It's week TWO of the Fall Intermittent Fasting Challenge and I've been obsessed with following along all of your #WhatIFJourney Instagram posts and stories on your experiences! It's amazing to watch this movement take hold and change so many lives! If you haven't joined in on the Fall Intermittent Fasting Challenge, it's not too late! Grab your Program HERE and join the Autumn Elle Nutrition Facebook Group HERE to join hundreds of others in the Challenge!
Today I wanted to share a little inspo of this U.K. lady. Meet Heather. From the start, Heather was a little nervous to utilize intermittent fasting (as you may be yourself!). But throughout the 21 Days, she began to notice some major shifts that she never expected to happen - including how EASY intermittent fasting can be!
Check out her full story below!
Your Nutritionist,
Autumn
How did you hear about the 21 Day Intermittent Fasting Program?
I bought your Thrive ebook and loved the recipes in there. I was so nervous to do the fasting you suggested in it. (I’ve done allllll the diets in the past and they’ve only ever made me irritable, so hungry and gain weight as it was unsustainable. I assumed IF would be like this).
But after losing my job and moving (including a big international move coming up), I’ve let stress, limited sleep, high cortisol, caffeine, stress-induced eczema and sugar to rule my life. And I knew I needed to make a change and your knowledge and background - especially being a recovering anxious person - really hit home with me so I decided to take the plunge!
What was your goal with the 21 Day Intermittent Fasting Program? I wanted to increase my energy and lose some weight so I feel lighter. And I wanted to increase my self confidence which was really low. I truly didn’t feel like myself and I wasn’t putting myself out there for opportunities because of it!
What made you want to make a change? I had spent 9 months looking for work once I was told I was losing my job and I slowly piled on the stress, expectations and depleted my energy so fast in the hustle I turned into a bloated, unhappy and exhausted mess. I was so ready for a change!
Did you have any hesitations before starting? Slightly - I was worried I wouldn’t maintain the challenge - especially fasting cuz this girl is a bit of a foodie! - and because I’ve NEVER been able to “complete” a diet. But I was so amazed at how sustainable it truly is!! I didn’t feel hangry or ravenous!
What's the most important thing you learned about yourself during the journey?
That I am truly worthy of having a healthy body. It truly taught me to slow down, to embrace feeding my body full of nutrient dense foods - and that just because they are healthy doesn’t mean they have to be tasteless, not filling or not enjoyable. In fact it became a huge difference!
I went from being shy of my body and where I had let myself get to - to a woman who was empowered because I knew what worked for me! I could enjoy high quality and tasty foods that increase my energy, started to repair my gut (which is slowly decreasing my eczema on my body) and causing my skin to repair and radiate! I feel more myself each day as well as happier inside and outside. I even allowed myself to enjoy Paris after the challenge and I can’t wait to get back to do the IF challenge! The macaroons were nice but I’m missing my keto coffee so much! And that to me is a truly sustainable diet - I can’t wait to see what further impact it has on my eczema and weight in the future!
What were the biggest changes you experienced?
Inches lost overall: 9.7 inches
Weight lost overall: 6.2 lbs
Increase in energy
Increase in skin collagen, softer and dewier complexion instead of dryness.
De bloating!
Reduction in stress-induced eczema on body which has been resistant to ALL medicine and I thought it was a lost cause - though I felt very embarrassed about it.
What was your favorite meal? Too many! But my go to’s were: Spicy yellow curry, LA street tacos, egg salad wrap and blueberry hemp smoothie ❤️
Did you have a Nutrition Nerd moment while reading the Program? (or is that just me?!) Omg YAAAASSSSS! The bit about how powerful and rational IF is on our cells’ mitochondria and how fasting allows our body to shed it of the damaged mitochondria. This keep me focused on treating my body to rest and kindness. This programme has allowed me to truly be grateful for all that my body does for me and how I need to treat it better to continue to have a life that I strive to have! One that’s full of adventure and travel with those I love.
Are you a Keto Coffee or Keto Matcha lover?
KETOOOO (COFFEE)!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️ I get sooo excited in the morning! It’s even motivated me to get up at 5 am to go to my power yoga classes first thing before work!
Is there anything else you want to share about yourself or your experience?
Autumn - I’m truly eternally grateful for your care, passion and support whenever I’ve had questions. This has created such a beautifully kind structure for me to take care of my health and get myself stronger for my upcoming international move and to start dating confidently when I return back to the US! Thank you - I’m starting to really fall back in love with myself and to leave the anxiety I’ve had over the last two years that stopped me from sleeping and breathing with ease. ❤️
Thank you SO much Heather for sharing your story and allowing me to be part of your journey! You inspire people everyday with the changes you've made and your desire to live a life that is truly happy and healthy! If you want to give Heather a little hello, check her out at @arestoredradiance. You can also join the Autumn Elle Nutrition Facebook group HERE and receive love and support from hundreds of women around the WORLD throughout your wellness journey.
Join the #AENpeeps and jumpstart your wellness goals with The Ultimate 21 Day Intermittent Fasting Program! Get the deets HERE.
