Intermittent Fasting Stories

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Stacy Michalec Mar 17, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Stacy Michalec from Cedar Rapids, IA.

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.

Stacy is a flight attendant for Southwest Airlines. Stacy tried every diet, detox and diet pill, always looking for the "next thing."

Stacy found IF in September of 2017 through Melanie Avalon's book, What When Wine. This helped Stacy to understand IF and why it worked. She began with 16:8, and quickly moved to 20:4, with some ADF (Alternate Day Fasting). Stacy has lost 15 pounds, going from 158 to 143 pounds, and focuses on maintaining a weight range instead of a specific weight.

Stacy enjoys the energy IF has brought her, along with the freedom from ever having to diet again. And, after years of grueling workouts, she now does the workouts she enjoys!

Stacy's advice to the new IFer: "Start slow if you need to; your body will adjust! Staying busy is key. Ride the wave of hunger. It will pass."

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

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Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

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See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Angie Gleason Mar 10, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Angie Gleason from Belmont, MI.

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.

Angie is the mother of a special needs daughter. Angie was always "the bigger girl" amongst her friends. But it wasn't until after her pregnancy that she began to diet.

In 2017, Angie first learned of IF from a walking buddy, but dismissed it entirely. Two years later, Angie realized her weight was affecting her ability to lift her daughter in and out of the wheelchair. In December of 2019, Angie came across the Delay, Don't Deny Facebook group, and joined. Angie's sister and sister-in-law decided they would all IF together!

By January of 2020, Angie had lost 20 pounds. She has gone from 150 to 130 pounds. She is 4'11” and hopes to lose more weight over time.

Angie has experienced decreased inflammation, her skin tags have fallen off, and scars have healed. She now has energy to care for her daughter.

Angie's advice: " Be gentle with yourself. You didn't gain the weight overnight, and it won't fall off tomorrow! But be consistent, and it will happen eventually."

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Cynthia Thurlow Mar 03, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Cynthia Thurlow. Cynthia is a nurse practitioner and intermittent fasting expert, and you may remember her from episode 70. Today, Cynthia is back to share more of her story, and also her wisdom and expertise.

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.

In 2016, Cynthia found IF after several of her patients asked her about it. She did her research, and learned the science behind why IF is vital to our health. Cynthia began her own IF journey, and remarks, "IF was a love fest all at once!" Cynthia also began to incorporate IF with her patients.

In 2018, Cynthia did a Ted Talk on women and IF, and it went viral. She has been awarded Health Influencer of the Year, and is highly respected in the world of IF. In this episode, Cynthia discusses how IF helps regulate hormones, such as leptin and ghrelin. She notes that there is a great deal of "fear mongering" as it comes to women and fasting. This has made her passionate in educating women on the power of IF.

Cynthia has a new book, Intermittent Fasting Transformation, and you may find it anywhere books are sold. You may also find her at: www.cynthiathurlow.com

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Chelsea Hoffman Feb 24, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Chelsea Hoffman from Spokane, WA.

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.

Chelsea struggled with her weight beginning at age five, and by end of college found herself at 300 pounds.

In 2019, Chelsea heard about IF through a friend's Facebook post, and this began her deep dive into the IF lifestyle. She read both Delay, Don't Deny and Fast Feast Repeat. She also listened to the IF Stories podcast, combed through countless transformation pictures of people, and joined the DDD Facebook groups.

Chelsea knew IF was something she could do, and officially began her IF journey on December 17, 2019. By the end of the first week, she had gone from 16:8 to 18:6, and she jumped into OMAD with ease!

Chelsea's windows vary from day to day, as she "goes with the flow" of her life. She has gone from 276 to 138 pounds, and feels incredible. "IF is the most sustainable thing I have ever done," she shares.

Not only has Chelsea been successful with weight loss, her health has greatly improved. Before IF, she suffered from asthma, severe IBS, plantar fasciitis, and allergies. All have disappeared!

Chelsea's advice to the new IFer: You are worth it! You can do it! You have one body and one life! Read all of Gin's books. IF is the easiest thing you'll ever do!

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mandy Arora Feb 17, 2022

Show notes

In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Mandy Arora from London, UK.

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.

Mandy works for a media agency responsible for the United Kingdom's Covid response. She had dabbled in intermittent fasting in the past, but was not fasting clean. Because of this, IF felt too hard for her. But after talking with a friend, Mandy finally understood what it meant to fast clean, and committed to plain black coffee. She eased her way in with 16:8, eventually landing on 22:2. Mandy also added intense workouts, and realized she needed a longer window. "I listened to my body and scaled back on my fasts."

Mandy has lost between 60-70 pounds. She now loves to cook, and feels that IF has given her back control. Mandy had suffered with Alopecia, which is where the immune system attacks hair follicles and causes severe patchy hair loss. Since IF, her hair is growing back quickly.

Mandy's advice to the new IFer: Give IF a chance, then figure out what works best for you. Nothing will happen the on the first day. Don't put pressure on yourself. Stick to the habit, and the rest will follow. Always listen to your body.

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Mike, Ann, and Claire Espeset Feb 10, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Claire Espeset and her parents Mike and Ann. They are a family of intermittent fasters from Ames, Iowa.

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.

Mike and Ann found intermittent fasting through their son. They read Delay, Don't Deny, watched Dr. Fung videos, and officially began their IF journey in December of 2019. Mike jumped right in with a 20:4 protocol. Ann eased in with 14:10, eventually settling on 18:6. Meanwhile, Claire thought they were crazy to fast every day. But months later, she decided to give IF a try, and began during the height of the pandemic in 2020.

Mike has lost 25 pounds, Ann lost 10 pounds, and Claire lost around 15 pounds. They all sleep better and have more energy. "IF is so easy to sustain," Mike remarked. They share IF with friends and family, and will live the IF lifestyle the rest of their lives.

The Espesets' advice to the new IFer: "Read Delay, Don't Deny and Fast Feast Repeat. Listen to The Intermittent Fasting Podcast and the Intermittent Fasting Stories podcast. Don't let the concept of IF scare you!"

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Miki Earle Feb 03, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Miki Earle from Maine. Miki is a life coach who now does weight loss coaching after losing over 80 pounds through intermittent fasting.

Are you ready to take your intermittent fasting lifestyle to the next level? There’s nothing better than community to help with that—and now, it’s time for us to get Cleanish! In September we moved the Delay, Don’t Deny Social Network to a new and improved platform and the community has really taken off. In the Delay, Don’t Deny Community we have a true community feel, and there’s just the right support for you as you live your IF lifestyle. And, we have just begun a community book study for Gin’s new book, Cleanish! It isn’t too late to take part.

For a limited time, you can use the coupon code CLEANISH to join the DDD Community and save 15% once on any plan. If you join as an annual member, that’s less than one dollar a week for a year of community and support!

To take part, order cleanish today through your favorite bookseller or through the links at ginstephens.com/cleanish and then go to ginstephens.com/community to join the community for 15% off using the promo code CLEANISH. Don’t forget to click “apply” after entering the promo code to have the one-time 15% discount applied before completing your enrollment. The book study started January 5th and we look forward to getting Cleanish with you in the new year! 15% off offer ends 2/9/22.

Miki struggled with her weight all of her adult life, yo-yo dieting for many years prior to intermittent fasting. She found IF through a client she was coaching. After researching IF online, she found Delay, Don't Deny.

In November of 2019, Miki began her IF journey. In only eight months, she had lost 54 pounds with ease! "The [weight loss] battle is over," Miki declared. By September of 2020, Miki had lost a total of 83 pounds, and has been joyfully maintaining with OMAD.

IF brought her freedom, and an astonishing mindset shift. "The joy that IF has brought is a surprise!" Miki feels more comfortable in her own skin, and shows up for who she truly is every day.

Miki's advice to the new IFer: "IF doesn't have to be done perfectly everyday. Some days more, some days less. Discover what works for you. Hunger won't kill you. Freedom is awaiting you."

Miki incorporates IF into her coaching. You may find her at: https://www.mikiearle.com You may email her at: miki@mikiearle.com

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Dr. Anna Cabeca Jan 27, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Dr. Anna Cabeca, “The Girlfriend Doctor”. Dr. Cabeca is board certified in OB/Gyn, integrative medicine, and regenerative medicine, and she considers IF to be an essential part of our healthy toolbox, particularly as we go through menopause. Go to dranna.com/gin for a special 20% off offer just for listeners.

Dr. Anna shares that at 39 years old, she experienced early-onset menopause. This caused infertility, which was able to reverse. She went on to have four children!

In her functional medicine studies, intermittent fasting was a part of the program. In 2015, Dr. Anna began with a 16:8 protocol. She declares: "I have never felt more at home in my body than I do now." She follows a 'keto green' way of eating.

Dr. Anna discusses the positive effects of IF for women, and how this lifestyle will help women immensely as they go through such major change. “IF will help you get in tune with your intuition during menopause,” she remarked.

Dr. Anna's advice to the new IFer: It's never too young or too old to get healthy. IF will improve the quality of your life. Detoxify your body during the fast, and nourish your body during the window.

You’ll find Dr. Anna at: www.dranna.com/gin

IF Stories podcast listeners will receive 20% off My Girlfriend Doctor essentials.

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Joanne Wardle Jan 20, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Joanne Wardle from Leeds.

As a teenager, Joanne struggled with a mild case of anorexia, but got through it with the love and care of friends.

Joanne found intermittent fasting by looking for a podcast on weight loss, as she had decided it was time lose weight. After listening to several Intermittent Fasting Stories podcast episodes, she was hooked!

Joanne set small goals with a spreadsheet, and named each one. She has gone from 186 to 136 pounds, and is still in shock! IF has helped heal both her diet mentality and body image.

Joanne's advice to the new IFer: Fast clean. Set small, realistic goals. IF is not a sprint, nor a marathon. It's a walk in the park.

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Rich Marin Jan 13, 2022

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In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Rich Marin from Long Island, NY.

Rich is a Realtor, and he struggled with his weight beginning as a young boy. He reached his highest weight in college.

In 2019, a friend shared IF with him, with the idea that, "you can eat anything you want" in an eight hour window. After a week of eating to his heart's content, he gained weight and gave up on IF.

In March of 2020, Rich's wife, Paulina, was diagnosed with Hashimoto's. She found research that said IF could help heal it. With new dedication, they began IF again, but this time eating healthier and fasting clean! They gradually moved from 16:8 to 20:4

Rich has lost 54 pounds, going from 196 to 142 pounds, and from a size 42 inch waist to a 30 inch waist. He is no longer pre-diabetic, and both his cholesterol and blood pressure numbers have normalized. Paulina has lost 40 pounds, and her thyroid meds have been drastically reduced. They both feel amazing, and see how IF has bonded them.

Rich's advice to the new IFer: Stick with it--it gets easer. Everyone goes at their own pace, so don't compare yourself to others.

Get Gin’s books at http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., available wherever you buy books!

Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Follow Gin on Twitter @gin_stephens

Follow Gin on Instagram @GinStephens

Visit Gin’s website at ginstephens.com

Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.html

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.