Whether it was some quirk of the Google gods or my Internet karma coming back to smack me for writing about Will Ferrell, a post I wrote about trying (and failing) the Every Other Day Diet has come back to haunt me. Some people get ghosts in chains that inspire them to buy large turkeys for Christmas. I just get visited by the Ghost of Diets Past.
Back in September of ’08, I confessed to my epic fail of diets. It was a program I’d read about in a magazine where you eat whatever you want one day and then severely restrict (300-400 calories) or fast the following day. The idea was that you’d only have to diet half of every month and yet you’d still lose weight. It’s not faulty on principle. I do think it would work if only for the fact that anytime you slash and burn calories like that you will see some results. Unfortunately for me it was a one-way ticket to the blood sugar roller coaster ride from hell. One week found me weeping on the floor pleading mercy. You can read the past post if you want all the gory details. (Warning: there is a candy massacre.) So that was it for me.
At least I thought that was it. Until about two weeks ago when I started getting daily comments on that ancient post. Pretty much every single one of them was to tell me what an idiot I am – and those were just the nice ones. Normally I let those comments slide; it’s the cost of blogging and I’m cool with people expressing differing opinions than mine. I prefer it if they remain civil but I understand people get worked up about certain things. And this diet is apparently one of those things. Want to really offend someone? Criticize their favorite diet. So in an effort to appease my Google SEO and to put some offended minds at ease, I’d like to clarify.
1. Jon Benson wrote a book called “Every Other Day Diet”, not to be confused with Dr. John Daugirdas who wrote a book called “The Every Other Day Diet”.ย The books both seem to describe how to follow his version of the diet. I have not read either of the books. Ever. The plan I followed I found in a magazine although I’m guessing the mag was parsing one of the books. So when I criticized the EODD, I was criticizing the diet-one-day-feast-the-next principle, not Dr. Daugirdas’ or Jon Benson’s books.
2. It didn’t work for me. Please note: for me. I didn’t like it and I’m allowed to not like it. I’m glad that it worked for some of you because I’m all about finding what works for each individual person.
3. I’m not a professional diet guru or doctor or anything else. I’m one girl just sharing her experience so take it for what it is.
If I sound a little defensive and cranky, please forgive – I just spent an hour crawling through a McDonald’s playland searching for my 3-year-old’s shoes. Which we never found. And then he soaked his shirt at the water fountain and decided that naked is better than wet. No matter that it is December and there is snow. We went into McDonald’s fully clothed and emerged wearing only socks – which I suppose is a good thing considering they won’t let you in the Playland without them (the sign doesn’t mention pants!) To top it off, the same child dumped out an 18-count carton of eggs on the floor and is now refusing to go to bed despite it being an hour and half past his bedtime. Oh, did I mention I have 4-week old infant? It’s been a day. So please, enough with the crazy comments. You are certainly entitled to your opinion. I LOVE other opinions. Please do share your experiences with me. But cut the profanity and name calling or I will delete it.
To my regular readers – you know I love you guys! To the visitors – I hope you stick around, whether or not we agree about this diet. (Also, can someone please tell me why this is suddenly so popular? Did this Jon Benson have an affair with Tiger Woods too?!)
So, if I haven’t completely scared everyone out of commenting, here’s a new thread. Lay it on me: What are your thoughts about the every other day diet (either concept or book)?
People are funny.
Besides, everyone knows you can never win on the internet. You will always be wrong, and you will always lose. And there will always be someone who will come in right after you make some really genius and well thought out argument to say "lol u suck" and then, well, I mean, what can you even SAY to that?
Ah, well.
People are funny. =P
That diet might get you to lose weight, but it won't teach you how to actually change your eating habits in a meaningful way that will be essential once you want to maintain.
I don't have anything to say about the EODD but, if it makes you feel better, I snorted out loud at the "(Also, can someone please tell me why this is suddenly so popular? Did this Dr. Daugardis have an affair with Tiger Woods too?!)" comment.
I don't have anything to say about the EODD but, if it makes you feel better, I snorted out loud at the "(Also, can someone please tell me why this is suddenly so popular? Did this Dr. Daugardis have an affair with Tiger Woods too?!)" comment.
I don't have anything to say about the EODD but, if it makes you feel better, I snorted out loud at the "(Also, can someone please tell me why this is suddenly so popular? Did this Dr. Daugardis have an affair with Tiger Woods too?!)" comment.
I read the new comments and they had me laughing. How someone can claim 300-400 calories a day isn't fasting or starving is beyond my understanding.
I'm with Allison, you can't win on the internet. But you are making a positive difference to those of us who read you regularly and so enjoy your wit and eloquence in describing difficult issues we all face.
Thank you
P.S. love the McDonald's story!
maybe all those people are just cranky because today was a no food day…
I can't go the night without popping something in my mouth when I wake up (usually candy). I can't imagine eating regularly one day and limiting to 400 calories the next day would be good for me. Let's say it again for posterity — like the former priest at church who THANKFULLY isn't there anymore — "for me, for me, for me." Throwing in the extras for good measure. At 400 calories, I'd be screwed before leaving the house at 6:30am and wouldn't be able to do anything but drink water for 24 hours. On top of that, I'd get a killer migraine, would be grumpy as hell, and no one would want to be around me. That last might be the only bonus to such an act. Wouldn't work for me. No way, no how.
-Joshua
Oh my gosh Charlotte, I read some of the newer comments, and wow. Just wow. But you're right that the fastest way to anger someone is to criticize their diet. I mean, HOW DARE YOU TAKE THEIR HOPE AWAY?! Even if the diet giving them hope meets some of the diagnostic criteria for an eating disorder? HAVE YOU NO SOUL??
๐
Tiger had an AFFAIR?! Sheesh.
I will say, I don't know what those commenters are up to, since you've always been pretty clear that it's YOUR experience, not necessarily what will work for everyone else. And, your posts are always focused on being inclusive and promoting better health, not forcing your beliefs on others- which is honestly the reason I've stuck with this blog for so long. Plus, you're hilarious.
So, I'm with Allie- I'm assuming they're just being snarky because they've only had 500 calories to eat.
Also, I've thought about the every other day diet, but I'm pretty good at bingeing, leading me to believe that I'd actually eat more, because I'd justify it to myself with "well..I didn't eat yesterday". Plus, I kinda like eating regularly, it's pretty much the only way I can think straight.
I would never try the EODD, I can bet my life the results would be identical to yours.
I've tried "no eating days" once a week – the results were grim, I felt that I had every right to splurge, and it did no good to my body and sugar levels.
Oy. I have something similar going on – AGES ago I wrote about how I thought people complaining about skinny discrimination were ridiculous, based on a forum I was reading about America's Next Top Model and to this day I still get ANGRY comments on it, regardless that the post is over a year old. People are weird.
About the diet, I don't see how it teaches you anything about eating right – sure, you'll lose weight maybe but for me, that would be painful. It's a DIET not a lifestyle and I'm all about the lifestyle here. And 300-400 calories is BREAKFAST in my world thankyouverymuch.
I now have to look up that diet. It sounds amusing.
And you poor thing. You need a nap.
I also have a favor, could you please address good underwear to wear while exercising, as I find that my thong gives me a front wedgie during kickboxing.
Also, what are good gifts for my aerobics instructors. I am thinking that a small loaf of my eggnog poundcake might be a faux paus.
The Tiger Woods reference deserves a virtual high five.
I can't get on board with diets that recommend severe restriction on any day (and I believe 500 calories is a severe restriction) as that doesn't work for me, because like you I would completely throw my blood sugar into a bad place and that place would be 3 tubs of Ben & Jerrys.
Get some rest – maybe those cranky commenters were just hungry ๐ Kidding cranky commenters!!
Forget the screwballs! You do a GREAT job of giving me things to think about and keeping me inspired. Rock on……. no pants and all.
Another Suburban Mom – FRONT WEDGIE?! Bwahahahahahhhh! I love it. WIll most def. do a post on the undies. And also eggnog poundcake – I have never heard of such a magnificent creation but it sounds divine:)
It's amazing how people will be mean and nasty in comments on the internet…i bet they'd never say that stuff in person!
I couldn't stick to something like that. I'd be a basket case. I just don't think I could do it. 300-400 a day? Not happening. That's like my breakfast plus a granola bar….no WAY I could make that last all day without serious blood sugar headaches…
Another Suburban Mom – it really depends on the aerobics instructor! I'm an aerobics instructor and eggnog poundcake sounds amazing! But there are other instructors who prolly wouldn't be so into it. It all depends ๐
Also, I tried wearing a thong to teach a couple times and it was just painful, especially with kickboxing. I recommend either full coverage underwear or none at all (as long as you're wearing long pants and not short shorts, because that creates whole other problems…)
Charlotte, you are awesome. Ignore the haters!! Not only does your blog entertain me on a daily basis, but I always find your insights and opinions enlightening even if sometimes I do differ from them! That what makes us so great, we can share but don't have to always agree. Love your work! Keep it up.
BTW – Honestly, I don't know how you can continue to blog with 3 boys and an infant. You must be Superwoman!
I agree, other opinions are great, but some people are so mean about it! And we wonder why there is so much hate in the world? We can't even respect each other's food habits!
I am not sure I could do the every other day. I need food every other hour! I would rather eat lower calorie food frequently than starve one day and gorge the next. But to each their own.
This sounds exactly what my diet used to be like: binge 1 day, feel guilty, starve the next day, loose control and binge the next day…
I find,for me,if I eat healthy foods then reasonable amounts are enough. If I eat sugary, salty, fatty foods no amounts seem like enough.
cammi99
Oooh, now I want to go over to that other post and leave comments about how anyone who disagrees with my views is a nazi.
(It's not a real Internet argument until someone invokes Godwin's law ๐
Honestly, I think this "diet" is a terrible idea. Any diet where you're starving yourself is terrible.
It fails to teach you how to eat so I feel that you're destined to instantly put the weight back on when you finish this diet. Plus, you're body needs fuel to work and by starving yourself, you're depriving your body of that fuel. LASTLY, what if on your eating day you eat like Michael Phelps (or even only say, 4000 calories in a day) but you spend your day pretty sedentary. I don't think there's anyway you're going to burn off all those excess calories in one day.
Great post Charlotte btw, people shouldn't attack you, they should attack the diet.
I crawled through a Mc D's play land one time! I had no idea what those kids DID in there, but once I learned, I never went back, that's for sure ๐
I really like the every other day diet. I never read the book either but this is what I do:
Mon/Wed/Fri: Drink a lot of water, drink as much coffee as I want (1-2 cups for me), chew gum, eat 1-2 pieces of fruit. I feel hungry mostly in the afternoon and after dinnertime the "euphoria" you mentioned usually sets in. If I work out at all I do stuff that's LOW-IMPACT. I tried lifting weights one time on this diet on a fast day and it was awful. But low-impact aerobics or yoga or playing on my Wii is just fine. I tend to work out in the evening so by 7 or 8 pm I am NOT up for much.
Tue/Thur/Sat/Sun: I eat normal amounts. That means, like, cereal for breakfast, not entire boxes of candy. (After a day of fasting you don't REALLY want to eat the entire house, you just want to eat a meal. At least that's how it is for me.) I try to be more intentional about eating protein because lost muscle mass is a concern when you cut calories so much. I generally try to make these days workout days because I have a lot more energy for it.
My husband could never do this diet. He gets terrible headaches when he doesn't eat and his blood sugar tends to fluctuate significantly. So I understand not everyone can handle it.
I think the diet works for me because I'm not prone to major physical problems when I don't eat for 24 hours and because I am a lazy calorie counter and I like my treats.
When a coworker brings in donuts if I REALLY want one I can even save it – wrap it up and tell myself to wait one day. That's SO much easier for me than just renouncing chocolate for months at a time.
The only downside is that I worry about telling people I'm on it because they go all crazy and tell me it sounds like anorexia. So I try to avoid events where it would be awkward if I don't eat.
But otherwise it is EASY and takes the guesswork out of dieting for me. Also, it WORKS…FAST! I always get discouraged on other diets because 2-3 weeks later I'm always questioning if I'm even making progress and with this diet I know I am because I feel hungry!
PS: I eat warrior style. It has a long fasting period, but I still eat a complete diet every day. I think if you want to eat less, it's a better system than the every other day diet.
I can't imagine foregoing food every other day for months on end!!! That sounds like hell. I don't care how much I could binge on the other days. If I don't eat every few hours I get grumpy. I can see the logic behind it — continuously convincing your body that it needs to dip into it's emergency fuel and all, but wow, that sounds awful.
Diet sounds like a bad idea. Mean people are a bad idea too.
Why, oh WHY, can we not seem to express our opinions in a civil way?!?!?! Why do we have to call each other names and tell one another to do anatomically impossible things to our bodies?
I had a similar experience on Amazon when I wrote a review, my OPINION, on a diet book, and if words could kill, it would have been a slow and painful way to go.
Personally, I blame cable news.
But that's just my opinion.
(Oh, and I'm with you, Charlotte, could never do that diet. It would make me crazy.)
Hopefully today will be a calmer one!
I have nothing to say about the diet. Haven't tried it, and it's safe to say I never will, but I love you and your blog! In all fairness, I know I'm not so pleasant when I'm cutting calories (I really like food!), but that is still no excuse to throw decency out the window!
I haven't tried this, but I'm a big believer in doing what works for us as individuals, and I think that this style of eating probably doesn't work for most of us- maybe just because we're not used to it!
HUGS, Charlotte. The way you juggle everything is really admirable.
I think eating the EOD way can work and work well, but it is not a way immediately accessible to the general public. If you want to do it without giving yourself major headaches (literal and metaphorical), you might consider the following "tricks of the trade":
(1) Eat only the highest quality food, especially on your lean days. This means avoiding sugar, grains, legumes, and starches.
(2) Do NOT live to eat, especially on your lean days. Be actively engaged doing something that takes your mind completely off food. Write a dissertation. Take a hike. Do some hard labor outside. Sleep.
The safest approach seems to be cleaning your diet up first (eating foods that do not jack up your insulin levels and create cravings). Once you have mastered that, you can introduce fasts as you feel comfortable.
On a personal note, I used to fast for set periods (24 hours was my standard) on an ordinary, grainy, starchy, sugary diet, and it was sometimes really hard: I would end up really hungry over the last three hours, and repeating a fast within the next week or so would make me cranky. Since changing my diet, I can do multiple fasts in a week without really noticing it. These usually last around 16-18 hours, but I have occasionally done 24+ with no bad effects.
That's my two cents. Thanks for your blog: it has brightened my day many times.
After running an online world for over two years I realized that no matter what you do, someone is not going to like it. You can give people chocolate, for free, and some will complain that they're allergic and it's not fair that they miss out. Then if you decide to give people apples that are allergic to chocolate, the people that already got the chocolate will complain that they want both. Then, when you don't give anything away the next week, people will complain about that.
Off track. But so true. People are weird.
Oh, the diet. Ummmm… it just doesn't seem to really be something that would be a part of a reasonable, holistic, healthy lifestyle. What, are you going to go on vacation and starve yourself half the time? What about if your starve day ends up being an impromptu invite to a potluck? I think the IDEA of waxing and waning on your calories over a week is a GOOD THING, but maybe not to that extreme. Eating lo cal, super clean, no carbs, whatever gets your rox off half the week to plan for a party on Friday? Sure. 400 calories? Quix-monster, activate!
Charlotte — I think you're fantastic. Anyone who leaves nasty comments to you can go screw themselves with their dumbbells, as far as I'm concerned!
There was study published recently showing it as effective. I even wrote something about it myself, and I read about it at Free The Animal.
http://astrogirl.com/2009/11/14/feast-day-fast-day/
I'm pretty sure that I read your post when preparing my entry. I will have to go read the comments now!
Did I ever tell you about the time J was at the top of the slide in McD's and peed his pants?
Yeah, we closed the entire playplace with that one act. I just felt TERRIBLE for the one kid who went down the slide right after he did.
I cried the night I saw you on 20/20. I called my mother, agonizing over whether or not I should contact you in some way; let you know I love you and everything would be ok. I joined facebook the other day and there you were. I've missed you. Way to find a great way to make a difference.
Hey Charlotte!
I am a long time Charlotte and GFE admirer. I'm actually going to be visiting the Twin Cities this weekend and I was wondering if you could recommend any good and healthy restaurants? NOT vegetarian? Thank you so much.
I loved the person who said that the "mean people" commented on a non food day!
To each their own as I say & you say but for me, this really does not teach people how to eat better or understand portion control. It is their choice though & I expect then to respect my choices too.
For me, I need to have some constant nourishment thru the day or I get CRANKY, tired, and all kinds of other things. So this every other day thing would not be for me!
PS: Like you, I am all for differing opinions but be respectful.
This diet would not work for me. I need to keep my blood sugar stable, which means absolutely no fasting! I did hear of the Wendie Diet before, in relation to Weight watchers. Apparently you give yourself a set number of points (or calories) for the week, and try to have lean and heavy days throughout to keep your metabolism guessing. It sounds good in theory to me. I don't think it ever recommended anything less than 1000 calories per day…
I drop my kid at daycare each morning and can barely find the time and energy to just read your blog daily, so the fact that you have 4 kids all day and have the time to write anything is amazing to me! I would be wiped out and cranky in your shoes….
Charlotte-I love your blog mostly because you have a clear opinion and you're not afraid to tell people about it.It's understandable that people will disagree-it would be really nice if they could disagree in a polite way.
I'm not sure about the concept of dieting every other day. For myself, I have to be pretty disciplined most of the time or I fall completely off the healthy eating bandwagon. On the other hand, if I don't indulge in the occasional cookie or french fry, I tend to go overboard with eating when I'm sad/depressed. Plus, I would STARVE if I could only eat 400 calories in a day, not to mention how cranky I'd be.
Charlotte,
I have been a lurker for many, many months! I enjoy reading your blog daily–as I know it always makes me smile, or really think! Sometimes it makes me a bit sad and sometimes I cry in the middle of a work dayโbut that's not here not there. I find your writing fascinating and the topics you discuss are awesome. I have never really felt the need to leave you a comment until now. Mostly because I felt very defensive reading those mean posts people left for you. How dare they? You are entitled to your opinion and if they disagree, that's fine, but there is no need to get nasty! I personally cannot fast. Once I had to do it before a medical procedure and it caused me to get my period 2 weeks early. The lack of food and energy affected my hormones so bad and I ended up passing out at 4pm. Then I had to deal with a terrible migraine for 2 days. Not fun and not healthy. Perhaps this diet works for some people and good for them–but there is no reason to attack you because your experience differs from theirs. I personally believe in eating healthy and mindfully (give your brain a chance to register that there is food in your belly) fasting and binging is a recipe for disaster. It teaches your body nothing! Healthy eating and exercise is the best way to maintain a healthy weight. If fasting every other day and people were able to do it, we wouldnโt have an obese epidemic in our hands! But being healthy takes work, and people are lazy and they rather try the easy way outโThey are not interested in learning about getting healthy and fit. They want to be able to eat whatever they want without having to exercise and if that means going without eating for an entire day, theyโll do it if they know they can stuff their faces with junk food the following days. I love reading your blog and I admire your courageโ we are lucky to have you share your experiences with us. ๏
OMG, that McDonalds adventure sounds like a nightmare! I'd be WAY more than cranky.
Too funny about the multiple irate comments. I get some weird ones too on old posts–but if they're crazy and not spammy I often leave them, figuring it makes me look more popular to a casual visitor than if I deleted all the whackjob comments.
Charlotte,
I just happened to see an ad for this diet while cruising around on the internet. I listened to the spiel(sp), then checked the internet to look for real experiences. That was how I found your blog. I think many people did the same because of this recent ad. I was noticing the difference in date between your original post and the later comments and thought it was weird. What I have discovered is I don't really care about this diet but both your posts were hilarious. I was laughing to the point of tears. I have never commented on a blog before or followed one; I think I will be reading yours again. I have half as many children as you and get nothing done. You are super mom and I am sad sack of mom.
I have never tried this diet, but in my opinion it seems like a recipe to start some disordered eating. At least in my case, on my non-food days there is nothing I could do that would take my mind off food!
By the way, it sounds like I need to baby sit your pants-and-shoes-free egg-breaking child. Read today's post to see what I mean ๐
You asked why the surge of interest in this diet. I was looking for facts on an entirely different subject on "Snopes" and "Truth or Fiction". I think both sites had ads on them with a very convincing video by the dr. Then I checked further and my google search led me to you.
I am thankful that I didn't get suckered into another crackpot diet idea. Eating sensibly and moderate exercise works for me.
Wow – the internet never ceases to amaze me. I always thought that BLOGs were just online diaries where people expressed their opinions and shared their thoughts. I teach my girls that opinions are never wrong because they are just that, opinions. Beefing because you did not respond to a comment on a post that is 1 1/2 years old is amazing as well.
The more frightening thing to me is that people actually believe what they read and see on the net. With written, electronic or the spoken word, we have taught our girls to think of where it is coming from and judge the merit based upon that (Encyclopedia – probably good, Wikipedia – maybe not so accurate). What is the world coming to?
On the real topic, I have not tried that diet nor any permutation of it but do dabble with Jay Robb's philosophy of not eating breakfast (husband thinks I am nuts and lectures me). Jay Robb does not eat first thing in the morning, he just continues his fast from over the night and then eats more like lunch time. On days that I do not workout in the morning I have been doing that and then eat an earlier lunch. I do consume fewer calories during the day because I focus carefully on what I eat when I do eat (and typical bfast foods are the carbiest). Some days I feel crummy and need to eat earlier, other days I get so wrapped up in work that I forget to eat for many hours. Not suggesting it to anyone but was surprised that this is how Mr. Protein Powder eats (love his chocolate protein powder in cal countdown choc milk – it is liked melted Hagen Daz icecream).
I will never understand hateful comments.
The Every Other Day Diet would not work for me. I would be miserable on the calorie deficit day, and I know me. I would spend every second of that misery planning out my game plan for the next day…read thinking about how many pints of Ben & Jerry's could I possibly eat in one day. No thanks.
You have a very entertaining blog, though I've just read these two posts about the diet. Why the sudden interest? I just started the 6 Week Cure to the Middle Aged Middle diet and it is killing me – or trying. So when I saw the ad on a website for this easy diet, I clicked on it, listened, and then wanted to hear about real experiences with it. Did you know that when you type in "Jon Benson" and search blogs, you get about 17 pages of professional or semi-professional 'blogs' before getting to blogs of real people?
Anyway, I wouldn't get mad over your description of the diet, mainly because I despair of ever finding a diet that works, and also because I figured you took a bit of literary license with your description.
And about the McDonald's playground… It's best of your child is wearing disposable clothes in there anyway, and you strip him down & coat him with lysol before he gets in your car. Your child's shoes are probably on the feet of a child who came in wearing the worn out pair left in the cubby.
I DO think having some sort of "cheat" day, or a day to eat unhealthy foods you crave, helps a lot of people stick to their diets. Putting it off for just one or two more days is a lot easier than saying "I just can't have it."
That said, I do have concerns about this. It strikes me that to be healthy, your overall calories need to average out to a healthy amount, and it seems like it would be hard to do this on the eating days without binging. But binging after fasting (or nearly fasting) seems like it can't be healthy for your metabolism or blood sugar, or anything really. If you eat normally one day and eat nothing the next, then on averaging you're really only eating half the amount you should be.
I used to do things more or less similar to this – when I was actively anorexic. And that's the other thing that worries me. There can be a great deal of denial with eating disorders, though of course no one can say that a person does or does not have an ED without knowing a LOT more about the situation. But one commenter on here who likes the diet said she knows it's working because she feels hungry doing it, and again – can't say without knowing the situation – but that's a very ED thing to say.
I guess I do think "cheat" days can work well, but the emphasis on the off days should be on eating HEALTHY foods (instead of the junk foods you're craving), not on fasting or only eating fruit.
You made my day. I watched the stupid video, clicked to do away with it and got a better offer offered. TOO BAAAADDDD1 I CLICKED IT AWAY TOO. DON'T FORGET THE POWER OF CLICK!
Hello, I'm searching for diet related blogs like mine http://www.chiefdietician.com and I stumbled your site, nice blog!. I hope you could also include me in your blogroll.
By the way, you have a very good writing skills here. Keep up the good work.
This is the best post ever — so funny!! I don't believe in anything that teaches you to totally gorge one day and restric the next. That's wrong. ๐ it kinda sounds like bulimia, but hey that's just MY opinion. ๐
I actually found your blog whilst trying to find out more info about the EODD. I wanted to try and find out what it was about before laying out the money. When doing a search for info on EODD your blog came up. I think there's a big push on it recently.
I love your blog and have read a fair bit of the older posts, and I found somewhere that it was a low-carb diet and I wasn't interested in that.
first i wasnt even looking for diet stuff, but jons video ad popped up from somewhere….so when it was over i searched EODD and found ur blog, from reading it, and noticing the vast diff in dated I connected the dots it was obvious that u were not talking about Jon's EODD.
ppls should be more civil, and if they had "read" ur blog correctly they should have been able to c that u were not talking about "their" diet. i know nothing about EODD except the ad i heard today, obviously it gave me some interest as i went on to search for what i could find on the subject. Thanks for ur blog (even though it wasnt for the diet i was looking for) it still brought up some of the same issues. and i dont think some of those ppl were trying to be so mean, i think mayb they were just trying to say, that if u'd done it "their" way it wouldnt have been as bad for u, again, u werent doing their diet so u werent doing it 'wrong'
as for the diet, i think it does have some thought to it, i dont think it will matter what u eat one day and not the next, the idea is to surprise ur body, not get in a routine, if u do the same thing every other day ur body will adjust to that and (even thou u'd lose weight at first)ur body will go back to storing fat just in a different routine,
for QUIX the person talking about going on vacation ect. i think thats the idea so that u CAN go on vacation and not worry about breaking a diet, or eating wrong while ur on vacation. but liked ur post
and the diet isnt suppose to be BINGE one day and suffer the next. its more about eat at mcdonalds, and not feel so guilty about it.and eat healthy the next day, so that the calories over the two days balance out
like i said, i like the concept, but i dont find it a 'forever' healthy idea. it is the exact description of eating disorder. BUT i think if done right it can work for SOME ppl.
maybe next time u write about diets clarify the specific diet, Of course i'm not sure at the time u wrote the org. blog there was even a EODD book. by Jon or the other guy….ppl writing books should do research so they dont name theirs after someone elses.Because that leds to the confusion and ppl posting mean things to other ppl, sounds like u, charlotte had had a rough enough day….dont u just love kids…they never cease to amaze me LOL thanks for posting revisited blog to clear things up….i didnt see the bad mouthers come back to post this time around…they must have wised up, or are enjoying their eating day….
The reason people are commenting on your every other day diet post is that a book with that title is being heavily advertised on the internet. The ad looks like a picture of a fat person, shrinking to a slim person. Click on it, and it leads to an advertisement for the book.
I expect people have just bought the book, just started the diet, and don't want to hear that it's not the best diet. They google "every other day diet" because they are interested in their new diet, and they find your post on the first page of links google brings up.
I googled the "every other day diet" because the ad made me curious, and I wanted to hear from people who tried it. I'm glad I found your post… I laughed so hard! Please keep blogging!
I have to say…. I randomly found the link to this EODD (Benson one) Then I googled it, and lo and behold was led to your old post. I too find it really odd!!!! I'm book marking your blog and adding it to my blogroll, because I like your honesty, your grit, your layout and your GRACIOUSNESS. Well played Charlotte! I look forward to more hours of reading to come!!!
~LS
Nevermind the diet.
I laughed my head of when reading your desciption of the trip to MacD with the 3 year old. Thank you. You made my day.
I also googled the EODD, because I saw it advertised on a weather site. This led me to your blog, that I thought was wonderful! I had an awful feeling that this diet was a huge scam, as when I attempted to exit the page, it wouldn't let me go without tempting me with FREE offers. If this diet is so wonderful, why resort to these extreme measures? That's my take on it.
Reference people saying mean things to you about your blog: people have made mean comments about some pictures I posted. There was no reason for it, they just wanted to make everyone as unhappy as they are. I wrote it off as just that…
Dear Charlotte,
Many people need to believe that there is a solution for them and maybe they read your review just after they forked over some money to purchase this new dream of losing weight. I'm guilty too as I have just purchased the Jon Benson version online. Maybe it will work, maybe it won't. The scientific reasoning seems sound, and if you add in common sense along with it – who knows. And maybe consider this – those nasty, name-calling people have to live with themselves every day – you get to turn off your computer and ignore them.
cheers and good luck with your future McDonald's adventures.
Carrie
Dear Charlotte,
There is only a headshot on your blogg, but you do not look overweight to me.
Take care,
Philip
http://www.philipholden.com
Hi Charlotte,
Yes it's too bad people can't be civil, especially when they are sitting safely at some unknown location and spouting off their offenses. Cowards!
I just wanted to say that today I came accross an advertisment about the EODD. It actually sounded like how I normally eat. So I did a google on EODD and, yep, that's the way I just naturally eat because I find that when I eat three meals everyday my mind feels foggy the whole time and I'm really low on energy. Some days I might have a big lunch, like an entire pizza or burgers and fries, but then I'm just not hungry until the following day's evening, at which point I'll really crave veggies. Anyway, I'm glad I don't have to go on the EODD diet. That's just how I normally eat.
I'm sorry to hear of your bad experience, but glad you figured out that it was not right for you before it did any lasting damage.
A thought… I'm very comfortable with my weight. I'm not skin and bones, nor even approaching obese. From what I've read online, the whole goal of the EODD is to get your body to use it's fat as an energy source. If a person has too little fat to make it through a day or two without food, then maybe they shouldn't be dieting. Like Philip wrote, "you do not look overweight to me."
Cheers!
OMG, I can't stop laughing!! Maybe because I relate too much to you.
I'm new to your posts and I just love your wit & "tell it like it is" mentailty. I have the same thoughs and agressive natured comments toward diets and it doesn't get any easier with children. I mean, who is ever excited or overly amped up about dieting anyway? Nobody. And yet all I hear (magazines, books & blogs) is the positive sides of dieting with the occassional challenges downplayed like the diet was actually quiet easy.
You make me feel like someone understands me and how I feel about food, weight management, and my moods. Thank you so much for sharing your ups and downs with us.
Thank you Anonymous – your comment made my whole darn day:) Glad we found each other – I hope you stick around!
Hi Charlotte,
Loved your blog. I think it is a great forum for people to find out about different EODD. To me varying your calorie intake day to day makes sense but, not to gourge one day and cut down dramatically the next day or not eat any calories at all.
I do that with my Weight Watcher diet. I found out how many calories (or points) I should have in a day to lose weight and vary them but never cut down more than 75% in one day. It works for me but may not work for someone else.
The only real way to lose weight and keep it off is to eat healthy and eat less calories in a week than your body burns. Slow and steady wins the race.
Have any of you actually understood what is involved with Jon Bensons Every Other Day Diet.
It has nothing to do with binging one day and having nothing to eat the next.
One day you can eat normally, on the next day you eat low calorie nutricious foods.
A very sensible way to lose weight.
Please get all the facts right before commenting on anything.
Robert.
Is the Every Other Day Diet really worth the money? This online fat loss blueprint has apparently been able to help dieters lose as much as 21 pounds in the space of 3 weeks. There are a lot of bonus guides available for download as well as an online virtual exercise demonstrator included with the entire package.
I think the diet is GREAT because it lead me to you!!
You remind me of my daughter, Lisa (of whom I am terribly proud), also a mother of 4, with a strong faith, an amazing countenance and (seemingly) unending energy … makes me tired just thinking of her busy day.
Civility seems to be a lost art. Unfortunate, true … but there you have it.
You are a good one. Thank you.
— Papa Chuck
At the risk of sounding like a stalker, you seem like a sweetie and look pretty in the headshot…probably shouldn't be worrying so much about dieting!
I found your blog googling this diet wondering if it worked…And I think your experience is probably more typical than not.
There are ads all over for this diet right now, they're like the ones that talk about whitening your teeth for free with this handy trick, etc. etc., ad nauseum.
Regardless, I'm a huge fan of blogging as an art form, it's a neat way for people to connect, so thanks for what you're doing and keep it up!
Tony
The Every Other Day Diet Oops, didn't catch your name. Any idea how many phony EODD 'product review' links I had to swim thru to get to yours? You are absolutely right. People will try to sell anything to make money. The only way to lose weight is to burn more calories than you take in. PERIOD. How many decades will it take for Americans to learn that? PS Just read the post about your 3 year old at McDonald's. Funny & very readable (and I know you know how much unreadable-good looking garbage is out on blogs) keep it up.
New to blogging
Hi charlotte, Thank you for making me piss my pants laughing with your diet fiasco and your McD story.
About the EODD can i suggest that robert reads your blogs properly first before posting his comments as you weren't referring to J B's EODD and his videos and online materials. I am trying to research healthy life style and eating habbits when J B's EODD ad popped up. Read both your blogs even though you took the liberty to clarify he still doesn't get it.
P.S your writing skills are fab n i will continue to visit
Hi charlotte
You have a very gsoh and i pissed my pants laughing with your EOD fiasco and McD story. I've had similar encounter myself at my local chasing after my 4yr nephew who insisted he couldn't go to playschool as he had a brain freeze and was not feeling too good because his brain was not working. Took him to McD later in the day and a stupid fight on the slide with another toddler forced me to referee. Ha! ha! ha! i ended up crawling out of the thing blouse in hand and everything else in full view. Wanted to die of humiliation and embarrassment as dads were prawling the visinity.
Regarding the EODD, can i suggest to ROBWILL that he carefully revisit your blogs and revise his comments as you clearly stated three times now that your diet was not J B's EODD diet.
I am an EOD myself as i eat on occasional days and sometimes dont eat for several days. I am researching for a healthy approach to eating and losing weight by eating 3 small meals daily and burn more calories than i comsume.
I was looking for ideas and support when J B's EODD ad's popped up and took me onto his site. It sounds too much like the FBF lifestyle to me which made me google EODD.
You seem strong and i know you will fight criticism and adversity with more gsoh blogs so keep up the good work.
luv ur page x
Re: why you suddenly got belated attention … this diet was advertised in a very useful site, wordreference.com
the video is there again so expect more comments again I gues…
ana
always been thin as a rail and now I know why. I have always eaten the EEOD way. This does not mean I binge the heck out days, and totally starve other. Come on people do you not have any common sense? If that's all you can think about every day, all day is food, then you best visit a psychiatrist and get some help before you make a life change. This is not a diet you ever go off, it's a life time of eating.
i think people just get defensive because you what you did (and, probably, what the magazine wrote) isn't really the diet is supposed to work. It's somewhat over and somewhat under, not binge/starve. both the eating more days and the eating less days should fall within the realm of how a normal person eats. at least that's how i understood it (though i haven't read the book, either).
but i'm sure someone else has said that already…
that said, you're hilarious, and i'm sorry about the mcdonald's fiasco…
The vast majority of people in modern western society are addicted to eating. Many confuse habit with need. If you have a habit of eating at certain times you will "feel" hungry even when you aren't physically hungry. Every single person on the face of the planet is host to parasites. Even if you cleanse you have a better chances of winning two consecutive lottery jackpots than of being parasite free. Parasites excrete and create changes that are the foundation of most cravings (especially sugar). Much of what I have read on these two pages are related to mental, emotional, habit and parasites running the show. Little if anything related to nutrition and food requirement.
The habit of eating every day is not for everyone. The most successful hunters and gatherers could not imagine nor dream of eating every day the way most people do… and yet many wonder why they struggle with health issues related to food and nutrition.
People do better to truly test the differences between wants and needs; to have healthy relationships period (let alone with food)… emotional eating is not healthy; nor is emotional not eating. Your mind is more than half the issue. Mental, physical and emotional balance leads to natural variations… these natural variations play perfectly to the body and its ability to adapt. Variety, the variety of foods, the variety of quantity and the variety of times of the day keep the motor humming and a healthy weight.
I don't diet. I eat varieties of foods, on varying schedules in vastly different quantities. The constant change together with an active, athletic lifestyle equals health and perfect weight. No mystery. No diet. No struggle.
Crys
You know I always wondered why people would follow some random persons blog but as I was searching around looking for thoughts about the EODD I found your blog post and was sucked in. You've got a wonderfully witty writing style and I couldn't help but keep reading. I'm not one to spend my time on this type of site but I think I've definitely spent a moment looking in from the other side. To sum up: I loved your post, thank you for sharing, super witty & good luck with the little ones.
Chad
somehow i stumbled across this post afer i brilliantly thought of the every other day diet.
i spend hours in the kitchen cooking baking eating and repeating. every day i tell myself how much i hate food. I'M NEVER EATING AGAIN i say.. but everyday it happens. tonight i thought maybe if i "fast" for as long as someone can go without dying then i'll regain control. but the thought of my hair falling out [[again]] horrifies me so..then i thought maybe if i dont eat one day and eat the next i'll do better and lose my 20 lb holiday weight gain.
There once was a time where i could make and bake whatever i wanted without even being tempted by a taste of the brownie mix or a ball of cookie dough or that carton of icecream.. now, whatever my fingers touch, disappears.
the most success i had was when i did protein shakes and meal replacements because i didnt even have to think about what i was eating. why is it that eating seems like this terrible habit? I started drinking at 15 and quit at 19. that was easy; i cant just quit eating.
the craziest diet i have heard of is and "oxygenarian"
i'm glad i'm not the only one
The concept behind every other day diets is simple. Eat fewer calories one day and more the next, or every third day. Our ancestors did not have a steady supply of food. They OFTEN went without. This is what our genes are programmed for. Not easy access to Doritos, Coke, and Crispy Creme.
So to all of you who think that having a steady intake of calories every day, no mater what, is healthy, you are simply misinformed.
Done wisely (i.e. not eating a bunch of crap for an entire day), this diet can and does work. Just make your lunch meal your cheat meal every other day, and eat high protein foods the rest of the time. It’s not rocket science.
And if you have blood sugar issues, I would suggest you are not getting enough protein, fiber, and healthy fats and way too many refined carbohydrates.
thank god someone has some sense… I can do a 24-48 fast without thinking twice about it. People who whine about 3 hours no food really should at least do a 16 hr daily fast for a few months to detach from their starbucks, mcdonalds and vending machine addictions.
YOU GO GUYS!!!
This is where I read about the original “The Every-Other-Day Diet: The Diet That Lets You Eat All You Want (Half the Time) and Keep the Weight Off” by Dr. Krista Varady:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/08/alternate-day-fasting.aspx
Those that seem to think this is binge/gorge one day then eat nothing the next day – Please notice it says “ALL” you want not “ANYTHING” you want on your “feast” day and either 500 calories for females or 600 calories for males on the “fast” day.
I have spent several months avoiding anything with wheat or other grains – had been wheat free for a long time since it aggravates joint pain or arthritis (thanks Mom) for me. Do not eat junk (processed foods), eat mostly low-carb, salads, turkey or fish/seafood, eggs for protein, etc. Hoped I would lose weight this way but have not lost anything. So I have decided to give this a try. The fast day should not be too difficult since I normally do not eat until noontime anyway and am not a big eater.
YOU GO GUYS!!!
This is where I read about the original “The Every-Other-Day Diet: The Diet That Lets You Eat All You Want (Half the Time) and Keep the Weight Off” by Dr. Krista Varady:
http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2014/06/08/alternate-day-fasting.aspx
Those that seem to think this is binge/gorge one day then eat nothing the next day – Please notice it says “ALL” you want not “ANYTHING” you want on your “feast” day and either 500 calories for females or 600 calories for males on the “fast” day.
I have spent several months avoiding anything with wheat or other grains – had been wheat free for a long time since it aggravates joint pain or arthritis (thanks Mom) for me. Do not eat junk (processed foods), eat mostly low-carb, salads, turkey or fish/seafood, eggs for protein, etc. Hoped I would lose weight this way but have not lost anything. So I have decided to give this a try. The fast day should not be too difficult since I normally do not eat until noontime anyway and am not a big eater.
HILARIOUS!! Been working on achieving the elusive 6 pack for years and 3 children later I can SO relate to your experience..down to the flavored water!! I was crying it was so funny (or was it?).
Being fairly close to my goal, diet fatigue has set in with visions of chocolate cake dancing in front of me. Just before I started licking the PB from the knife after preparing my children’s lunch I decided to do a modified fast every other day with eating the way I like (read: pig out on candy) in between. On my fast days (Tues/Thurs/Sat) I consume whey shakes, tuna, fish, and eggs, keeping calories to ~600. Protein intake is ~ 80-100 grams.
I found that it’s MUCH easier for me to control my carb cravings (read: not overeat!) on my fast days (Mon/Wed/Fri) and since protein is high, I’m really not that hungry.I do have flavored water ๐ On eat days, I try to make sure I eat plenty of oats, legumes, salad, and fruit before allowing myself fun foods. These are the days I do any cardio or weight training (when there are carbs for energy). The 7th day is up for grabs, depending on how I look in the mirror. I may choose to eat a more balanced diet (~1200 cal).
So far, although I haven’t LOST weight, I haven’t GAINED either. As a matter of fact, I weigh exactly the same. Remember, I eat pizza, chip n dip, candy, cake, ice cream etc on the eat days.If I decide to try to lean out more, I’ll have to start exercising more or cut back a bit on the junk food.
While this may not work for all, for me it’s a realistic, doable plan that accommodates the fact that I WILL not always eat the best. It’s easily tweaked depending upon body composition goals and one’s schedule. WARNING: This extreme way of eating probably not wise for those with obsessive compulsive issues or eating disorders.
Pingback:New Rules of Lifting for Women: Experiment results are in! | The Great Fitness Experiment
Pingback:New Rules of Lifting for Women: Experiment results are in! | Elite Fitness
from march2011 til now this has been my eating pattern – except when on vacation with friends or holidays – typical week mon wed & fri eat 1meal – grand buffet at hyvee – 4 to 5 loaded plates of food – mainly various meats vegetables and fruits with some potatoes rice and pasta too – rarely do i eat desserts with sugar or drink sodapop except on vacations or holidays – then on tues & thurs i eat 4-6 scrambled eggs oatmeal spinach and green drink within an hour of wakeup – no more food the rest of the day – but several green drinks – sat & sun are hit and miss but either fast food on sat or a large pizza on sun – but rarely both – i do various 8min burn workouts 5-8 per week(hill sprints, resistance bands 4diff 30sec efforts followed by 1min rest repeat 3 times) – go as hard and fast as you can – this works for me because i work up a good appitite but never feel like i’m depriving myself – nothing tastes as good as when you are really hungry and its very satisfying to eat large – i dont have to use much will power for my workouts or eating plan – for me it works great & will continue – im 50yrs old and used to spend hours in the gym lifting weights and running a fast mile 5days a week and ate limited portions – always felt a bit deprived and needed much will power – i dont feel that way anymore – and i’m 10lbs lighter – my workouts are over in minutes and a feast is just around the corner – the people at hyvee are miffed at how i can eat so much and be in fantastic shape…
I was just looking over your post, because this diet came to my attention lately. Well, all I can say is that any diet that says you can eat ice cream and donuts half of the time, but not eat the other and it will work is wonky to say the least.
Perhaps laying off candy, and eating reasonably would be a more effective way to diet? You are supposed to eat high protein and low carb- Atkin’s anyone? But like most diet plans, it will work for some people, and not for others.
Oh, well, good luck with finding something that works for you! I will continue my own search in hopes to find something that works for me.
ps. Love the story! I have a young one myself and see many story like that in my future. lol
idk why people get so worked up or why they felt the need to insult you… i thought your post on the whatever diet was darn funny… anyway… have a lovely day.
Individuals who are overweight are diet insuhlin resistant
as well so you don’t feel unwell afterwards.
This is such a great tool for those looking to diet
without a specific vegetarian meal plan program,
then you need to find some ways to stop this tendency.
There have been many different circumstances, where fad
diets have led to critical reactions and dying, because the result will not be
tempted to buy junk food.
We’re just starting the EODD as an experiment. All the reading I’ve read said that it’s extremely difficult the first 2 weeks, before your body switches modes. So if you only did it for 1 week, yes, it was probably difficult and you probably didn’t reap any of the benefits (assuming they exist) because you didn’t do it for long enough. Also, on your “eat whatever days”, you’re still only supposed to eat until you’re comfortable, and eat healthy (by which I mean whole-some, not low carb or low fat) on your off days. If you’re used to tearing into Junior Mints and McDs, that would definitely put you on a sugar roller coaster.
Like I said, we’re just starting it, but I have previously semi-regularly skipped eating on weekends (mostly too lazy to go out or cook), and it had never been an issue. I had slightly less energy, but I also have a sedentary job. If you read about the background for the diet, it’s not one meant for people who are very physically active (bodybuilders, farmers), and in fact claim that people started the 3-meal regimen when we became farmers, because the regular influx of calories was needed–and worked off.