I said it, and I’ll say it again: Intermittent Fasting is a waste of your time.
And look, I don’t get on a soap box often. Typically I’m a go-with-the-flow, comfort and empathy kinda girl. But this I stand by.
If ever I could print a message on my epitaph, it would read “Here lies Susie, she probably died from complications related to intermittently fasting.”
Truth.
And to give you an idea, I started off looking into this new Fad Diet (yes, it is) because I was actually interested in starting it myself. And no, I didn’t “fail” at it, if you’re wondering if that’s why I’m so gung-ho against it as well. In fact, in the past I was very good at the “practice”, “lifestyle”, or delusional diet. Though at the time, I was recovering from anorexia. And that’s just it– when I researched intermittent fasting it had eerie similarities with anorexia. So, it was funny when it specifically said that this diet was not for those “with a history of eating disorders”
Gee, I wonder why! Maybe because it’s an unhealthy practice.
Here are a few red flags I noticed while researching the diet:
- The fact that it serves only to help you control certain times and certain amounts you can eat.
- The fact that it basis it’s logic on when/how you eat and not WHAT you eat.
- The fact that it’s about not eating… and apparently that’s healthy (it’s not)
- The fact that only an elite, specific type of person could be on it, and there were many people who were cautioned against it.
- The fact that its’ name is a “quick fix” term, (yay marketing!)
Those were the main tip-offs.
The Truths to keep in mind about your body and proper nutrition:
- Hunger is a basic survival skill. Eating keeps you alive. (You’re welcome.)
- Eating regularly is great for your physical health and doing so helps you avoid stressful events- such as your body going into “starvation” mode because it isn’t getting food.
- If you’re not eating regularly, you best betcha your mind will make sure you keep thinking about eating.
- If you binge eat, you are probably most likely always hungry because you aren’t getting proper nutrition– especially in the foods you are ingesting. Fasting is not going to help with that. See a doctor. And keep eating.
- Malnutrition has many effects on the body, and is not good for you. Like, ever. Like…. never ever good for you. So keep eating. And eat the right foods for your body. Not sure what those foods are? See a doctor and consult a nutritionist (not just a health/wellness coach).
- No. You can not just live off of water. I’ve tried that too. And I keep hearing it. No. You can not. And stop staring into the sun. You can’t eat the sun.
My experience with this subject:
- Had anorexia when I was 13 and when I was in college in 2007. I was in an inpatient re-feeding program 3 times and various other inpatient/outpatient therapy clinics and been seeing nutritionists for over 10 years. Also, I’m a good student and an overachiever… so, yeah, I learned a lot.
- I highly documented my recovery process through video, photography, and journaling all the ups and downs, and the physical & emotional & spiritual effects.
- In 2010 I created a documentary detailing that recovery process and highlighting certain practices I’ve learned while trying to heal myself emotionally.
- I went through the recovery process physically… and ended up obese (see: FAT)… so struggled with weight loss while also being a recovering anorexic (ironic, right?)
- In 2011 I developed an Eating Disorder Recovery Kit to help other men and women recover from their distorted eating habits, using tools I used throughout my own recovery process.
- In 2011, I was active with the NEDA and raised over $600 campaigning via YouTube, and then went on to participate in a National Eating Disorder Awareness Walk in NYC (on my birthday!)
- I got very sick with digestive issues suddenly and severely in 2012 (ugh. Rough times…) And have been unable to eat and give my body the proper nutrition it needs ever since. (note: struggle.)
- I’ve tried various medical diets (***prescribed by my doctors) in order to identify food sensitivities, allergies and other issues that were at the root of my digestive conditions.
- This illness developed into chronic illness over time (“Hi, nice to meet you”), leaving me unable to work full-time and live a fully-functional life (though it doesn’t stop me from trying!).
- This chronic illness forced me to look into thousands of millions (ok, maybe I exaggerate) diets, tips, tricks, medical issues, medical answers, seeing specialists, running many tests, running even more-many tests… so basically, I’ve learned a LOT. (“All the doctors I’ve seen, all the tests I will go.”)
- Over the past 10 years, I’ve read personal development books and studied greats such as Brendon Burchard, Marie Forleo, Tony Robbins, Gabby Bernstein, Marianne Williamson, Eckhart Tolle, Kyle Cease, Lewis Howes… all in search of reconnecting my mind, body, and soul. I also went to High Performance Academy in October 2017 (on my birthday, actually!) and continue to study to this day
- I’ve studied energy healing (and have my Reiki II Certification) in order to understand how to heal and listen to my body on an energetic level. I enjoy Yoga, QiGong, laughter and bubble baths. (See also: petting cats.)
What I’ve learned, in a nutshell:
- (as Yoda might say) “Eating you must do, to live– you must.”
- Most importantly, throughout all these experiences, I’ve learned the importance of tuning into my body’s natural cues (like how to breathe, noticing when I’m not breathing, how to eat, when to eat, what to eat).
- I’m nearly fluent in speaking Susie Body Language. I’d consider it my second language
- Andddddd all this: