I’m generally not for diets. You can’t lose weight long term without changing your eating habits permanently. That being said, sometimes we need a kick start and I think this one from The April 2010 issue of More magazine is a good one.

According to the More article, one way to slim down is by severely restrciting calories ever other day.

“In a small study published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 16 obese people followed an intermittent fast: eating normal meals one day, then on the next day having only one meal (lunch), which delivered 25 percent of the calories needed to maintain their weight and activity level. “I expected that they’d over-eat on the non-fasting day,” says study author Krista Varady, PhD.  But they didn’t, and after eight weeks, the dieters lost 10 to 30 pounds. ”

“Alternate day fasting (ADF) reduced the subjects’ overall calorie intake. “When participants woke up and made a big breakfast, they couldn’t finish it-possibly because their stomachs had shrunk,” Varady theorizes. Ongoing research suggests ADF might also help moderately overweight people.”

The article goes on to say that this regimen is controversial and not to do it without a doctor’s ok (the same goes for any diet).  (I had to put the warning in.)

I’d also like to add that when I overdo it for a few days or a week, I go on a smoothie fast. The smoothies fill me up, clear up my skin, and give me a ton of energy. Sometimes I’ll do this for a day. Sometimes I’ll do this for a few days. This always gets me back on track. Remember to do what feels right for you. Always respect your bodie’s wisdom.

For more information and help with your own weight loss program, please email me a tracy@tracystanley.com.