I started to look at making some lifestyle changes. This is when I began to research intermittent fasting. My husband, Paul, began doing it and his weight gains were turning into losses. Paul lost almost 25 pounds effortlessly by intermittently fasting. Yet I still rejected it! I honestly believed that eating breakfast was “the most important meal of the day!” Do you even know where that statement came from? No doctor ever stated that — the breakfast cereal companies did. Score one for marketing because I fell for it and thought I couldn’t possibly start my morning workout without eating breakfast or drinking a protein shake.
So four years ago, I decided to take my cue from Paul and give it a try. I have to be honest — it wasn’t easy at the beginning. I could easily fast for 12 hours (from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m.), but it was a struggle for me to get past that 12-hour mark without feeling overwhelmed or cranky. In my research, I came upon Mindy Pelz, DC, and her books Fast Like a Girl and The Menopause Reset. They were truly enlightening to me! I’ve also become an avid listener of her podcast, The Resetter Podcast with Dr. Mindy Pelz.
My lifestyle change also includes a commitment to exercising. I strength train almost daily with my goal being to complete five to six strength trainings weekly, including two high intensity interval training (HIIT) workouts as part of the week. Another change I’ve made is learning to allow myself grace in all areas of my life. I can only do what I can do. That’s a big step for someone who’s an overachiever. I don’t beat myself up (much) when I don’t achieve every workout each week. I just schedule them for the next week and commit again. Being kinder to myself has been a huge step!
These workouts really helped me tone my body while teaching me that I didn’t need to eat three meals a day, nor did I need to eat breakfast. Little by little, my stamina for fasting increased and suddenly I was fasting up to 16 hours most days. Continuing to allow myself some grace, I also ate when I was hungry. For example, if I’m hungry and need to eat before the 16 hours are up, I eat something healthy — not snacks, but a meal with vegetables and protein.
THE NEW, HEALTHIER ME
My health is so much better now, and that’s so important to me. My rheumatologist regularly tells me if he didn’t know my history and the joints I had replaced, he would swear I didn’t have an autoimmune disease — I smile from ear to ear when I hear that! Before I made these lifestyle changes, I was prediabetic; now my A1C has dropped to a normal level. I’m still fasting 16-plus hours most days, but I still have days where I’m hungry and I eat. That’s where that grace I give myself comes in handy! I truly love strength training and feeling stronger. I’ve incorporated other types of workouts as well, so I’m trying new classes. Most importantly, I put myself first and schedule my workouts daily.
Taking care of yourself is such a big and important step. But how do you achieve that when you’re working full time, raising a family, etc.? It truly means carving out the time you need and doing it first before you fill your calendar with all the other activities. I’ve noted my workouts, tracked them and not just weighed myself, but also taken measurements so I could see the inches come off. It’s always a surprise when you see the inches change even when the weight is still the same.
It took some time, but I’m in my groove and have found what works for me. I truly hope it inspires you to make your health a priority this year!
