Ageless Active: My Fasting Journey

I don’t want to count the number of diets I have tried and would be embarrassed to share this information with you. I grew up in a household with a diet mentality. God love my Mom, she was always trying something new and I adopted her diet outlook and patterns. I was always hoping that the next diet would work, like magic.

I love good food and I love to drink. And until I had children never really had a weight problem. I then gained 70 pounds with my son, and 50 pounds with my daughter, and they were two years apart. I really wish I knew what I know now but no reason to look back. I also put my family’s needs ahead of my own and did not have a true workout plan, which I have learned is so important for me, and my daily outlook.

As my children hit high school and began driving, I decided it was time to focus on a workout routine that made sense for me. I went to the Y and participated in cycle classes, used the elliptical, ran, and began watching others use free weights. It was intimidating to me but those people were in good shape and that was my goal. I understood the need for good form, so began reading everything I could about form, posture, and technique when doing weights. I began to notice a difference after a couple of months and was probably doing some type of Atkins or low carb at the time, which seemed to be working for my weight as well. However, what I found was that the more I worked out the hungrier I became. Hence I ate more.

I have never been a breakfast person and used to make myself eat breakfast (due to the 5 small meal diet plan I was also trying ) so would typically eat around 10AM. Coffee with cream held me over. I always ate lunch mid to late day and was ravenous and needed a snack. Dinnertime was around my children’s and husband’s schedules as they were very active and we liked to eat together as a family as much as we could.

A few years back I started reading about the benefits of Intermittent Fasting, IF for short, and the benefits for the body as we age. I have linked an article here and a podcast here for you. It appeared to be a lifestyle change and not a diet. So I dabbled in that and found more success. I was starting to feel good but was also not ready to deprive myself of morning coffee with cream, or the occasional glass of wine at night. I asked myself, “Why do I have give something up?”

I don’t know how but I stumbled upon Gin Stephen’s book, Fast, Feast, Repeat and a lightbulb when off in my head. I realized that by denying myself at different times of the day via fasting, I could “feast” in moderation when I wanted to. I had to give up certain things but could have them when I opened my eating window. And when I close my window, it’s closed. I don’t eat or drink anything after 7:30 or occasionally 8 PM. Pellegrino, water, and black coffee with a touch of baking soda in it are my newfound friends. I typically fast between 19 and 21 hours and I use the Life app to track my fasts. More on this in a future post as I don’t want to put the cart before the horse.

Delay, Don’t Deny is Gin’s first book which I did not read, but I know many women have and found success there as well . Gin is a great writer, and her books are entertaining and easy to read. She explains the science behind IF, which after so many diets, I yearned for this information. I am not going to explain the program but if you are interested at all, I highly suggest one of her New York Times Bestselling books. I have included a link to both. And I must say, I am not a healthcare professional and if you decide to look into this lifestyle, please check with them first.

Now that I have a lifestyle that works for me, and one that I can easily follow, I am working on my accountability to myself. Getting and staying healthy is so important especially as we age. And it is not easy due to the fact that everyone is different and we all have different microbiomes. What I do know is that this lifestyle has improved the health of so many women and I have also seen what it can do for me.

I plan to continue to write about my journey here on the blog and would love to hear your thoughts and questions as well. As of now, my complexion has improved, my rosacea is very mild, my skin rashes that I use to have on my arms have disappeared and my weight is down by 10 pounds. I continue to eat lower carbs and work to be gluten free, for other health concerns. And, I am no longer looking for quick fixes but a lifestyle that works for me. It’s a work in process to be the best version of yourself and to break old habits.

Now excuse me while I go break my fast with an apple and some vanilla skyr.