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The Fast Beach Diet: The Super-Fast 6-Week Programme to Get You in Shape for Summer
From the author of the bestselling 5:2 Fast Diet and Fast Diet Recipe Book - - Mimi Spencer presents the super-fast 6-week programme to kickstart your Fast Diet for summer. Based on the original, bestselling Fast Diet, this modified approach will take you off cruise control and give your 5:2 lifestyle a summer-time turbo boost. The Fast Beach Diet includes A clear six-week plan to encourage fat loss of up to 2lbs per week New tips and tricks to get you through your Fast Days Plateau-busting ideas to jumpstart the 5:2 A brilliant new HIT exercise programme to maximise your fitness and fat loss - in just five minutes a day 25 new calorie-counted summer recipes, and plenty of healthy speed cooking ideas for busy days With detailed meal plans and extra motivational support, this book will get you beach-fit for 2014. Think of it as a boot camp for the 5:2. For six weeks only.
- GenresNonfiction
176 pages, Paperback
First published May 8, 2014
32 people are currently reading
60 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
November 20, 2014
The bottom line is that the original 5:2 diet meant eating normally five days a week and fasting for two non-consecutive days (and by fasting, they mean restricting your intake to 500-600 calories). The Fast Beach Diet aims to give you faster results by imposing stricter rules for a six-week period. With the Fast Beach Diet, you fast for two days a week, but unlike the 5:2, you must focus on your calorie count on non-fast days as well. "The point of the Fast Beach is a sort of souped up, stricter version of the 5:2. Specifically to get people going, if you like," says Mimi.
Okay. There's some things that I do like about this, and I will admit that I tried it for a couple of weeks to see how I would feel. Obviously, trying this in the middle of marathon training is not ideal, and I would never suggest that; I am not a medical professional, nor am I a nutritionist, so please make note that this is only my personal experience talking! I would probably have tried to continue this for a longer period of time, had I not been in the middle of this training cycle.
I found that fasting during the day led to a more productive work day and I never felt sluggish or low on energy; however, running on the morning following a "fast" day felt a little more challenging than normal. I adjusted my habits and, instead of running on a "fast," I would have a banana with a little almond/peanut butter before my run since my body was already low on ready-to-use calories. During the right time of year, I definitely think I could do this with a dose of tough discipline.
Fast Beach DietThere has been a rise recently in the number of studies regarding intermittent fasting, and the results are striking. I remember, years ago, working with a woman in her 70s who swore by intermittent fasting; she was healthy, active, vibrant and outlived many of her friends. I never would have guessed her age, had she not shared it with me, based on her appearance, her level of fitness and energy.
New studies have shown that intermittent fasting may reduce the levels of IGF-1 in the blood (a growth hormone which seems to lead to accelerated aging and can cause cell divisions like those found in cancer), as well as improve cognitive function which can help to prevent conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia.
There are some great tips about the benefits of incorporating intermittent fasting in the book, like these:
For the six weeks, pay attention to everything you are eating. "Actually eat when you eat. Really taste it. Don’t do anything else, don’t read the newspaper, don’t tweet. Really sit at the table and know what you’re doing and just treat it as something important."
Make small changes to your eating habits. "Things like having a meat-free day or leaving the table when you’re satisfied... are really what it’s about on a non-fast day."
Keep track of your goals. "There are studies which have found that merely noting your progress can be enough to make you do it more assiduously. So things like telling people, setting goals, those things are the more subtle things, which are about behavioral change."
Cutting out alcohol is the most important change you can make. "The benefits of giving up alcohol, or at least curbing your alcohol intake, for a six-week period are huge. Vodka would probably be the best thing you can drink but with a non-sweet mixer. So not with an orange juice. You double the calorie count of a vodka by putting orange juice with it." (So much for my "Scandal" diet of wine and popcorn - ha!)
Don't forget to exercise. High Intensity Training (short bursts of exercise such as running up the stairs) is another key part of the Fast Beach. "It’s more effective than what you might consider to be ‘normal’ cardiovascular exercise. It has a great effect on your health and well being so that’s why it’s included."
Verdict:
There are a lot of good things about this concept and I enjoyed reading about the research and results in this book; it's worth checking out if you are interested in nutrition and ways to manage your eating habits.
Okay. There's some things that I do like about this, and I will admit that I tried it for a couple of weeks to see how I would feel. Obviously, trying this in the middle of marathon training is not ideal, and I would never suggest that; I am not a medical professional, nor am I a nutritionist, so please make note that this is only my personal experience talking! I would probably have tried to continue this for a longer period of time, had I not been in the middle of this training cycle.
I found that fasting during the day led to a more productive work day and I never felt sluggish or low on energy; however, running on the morning following a "fast" day felt a little more challenging than normal. I adjusted my habits and, instead of running on a "fast," I would have a banana with a little almond/peanut butter before my run since my body was already low on ready-to-use calories. During the right time of year, I definitely think I could do this with a dose of tough discipline.
Fast Beach DietThere has been a rise recently in the number of studies regarding intermittent fasting, and the results are striking. I remember, years ago, working with a woman in her 70s who swore by intermittent fasting; she was healthy, active, vibrant and outlived many of her friends. I never would have guessed her age, had she not shared it with me, based on her appearance, her level of fitness and energy.
New studies have shown that intermittent fasting may reduce the levels of IGF-1 in the blood (a growth hormone which seems to lead to accelerated aging and can cause cell divisions like those found in cancer), as well as improve cognitive function which can help to prevent conditions like Alzheimer's and dementia.
There are some great tips about the benefits of incorporating intermittent fasting in the book, like these:
For the six weeks, pay attention to everything you are eating. "Actually eat when you eat. Really taste it. Don’t do anything else, don’t read the newspaper, don’t tweet. Really sit at the table and know what you’re doing and just treat it as something important."
Make small changes to your eating habits. "Things like having a meat-free day or leaving the table when you’re satisfied... are really what it’s about on a non-fast day."
Keep track of your goals. "There are studies which have found that merely noting your progress can be enough to make you do it more assiduously. So things like telling people, setting goals, those things are the more subtle things, which are about behavioral change."
Cutting out alcohol is the most important change you can make. "The benefits of giving up alcohol, or at least curbing your alcohol intake, for a six-week period are huge. Vodka would probably be the best thing you can drink but with a non-sweet mixer. So not with an orange juice. You double the calorie count of a vodka by putting orange juice with it." (So much for my "Scandal" diet of wine and popcorn - ha!)
Don't forget to exercise. High Intensity Training (short bursts of exercise such as running up the stairs) is another key part of the Fast Beach. "It’s more effective than what you might consider to be ‘normal’ cardiovascular exercise. It has a great effect on your health and well being so that’s why it’s included."
Verdict:
There are a lot of good things about this concept and I enjoyed reading about the research and results in this book; it's worth checking out if you are interested in nutrition and ways to manage your eating habits.
July 23, 2016
This book had some good information and aims for more fast track weight loss than the traditional 5:2 diet. However, I felt a little lost with implementing it into my life. I would have liked more of a day by day account of how to eat/exercise. I also thought this book came with a pullout diet journal/tracker but it did not. I believe that some editions of this book do so if this is something you want then keep it in mind.
October 14, 2014
Publication Date: June 24, 2014 Title: The Fast Beach Diet: The Super-Fast Plan to Lose Weight and Get In Shape in Just Six Weeks – Mimi Spencer –– 153 Pages – Atria Books – 9781476790398 – Electronic ARC –4 Stars
What exactly is the Fast Beach Diet? Simply put, for five days you eat sensibly and for the other two days women eat only 500 calories while men only 600 calories daily. Seems drastic, but many people do a complete fast with no calories consumed. I think this diet is doable and may possibly be effective, however, as with any diet, I’d consult a physician before starting it.
As with any diet, this diet stresses the importance of tracking and journaling your progress and goals. Tips like shopping on non-fasting days, herbal low-calorie drinks and not placing yourself in a position or place where you’ll break your day. For example, if you are on one of your semi-fast days, you wouldn’t want to go to an office Christmas party. Another thing I like is this book talks about preparation. Preparation is half the battle when trying to diet. If you don’t have everything in place, it will be easy to “fall off the wagon.”
The book does touch on health issues and side effects of the diet such as low blood sugar. It also gives example of exercises that can be performed while on the diet.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is that it gives examples of daily menus. Many books of this type will tell you what you can and can’t eat, leaving you to fend for yourself as you try to figure out when to eat what and how much. The books gives a 7-day meal plan for morning, noon and evening.
And what would a diet book be without helpful, healthy and delicious recipes? This book has them. Recipes like Italian Seafood Salad, Tricolore Omelet, Oat Berry Smoothie and Chicken and Mango salad sound like they are worth the try. Perhaps I will do an updated review once I try the diet.
What exactly is the Fast Beach Diet? Simply put, for five days you eat sensibly and for the other two days women eat only 500 calories while men only 600 calories daily. Seems drastic, but many people do a complete fast with no calories consumed. I think this diet is doable and may possibly be effective, however, as with any diet, I’d consult a physician before starting it.
As with any diet, this diet stresses the importance of tracking and journaling your progress and goals. Tips like shopping on non-fasting days, herbal low-calorie drinks and not placing yourself in a position or place where you’ll break your day. For example, if you are on one of your semi-fast days, you wouldn’t want to go to an office Christmas party. Another thing I like is this book talks about preparation. Preparation is half the battle when trying to diet. If you don’t have everything in place, it will be easy to “fall off the wagon.”
The book does touch on health issues and side effects of the diet such as low blood sugar. It also gives example of exercises that can be performed while on the diet.
Another thing I enjoyed about this book is that it gives examples of daily menus. Many books of this type will tell you what you can and can’t eat, leaving you to fend for yourself as you try to figure out when to eat what and how much. The books gives a 7-day meal plan for morning, noon and evening.
And what would a diet book be without helpful, healthy and delicious recipes? This book has them. Recipes like Italian Seafood Salad, Tricolore Omelet, Oat Berry Smoothie and Chicken and Mango salad sound like they are worth the try. Perhaps I will do an updated review once I try the diet.
October 5, 2016
Ugh why do I pay for books about diets they are so dumb.
This is basically a super-long advertisement for one book I'd already read and another one I don't want to pay for. I read it in an hour. It cost $13.
I am a huge moron and could have found all of this information on the internet.
This is basically a super-long advertisement for one book I'd already read and another one I don't want to pay for. I read it in an hour. It cost $13.
I am a huge moron and could have found all of this information on the internet.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews