Ash

Wow Dean thanks for having the patience to point me in the right direction! I have a lot of studying to do for sure. Best regards, -Ash

Hi Dean, thanks for your response! I have re-engaged CRON for a few days now and feel better overall than just eating ad.lib. I think your suggestion may be a good way to proceed. Perhaps not 1900 at the start, but 2000/2100 for a period of time, then slowly attempt to decrease. Question: Is there an accurate way to estimate % of caloric restriction? I recall Walford advocating for 1800 kCal/day for potentially highest level of theoretical longevity increase; however, that is too restrictive for me personally. A few years ago I used a website (https://www.scientificpsychic.com/health/cron1.htm) to enter my body metrics, etc., and it output an estimated % caloric restriction; according to that source, 1900 was around 23%-25% CR. I am not certain if the output was truly accurate. Also, is calorie restriction linked to how many calories an individual uses; for example, if I jog four times a week, I'm burning more calories than someone who is more sedentary, but is the calorie restriction % irrespective of activity level? If we possess similar body metrics, would the % CR be the same for both of us regardless of the fact that I am using more over a period of time? On a different note, were there issues with the primate CR study or its design? If I recall correctly, the health-span of the CR+ primates increased significantly as compared with controls. I can't recall if they saw increased longevity...? Best regards to you, -Ash

Hello, I practiced CR for approximately 2 years. I am mid 50's, 6'2 height, and currently weigh 155lbs, moderately active (3 - 4 x week) both cardio and calisthenics. I am also vegan for 9+ years. Initially, upon starting CRON, I went from 168 lbs to about 138 lbs eating 1900 Kcal/day (food measured w/scale, eating 633kCal x 3 meals/day). I used cronometer to ensure I was meeting nutrient numbers to avoid undernutrition. The first year was easy and where I lost the majority of weight, no adverse issues. Entering into the second quarter of the second year, I started having strange psychological food cravings and feeling the need to binge eat at odd times of the day, i.e., one example, probably a 3,000kCal meal of dates and pretzels (weird food combinations, I know). I attempted different techniques to combat the sensations of my brain telling me to eat something ridiculous hand over fist and failed, i.e., eating a small meal of cruciferous veggies to feel 'full' about an hour prior to the last meal of the day. I tried to maintain CR over the next two quarters of the second year and gradually couldn't maintain it. I abandoned CR at the end of the second year but maintained veganism easily, but probably started freely eating ~2500 to 2900 kCal per day (estimate) and have gained about 15 lbs of bodyweight, but am still 'fit' and lean. I finally felt 'happy', obviously eating to satiation with no amount or calorie constraints. I have researched CRON fairly extensively, and understand the (potential) benefits and would like to try to re-engage with it in earnest, but this time succeed. Any suggestions? Best regards to you, Ash.