Aug - Gained 5 pounds! Still relaxing my window. Enjoying last days of summer! Hurricane evacuation! 😧 You might be inclined to opt out of dinner with friends or say no to birthday parties because you’re fasting,” Linsenmeyer says. “In that case, it might not be enjoyable or sustainable long-term.”

Gin Stephens, author and intermittent faster - Home

In 2011, I did the Whole30 for 3 months. The Whole30 was the key to me quitting my 5 can a day Diet Coke addiction, but the constant meal prep was more than I could handle. This trainer had included fasting in my regimen – two 24-hour water fasts a week. With little idea of protocols and no proper understanding of the science, unsurprisingly I failed miserably. I was starving, dizzy, cranky and weak. I lasted 22 hours the first time, 20 hours the second time and after that I just lied to her that I was doing it, but gave up completely. My first experience of fasting was a total disaster. It took me several months to realize that my diabetes was showing its TRUE colors. Yet, I was clueless to what my next step would be. My list of struggles was endless. Not only did I cry each day, but I made everyone around me cry as well.

I made myself a promise that I would give it an honest try for three months, and if I didn't see results I would give it up, so I dove right in and started with 23 /1. My starting weight ..... 180 lbs. At exactly 7 months later, my weight is 149 lbs. I wish I had taken measurements, but I did not. I can tell you that I am down in sizes: Dress - from a large to small or medium. Pants - from 12 to 8 or 6. Tops - from a large to a small. Now for those who wish to know more, here we go. In 2004, I ended a 20 year relationship with the love of my life: Crystal Methamphetamine. As is the case with many recovering addicts, I replaced one addiction with another, food. Between 2004 and 2008 I went from 185 lbs. to 235 lbs., for a total of 50 lbs., all of which was fat. Not only was I looking horrible, but I began to have G.I. issues; it was time for change. After some soul searching, the first thing I did was become vegetarian in 2008. This was as much for animal welfare as it was for my health. I still wasn’t eating properly and it would take some time before I stopped consuming processed fake meat products, which are filled with soy and a ton of multisyllabic chemicals, as my primary source of food. Every 5 years I had to change up my fitness and diet because it was getting harder and harder to lose weight. My 20s were the age of working out and Ephedra pills. At 25 I gained 50 lbs. while in my first year of my career as a flight attendant. I struggled and did Weight Watchers to lose it for my wedding. My 30s were the age of running marathons to keep it off. 35 was the age of "coaching" for Beachbody with containers and calorie counting. I had 2 babies at age 36 and 38. By August of 2020, Teresa had reached her highest weight of 302 pounds. She learned of IF from a parent at her school. She read Delay, Don’t Deny and immediately began her IF journey.

Everything You Need To Know About Intermittent Fasting

The fix: Plan ahead. Prepare a healthy meal that’s ready for you when your fast ends and make sure to eat whole ingredients when possible including healthy carbs like whole grains, lean protein and plenty of veggies, says Fung. I have almost always been overweight. In fact, as early as the age of 8 I can remember my mom putting me on a diet and taking me to T.O.P.S. meetings. What has made this so easy for me is that we are 5 sisters all doing IF, so there is a lot of support, and we all encourage one another when times get tough. Our biggest supporter is Katie. Before we would give up or get discouraged because we didn't see a fast weight loss, we would call on her, and her response would be: trust the process. She would talk us through whatever difficulty we were having. At some point on my Facebook feed I started getting information about Intermittent Fasting from various sources. One that I remember suggested that women should fast 12-14 hours, then have their first meal. I dabbled with that for some time and felt great doing it.IF is free. You don’t need to join our community to fast. But if you’re looking for support from a community of like-minded IFers, we are here for you at ginstephens.com/community. The family members and friends who were stoning me for doing IF are now asking me for my guidance to start this way of eating.

Community - Gin Stephens, author and intermittent faster Community - Gin Stephens, author and intermittent faster

In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Shannon Jensen from Bowling Green, OH.I currently use the 16-8 method. I eat my first meal at noon and close the window at 8:00 pm. I routinely stretch it to 18-6 several times a week. I had a routine physical a few months prior to starting IF. My numbers were all very good. I had to get a physical for insurance recently. ALL of my numbers had improved. Mind you, they were already good. I was at a sales meeting recently and someone I hadn't seen in approximately 3 years came up to me and said, "I didn't speak to your earlier because I wasn't sure that was you. You look so YOU. I remember you being older!"

Success Stories - Gin Stephens, author and intermittent faster Success Stories - Gin Stephens, author and intermittent faster

Leah is in the Navy. She never struggled with her weight until her twenties, when she moved out on her own. Her new job had her sedentary for eight hours a day and the weight began to creep on. I did it!!!! Today marks my 365th day of IF and the first time in my life I've had the willpower to focus on my own health and happiness. She has gone from 216 to 159 pounds. Tammy is off her diabetic and blood pressure meds, her skin has improved, and she feels her very best. Tammy has learned to listen and honor her body.

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In the Summer of 2017 I made a trip to Bed Bath and Beyond and on a whim, I decided to step on one of their operating scales. Before I did, I guessed that at 5’ 7.5” that my weight would be in the 160-pound range. I knew that wasn’t great, but in my mind, I could justify it. So, I stepped on the scale and it said 188.8 pounds. I stood in the store in front of two other women and wept. Over the following 3 weeks I lost 8 lbs and several inches, and I felt amazing. I increased to 18:6 as wasn't feeling hungry at 16 hrs. No matter if you’re looking to lose some weight or gain a healthier body, intermittent fasting is a good way to go. First of all, intermittent fasting is simple. It’s not about what you eat, it’s about when you eat. There are all types of plans out there that will help you decide what works best.