Today, as I was doing my cardio at the gym I watched a local program do an overview of a new diet called “Stop Eat Stop Diet.” This new weight loss diet uses the age old “fasting” technique to help you lose weight. However, every diet his its own critics. On the left side of the screen was the creator of the diet and his very own success story who had lost 100 pounds. On the right, were two nutritionists who were arguing against the diet. Here is a basic overview of the diet….
With Eat Stop Eat, the reader can reportedly follow the simple schedule of short term fasting and weight training sessions to quickly lose weight while maintaining muscle effectively. The author claims to have based his product on research he did in graduate school for a master’s thesis, as well as his time spent as an amateur body builder. With the Eat Stop Eat diet, Ballantyne claims that you can lose fat and gain muscle without any kind of complicated scheme.
Ballantyne also claims that, contrary to popular belief, following the fasting route will not result in the body going into “starvation mode.” In fact, he asserts that the results of short term fasting may actually increase the dieter’s metabolism, leading to even further weight loss. The Eat Stop Eat diet is also intended to break the compulsive food addiction that many suffer from. Complicated diet regimens, in fact, reportedly worsen this addiction, turning it into a compulsive behavior.
While on the Eat Stop Eat diet, the dieter should also see an increase in natural fat burning hormones. The diet is also designed to be simple and straightforward, without any “weird supplements” or “special foods”involved in the process. With the short fasting periods built into the diet, Ballantyne claims that the reader will lose fat rapidly, without burning any muscle.
Ballantyne also claims that, unlike many popular diet programs, Eat Stop Eat will not result in lethargy, lack of productivity, or general aggravation. In fact, he claims that the reader should see increased productivity and energy levels throughout the day (source).
From a trainers stand point, this diet goes against everything we have been taught. Our general stand point is to eat 5-6 healthy meals through out the day to stimulate your metabolism to burn fat. Fasting, is the exact opposite! The professionals on the show were also against this fasting technique.
Most people who have severe weight issues MAY be able to do the fasting portion of this diet. However, the minute they are allowed to eat normally they will go over board and eat anything and everything they want. Not many people have the ability to control their hunger after their fasting days are over (big or small).
If you want to have lasting weight loss then “baby steps,” should be your motto. Try changing little things at a time. This way you can have lasting results!
Adria Ali
(CES, PES, CPT, BS)
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