Intermittent Fasting Success Stories | 5 Of The Most Effective Tips For Better Health And More Energy From Another IFer

Are you looking for inspiration from real people about how to achieve better health and have more energy? In this post you will read the first guest interview for Intermittent Fasting Success Stories. Mom of two, Kara, shares 5 of the most effective tips for better health and more energy in her intermittent fasting success story.

Over the past 15 months I would consider myself as having joined the thousands of others with intermittent fasting success stories. I lost 25 pounds and have become passionate about living an intermittent fasting lifestyle. (If you want to now more about my intermittent fasting story, it is linked here). I’ve become so passionate that I can’t help but share what I’ve learned with others. My sister-in-law, Kara is one of the people that I shared with.

Kara’s Struggle With Weight And Lack Of Energy

Five months into my intermittent fasting journey, Kara saw an Instagram story that I had shared, about drinking black coffee during my fast. She reached out to me, wondering how I was able to sustain my energy while fasting. We then started a text message conversation about intermittent fasting and how just five months in, I knew that it had forever changed my life.

Kara was already practicing healthy eating and she exercised regularly. She had her second baby several years earlier, and yet, found that it was impossible for her to lose weight, or even maintain a healthy weight.

As disappointed as she was with the weight challenges, it was her dwindling energy throughout the day that was even more discouraging to her.

Kara found herself in a slump after lunch almost every day. Because of that, it was hard for her to be present with her kids and the world around her, when her mind and body were so extremely tired.

Kara felt like she was declining, despite her healthy lifestyle habits, and doing as we’ve been told for so many years, eating small meals frequently.

She had even tried intermittent fasting in the past, but actually felt really sick and more tired when she was fasting. However, after learning about the concept, and more importantly, the power of the “clean fast” everything changed for her.

Intermittent Fasting Success Stories Begin With A Clean Fast

When Kara learned that by simply “fasting clean”, fasting would be easier than when she had attempted intermittent fasting in the past, it was hard for her to fathom. (Clean fasting simply means that you eat nothing during your fast, and drink only black coffee, black or green tea, or unflavored water or seltzer water).

Before discovering the clean fast, Kara was very discouraged at her inability to maintain energy throughout her day. As a busy mom with two elementary aged kids, the afternoon slumps left her feeling inadequate in multiple ways.

Because Kara had been unable to lose the excess weight that she gained years earlier, during her second pregnancy, and she wanted to have more energy, she took the leap of faith and started clean fasting on October 19, 2001.

How Kara Implemented IF To Become One Of The Intermittent Fasting Success Stories

Kara shared with me exactly what she did when she decided to practice intermittent fasting. Here was her method:

1. Read the book, Fast. Feast. Repeat.

By starting with the book, Fast. Feast. Repeat. (linked here) , Kara learned why intermittent fasting, and specifically, clean fasting works. Having the research and scientific studies to explain all of the health benefits gave her peace of mind to try intermittent fasting again.

2. Set her fasting schedule at 16:8.

Kara decided to start fasting for 16 hours a day, and having an 8 hour window that she would eat all of her meals for the day. She then was able to enjoy her favorite flavored beverages, or put oat milk in her coffee during the eating window.

Every five days or so, Kara would evaluate how she was feeling and increase her fasting length if she felt up to it.

3. Put intense exercise (temporarily) on hold.

Kara had been working out HARD as part of her unsuccessful effort to lose weight, before starting IF. It’s hard to imagine, but Kara has been able to become one of the intermittent fasting success stories by exercising LESS. How crazy is that?!

During her adaption period to intermittent fasting, Kara decided to give her body rest and she only walked about one mile at a time.

Once she realized that she felt incredible and actually had increased energy with intermittent fasting, she began to work back up to regular exercise. Currently she walks every day and occasionally goes for a run or does hot yoga.

4. Choose to stick with it.

Even though it was completely out of Kara’s comfort zone to give intermittent fasting a second try, she decided that she would stick with it. Because of that mindset, she has become one of the intermittent fasting success stories.

Kara’s Intermittent Fasting Results After 10 Months

Now 10 months into intermittent fasting, Kara has had incredible results! Here is what she had to say:

Since beginning IF, I have lost 28 pounds!

I have more energy and I no longer struggle with those discouraging afternoon slumps.

The past 10 months have taught me so much about the importance of sticking with something, even if it feels completely out of my comfort zone.

It took me years to discover a lifestyle that works so well for my body, and I am so happy that I didn’t give up on working to feel stronger and more energetic.

Kara

Kara’s 5 Tips To Have Your Own Intermittent Fasting Success Story

1. A positive mindset is crucial.

Kara says that intermittent fasting (with a clean fast) was easier than she expected, but she definitely had challenges. She chose to keep a positive mindset, even on the days that it felt hard. It turns out that Henry Ford’s quote is true:

Whether you think you can

or if you think you can’t,

you’re right.

Henry Ford

2. Don’t be afraid to try different fasting lengths.

Kara starting fasting for 16 hours a day. At first that felt almost impossible, but once her body adjusted, she realized that she could try different fasting lengths. Now, almost 10 months in, she is averaging 20 hours of fasting a day.

3. Know that it takes time to find your sweet spot.

Kara has tried different methods of fasting, and different fasting times. She has realized that it has been a process of trial and error to find her sweet spot. Once her body had adjusted to certain fasting lengths and her progress had slowed down, she would experimented with other fasting schedules.

4. Don’t be hard on yourself.

Kara has become one of the intermittent fasting success stories, and along the way she’s had to learn to not be hard on herself. By viewing intermittent fasting a lifestyle and not a temporary fix, or diet, she has more grace when things aren’t “perfect”.

Although Kara now averages 20 hours of fasting each day, some days her fasts are much shorter. She recently told me,

Summer has been all over the place. The cool thing about IF is that even if life is hectic and busy, you can work around your schedule to make it fit.

Kara

5. Journal along the way.

Consider keeping a journal to log all of the big and little ways that your body will amaze you.

It’s really helpful to keep track of your daily fasting times and how you are feeling. Using victory markers other than just weight is powerful as well. Are your favorite pants a little bit looser? Do your rings slide off a little more easily? Do you have more energy? Journal your wins so you don’t forget when you’re lacking motivation.

Conclusion

No matter how hopeless you currently feel, you can improve you health and your energy! Kara’s intermittent fasting success story is still in process and her life has been changed for the better.