Gin Stephens

I’ve been an IFer since discovering Gin’s first book, Delay, Don’t Deny. This week, I completed my 250th fast!

I started this journey back on October 15, 2019, and never looked back. When I began my practice (before I’d even read Delay, Don’t Deny), I had no idea how Gin Stephens and the DDD lifestyle would truly change my life and my health.

I started with 16/8, but found after a couple of days it was pretty effortless for me, and pushed to 18/6. I continued 18/6 for about three show more months, and at that point started extending a little further every day depending on how I felt. Pre-Covid, I would typically fast between 18 and 21 hours a day and OMAD (no restrictions). During Covid, I stuck to 16 hours minimum, more when I could… but it has been so much harder being at home full time! I did “quarantine” my scale at the advice of a friend and mentor, and it was the best thing I could’ve done. Now I’m back up to 18 or 19 hours a day consistently, and I know I have the tools in my toolbox to continue towards my goals and beyond. The release of FFR was such perfect timing as we come out of our stay-at-home mandate. Reading it has been inspiring, and reminded me of all the reasons I am committed to my IF practice. There is so much fascinating and helpful info, even if you’re already an IFer. In fact, after finishing today, I may just go back and reread sever chapters again!

The biggest win for me, though, is the freedom. I used to always think about food in some way... what was the healthiest choice; should I indulge in another glass of wine or that dessert or should I 'be good' instead; I probably shouldn't have the pasta or I should skip the bread. Now, I just eat. Plain and simple. I make what I want, I eat with my family (and the same thing they're eating, a particularly important message for my 15yo daughter). The best way to describe it is freedom... the food anxiety, the planning, the prepping, the worrying, the 'noise in my head,' is simply gone.

IF is the most natural and intuitive thing I have ever done. It costs nothing and requires nothing other than a commitment to yourself. I feel better than I have in a decade! I was down 20 lbs and 2 sizes the last time I weighed in. My thyroid meds have been reduced twice. And I have been particularly grateful for my practice during our stay-at-home mandate. I don't often evangelize the way I did in the beginning, since it has just become the way I live my life. But I am so happy to share this milestone... 250 squeaky clean fasts! While there have been celebrations and indulgences and even a pandemic, I haven’t missed one single day since day one! show less

One of the best books I've read on IF, right up there with Dr. Jason Fung's work (who she references several times). The passages about the effects of non-caloric "foods" on the cephalic insulin response were something I'd never seen before, so it was worth it just for that. Very clear writing style. Highly recommended even for those who've been fasting for a while.

I wasn't expecting much, but have found a treasure of information. I've read so many diet books in my life, tried even more diets. I do like intermittent fasting, and have been doing it for many years, happily. I really like this author, she's a teacher, that studied diet books and medical studies, then put it together here. She quotes 2 of my favorite doctors that I trust in her studies. This author really put a lot into gathering all this. She presents it in a way that allows you to decide show more if this is what’s best for you, she acknowledges that we are all different, each body functions differently. She also backs that with various scientific reports. Forget the “diet” here and read this juts for the education alone, you will be amazed. I found myself shocked at one point when she explains how flavored drinks sugar free, calorie free really aren’t free, the body’s reaction shined a light on many symptoms I went through. show less

This review can also be found on my blog.

This is a really helpful primer if you're interested in intermittent fasting (IF). It mainly discusses using it for weight loss reasons, but does talk about other benefits as well. What I really liked was how Gin emphasized that this is actually a lifestyle change; any weight loss or benefits you experience WILL go away if you revert back to old habits completely. I liked that there wasn't any of this magic bullet BS a lot of other people will try to show more peddle. She also explained the biology behind how it all works and provided extensive sources, referring readers to other books so that she could give a summary without bogging this book down with technical details. I'm still a little skeptical of some aspects, but am definitely interested in trying it out and learning more! show less