I had a stent put in Jan 22 and have been getting fitter, Been lifting weights a bit in the last year too. I have recently been seeing results with 16:8 intermittent fasting inc BP lowering and then read somewhere that a study suggested unsafe? Anyone had any issues intermittent fasting? I have no heart disease. I don't smoke ( 25 yrs) or drink ( 4 years) anymore......
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Hi sbck1,
I normally do the 5;2 just because that works for me. Does drop both my heart rate and blood pressure. I never had any problems though. I only do it for a few weeks at a time.
I guess the responsible reply is to discuss it with your doctor.
Good luck.
Thank you for replying. I will do. I guess I can go into maintenance mode when at goal weight/BP. xx
Hi , I saw that Ben Carpenter (BD Carpenter) posted on social media results of a meta study comparing fasting results /benefits vs a normal eating pattern calorie deficit and there was no difference. Not sure why it would be unsafe though. I suppose you could pose the question to the BHF online nurses and get a pretty swift answer today 👍🏻.
Fasting diets, like many others, are a gimmick. Eat less calories than you use and you will lose weight. Biological fact! You don't have to fast to do that!
I know, I know, but hormone challenges in menopause has made that very difficult, whatever I do. Very common . The weight around the middle was not shifting. Now it is slowly going away, my BP has gone right down, sleeping through the night and mental health has improved massively. Also taking Mag glycinate/Lion's Mane and Tumeric and weight lifting three times a week.
My wife and I are both 76, have weight trained for years. Obviously for my health issues nowadays I use ladies weights (not an insult) but I am still pretty strong. What we did discover is that, when we reached about sixty years old and wanted to lose a little weight, neither of us ever being really overweight, the last place we lost it was round the middle, which used to be the first place of loss! You also lose your leg muscles quicker, even though you exercise them! Keep up the weights and very well done.
Thanks so much for the encouragement. I follow 'Lift with Cee' on You Tube. Her sets are brilliant.
Many ways to create a calorie deficit and you’ve found one that works for you 👍🏻👍🏻👍🏻. All sorts of eating windows , much better spread of foods than a restrictive /cut out this that and the other fad diets . Well done you 👊🏻💪🏻. I loved my Jim Wendler 5/3/1
If it works for you and you can sustain it, then that’s great. It doesn’t need to be seen as a gimmick if you make it a long term, well thought through lifestyle choice.
I suspect that there are some metabolic conditions (and certainly if you have ever had an eating disorder ) where it would not be considered a good idea, but as a way of limiting intake and helping yourself remember to eat wisely and with variety when you do eat, it seems a very good idea. Not eating in the evening particularly is said to be very beneficial.
Do keep hydrated however. I think it’s easy to forget to drink enough water.
I am a bit confused you say you have had a stent, but then say you have no heart disease?
Put reply in wrong spot.......Using the phrases from doctors and nurses at the time. I suppose there was no damage to heart, which the kept saying was good.
Using the phrases from doctors and nurses at the time. I suppose there was no damage to heart, which the kept saying was good.
That’s great to hear that you're seeing positive results, especially with blood pressure lowering—16:8 intermittent fasting is a popular method because it’s pretty manageable and can yield good results for a lot of people. As for safety concerns, like any dietary change, it really varies from person to person.
I'm on my 6th week doing intermittent fasting and have lost 17 lbs. so far. It was hard in the first week but eventually my body was able to adjust.
Some studies do suggest that for certain people, intermittent fasting can lead to issues like nutrient deficiencies, increased cortisol (the stress hormone), or even problems with blood sugar regulation.
But if you’re feeling good, not having any dizziness, extreme fatigue, or other side effects, then it’s probably working well for your body.
The key is to make sure you're getting enough nutrients and not over-restricting calories during your eating window. If you’re unsure or worried about anything you read, it might be worth having a chat with a healthcare provider who can look at your situation more closely. Overall, many people do fine with 16:8, but it's all about finding what works best for your health.
Hope this helps!
Nearly a year since mitral valve repair
How flexible can you be .....
What should I expect one year post NSTEMI
Feeling okay sort of at last !
