Post: #1

So its been about 2 weeks now and I have been on a Protein sparing Modified Fast, consisting of ONLY lean meats. To those who don't know, the diet is a Very low calorie diet (600-800 Calories daily) consisting of less that 50g of carbs daily, and high amounts of protein and fat. There has been criticism of this diet, but most of it IMO is based off of people not understanding it dietary ketosis vs diabetic ketosis. A family member of mine is a Bariatric Surgeon and they use this diets for patients before opting to do surgery. Here is an Article from the Cleveland Clinic on this diet. For Non-Americans The Cleveland Clinic is one of our most renowned Medical research institute and hospital systems.

http://ccjm.org/content/69/11/849.full.pdf

I read Lyle Mc 'Ds book a few years ago and did a short stint on his diet. It worked very well were in for the purpose of lowering cholesterol,(I also went on a specific regiment of supplements, if someone is interested i'll detail it) and so I can drop a few pounds. I remember being very hungry at times when I did this diet a few years ago. However, I believe that incidentally I was consuming higher amounts of carbs, (although still below 50g daily). Thought it isnt recommended by many, I decided to also hit the gym for some lifting and boxing 5 days a week, and light jogging for 30 mins on off days. I have to say the results are pretty dramatic to be all natural.

This time I eat virtually NO carbs and workout(which I didnt do the first time due to energy levels).
I also upped total calories to around 900-1000 daily. Between no carbs and a slightly higher daily intaked my hunger is almost gone. I am in deep ketosis and verify everyday with keton sticks and I feel very good. I am in trying to decide on following through with my re-feed(eat Carbs) day, today being that things are going so well. Though I know the purpose of refeeding, is to keep your body from kicking into starvation mode. I may just eat at maintenance and still avoid carbs, because the transition from carbs to keto is the worse part.(hence the fact that I ran my ass off to get through burning all the excess carbs.. this could be psychological but it help alot)

The few things I have noticed is every once and a while I will crash and just sleep for a couple hours mid-day. This could either be due to the diet or the fact that I am adjusting my sleep scheduled currently due to new job hours. But I can visibly see the difference in my body already.

Ofcoarse this is due to numerous changes I have made sense returning to America. This diet, NO drinking(I was drinking alot), Working-out, consistent sleep, vitamins and omega-oils. Either way this diet really helps to cut alot.

Post: #2

how long do you plan to do it? even he says in the book it is a "Crash" diet and only good to do in dire situations where you have a deadline to meet. he gives examples like actors needed to be cut for a shoot or weight class competitors or the like.

i mean, it is a FAST with a slight modification.

i've tried it, couldn't stick with it for too long. added back more fats and felt a lot better.

Post: #3

I am only gonna go for a few weeks and then transition to a long term and sustainable diet. However, I think I will still generally stay away from carbs even when I am eating at maintenance.

Post: #4

Twelve days at a time (for category 1 dieters, which means not-fat people) is very doable. You miss the fats and it lowers your libido but you don't get hungry. You have to eat a metric fucktonne of chicken breast and broccoli to get your protein requirements... that fills your stomach up. Add in casein and you're golden. 12 days is nothing but you will lose several (5-6 in my case) pounds of fat. And I wasn't even 100% strict.

Post: #5

Nice, Im keen for a PSMF for a couple of weeks at some point. Really like the idea of it (in theory..)

I've heard that if you're coming from a Paleo diet, it's much easier, as you're already fat-adapted to burn through your fat stores.

Coming at it from carb-ville I hear is much tougher.

If it calls for a refeed, I would do it. (Refeeds kick your hormones and metabolism up and keep you burning) You wont start feeling shit again after one-two carb meals, you're more fat-adapted now than you were at the start. Going back into ketosis after the refeed wont be as bad as at first.

Anyway let us know how it goes by the end of it, and if you keep the lbs off..

Post: #6

I am working on weight loss also and reviewed the PSMF diet, which I think I first saw here on this forum. Anyway, I choose the LeanGains approach, as the PSMF seemed quite intense. Started it on 11/13 and am down 8.5 #'s as of this morning. Primarily eat meat and veggies. Tracking it all in Fitday, my total carb intake has averaged ~60 grams with a net of 40. I have fucked up a couple of times with regard to the diet and foods consumed during this period which can be scene in my weight going up. I am weighing in everyday. Bottom line is carbs are killer and the amount and especially the kind need to be controlled. I am going to keep at it, track everything for the next 6 months and tweak it all until I find my sustainable and most important enjoyable way of eating to keep my wight where I want it to be.

Post: #7

Soooo, I'm down about 12 pounds in a month. It's a pretty dramatic difference, to see. Im very happy so far. I get to drink on fridays and eat as much as I want(refeed day). So, the diet its not that bad to me. Since i'm in keto I dont have the urge to binge on my re-fed days either. Also, your tolerance for alcohol drops. I was tanked off of 4 beers. Im gonna keep with the diet until I can get down below %10 body fat or what look/feel I like the most. Then switch to a similar diet, at maintenance.

Post: #8

I have been doing a leangains type intermittent fasting with no big regard to my diet for about a month now and have seen good results with fat loss. Previously I did a very low carb paleo type diet for maybe three or four weeks but quit due to low energy despite eating tons of fat.

I definitely have to agree with you on the alcohol tolerance bit. Usually I can drink very heavily and without many issues, on a higher fat/protein diet with fasting thrown in it's hard to drink beer. Two beers in and it's like a heavy lead weight in your guts. I had to switch to liquor completely on the weekends.

Post: #9

Also, I forgot to add that as well. I am kinda experimenting with my PSMF by combining it with Intermediate fasting. So not the traditional way, but its been effective so far.