In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Melody Fields from Hamilton, OH.

Are you ready to take your intermittent fasting lifestyle to the next level? There’s nothing better than community to help with that. In the Delay, Don’t Deny community we all embrace the clean fast, and there’s just the right support for you as you live your intermittent fasting lifestyle. 

You can connect directly with Gin in the Ask Gin group, and she will answer all of your questions personally. If you’re new to intermittent fasting or recommitting to the IF lifestyle, join the 28-Day FAST Start group. After your fast start, join us for support in The 1st Year group. Need tips for long term maintenance? We have a place for that! There are many more useful spaces beyond these, and you can interact in as many as you like. 

Visit ginstephens.com/community to join us. An annual membership costs just over a dollar a week when you do the math. If you aren’t ready to fully commit for a year, join for a month and you can cancel at any time. If you know you’ll want to stay forever, we also have a lifetime membership option available.  

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. 

Melody is retired, and works part time in a jewelry store. She embarked on her intermittent fasting journey at the end of August 2022, using September 1st as her fastiversary. After struggling with her weight for many years and experiencing significant weight swings, losing 80-100 pounds several times over her life, Melody decided to give intermittent fasting a try. She started with a 16:8 fasting schedule, quickly transitioning to a 20:4 approach, which she found to be comfortable and effective.

During the discussion, Melody shared how intermittent fasting has not only helped her lose weight but also significantly improved her health and overall quality of life. Before starting intermittent fasting, Melody faced numerous physical challenges such as knee pain, difficulty walking, and the need for multiple medications, including those for acid reflux and allergies. Remarkably, she has been able to stop taking these medications and is no longer restricted by her previous health issues. One motivation for Melody was her desire to be an active and energetic grandmother to her two young grandsons, which intermittent fasting has allowed her to achieve.

Melody also spoke about joining a supportive intermittent fasting community and how it bolstered her knowledge and commitment to the lifestyle. Alongside intermittent fasting, Melody incorporated walking into her daily routine, which began as simple as walking around a grocery store with a shopping cart for support and has now progressed to using a treadmill regularly. Her husband also joined her in intermittent fasting, which led to his own significant health improvements, including weight loss and normalized blood pressure.

As the episode closed, Melody offered insightful advice to those just starting their intermittent fasting journey. She emphasized the importance of trusting the process, being patient with oneself, and not getting discouraged by the scale. Melody advised intermittent fasters to stay flexible, adjust as needed, and live their lives without forgoing fun experiences. Finally, she encouraged newcomers to seek community support and reliable resources, such as Gin’s books, to stay informed and motivated.

Get Gin’s books at: https://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html. Good news! The second edition of Delay, Don’t Deny is now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audiobook. This is the book that you’ll want to start with or share with others, as it is a simple introduction to IF. It’s been updated to include the clean fast, an easier to understand and more thorough description of ADF and all of your ADF options, and an all new success stories section. When shopping, make sure to get the second edition, which has a 2024 publication date. The audiobook for the second edition is available now! 

Join Gin’s community! Go to: ginstephens.com/community

Do you enjoy Intermittent Fasting Stories? You’ll probably also like Gin’s other podcast with cohost Sheri Bullock: Fast. Feast. Repeat. Intermittent Fasting for Life. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts.  

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: [email protected]

Visit Gin’s website at: ginstephens.com 

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