60 days of intermittent fasting. Here’s what I’ve learned.

I'm so thankful I've continued on my journey with intermittent fasting. It's been over 4 years!! I'm a writer, illustrator, blogger, thrifter, creator, entrepreneur, ADHD, forgetful, impulsive and fashion-crazed mom of seven who wants to be healthy emotionally, physically, mentally and spiritually. Intermittent fasting is the gift I give myself to stay focused, creative, love myself and heal from past trauma! Intermittent fasting and prayer has changed my world.

March 2020 to May 2020!

There’s a simplicity to fasting that is helping me develop a more positive relationship with food, my body, God and my thoughts.

I can go throughout the day and almost forget I’m fasting.

When I break my fast, I eat what I want, but I focus on making healthy and/or healthier choices.

Intermittent fasting naturally pushes my mind to stay present, let go of regret and unmet expectations. You’re perfect how you are and no ideal body weight is going to change that. Love yourself the way/weight you are. Pounds do not represent self-worth.

Intermittent fasting means you don’t have to think about any confusing calculations. Yes, you can count your macros or practice keto while you are also intermittent fasting (and hats off to you if you do this. You're most likely having better/faster results then I am), but for now, I'm letting go of restrictions and focusing on intuition.

Exercise before you break your fast, even if it’s a small workout like yoga or jumping jacks. It takes at least 12 hours to digest your food, for your stomach to empty and for your body to start using your own body fat for energy. Click here to learn more. Once this happens, you’re losing body fat. Expedite this process by exercising near the end of your fast. I’m amazed how much energy I have and how good it feels to exercise on an empty stomach. No cramps or bloating.

Pray, meditate, focus on gratitude for self, food, family, life, blessings and more.

Ask yourself how you became overweight? Dig deep. Do you want to be overweight for protection or other emotional/psychological reasons? I’ve cried so much during the last 60-days and it’s helped me break free in many unusual surprising ways! I understand the mistakes I’ve made, how I’ve misjudged relationships, placed my burdens on others and played the victim to my own intentions (self-sabotage at it’s finest!!) I’ve come so far, but I have a lot more baggage (pounds) to let go of.

Study Louise Hay and see if her information about mind/body/emotions makes sense to you? Her book is called “Heal Your Body.” It’s free to listen to on YouTube.

When you break your fast, eat healthy, but don’t restrict yourself.

Eat what you want, only smaller portions. This will naturally happen because your stomach shrinks.

While fasting, drink lots of water, herbal teas, lemon water, sweetened only with pure Stevia. I do not drink soda or coffee, but I know most experts agree black coffee is alright while you’re fasting.

See which type of intermittent fasting you like. I do a daily 16-hour fast, but enjoy extending it 2-3 hours a couple of days a week. Once a month, I like to do a 24-hour fast. I have naturally grown into this and it feels comfortable. You can also fast twice a week for 24 hours with a 500 calorie restriction. Do you own research and be confident in what doctors say about intermittent fasting, what works best and why.

Stay busy. Develop your talents. Find a passion. Be creative. Practice art, creative writing, organize your home, clean out your garage, plant a garden, cut your jeans, make dream catchers, learn 100 ways how to cook zucchini, make your own coconut milk, etc!!! I find most of my eating is because I’m bored, not because I’m really hungry.

Do not weigh yourself. In the past, the physiological effects of weighing myself every day/week/month have been very damaging. Not owning a scale has been a huge relief for me. Do not let your weight dictate your day/mood/self-worth. Wear beautiful clothes. Style your hair. Put on that red lip stick! You are beautiful every day because you are you, the one and only and you are worth it!

Join me on another 30-day intermittent fasting challenge starting Monday, May 18^th and let’s see how we can grow/change/thrive! Don’t set a weight-loss goal, set a mindset goal. The weight will take care of itself. Follow me on my facebook page "How to start intermittent fasting" by clicking here.

We all have that one pair of jeans that haunts us (insert laughter!!)! When Eden was a baby we were out of town on vacation. I went to the mall and in that state that all of us moms get in, where we know we deserve something amazing, and we want to indulge ourselves, I purchased these jeans at Buckle for $100! They were my little (big) splurge and I wore them all the time. Five years later, I had my son Canyon. I lost most of my baby weight, but I could never fit into these jeans, so I’ve carried them around for another five years! (Insert desperation!!) I had another baby and she’ll be two in September! These jeans have been with me for 9 years and today, after 60-days of intermittent fasting, I pulled them out and tried them on! They are so outdated, hence I got out my scissors and went to town! Boom! Not to shabby!!

I am not a doctor, just a mom who wants to be healthy, love and thrive! The thoughts and advice given on this blog do not constitute medical advice.