I’ve lost 9 pounds…yay…😆😆😆 but let me underscore – it hasn’t been easy. After the diagnosis of GERD (I write about this extensively in a post – What I’ve been up to) I have been feeling okey. I say “okey” because sometimes my GERD does act up and that is certainly not fun.

The flare up comes without warning. One moment I am absolutely fine and the next, I feel my stomach cramping up. I try to think what I’ve done wrong. Did I eat something to cause this? Nope, I’m eating all the same stuff I have been. Nothing out of the ordinary. Am I stressed….Nope!!!! Did I not sleep well???? Nothing seems to be amiss and yet the slight cramping is slowly becoming unbearable. Within the hour I am clutching my stomach and in bed. Yes, this is my story. It does not happen often, but when it does, it is NOT FUN!!!!

Stats

I am 5′ 4 and at my heaviest weighed 145 lbs (only a few months ago). Every time I hit the 145 mark, warning bells go off in my head. The number 145 hammers in the fact that I have to do something before things go out of hand. The first time it happened was when I gave birth. I was young, early 30’s. I ate just about what I could lay my hands on while pregnant. Burger King  was my go to place in the first trimester. In the second, third and fourth trimesters my aversion for meat pulled me towards fruits and veggies. Inadvertently, I was eating healthy. But after my baby was born, I made up for lost time. By the time my son was 2, I had put on more that 25 lbs. It was time to do something. For many years, the indolent me  took over. Finally, I did something when I was around 35 years of age. You can read how I did it in an earlier post “Here’s how I do it”. 

That much more difficult in the 40s

There is a huge difference when you try to lose weight in your 30’s vs your 40’s. I did everything I had done in my 30s recently to lose the flab but I didn’t lose a single pound. In fact, I was still gaining. What was I to do? I tried the treadmill, running outside and more…nothing. Then comes the Peloton. I start with full gust, determined to keep fit with this wonder bike that everyone is raving about. But a week later I am limping. The pain in my left hip, traveling down to my toe (which I always had) is absolutely excruciating. Turns out I have sciatica. Age seems to be catching up. It’s been weeks and I’m still stuck in the 140’s 😢 I lose a couple of pounds but gain it right back during a binge eating weekend. I am slowly and steadily inching towards hopelessness.

IF and OMAD to the rescue

At this point my husband has lost more than 15 pounds on a Keto diet. I cannot do it…my stomach cannot process so much meat…out of the question. Why can he lose so much and I not budge an inch? It is so frustrating. Then I notice he is also fasting all day and then eating a high protein meal in the evening. Hmmm…what is this whole fasting thing about? “Intermittent fasting” is what it is called, he tells me.

I decide to try it…I can’t be any worse for wear😜. The first day I am ravenous by noon. I have to eat something, anything, I’m dizzy…I’ll faint. I quickly grab a handful of nuts. Dinner at dot 6 pm. The next morning I weigh myself…I’m down by half a pound. Hmmm…this might just work. I actually start reading up on IF. How it works and am pleasantly surprised to find out that it can actually bring down blood sugar levels and cholesterol. BTW, I have suffered from super high cholesterol from my 30s. Can this actually work for weight loss and be good for over all health?

It has been about 3 months since I’ve been doing IF. I don’t fast everyday. Maybe 2-3 times a week. But when I do eat, I try to eat healthy. I do not deprive myself of stuff I love – wine, chocolates, desserts and an occasional juicy burger. Then I read about OMAD (one meal a day) in a Facebook group about IF. I try OMAD with IF and it has helped me lose 10 pounds.

Have my blood sugar levels and cholesterol levels decreased…still to be seen. Can I keep doing this all my life? dunno!!!! cos I know the day I stop the pounds will start piling on. For now…this is working and I will continue it till I reach my weight goal.

One step at a time, right?

The two pics posted here have been taken before and after I have lost the 9 lbs. Do you see any change? The double chin has definitely disappeared, right? Tell me what you guys think. Sorry!!!! couldn’t find full length pics during this time frame…will make sure to click before/after pics before I lose the next 9…haa!!! haa!! how optimistic of me 🙂