Has anyone tried the "day off diet"?

Question

I read in both Marie Claire and Zest magazines that it's a good weight loss plan to eat in moderation 6 days a week, but then pig out on the 7th to stop your metabolism from ever slowing down to fit your calorie reduction.

It sounds a bit too good to be true.

Any nutritionists or doctors out there who can verify whether this makes sense or not? Or has anyone tried it and seen results?

Obviously that's not quite the wording the magazines used... They said "increase your calorific intake on the 7th day". Basically saying that it takes 7 days to slow your metabolism, so before that happens, have a bit extra and the process will somehow re-start.

Answer 1

I'd be astounded if Zest magazine suggested that - I get it and it doesn't sound like them at all.
If you have one day when you pig out, you probably will (at least if you're anything like me) and undo all the good work from the last week.

I've tried every diet going and I've come to realise through experience that there really is no easy way to cheat with your body. It's just a matter of burning more calories than you consume, and leading an active, healthy lifestyle (cliche but true)

The most effective thing for me has been to take up triathlon. I've lost a stone and I eat whatever I want - I don't deny myself anything but because I'm exercising a lot, my body craves healthy food so I eat less crap anyway... It's not as instant as a diet (it took about 6 weeks of training before I started to notice a difference) but after that the weight dropped off.

definitely worth it in the long run...

Edited to add reply to poster: ah ok - so they mean eat a little more, but still in moderation? I guess that makes scientific sense as long as it's just a few hundred calories more, presumably as it stops your body going into starvation mode. When you said pigging out I imagined a day a week of chocolate, chinese take aways and chips, which is what it means to me (blush).

Answer 2

I don't know about their logic....but I can say it would be hard for some people to do, like myself. It only takes 3500 calories to gain 1 pound of fat...so is someone with a food compulsion took that one day off to indulge..they could very well eat 3500 calories extra. You wouldn't believe the amount of calories in some stuff if you really stop to check the labels. You don't really need to over-indulge to keep your metabolism revving. Eat frequenly throughout the day to keep it constantly burning and change your diet up by switching meals around, add some new stuff every once in a while to keep your body interested. It's true if you stay on the same routine for too long your body will become too accustomed to it and you will hit a weight loss plateau. I do allow myself to have a treat..maybe even going out to dinner on the weekend, but I stay accountable for those decisions...I count them in on my daily calorie allowance. Now I will have something now and again not planned, but I still limit myself and don't allow myself to do it often. If I were to do well all week and then pig out one day I would feel that all my hardwork had been undone and plus I'd feel like crap. Eating well all week and then gorging on not so good stuff can really upset your digestive track and effect how you feel overall...I'd stick to my plan for the most part, allow for slip ups, stay focused and determined, and never, ever deprive yourself of anything or you're bound to rebel against your diet...just eat in moderation. Good luck!

Answer 3

No, don't bother...I am on a ''HEALTHY EATING'' diet now, and so far i have lost 2.2 lbs in just 5 days - but I mean, HARD EXERCISE and HEALTHY EATING...and not eating too late at night unless it's like a salad or something,1,5 to 2 litres of water a day, juice and vitamins, HAVE A TREAT ONCE A WEEK - BUT DON'T PIG OUT OTHERWISE IT WILL BE EVEN HARDER WHEN YOU START AGAIN. I have been dieting for a week now - i have already had my treat, and that was a nice Homemade Curry,with Mango and Poppadoms!!!
*True fact >> It only takes one little piece of chocolate to bring back your energy,and even lift your mood.
Happy to help you.

Answer 4

It does sound too good to be true.

Six days of dieting will slow your metabolism and then when you pig out on the seventh day the slow metabolism will cause the extra calories to pack on.

Answer 5

There is a subset of weight watchers developed by a women named Wendy or something. Anyway, this woman was dieting, counting 'points' and such then 1 or 2 days a week out eat whatever she liked. There has been a lot of research and it points to this actually working. I'm sorry I don't have better details, but supposedly it worked great.

Answer 6

I've no idea if it makes sense, but I do that. Not because a magazine told me to though, but because I believe if I'm good all week I can at least pig out on a Sunday and not worry or feel bad!

Answer 7

It is a good plan. You aren't supossed to "pig out", but to just give yourself a day of normal eating where you treat yourself. I have done this and it keeps me on my diet the rest of the time. Sometimes I have given myself 2 day, but not to eat anything I want. I would give myself a day to get some ice cream on a Thursday and then would allow myself to go out to breakfast, lunch, OR dinner on Sat or Sun. If you allow yourself to indulge a little it can keep you motivated. The trick is to keep it in check. When Sat comes you can't allow yourself to eat like 4000 cal. I hope this helps. Good luck!

Answer 8

i tried it and it's so hard to start back after your day if eating what you want. plus you end up gaining back half of what you lost because of the day off. i've moved on to counting the calories I consume and not denying myself anything. all you have to do is pay attention to what a real serving size is. and stop eating when you are full. it takes your stomach 20 minutes to realize it full so you have probably gorged yourself by then. try to chew your food 20-30 times per bite depending on what it is. eat slower along with your smaller portion and you will be full and satisfied. it really works! lost 10 pounds so far!

Answer 9

take a break from blue moon belgian white a 164 calorie treat and grab a miller genuine draft which is only 64 cals

Answer 10

That doesn't sound like a diet to me. I don't deny myself any foods. I just watch my portions everyday. It sounds like they are saying it is okay to binge on the seventh day.