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I recently shared a quick Instagram Story about how I’d begun Intermittent Fasting and it spurred a lot of questions, so I wanted to elaborate on why I decided to start intermittent fasting.
Intermittent Fasting, or as it’s commonly referred to, IF, is cycling between periods of eating and fasting (restricting food). I’ll further detail the form of IF I’m doing and why below.
What brought me to Intermittent Fasting
I wish this was an easy answer, but it isn’t. After years of near-abuse to my body by restricting calories and over-exercising, I got pregnant with my oldest child. When I returned to work full-time, I was able to semi-maintain some balance with food and exercise without going overboard. But I never got back to my pre-baby weight or jeans size.
Fast-forward to one job-loss and two additional babies later, and I have basically spent the last 4.5 years as some sort of baby incubator or feeding-machine. It took a toll on my body, physically and mentally. I tried Weight Watchers, with some success, but I was still tired of limited results and calorie-restricting.
During my time breastfeeding babies over the last few years, my husband would mention intermittent fasting. He had success doing an 16:8 fast (fasting for 16 hours and having an 8-hour eating window). I couldn’t participate because I knew that doing this was not conducive to my milk supply.
Well I am happy to say that I am completely finished breastfeeding and will not ever again be pregnant. Hooray! This whole ‘finished nursing’ thing is relatively new and came as quite a shock to me. But when I sat down and thought about it I realized that it meant I could finally get back to feeling like ME (physically, emotionally, and mentally).
Seeing results in-real-life
About a year ago my mom started her Intermittent Fasting journey. I’ll admit, I was an almost immediate naysayer. I told her she was starving herself and that this practice of over 18+ hours of fasting was detrimental to her health.
But I watched her flourish. She never had much (if any) weight to lose, but she did tone and seem much more full of energy than before. I watched her break her fasts and her diet (meaning food, not the typical term “diet”) seemed completely unrestricted. She navigated the holidays with ease and zero stress.
So I asked her for more information. And she invited me to join this Facebook group she belonged to. Then I was hooked.
Delay, Don’t Deny
The Facebook group “Delay, Don’t Deny: Intermittent Fasting Support,” is based on the book of the same name, by Gin Stephens. Upon approval into the group, I tried to absorb as much knowledge from the participants as possible. After a few days of reading testimonials and questions from other members, I decided to listen to the audiobook Delay, Don’t Deny. It answered every question I had about the process.
Note: Gin Stephens, whilst having her doctorate, is not a physician, nor is she a nutritionist. But she backs up her book with data from scientists and nutritionists and puts it into laymen’s terms for the rest of us. I would like to also note that I am not a physician nor a nutritionist. For questions regarding your health journey, please consult your physician.
The entire premise of the book is as follows: Calories in/calories out is not a successful way to maintain weight loss. Science shows that prolonged fasting will train the body to enter ketosis. Ketosis, or the metabolic process in which the body burns fat instead of glucose for energy, happens naturally and gives our bodies the training they need to develop sustainable eating habits.
This blew my mind. The science backs it up and I immediately felt free from all of the years I obsessed over calories-in, calories-out. Additionally, the idea of working out to ‘burn calories/earn food’ is basically discredited. Working out to be healthy, build muscle, or simply, for fun, is really the idea she explains in her book.
Clean Fasting
The idea is to do a Clean Fast, meaning that during the time you are fasting you are only consuming unflavored water or black coffee. No food or sugar-free drinks are ‘allowed’ during the fast because it will trigger your glucose and prevent your body from entering ketosis.
Breaking The Fast
Breaking your fast, or what Gin refers to as “opening your eating window,” happens at a time you deem right. During your ‘open window’ you shouldn’t deny yourself certain foods. Naturally, during appetite correction, your body will crave foods that are good for you. But if you want wine and french fries? Have wine and french fries! Diets don’t work because they require restricting ‘bad foods’ for long amounts of time.
This is a lifestyle change, not a diet
Another quick note regarding diets — If someone recommends a program you have to pay for (Keto Coffee, Faster Way To Fat Loss, Beachbody Shakes, or Herbalife Shakes), it is a gimmick. You don’t need any paid program to take control of your health and your eating.
After reading Gin’s book and fasting for two weeks now, I can say I’m committed to this lifestyle change. I haven’t had to give up the foods I love and I’m still getting almost immediate results. The scale is slowly moving in the direction I want it to, but I’m also experiencing increased mental clarity, clearer skin, and more restful sleep!
I know you may be saying “but it’s only been two weeks,” and you’re right. But for the first time in my adult life, I feel FREE. Free from diet culture, free from restrictive eating, and free from anxiety regarding health and weight loss. Everyday I witness the transformations of people in this Facebook group and it encourages me that I am on the right path.
I realize that this can seem completely foreign for many people. Heck, it was to me for a very long time! But I am so excited to continue this lifestyle. I promise to keep you updated!
Do you have any questions for me?! Want to know what my typical fast looks like?!
bunch of my friends intermittent fasting and they love I personal haven’t gotten into it. But i prob should because it seem super helpful.
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I’ve heard about this! I know it works well for some. I couldn’t do it. I need to eat when I want to eat. Hangry is a real thing for me and I’d be so moody if I didn’t have food when I wanted it.
Very interesting journey you’ve been on. You’re honouring your body in the best way you know how. Good for you!
It’s so great you’re finding this helpful. I haven’t tried it before but it’s very interesting.
I’ve been doing IF for over a year now and I love it!!! The results are great as you mentioned.
I think I do this unintentionally and I don’t think it’s working for me lol. I have no energy at all. But it’s so cool that human bodies are so different and that this can work for so many people. I love it!
Great post. I’ve been doing intermittent fasting for some time now, along with eating clean and exercising like crazy (because I lobe it), and I’ve definitely seen results. I think people forget that it’s important to eat clean. You have to be mindful of your food choices, some indulgences are good, off course, but the fasting wont work if you don’t consider what you’re putting in your body.
Agreed! I am eating ‘consciously’ but also not being too restrictive for special occasions!
Thanks for the inspiration. I have a friend who wanted to try fasting. I will let her kone to read this blog post.
Thanks for sharing so many health benefits of intermittent fasting. I am sharing with few friends. Hope this is going to help them
Thank you for this information on intermittent fasting. Good, practical help!
I’ve been thinking of doing this lately. Thanks for sharing your journey, information, and why you chose to go this route.
I haven’t heard of this kind of diet/life style. I’m not sure I would try it out myself…I like balanced healthy eating x
I’ve learned more and more about intermittent fasting and realized that it’s really not that bad. I’ve also realized I’ve done it for most of my life on accident. lol I never eat breakfast and since I started working from home, there are plenty of days I don’t eat lunch until like 3 pm. lol But my husband has started doing it on purpose and he feels great!
I have done intermittent fasting for a few good months last year and I felt amazing. Unfortunately due to a chaotic schedule and lots of traveling I had to give it up. But I do want to get back on it, once i get a bit more stability in my life.
I have heard so many good things about this, but I have tried it and its just not for me or my blood sugar.
I tried this too, but it wasn’t for me. It started to be hard for me to go to the gym and i just get too hungry after. so now, just trying to focus eating healthier 🙂
I have heard so many success stories from this method. I actually would love to try this.
I have been intermittently fasting for most of my adult life. It has worked well.
What is that fruit bowl thing? It looks amazing!
I have heard about a lot of people doing intermittent fasting, but I never really researched it. I’m curious and will probably check out the book that you mentioned. I’m not sure if it’s something I could do because when I’m hungry I gotta eat! You don’t know until you try though. Glad to hear that it is working well for you. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Intermittent fasting will entail a lot of discipline and determination so you don’t get distracted. I would do this if it is allowed, but being diabetic, my primary concern is to avoid fluctuations in my blood sugar levels. This diet would not good for me, but you know what? My daughter should start
I’m with the woman who used the word hangry lol. I’m glad you found something that works for you though. It must be such a great feeling.
My cousin just started doing this. I was against it until I noticed his results.
I wish I can do this, but being diabetic, it would not be feasible to do intermittent fasting. I see how this can help our body and improve our overall health, so I am sharing this with my daughter. She has been trying to lose weight because she is getting ready to have another baby.
YES! Definitely not recommended if you are diabetic! Nor if you are breastfeeding!
I have been looking into keto and intermittent fasting and may try it this year.
You answered so many questions I didn’t even know I had about intermittent fasting! What I don’t understand is if you have to commit to doing this forever or what!
I am trying to start IF and I would love to join that Facebook Group! Oh, I am so excited!
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I’m on a different way of losing weights and I love hearing about other people’s perspective.
Wow, I haven’t tried this. But this comprehensive guide seemed very promising.
Ohh, thank you for sharing this. Been planning to do intermittent fasting before.
I’ve been intermittent fasting with Delay Don’t Deny for over 500 days. I’m going to be 65 soon and have been overweight for at least the last 30 years. I tried every diet “plan” under the sun, some with stunning results but I was always stunned by how fast the weight piled back on (always with some extra). Since IF, I’ve lost 40 lbs (and kept it off!!! I’m still losing weight slowly) plus my inflammation is gone, my energy is way up and my body is changing! I call it Intermittent Eating because the word fasting scares people. Try it. I will do this the rest of my life!
Oh wow it definitely sounds very amazing and interesting one…glad you shared this with us..great work though..loved this…