Alternate-Day Dieting? Sign Me Up!

Amy S.F. Lutz — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 21:32:00 GMT

Blah, dieting. There's nothing more disheartening than casting puppy-dog eyes at that yummy cinnamon scone in the Starbucks display case and knowing that you've sworn off baked goods until your 20th year high school reunion, more than 2 months away.

Would it be easier to pass on the scone if you knew you could have one as early as tomorrow, and still keep your diet?

That's right, alternate-day dieting is here - and, given the attention span of me and most of my friends, I'm predicting it will be HUGE.

This diet is the brainchild of plastic surgeon James B. Johnson, whose book, "The Alternate-Day Diet," will be released in April. Johnson was inspired by data from animal studies indicating that mice and primates fed only every other day show surprising health benefits, including the shrinking of fat cells, resulting in a decreased risk of diabetes and obesity.

Knowing that people would not be so keen on fasting, Johnson made some modifications in designing his diet, allotting between 500-600 calories for "on" days - which leaves room for yogurt for breakfast, soup for lunch and salad for dinner. Then he tested the diet on himself, eating whatever he wanted on "off days." And in three months, he lost 35 pounds, without ever feeling bored or deprived.

Johnson predicts long-term health improvement for those who diet alternate days, as well. He believes the low-calorie days will activate the "longevity gene," which Harvard studies have shown helps extend the life of irreplaceable cells.

A half-assed diet that will halve the size of your ass! What could be better?

Strollerderby : calorie restriction

Alternate-Day Dieting? Sign Me Up!