The Power of IF: One Man's Story of Transformation

The accident that changed my life.

In my earlier years, I was an athletic guy who loved working out and indulging in good food and good times. Sports, hunting, and golfing were my passions. Then, in 2016, my life took a drastic turn when I was involved in a severe car accident. The accident left my left arm shattered, held together by a plate and two rods. The resulting nerve damage and limited mobility had a devastating impact on my lifestyle. I couldn’t engage in the activities I loved, and over time, my muscles wasted away while the pounds piled on. I watched my weight climb steadily, reaching a staggering 277 pounds at its peak.

Stats

Starting weight: 262lbs/119kgs
Goal weight: Healthy
Current weight: 205lbs/93kgs
Highest weight: 277lbs/126kgs
Height: 6’5/196cm

The weight gain was just one aspect of my struggles. I was plagued by chronic inflammation, a silent but insidious enemy. Although I wasn’t on any medication, I suffered from sleep apnea and occasional high blood pressure. To make matters worse, I was a smoker, compounding the health challenges I faced. It wasn’t until I started intermittent fasting that I truly realized how bad I had felt all those years.

The power of inspiration.

My wife, Susan, had been practicing intermittent fasting for three years before I decided to join her on this journey. Initially, I had hesitated, convinced that this lifestyle wasn’t for me. As time went on though, I couldn’t ignore the positive changes I saw in her. What finally convinced me to take the plunge was reading Karen Cahill’s story, showcasing her remarkable medical improvements through her intermittent fasting journey. Her astonishing changes were too compelling to ignore.

The appeal of intermittent fasting.

What intrigued me most about intermittent fasting was that it wasn’t your typical diet; it was a lifestyle change. I could still enjoy the foods I loved. Being an avid cook, I knew I couldn’t stick to a diet that restricted my culinary creativity. The best part was that IF didn’t cost a dime—just a change in when I ate.

The beauty of intermittent fasting is its simplicity. It requires just the commitment to keeping to my fasting hours. It was a lifestyle change that I could sustain long term and maintain even after I got to a healthy weight.

The spontaneous start.

My journey into intermittent fasting wasn’t meticulously planned; it was a spontaneous decision that caught even Susan by surprise. One Tuesday, shortly after Thanksgiving, I shocked her by saying that I would start intermittent fasting the following Monday. However, on Sunday as I was preparing breakfast for the clients at the group home where I worked, I suddenly decided not to serve myself a plate. I came home bouncing off the walls with excess energy and how incredible I felt. That day marked the beginning of my transformation, and I never looked back.

My eating window opens when I returned home from work at 5pm and closes after dinner, typically around 8:30 or 9pm (on average, a 20:4 fasting protocol). This schedule suited me perfectly, as I’m not one to graze between meals and Susan opened her window at the same time, so we ate together.

Navigating hunger and cravings.

Understanding that hunger didn’t mean that you have to eat was crucial. In the beginning, I didn’t worry about being hungry because I knew what to expect. I powered through hunger pangs, knowing they were temporary and part of my body’s adjustment to a new way of eating. Gin Stephens’ mantra, “Delay, Don’t Deny,” became my mantra. I wasn’t restricting anything, I was just changing the times I enjoyed it. Over time, the hunger pangs became less intense and frequent as my body adapted to the metabolic switch.

Trust the process, it really does work. Stay in your lane, and lead by example.

Special occasions and holidays.

Breaking my fast on special occasions, like the work Christmas party, was initially a source of guilt. I vividly recall the mouthwatering Southern fried home-cooked meal that tempted me to break my fast early the first time. I felt terrible afterwards, not only because of the fat-laden food, but because of the guilt. However, I soon learned that Intermittent fasting allowed me to enjoy these occasions while effortlessly returning to my fasting routine the following day.

My astonishing return to a normal life.

The changes I experienced with intermittent fasting were profound. My swollen ankles began to return to their normal size within days. Within the first two weeks, I shed 20 pounds (9kgs), a significant portion of which was likely inflammation and water weight.

Even more astonishing was the recovery in my damaged arm. I had been told by my surgeon that I would never regain full mobility and would always have numbness in that hand due to nerve damage, but intermittent fasting proved otherwise. One day I realized I could touch my head. Another day, I put on deodorant with that hand. Normal life was returning. I have regained 90% mobility, and the numbness and muscle spasms disappeared.

Once you're comfortable with fasting, allow flexibility into your lifestyle. That's how we make it real.

Because I had such a loss of mobility and use of that arm, it had completely atrophied. I used to be very proud of my upper body strength and had taken a lot of time during my youth to build up my upper arms but now that was all gone. Then after my arm had started healing, the muscle started rebuilding on its own. We were actually watching it grow by the week, with no additional work-outs from me.

Over time, long-standing issues like bursitis and sleep apnea vanished, and even moles and skin tags disappeared. I learned to trust my body’s signals and became attuned to its needs.

The amount of weight I lost shocked me.

I primarily tracked my progress through weekly weigh-ins. I thought I would never drop below 225 pounds (102kgs), which was my weight in high-school, albeit with all my muscle mass included. I hit 225 within four months of starting and thought I was done. But it kept going. When I hit 215 three months later (98kgs), I really thought there was no more to lose. I’m now sitting around 200-205/91-93kgs (I weigh myself once a week but just for shits and giggles). I didn’t worry about self-doubt or plateaus because the non-scale victories (NSVs) kept me motivated.

My commitment to intermittent fasting was evident in my weekly weigh-ins and my newfound appreciation for organic foods over highly processed options. My relationship with food evolved as I learned to cook smaller portions and developed a preference for dark greens, with less carbs and more vegetables appearing at every meal.

Dealing with skepticism.

Throughout my journey, I found it challenging to convince others to try IF, especially those who feared hunger. I emphasize that hunger is a natural part of the process and that the body’s metabolic switch would eventually kick in. I have learned that some people needed to arrive at the decision to try intermittent fasting on their terms.

Celebrate hunger as a sign that your body is working to burn fat. Get busy, and it won't take long before hunger becomes a temporary feeling.

Resources and long-term commitment.

My wife, Susan, played a pivotal role in my journey, offering guidance and knowledge gleaned from her research and resources like Gin Stephens, Dr. Jason Fung, Dr. Eric Berg, Dr. Mark Mattson and Dr Mark Hyman. When I had a question, I would often ask her, “What would Gin say?” My commitment to intermittent fasting is unwavering; it’s a permanent part of my life.

Intermittent fasting helped me to develop a stronger focus and determination. I learned that I could achieve any goal if I set my mind to it. This newfound mental strength spilled over into other aspects of my life, allowing me to make major life changes, such as quitting smoking and relocating to a new state. I’m committed to intermittent fasting for the long term, as it has become a fundamental part of my journey to a healthier mindset.

Advice to aspiring intermittent fasters.

My advice to others considering intermittent fasting is simple: “It will change your life, and your outlook on life. It just makes too much sense.” Intermittent fasting is not just a diet; it’s a lifestyle that offers incredible benefits. It’s changed my life, and I’m passionate about sharing its positive impact with others.

In a moment of reflection at an Asian market, I realized just how far I had come. I looked at a 50-pound bag of rice and said to Susan, “I used to carry that 50-pound bag around every day. I couldn’t imagine doing it now.”