The Fasting Highway

Latest Episodes:

Episode 220 Alison Preuss- A home educator's incredible fasting journey .Ageing backwards at 67 living her best life . Apr 14, 2024

Show notes

BIO: ALISON PREUSS (pronounced PROYCE)

I am a 67-year-old mother of three and grandmother of one, widowed for 10 years. I live in Angus, northeast Scotland. I have owned and run an online vintage boutique since 2007 and was previously a Scottish parliamentary researcher and freelance journalist. My own children were home-educated, and I co-ordinate the national Scottish Home Education Forum which offers information, support and advocacy to parents and campaigns on education issues. My attempts at retirement have proved futile as I enjoy what I do and like to keep busy and active both mentally and physically. I was a skinny child and did classical ballet until my mid-teens, so I never had any cause to diet, and my weight remained static for years. After my first two pregnancies in the 80s, I zapped back to normal within weeks, but my third baby was quite a bruiser and it took me a few months of good diet (not dieting!) and exercise to get back in shape. During my husband's illness and after he died in 2013, I practically stopped eating due to stress and trauma. I dropped so much weight I looked emaciated, but once I got back into regular eating, middle-age creep started to become evident!

I came to IF through my son, who takes his health very seriously and is an avid researcher. My first shot at it was in 2018/2019 when I did a 5-month stint with good results, but I made the mistake of looking at it as a short-term undertaking rather than a lifestyle change. When Covid and the first lockdown came along, like many, I got sloppy with my diet and drank too much. The catalyst for change was my daughter's wedding in November 2021, for which I had around 10 months' notice to fit into the vintage dress I wanted to wear (and it would be a challenge!) I took it very seriously and began on 11 January 2021 doing 19:5, which had worked well previously, and completely cutting out alcohol. Meanwhile, I joined a few IF groups online and devoured IF podcasts, taking inspiration from others' experiences. Two months in, I had started regular dance sessions, and four months in, I was in the gym three times a week and doing occasional Meal-less Mondays /36-hour fasts. I didn't regularly weigh myself but took many photographs and weekly measurements. I was losing inches steadily and gaining muscle due to strength training, and people were noticing. Two months before my daughter's wedding, I had reached my goal of fitting into that vintage dress and continued downward until around February 2022, when I estimated I had lost around 45lbs. Now, three years into IF, it's just a usual way of life, and I can't see myself ever going back.

In terms of unexpected NSVs, a longstanding scar from a burn on my leg completely disappeared and an injury to my finger that I'd trapped in a drawer miraculously got better. My skin has improved, and my hair is now waist-length, silver and in great condition, despite being a woman of a certain age. I managed to get back into my front splits at 66 with consistent flexibility training, although my hamstrings do complain a bit! I also fit into some of the clothes I wore in my 20s, including a vintage evening dress to meet the queen in 1981. It's been like a post-pandemic renewal!

Alison Preuss

The Fasting Highway

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Episode 219 Renee Le Tourneau A great start maintaining then striking some trouble with regain and the fightback Apr 07, 2024

Show notes

Please go to the show notes episode 79 for the original Podcast with Renee in July 2021

Update to those notes

Almost 49-year-old wife and mother of three (22, 20, 17). Former ICU nurse turned stay-at-home mom.

I am from Minnesota, USA. I began fasting on February 1, 2021, losing 50 pounds over ten months. I maintained that weight range for about a year and then started to see a very slow regain.

I had a hysterectomy in late October 2023, and since then, saw my weight climb very quickly. I'm currently 18 pounds higher than when I first started maintaining.

The Fasting Highway

Our Patreon Supporters Community

Please consider joining the Fasting Highway Patreon community.

I strongly urge you to do so if you need more accountability and support for not a lot each month, as it is helping so many people to do that.

For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can join and support your own health goals.

Please go to www.patreon.com/thefastinghighway to see the benefits you get back and how to join.

To book a time, go to the website and click Get help/coaching. www.thefastinghighway.com

Graeme's book The Fasting Highway can be found at your local Amazon store in paperback and Kindle. Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast should be taken as medical advice. All content is the opinion of the host and guest only.

Episode 218 -Shoshana Grinstein An incredible intermittent fasting story finding liberation and great health living and IF lifestyke Mar 31, 2024

Show notes

By Shoshana Grinstein

Height—150cm 5ft—Weight at start 88 kilos *size 46. Current weight around 70 kilos *size 36!! Growing up in Montreal, Canada- very active, healthy childhood. Age 11/12- first encounter with weight on the scale, dietitian. Instead of becoming more confident, it made me more self-conscious. I was hard on myself and judgemental. Periods of over-eating Periods of under-eating Un-healthy relationship with my body and food Moved to Israel, gained weight- lost weight- got married- pregnancies. Heavier and heavier between each pregnancy- about 20 kilos overweight Depression- finally leading to real healing Therapy: learning to accept myself, to be kind to myself. Pregnancy #4- healing but corona !! stuck at home. Crazy. Weight Gain and inactivity. While pregnant, parenting coach. So during covid, began listening to podcasts about Parenting. Became vegan and listened to Podcasts about healthy eating, which led to podcasts about mental health. I began to treat myself better, talk to me more kindly, try to motivate me positively, and just get happier. As much as I was learning to love myself the way I was, I couldn't ignore how big I had gotten; a few things triggered my fasting start. My son had said to me: Mom, I’ve never seen you run! A picture from the summer. And ads constantly popping up on my instagram about it! I finally said- what the hell, let’s try. I have nothing to lose… except the weight. I challenged myself; it was 9:00 pm- I could not eat until recess at 10:00. I did it! Stopped eating at 8 pm and went the next day to 10:00… then noon… then I wouldn’t eat until I got home from work. OMAD…. Pilates in July (6 months in), and here we are! Within a week, I realized I needed to know more- started listening to Gin Stephens, and bought and read her book. I looked for more interesting podcasts and found The Fasting Highway- bought and read The Fasting Highway! It is so motivating and such an exciting community to be a part of. The initial weight came off fast! I was down 10 kilos in no time. I felt such a new sense of freedom- so in control. I learned to listen to my body and stopped fearing that I might miss out or feel hungry…. “Vigilance without obsession!” Measured but stopped weighing- keep getting rid of clothes- old and new! (Dropped my false sense of confidence and swapped it out for a new one.) Having been raised in a home where no one saw me for who I was/am- no one motivated me or believed in me and now… I’m in a place in my life where I feel such control; I feel worthy, and I feel that I can do and succeed at whatever I want. I want more for myself and my family, and I know now that I can accomplish anything. To get to this point in my life after years of struggling is so liberating

The Fasting Highway

Our Patreon Supporters Community

Please consider joining the Fasting Highway Patreon community.

I strongly urge you to do so if you need more accountability and support for not a lot each month, as it is helping so many people to do that.

For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can join and support your own health goals.

Please go to www.patreon.com/thefastinghighway to see the benefits you get back and how to join.

To book a time, go to the website and click Get help/coaching. www.thefastinghighway.com

Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast should be taken as medical advice. All content is the opinion of the host and guest only.

Episode 217 Sheila Parsons -IF at 70 years old losing an incredible 71 pounds -34Kg. An inspiration for all Mar 24, 2024

Show notes

Bio -Sheila Parsons

Hello. I’m Sheila Parsons, a 70-year-old retired federal employee, wife, mother and grandmother, raising two of my grandchildren, a 20-year-old in college and a 15-year-old in high school. I am a native Atlantan and have lived in this area all my life.

I am obsessed with Intermittent Fasting! It’s magic! Clean fast, and the rest is magic!

o After reading Delay Don’t Deny by Gin Stephens, I began IF January 2019–5 years ago, weighing 205 lbs.

o I am 5’2” tall and currently weigh 134 lbs., maintaining 132-135 for two years.

o Total weight loss 71 lbs.

o I wear size Small to Medium, size 8 clothes.

o I am healthy!

o I walk and swim in summer for exercise.

o I have so much energy!

o I drink only black coffee, unsweetened teas and water while fasting.

o I eat whatever I want during my window, opting for mostly healthy choices. I eat all the things, keeping it simple. No Keto, no calorie counting. I have always hated that in previous diets, and I have tried them all. Weight Watchers, Jenny Craig, Atkins and I have taken diet pills. I lost weight but never stayed with it and would gain all the weight back, plus some.

The Fasting Highway

Our Patreon Supporters Community

Please consider joining the Fasting Highway Patreon community.

I strongly urge you to do so if you need more accountability and support for not a lot each month, as it is helping so many people to do that.

For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can join and support your own health goals.

Please go to www.patreon.com/thefastinghighway to see the benefits you get back and how to join.

To book a time, go to the website and click Get help/coaching. www.thefastinghighway.com

I am obsessed with Intermittent Fasting! It’s magic! Clean fast and the rest is magic!

Episode 216 Tracey Vignovich An experienced faster shares her 60 ponds 28 Kg weight loss journey. Mar 17, 2024

Show notes

Tracey is 54 years old and lives in Iowa. She is married to her high school sweetheart and the love of her life. They have 3 grown daughters and 3 granddaughters. Family is a huge part of her “why” for finally deciding in 2022 that it was time to focus on her physical health and prioritise her well-being. In her school days, Tracey was fit and athletic. Her daily activities covered the poor eating habits she developed in her teen years. Once college came, the activity decreased, and poor food choices continued; 30 years of yo-yo dieting followed. Tracey was always looking for a quick fix and focused solely on the scale and her appearance. She now reflects and understands the abuse she put her body through for years. Tipping the scales in late 2019 at almost 200 pounds on her 5’4” frame, fatigue, joint pain and pre-diabetes were taking its toll. Tracey and her husband were empty nesters and new grandparents, and she began to realize her lifestyle would keep her from enjoying the best years of her life ahead of them. Her mindset was shifting, and a journey was underway. She had no idea how much healthier and happier her future was about to become. When she reached out to her physician one more time for help, she was told if she couldn’t go more than a couple hours before getting “hangry”, she shouldn’t consider intermittent fasting and maybe try the Mediterranean diet. That conversation planted a seed for intermittent fasting because, after all, if Tracey is told she can’t do something, she tends to think to the contrary. Over the next couple of years, she discovered Gin Stephens and Dr. Fung, read their books and then tucked them away until August 2022, when her mindset was fully on board for finally making a lifestyle change. She got the books out again and began her true IF journey. Along the way she discovered podcasts and Facebook groups, which led her to The Fasting Highway. To date, Tracey has lost almost 60 pounds, gained numerous NSV’s and turned her health around! She lives an active life with her husband of 32 years and can now keep up with her family! She practiced dental hygiene for 15 years and in 2020, made a career change to the business side of dental where she became a practice manager at a dental office. She enjoys long walks, landscaping, listening to podcasts and spending as much time with her family. Tracey considers herself one blessed lady!

The Fasting Highway

Our Patreon Supporters Community

Please consider joining the Fasting Highway Patreon community.

I strongly urge you to do so if you need more accountability and support for not a lot each month, as it is helping so many people to do that.

For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can join and support your own health goals.

Please go to www.patreon.com/thefastinghighway to see the benefits you get back and how to join.

To book a time, go to the website and click Get help/coaching. www.thefastinghighway.com

Episode 215-Helen Blicharz -An evolving intermittent fasting journey with a few bumps in the road losing over 110 pounds 50 Kg. Mar 10, 2024

Show notes

My name is Helen Blicharz. I am a 50-year-old mother of three. I also have a wonderful husband, John, and the cutest little Beagle named Bingo. I work for a Lutheran Church, and I have a member, Shelley Beck, who introduced me to your podcast. She also encourages me to share my story with you and has been doing so for over a year; I've been hesitating as I am still on my weight loss journey. I have been pretty much overweight most of my life or at least after I graduated college. I tried just about every diet out there Weight Watchers, Liquid diets. Nutrisystem's Jenny Craig, you name it. Various things worked throughout the years, but nothing never worked or help me loose weight. In 2018, I was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes and my doctor told me that most people were not successful in losing weight on their own and that I had really good insurance, and she recommended weight loss surgery. I was really offended, but I found out later that she was in her residency and was using a reverse psychology tactic, which worked for me. I told her that I have never truly tried to lose weight on my own, and I think I could do it with some guidance. So I started out giving up sugar for 21 days, and that led me to a low-carb diet. Which eventually led to keto. And I lost 25 lbs. When I went back to the doctor, she was very happy, and that started my journey to where I am today. I did not stay with Keto, but I was introduced to intermittent fasting. COVID and why everyone else gained weight I was losing because I had more control and I didn't have insulin spikes. The keto diet helped me too. Gain the confidence I needed to find another lifestyle which was intermittent fasting. Three years later I still Fast, Feast & Repeat. Mostly. I have a four-hour window, so I fast for 20 hours, and sometimes, on the weekend, I open my window up for 8 hours to switch it up. I have lost 110 lbs. total so far, and although I am currently not at my goal weight and still have 50 lbs. to go, I know I will get there.

The Fasting Highway

Our Patreon Supporters Community

Please consider joining the Fasting Highway Patreon community.

I strongly urge you to do so if you need more accountability and support for not a lot each month, as it is helping so many people to do that.

For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can join and support your own health goals.

Please go to www.patreon.com/thefastinghighway to see the benefits you get back and how to join.

To book a time, go to the website and click Get help/coaching. www.thefastinghighway.com

Episode 214 Julie Mansfield A long term intermittent faster shares how she made intermittent fasting a sustainable lifestyle finding great health Mar 03, 2024

Show notes

Jules is a 53 years old woman, married, with three beautiful children and living the dream in Western Australia (WA). Her passions, besides her vocation are, yoga, bush walking, going to the beach and reading. Jules is a family therapist for a not-for-profit women’s health organisation and dearly loves her work. Previously, she was a registered nurse; she trained and then worked in Victoria and the UK. She lived there for 15 years, and she met her lovely Englishmen. Jules had two of her children in the UK, and they all moved to her hometown in Victoria, where she had her third child in 2007. Then, they moved from Victoria to WA in 2010 due to hubby's work commitments.

During Jules’s third pregnancy, in 2006, she developed gestational diabetes, which sparked off an intentional health journey. Having gestational diabetes meant she had to test fasting blood sugar levels all the time, just like a type 1 diabetic. And, since 2007 has needed to have fasting BSL’s annually and Fasting Glucose Tolerance Test every three years. Also, Jules’s grandmother had type 2 diabetes and unfortunately had to have one of her toes amputated and was on daily oral medication. So, with these two factors in Jule’s medical and family history, Jules was determined to avoid acquiring type 2 diabetes. Disappointingly, Jules was quite discouraged by GP’s saying each year, when she would go in to see them for the blood work results, that she would inevitably get it and there was nothing to be done to prevent it. Then, with a few changes in Jules’s health, well-being and significant life events, Jule’s blood results started to deteriorate, and she feared the worst. Then, thankfully, in 2018, Julie discovered a tool called Intermittent fasting; at the time, when she was going down the rabbit hole of YouTube lectures about sugar and insulin from Dr Robet Lustig at the University of California and then later came across the book The Diabetes Code, by Dr Jason Fung. This book, The Diabetes Code, changed her life forever, and not to mention saved her life.

Before starting IF, Jules BSL’s were 6.8 mmol and rising, and now, after six years of IF, they average around 4.8 mmol. Jules has had to tweak her IF regime, flipping back and forth from OMAD to ADF over the six years when optimal blood results have begun to waiver. Jules's primary focus is balancing her hormones, even though she weighs daily. For those that like numbers, Jules is 175 cm tall and before IF weighed 86kg and now maintains between 76-78kg. Has gone from a dress size of 16 to 12.

The Fasting Highway

Our Patreon Supporters Community

Please consider joining the Fasting Highway Patreon community.

I strongly urge you to do so if you need more accountability and support for not a lot each month, as it is helping so many people to do that.

For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can join and support your own health goals.

Please go to www.patreon.com/thefastinghighway to see the benefits you get back and how to join.

To book a time, go to the website and click Get help/coaching. www.thefastinghighway.com

Episode 213 Michelle Corbett the first fourteen months living an intermittent fasting lifestyle. Feb 25, 2024

Show notes

Michelle is 52 years old and lives in the North East of England in a place called Low Fell, not far from the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne. She lives with her husband Michael (they celebrated their 25th wedding Anniversary last Aug), her 24-year-old son Owen, 21-year-old Daughter Abbie and their gorgeous little poodle Milo.

Michelle leads a hectic lifestyle; she has her own cleaning business called ‘Milo and Mich Cleaning Co. throughout the day and also an online Craft Business on Facebook called ‘Corbetts Creations and Gifts, which she works on in the evening and on weekends.

Michelle loves being active, walking her dog, attending boxing classes, and going to the gym. She usually manages to hit 15,000 steps daily.

Michelle has been following IF for 14 months and loves the freedom it gives her and the flexibility within her busy life. After trying every diet over the years, she has lost 35 pounds in total, living an IF lifestyle, dropped two dress sizes and feels a lot fitter, healthier and happier in all aspects of her life.

Episode 212 Erika Barnhart -Finding freedom through fasting losing an incredible 39 Kg (87 pounds) in ten months. Feb 18, 2024

Show notes

Erika Barnhart is a 43-year-old salon consultant who resides in Pennsylvania with her husband and three dogs. She had been struggling with weight issues since childhood and was overweight throughout most of her life. Over many years she has tried numerous diets since the age of 12, but her success was only temporary. Erika has always been fond of eating various foods, but she also enjoys eating in large quantities and feeling full. At the age of 13, she was diagnosed with high cholesterol and triglycerides but was never prescribed any medication. Then in early 2023, she realized that she was procrastinating on scheduling her annual physical because she knew that the doctor would become more persistent about beginning a series of statin medication due to her high cholesterol. She also suffered from sleep apnea, used a CPAP machine, and had been experiencing plantar fasciitis in her right foot, causing her to limp. She felt unnaturally old, defeated, and unhealthy for her age. She was ready to make a change. She began looking for a sustainable and cost-effective plan to become healthier. As well as not wanting to take any medications unless necessary.

Erika’s work involves a hybrid environment, including working from home, local, and overnight travel. She attends many business luncheons and events, so finding something to fit into her ever-changing routine is essential.

In March 2023, Erika finally discovered the freedom she had been seeking through fasting, and within about ten months, she lost 87 pounds (39.5kg). Erika achieved this by practising various fasts and focusing on nourishing foods. She appreciates the flexibility of fasting and incorporates it into her routine frequently. She has tried several fasts, such as Intermittent Fasting, Alternate Day Fasting (ADF), and Modified Alternate. Day Fasting (MADF), and One Meal a Day (OMAD). Also, she occasionally includes 48-60-hour fasts. Fasting has helped Erika gain more clarity, perspective, and patience, and the best part is that fasting doesn't cost anything! The flexibility has also made it easy to work into her ever-changing schedule. She's also excited to incorporate some yoga and weight training as soon as she begins working towards achieving her goal body. She’s also looking forward to hiking with her dogs once the weather improves in the spring.

The Fasting Highway

Our Patreon Supporters Community

Please consider joining the Fasting Highway Patreon community.

I strongly urge you to do so if you need more accountability and support for not a lot each month, as it is helping so many people to do that.

For less than a cup of coffee a month, you can join and support your own health goals.

Please go to www.patreon.com/thefastinghighway to see the benefits you get back and how to join.

I strongly urge you all to consider joining the Patreon community. Each month, having the extra layer of affordable support pays off for many of our members.

You get a lot back in return for what you put in for your health.

Private coaching by Graeme. Graeme is available on a limited basis for private one-on-one coaching and mentoring sessions with you. He can help you with those burning questions about how to get started or overcome issues no matter what phase you are up to on your intermittent fasting journey. Get accountable and come and have a chat with Graeme, who is vastly experienced in all areas of intermittent fasting and the mindset it takes.

To book a time, go to the website and click Get help/coaching. www.thefastinghighway.com

Graeme's book The Fasting Highway can be found at your local Amazon store in paperback and Kindle.

Disclaimer: Nothing in this podcast should be taken as medical advice. All content is the opinion of the host and guest only.

Episode 211 Gretchen Bates A former athlete transforms her life living an intermittent fasting lifestyle Feb 11, 2024

Show notes

Growing up in rural Tennessee, Gretchen Bates was always very active. She spent long summer days in her childhood exploring the woods, swimming in creeks, and playing with friends. As a teenager and young adult, Gretchen was competitive in sports and was an avid cyclist, kayaker, open-water swimmer and triathlete. By her early 30s, she had completed her first full-length Ironman competition, logged over 15,000 miles on her bike, and finished three separate, fully independent bicycle tours. At 5’6” tall (167 CM) and 160 pounds (73 kg), she was a healthy, athletically built woman. By her late 30s, Gretchen left her physically active career to return to school for her Masters Degree. She started a new career after graduation, leading to long hours behind a desk. The new stationary career and her naturally slowing metabolism started to take its toll. By her 40th birthday, Gretchen weighed 185 pounds (84 kg). To control her weight, she spent several years experimenting with low-calorie and fad diets. Nothing seemed to work.

At 44 years old, Gretchen’s weight ballooned again when her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Gretchen became her primary caregiver, took on the management of her mother’s small business, and was responsible for her mother’s personal and health affairs, all while juggling her career. The weight of being a full-time caregiver left Gretchen physically and emotionally exhausted. Like many caregivers, she was chronically stressed and started suffering from depression. Simultaneously, the Covid pandemic swept through North America, her mother’s condition worsened, and by 46 years old, Gretchen had reached her all-time highest weight of 220 pounds (100 kg). A sudden health scare forced Gretchen to take a hard look at her lifestyle and to make drastic changes to reclaim her health. After 15 months of Intermittent Fasting, Gretchen reached her goal weight range of 140-150 pounds (63-68 kg). She continues to try new fasting protocols and works to strengthen her fasting muscles by practising TRE, mindful eating, and avoiding sugar and processed foods. She fully embraces her new fasting lifestyle and strives for optimal health.

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