a while. However, it
happens and if it happens on a rare occasion, it's nothing to worry
about. If it's socially acceptable to spit out your bite without
swallowing any, then you can keep the accidental bite from changing
anything. If it's not socially acceptable to spit it out, or you swallow
before you remember you're breaking your fast, then whatever impact one
bite might have is fairly small and is just a little slip that will
delay but not prevent your weight loss. In a week's worth of effort,
it's not likely to make a noticeable difference. The real problem is
that the one bite may trigger limbic hunger, causing your ability to
resist hunger's drive to falter, so one bite leads to another and
another, and that will likely have some impact on your effort.

If you still have questions about this, we'd welcome your email or call
to talk about it at 904-685-5117.

Best wishes,

Bert

>
>
>

Bert,

At times there are things that I would like to participate in that
involve food but are not within the 5-10 window.  If I do a 2-7 or 3-8
window on a given day, does that make any difference?  or does that
mess with the metabolism?

Also, if I unthinkingly eat a bite of food several hours outside the
window, does that mess with my system?  I was checking some watermelon
for freshness the other day at about 2 or 3 and picked up a piece
without thinking and ate a bite.

This may seem trivial or even obvious to other people, but it is on my
mind and I don't have the answer.

Thanks,  Arlene

I had a day earlier in the week when I decided to start eating at 3 pm
so I was going to stop at 8 pm, but then something was offered to me at
9:30 pm and I ate it.  I felt like I had failed.  But I remembered that
you said there might be setbacks and not to get discouraged.

I experience a lot of hunger during the day and still have sharp cramps
after eating dinner.  During the day I drink a lot of water--that is, a
lot for me, and keep telling myself that I am losing weight when I feel
hungry.

I am not telling a lot of people what kind of "diet" I am on.  I do
experience the comments about it though.  Someone commented today that
I can't eat anything (referring to early in the day) and I told them I
can eat anything I 'want' as long as I eat it after 5 pm.

I'm finding I feel free in eating what I want and that I am now
enjoying food a little more and not minding fixing meals.  I am trying
to eat more fruit and veggies, not eating out so much and drink lots of
water.

I am losing weight.  This week 1.30 lbs.

That's how I am doing.

Arlene,

It's been a week since your last message. I hope things are going well
for you and you are feeling more comfortable with the diet. Please let
me know if you have any questions or problems.

Take care,

Bert

The book definitely offers more than just "don't eat until after 5"
advice. The book provide the details of the 5 steps to success, goal
setting, realistic expectations, the scientific explanation of the
body's energy balance and why the typical American muliple-meals-per-
day pattern results in energy imbalance and weight gain. The book also
has strategies for overcoming the social pressures to eat throughout
the day. After reading the book, one can clearly see that the Fast-5
lifestyle is not the latest diet fad, but instead is the way we are
designed to eat and the natural choice for those who seek to take
control of their energy balance.

Fast-5 LLC does not have a book swap scheduled currently. If you
talked with us at the Earth Day booth, but just didn't have a book
with you to swap, we will still honor the Earth Day offer. Call us at
the office 904-685-5117 and we can arrange for a swap.

started april 24 th had some wierd gas like syptoms gone now feel the
best i have in a while des the book explain anything more than dont
eat till after 5 i don't have book but am waiting till they have the
trade your old diet book in deal again is there any thing else i need
to know besides dont eat till 5

Today I had lunch with my Weds. group but I plan to get right back on
track and by next week I will probably not eat but spend time with
them.

Yesterday was my first day to make it to at least 4:45 PM.  The only
problem was the terrific gas pains after I ate dinner. After about an
hour they went away.  I'm sure I won't get them once my body gets used
to the new regimen.

I found that it is very freeing during the day that I don't have to
think about fixing and eating food so I can things done without
stopping in the middle.

I am writing for the first time and could go on and on about my
weight history but will spare everyone that saga.  I am 42 and
recently lost 40 pounds in 19 weeks using the LA Weightloss
program.  Some wouldsay that is a success in anyone's eyes and I
certainly felt
successful.  I went from 168 lbs to 128 lbs and am 5' 1 and 1/2
inches tall.  I reached my goal weight on schedule and was very
concerned about going on their maintance program as I was afraid
that I would gain weight.  I was able to stay within a five pound
window for many many months and then started to see the pounds
coming back on.  I frustration at that restiction that I would need
to maintain for the rest of my  life in order to maintain my weight,
I decided to try fast 5 again.  I was one of the 'originals' to the
plan and gave into social pressure to eat.  I can not tell you how
excited I am about this life style.  I am eating what I want without
counting or measureing anything.  I have lost 5 1/2 pounds in 6
weeks and have not been avoiding any types of foods.  I do try to
get plenty of vegtables in, eat some protein every day and drink
water when I need to "fill" my belly throughout the fasting time,
but I have enjoyed pasta for the first time since December 2004.  I
stopped measuring my water and can even eat some salt if I choose
now.  I have to say that I was concerned when I started as I had
become very accustomed to eating nearly every two hours on the LA
plan and was certain that my body would revolt when I changed.  To
my surprise, it switched with no difficulty in one day.  I found
that I so looked forward to my freedom to eat what I choose without
restriction that the waiting was of no consequence.

I have to mention one additional bonus that I have experienced these
last nearly two months.  For the women out there who suffer with PMS
symptoms, I have seen a huge improvement.  In fact, I am showing a
loss of weight where I would normally have gained fluid right before
my cycle started.  An even bigger bonus is I have gained time though
my day.  I have an extra hour each day that I would normally have
spent eating.

This is an awesome way to change your life and break some bad
cycles.  I feel in control, and unrestrained at the same time, if
that makes sense.

I would recommend this to anyone out there who is looking for
something easy and effective.  I would especially recommend this for
all those people that find maintaining to be nearly impossible on
any other plan.  This is for you!!!

--- In fast5@yahoogroups.com, "Arlene Smedley" <Arlene141@...> wrote:
>
> I was looking at the members list yesterday and wondered if you know
> what "Bounce" means?
>
> I didn't find any explanations on the screen.  Though I could have just
> not known where to look.
>

Arlene,

"Bouncing" means that the email that Yahoo sends out (an option for
group users) when another user posts a message is being returned
(bounced) because of an invalid or inactive address. The member on the
bouncing list can still log on and see messages, or post them. Since
we know geraldwidecombe personally, we will ask for an updated address.

Best wishes,
Bert

I was looking at the members list yesterday and wondered if you know
what "Bounce" means?

I didn't find any explanations on the screen.  Though I could have just
not known where to look.

I'm moving along on this plan slowly.  I made it to 10 am on Tues.,
ll am on Weds., and 1 pm yesterday.  I think I will stay on that
time for a couple more days as I have some things coming up that I
can deal with in the 1 pm time frame and then I will move on.  If
I'm going to do this for the rest of my life, I've guess I've got
time to work up to the 5-10 pm time frame.

I'm already experiencing less bloating which makes me feel thinner
even if the pounds are still there.

This morning I have been dealing with a lot of hunger and
an 'almost' headache.  I've drank water and some iced tea made with
sugar twin that has 0 calories.  I don't drink diet soda.  And I
have been busy with little jobs around the house.  Any other
suggestions?

According to the chart in the Fast-5 book I'm over 100 lbs
overweight.  I am 5 ft. 0 in., and weigh 218 which puts me in the
extremely (morbidly) obese category.  I am 61 yrs old.

Is there anyone who has had that much to lose?  If so, how is it
going?

Thanks,  Arlene

Thanks for joining the discussion group and welcome to the Fast-5
lifestyle!

In my experience, the adjustment period was a time of changes. Things
I noticed one day might go away for a day then return the next. The
changes included a fair amount of stomach rumbling and some other
symptoms that one might otherwise attribute to a passing virus. The
main difference was that when I became hungry, the sensation in my
belly remained there, a mild and tolerable distraction, as detached
from my thoughts as any other body ache. Prior to Fast-5, the hunger
would become a dominant distraction in my mind, and push me to focus
my attention on eating.

After a week or two, my gut settled into its new rhythm and, after
more than a year of Fast-5, continues to feel completely at ease with
the daily rhythm.

We look forward to hearing more about your experience.

Bert

I started Fast-5 on March 10th.  I was a bit anxious regarding a
weekly lunch that a group of us attend.  I ultimately decided that I
would go and I just told everyone the first time I went that I
wasn't eating lunch, but wanted to be able to be with everyone.
Then I said that I assumed they would prefer I come and be with
them, than avoid the situation all together.  I was self depricating
(not that I don't believe in this eating plan, I DO) and said that I
know it sounded a bit odd.  Everyone of course asked a few questions
and I explained that it wasn't a 'diet' but a life style choice.
They all were really fine with it.  The next week someone asked if I
was still on my 'diet,' but I said it really wasn't a 'diet' and yes
I was still not eating lunch.  I ordered a diet soda and I have just
as much fun as before.  I actually have more, as I don't obsess over
what I should be having, what I want and how much.  I get to
concentrate on the relationships.  I determined that people would
think it was 'strange' at first, but eventually would just ignore
that fact that I am not eating and move on.  They DID!!  Even if
they say, oh that is our friend Joyce, the one that eats wierd.   I
am comfortable with this eating plan and all my friends and family,
while they may not choose to live this way are very, very
supportive.  I figure I would feel the same towards them.  Anyway,
it has been really, really freeing and enjoyable for me.

What are some things your stomach did when you first started that it
was not doing before or afterward

Hi Arlene and everyone else who reads this group,

I am a fast-5er. I started this way of living in October 2005.  I lost
20lbs.  The weight came off steadily.  I believe I have hit my body's
goal weight but I will let my body decide that.  I plan to live this
way forever.  I recently told my daughter that if she put me in a
nursing home in 40 years, she better make sure they cooperate with my
fast-5 plan.  It is so freeing!  Yes, Arlene in the beginning lunch
with friends may be difficult, so during your transition period you
may want to wait a couple of weeks before going out.  But that is all.
  I can go to lunch and sip a diet coke with no feelings of regret or
difficulty.  My body has so adjusted to this pattern that I don't want
to eat.  Now, however, I am in the maintenance period and if I need to
adjust my window, I do.  Fasting during the day is just plain good for
you.  It is healthier then adding all those unnecessary calories and
toxins for your body to store.  My arthritic aches and pains have gone
away, from my toes, to my knee, to my elbow, all gone.  I cannot help
but believe this is the way we are supposed to live!  I am 42 and have
never felt better!

I did not go through the countdown period during my first three weeks
that Dr. Herring recomends so my first week was a little difficult.
Day one and two seemed easy but day three was a killer.  I was weak
and shaky, my coworkers told me I was pale; the minutes till five
seemed so long!  But when 5 came there was such a great relief.  I
went through a period of several months where I ate everything in
sight during my 5 hour windo because I was afraid of being hungry the
next day, but that slowed down after I learned to trust that my body
could handle and enjoy 19 hours of fasting.

My husband has always eaten this way, naturally, and he has never
gained more then 5 lbs.  He told me that you do get hungry during the
day. And, I still experience hunger, but I drink a non caloric drink
and it goes away.  So, I think the hunger feeling is actually thirst
during the fasting hours.  However, during periods of weight loss--
sometimes I went several weeks without losing (even a month during
christmas) but then I would experience extreme hunger all day and
voila I would lose more weight the following few days.  It was almost
like my body fought me every few pounds or established a set point
that it struggled to let go.  But, I did not give into the hunger and
rejoiced that I had passed another set point.

Fast-5 is the easiest meal/diet plan I have ever been a part of.  The
beginning may be difficult, but not really any more difficult then
most calorie reduction plans the difference is the simplicity and ease
of maintainance.  I decided not to set a goal weight but instead a
goal size.  I think my body knows how much I should weigh and I trust
that.  I reached my goal size in March!  I lost a few more pounds but
have really been steady all of April.

Hope I did not write to much.  I would love to be your cheerleader
Arlene.  And, anyone else who wants to embark on this journey of
becoming who they want to be in a healthy body.

Tara

I'm new to "doing a chat group" but here goes. I have found the fast-5
life style so very freeing and easy. Its the first time in 65yr of
life that I can eat without worry of gaining the weight I just lost. I
lost 44lb.and then started the fast-5 as just a wim, maybe it would be
a help to keeping the weight off. Much to my surprise it has kept it
off, it has been easy, I feel I have more engery and I'm not wanting
something to eat everytime I pass a vending machine, or a fast food
corner store. In other words "FOOD" isn't the only thing on my mind. I
am a Red Hatter and we go out at noon each month for lunch and
whatever. I can change my "window", eat 5 hr. from that and then go
back to my normal the next day and I havn't harmed a thing. I know the
manuel says from 5-10pm but since I am early to bed my normal window
is from 3-8pm. Hope all my senior counterparts find this and realize
how wonderful it is to just REALLY enjoy our golden years.

Since I met Judi at the Earth Day table on Saturday, I have thought a
lot about starting on Fast-5.  Probably predictably I've thought of all
the situations under which it would be difficult to stick to a 5-hour
window (especially lunch with friends on Weds.), so I am having cold
feet about starting.

Does anyone have any encouragement for me?

Arlene

Hi Chris, Rob, & Ellen,

Thanks very much for posting here and welcome to the group! I know
you're in Germany only temporarily, but you're still our first
international Fast-5 / Stone-Age dieter!

Please keep us posted on how it's going for you and let us know of any
problems you come across. Since you're already several weeks into it,
our collective experience is that it should be smooth sailing from
here. You may see plateaus, but they pass if you keep going with what
you're doing.

Best wishes,
Bert

Hey Dr. Burt!

About the middle of January we received the Herring Family Holiday
Letter and discovered Fast-5.com.  After reading through the website I
  began the next day and never looked back.  WOW what a difference, 6
weeks and 2 belt sizes later I am still going strong.  My clothes fit
better and my energy level is way up.  After my short term but very
positive results the rest of my family has decided to Fast-5 it as well.

Meal times are wonderful.  My 13 year daughter actually comes out of
her room and wants to help prepare the evening meal.  What a positive
and unexpected side affect of the Fast-5 diet.  Who would have
guessed?  Trips to the grocery store (she wants to go there now too)
no longer include the long lists of snacks and things we thought we
needed.  Just dinner!

So far I'm enjoying all the side effects and weight loss is just a
plus.  Spending less on food, the joy of cooking again, time spent
with family around the evening meal.  This is a diet and lifestyle I
can stick with.

Just thought you should know there are more new "stone-age hunters" in
the world.

Rob, Chris and Ellen in Stuttgart Germany

p.s. Hi to Judi too!

One of the very most significant things about the Fast 5 life style for me has
been the
significant increase in energy and the decrease (to non-existant) of arthritis
pain. I definately
have more energy and ability to excercise an in fact if I excercise after
eating, after 5pm, I
have less energy to get my workout done, not more.  Tara

One of the most common questions people have about Fast-5 is "Do you
feel tired all day?" I think those who have adjusted to Fast-5 know
the feeling is just the opposite -- equal or more energy than the
usual diet.

Judi and I decided to see just how much energy we really had, so I
signed up for a half-marathon with my daughter and Judi signed up for
a marathon. We ran both this past weekend with no training. Neither of
us has a regular exercise program, and the longest distance we'd run
prior to this was 8 miles for me and 9 for Judi.

Most people running half-marathons and marathons take in sports drinks
and energy packets (gel packs, goo bars) along the way. To put Fast-5
to the test, we planned to take in only water along the way and would
use PowerAde or gel packs as necessary. (No breakfast or carb loading,
either--just the usual the night before.)

I went the distance (13.1 miles) with nothing but a few sips of water,
and wasn't hungry even hours after the race. Judi went 21 miles before
using a gel pack, and finished all 26.2 miles.(Judi may say more about
her experience in her own post.)

Based on our experience, we are looking into some of the metabolic
effects of Fast-5, and will probably do another half-marathon or
marathon test soon. We'll be participating in the Gate River Run 15K,
but it's not much of test since it's "only" 9 miles....

tc,
BH

I have a friend who seems to have limbic hunger kick into overdrive
when the eating window opens and one morsel of food has been consumed.
We have been experimenting a bit with different foods to see if there
is one that will quench limbic hunger allowing the consumer to have a
small portion and then pause in the foraging until the family meal
time arrives. One food that has seemed particularly effective is dill
pickles. We are making some "break-fast bars" from an old family
recipe and have decided to experiment with adding more high protein
ingredients to see if it will serve as a limbic hunger quencher. We'll
see. If you have made observations about particular foods, I would be
grateful if you would share them. There is still a wealth of useful
information to be mined out of this lifestyle and the adventure is an
exciting one.

Hello all!  I, like many, decided to start off the New Year with---
what else, but a DIET!!

I have read the book and the concepts make sense to me.  However, my
lack of will power when it comes to food will be the true test.

Yesterday was my first day...I was FINE.  I didnt even get hungry
until 3pm.  I am not a breakfast person so I really didnt expect to
be hungry until noon.  Today is more difficult.  I am going to have
to eat something (it is 1:15pm) now.  I just cant ignore the hunger.
BUT, it says in the book that a gradual approach may be necessary.  I
think I will have a small snack--crackers, or some gum because that
is all I have available.

Tomorrow I will try to go until 2pm without eating and this time I'll
bring a healthy snack.  I think in about 1 week I should be able to
go until 5...but we'll see.

I will be on here alot, because not only am I trying to get rid of
some folds and rumples, but I am learning better self control!  Good
luck all!

Happy New Year to all who participate and read this discussion group.
I hope the holidays have not been too rough a time to be on the Fast-5
diet. I enjoyed having many of the traditional holiday foods and set
my Fast-5 lifestyle aside for Christmas day.
We're seeing more people start Fast-5, especially now that the
holidays have passed. We hope you will join this group and share your
experiences.

Two topics I'd like to post info aboutn here are 1) Plateaus and 2)
NutraSweet and Splenda Packets.

(1) Plateaus
Plateaus are periods of a week or more when one's weight does not
change despite adherence to the diet. I've experienced these, and
others have reported them. I do not know what causes them, but staying
steady with your Fast-5 plan seems to eventually get past them.
Plateaus may be a time when the body's energy storage systems are
"checking" to be sure that fuel (food) availability is consistent and
it is safe to release more fuel and save less. To insure a steady path
across these plateaus, I suggest trying to eat about the same amount
each day, avoiding a roller-coaster intake pattern of a lot one day
and a little the next. Try to make sure you have a generous serving of
fruit and/or vegetables every day, and eat it first if possible so you
fill up on the good stuff.

(2)Nutra Sweet and Splenda Packets
It has come to my attention from a Fast-5 dieter that NutraSweet and
Splenda packets contain dextrose (sugar) and maltodextrin (starch)
that are added as filler to make measuring and mixing easier. The
amount of dextrose and maltodextrin in one packet of NutraSweet
probably is not enough to trigger insulin release, but the use of
multiple packets multiple times per day may be a sufficient
carbohydrate load to cause insulin release and decrease the use of fat
and ketones from fat cells. Products that have NutraSweet (aspartame)
or Splenda (sucralose) already mixed in such as diet sodas do not have
the filler ingredients and are not expected to have a similar effect
on fat metabolism. To avoid the possibility of having your diet
success impaired by the additives, one can try to use as little as
possible of the packet/packaged varieties of these sweeteners, or
gradually taper off their use altogether. It may help to really
concentrate on the non-sweet flavors that one can taste in coffee or tea.
On the same note, it appears that some loose teas have enough calories
in them (from fruit or added starch) to taste sweet. Because
nutritional information is not available, one cannot know how much, if
any, calories are being consumed. Packaged tea bags have nutritional
info on the box, and some will specifically state "zero-calorie" so
you can be confident they are a good choice for the Fast-5 diet.

Best wishes to all for a happy New Year and great success with the
Fast-5 diet!

Bert Herring

November's almost gone, but we've seen a lot happen.
The website has been expanded to add more information, including a
table of all results that we hear about.
If you are a Fast-5 dieter, please let us know the good news and the
bad news at info@... (or post it here). We'd like to post
information including height, starting weight, goal weight, gender,
amount lost so far, and how long you've been on the Fast-5 diet. The
information will help others decide whether they have a good chance of
success with Fast-5.
See http://www.fast-5.com/results.html to see how the info is to be
displayed. You'll see "BMI" there --it's body mass index and is
calculated based on height and weight.
"Think...Fast" hoodies are now in stock at the Fast-5 store.
Happy Thanksgiving!

Bert

I am Bert's personal and professional partner (wife, mother of his children, business partner, confidante, etc).

Six years ago I was about 30 lbs overweight after the gestation, birth and feeding of our second child. I faced the decision to get control of my wellness or to resign myself to modest annual weight gain ultimately resulting in my becoming a fat woman as I aged. I asked Bert (the author of The Fast-5 Diet and the Fast-5 Lifestyle) about the details of his weight loss success and adopted the diet and the lifestyle. In less than a year I was at my ideal body weight and have maintained it since. At this point, I would require compelling evidence of a better eating pattern to ever consider a change from the Fast-5 lifestyle. In October 2004 I started swimming with a Masters' group. The "masters" indicates that we are "old" not that we are expert swimmers. Most of the members of the group are from ages 30 - 55ish. I'd swim 3000-4000 yards three days weekly while burning ketones. I felt great. For the past year I have been swimming from 0530 - 0700; I recently have changed my swimming pattern due to pool time availability, but still find exercise during the fasting window to be no different than exercise before I was practicing the Fast-5 lifestyle. In fact, the timing is easier because I feel no need to consider meal times in the arrangement of exercise times. I exercise when it fits into my professional schedule, not when it fits into my eating schedule. I'd be interested to hear of the experience of others.

Welcome to the Fast-5 Discussion Group, where one can discuss
experiences with the Fast-5 diet, compare to other diets, and discuss
nutrional approaches in general. Reporting of negative or
unsatisfactory experiences is encouraged, as well as positive and
satisfactory ones. Irrelevant posts and spam will be removed.

Thank you for joining!

Bert Herring