Any difference in how you feel subjectively during the DIY FMD vs Prolon? It always seemed like I felt “flatter” and lower energy when I tried my own DIY versions, but it’s hard to say for sure. The study you mentioned above regarding short term fasting and lean mass sounds very reassuring.
1 Like
It’s hard to remember details from my last Prolon FMD but I’ll say I felt more depleted this time (less carbs). Perhaps I’ll add a bit more carbs to my breakfast next time (only had carbs at dinner this last time).
Another FMD underway. My Claude Health coach convinced me to add almonds and a few homemade kale crackers to the mix to get a little protein (<20 g/d total) and a bit more carbs (to get some insulin). Also more calories overall as I was undershooting last time. No wonder I was depleted.
First day feels like old times: clear headed, full of energy, no hunger.
2 Likes
One FMD per month is an exceptionally good routine, if you are able not to lose too much weight between single stages of FMD.
I read the macadamia-based routine. I agree that it was too severe, especially so if repeated every month.
1 Like
FMD Day 2
Definitely a fountain of youth this time. Slept great. Worked out hard cardio fasted this AM. Clear head. Lost 4 lbs of water in 1 day. No muscle soreness or joint aches by day 2. So far so good.
I’ll lift to failure each body part 1x each during the 5-day protocol to ensure enough stimulus for muscle retention.
2 Likes
FMD Day 3
Okay, it’s starting to feel hard. I am somewhat fatigued (low glycogen) from all my exercising (Valter would be shaking his head). Just to show I was tough, I lifted and enjoyed a hot sauna sweat today. I was down another 3 lbs this AM (7-8 lbs total, water mostly). Tomorrow I’ll do an easy bike ride on Zwift but otherwise I’m finished exercising for this FMD. I just need to gut out the fatigue for 2 days. I am reminded that ketosis is a fine thing for a few days: clear thinking, no hunger, no joint pain, but I cannot live long-term with the muscle power loss.
1 Like
Yes, definitely so, you are doing something which is usually advised to people with serious conditions (one FMD per mont + keto variant).
1 Like
I’m actually on a 3-month cycle now (thinking of going to 2-month cycle). I was doing FMD every month a year ago (and doing more cardio work then). I had amazing results in boosting my HRV but at 15% body fat this was too much stress and not a reliable weight management tool as I learned to (unconsciously) compensate by overeating the other weeks.
Day 4 update:
Down another 2 lbs. But on the downside I broke my lovely streak of sex everyday because I just didn’t feel like it. Today will be a better day.
1 Like
Malcolm Kendrick does a great job explaining the PCSK9i’s:
Since Longo insists on the importance of refeeding, the above (once/mo. FMD+ample refeeding) might just work, for you, unless you feel that the high frequency of the FMD triggers too much of a strong refeeding signal, which turns out to be deleterious.
In my case, many things are different. I just cannot eat abundantly, even after an FMD, except for a couple of days. So I regain weight slowly. To me, once a month would surely lead to a drastic weightloss and maybe an unbalanced metabolism (with a strong tendency to catabolism).
1 Like
LOL, you must tell me your secret, what I can see in myself is a definite decline.
We may also initiate a discussion on whether mating frequency in men is favourable or unfavourable to longevity, or neutral. Some schools of thought (I remember specifically the Taoist philosophy and some other schools of natural medicine) insist that sex control is strongly correlated to increased longevity.
It may depend on many other factors though.
1 Like
Here’s my 2 cents. My path back to frequent sexual activity was a tough one (it took 9 solid months of effort) but I think important even if I am missing out on some “preservation of vital energy” (something I heard a long time ago). Sexual intimacy with my wife makes my life much better: my body and mind like sex and orgasms (very much), my relationship is never starved of intimacy, I feel younger when I act younger. The ability to want to have sex daily (pick your frequency) and be able to perform to the desired outcome is easy as breathing at 20 but very challenging at >60. The dance of causes and effects is overwhelmingly complex (hormones, vascular function, nitric oxide, psychology) and performance quality is weighs upon the ego. But once you get it going, you keep it going such that sex is a normal part of the day. Use it or lose it applies here too. Too busy? Don’t trade sex away too cheaply. Hard to restart sex?…start with a daily shower together.
1 Like