Episode 426: Sandra Sexton

In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Sandra Sexton from Texas.

Are you ready to take your intermittent fasting lifestyle to the next level? There’s nothing better than community to help with that. In the Delay, Don’t Deny community we all embrace the clean fast, and there’s just the right support for you as you live your intermittent fasting lifestyle.

You can connect directly with Gin in the Ask Gin group, and she will answer all of your questions personally. If you’re new to intermittent fasting or recommitting to the IF lifestyle, join the 28-Day FAST Start group. After your fast start, join us for support in The 1st Year group. Need tips for long term maintenance? We have a place for that! There are many more useful spaces beyond these, and you can interact in as many as you like.

Visit ginstephens.com/community to join us. An annual membership costs just over a dollar a week when you do the math. If you aren’t ready to fully commit for a year, join for a month and you can cancel at any time. If you know you’ll want to stay forever, we also have a lifetime membership option available.

IF is free. You don’t need to join our community to fast. But if you’re looking for support from a community of like-minded IFers, we are here for you at ginstephens.com/community.

Sandra is the technology director for a school district. Sandra's fasting journey began in January of 2022 when she experienced unexplained stomach pain. Her Pubmed search led her to fasting as a therapeutic approach, and she researched fasting and decided to give it a try.

Prior to IF, she experienced weight gain and a series of serious diagnoses including fibroids, a goiter, and Hashimoto's, which led to multiple surgeries. Despite these challenges, her shift to what she considers to be a “Paleo-ish” diet led to improvements in her migraines and weight management, but the real turning point came after the painful episode initially suspected to be a gallbladder issue in 2022. Instead of opting for surgery, Sandra delved into research and discovered the potential benefits of intermittent fasting for her specific ailments.

Sandra explains how intermittent fasting not only helped alleviate her stomach pain but also brought noticeable improvements in her overall health. She recalls how adopting a fasting schedule contributed significantly to her intestinal and eczema issues disappearing, with her Hashimoto's thyroiditis even going into remission. Throughout the conversation, Sandra emphasizes the importance of personal health research and adjusting dietary plans to align with one's specific needs, particularly highlighting her approach to eating real, whole foods.

Discussing the psychological and practical aspects of intermittent fasting, Gin and Sandra note the importance of adjusting fasting and eating patterns to suit different lifestyles and situations, such as stress, dining out, and celebrations, underscoring the need to remain flexible and mindful of one's body responses.

Ending on a note of empowerment, Sandra encourages listeners to embrace the concept of "n equals one," where individuals are urged to experiment and find what uniquely works for their bodies. She advises against the one-size-fits-all approach in diet and medicine, advocating instead for mindfulness in fasting, eating clean-ish, and focusing on how foods interact with personal health. For anyone embarking on a similar journey, Sandra underscores the significance of understanding and listening to one’s body, making adjustments as necessary to pave the way for a healthy and fulfilling lifestyle.

Get Gin’s books at: http://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html, including her latest bestseller 28-Day Fast Start Day-By-Day, the Ultimate Guide to Starting (or Restarting) Your Intermittent Fasting Lifestyle so it Sticks, New York Times Bestseller, Fast. Feast. Repeat., and Cleanish, available wherever you buy books! Delay, Don’t Deny is available on Amazon.

Join Gin’s community! Go to: ginstephens.com/community

Do you enjoy Intermittent Fasting Stories? You’ll probably also like Gin’s other podcast with cohost Sheri Bullock: Fast. Feast. Repeat. Intermittent Fasting for Life. Find it wherever you listen to podcasts.

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