So, it’s a basic fact that aging is just gonna’ happen. My youngest graduated from elementary school two years ago and I think I went into some sort of “hibernation denial.” Lamenting at how I’m now super-ly official-ly part of this decade of 5 (reaching 51 a few months ago), and how the belly fat is sticking around a lot more these days, it dawned on me that those daily walks for school drop-off/pick-up probably helped to keep off those pesky fat cells. And, well, now that getting to school is no longer within walking distance… you get it… no exercise = more fat cells. Bummer.
A few years ago, I got pretty fired up during a conversation with other praying moms about intermittent fasting. It’s a pretty simple plan. And a number of the moms do it quite regularly with pleasant results. So, I tried it. It’s one meal per day with liquids the rest of the day. Lots of coffee. Yup. Oh, and lemon water. My one meal was a light dinner. In the morning, I would have a celery-apple-ginger-kale+ smoothie.
I noticed:
- more energy (I spent less time processing foods);
- better sleep (deeper, longer stretches);
- clearer head (less brain fog), focus and concentration; and
- for my super dry problem skin: less itching, redness and dryness.
Oh, and of course, after a few days of water weight loss, I started to shed some real pounds – just over 10 lbs. in a month. That weird white coating on my tongue went away and I started to crave fresh, raw foods. My cravings for processed foods dissapeared.
A super bonus: Intermittent fasting can also activate the anti-aging stuff we make naturally: Human Growth Hormone (HGH). This hormone is produced by the pituitary gland and helps us grow into adults. Once we hit our “adult-hood”, around age 25, our production drops dramatically. This is when those pesky grey hairs start to show, fine lines pop up and muscle recovery is much slower (more aches and pains!).
In addition to those fun changes, loss of HGH leads to higher levels of body fat, decreased bone and lean muscle mass. Everything just slows down.
The good news: Intermittent fasting can increase HGH levels by as much as 2000%! What will happen? How about:
- Fat Burning
- Mood Balancing
- Improved Sex Drive
- Deeper Sleep
- Memory Improvement & Focus
Me, me, me! YES, to all of the above, please.
Today, I put on my walking shoes and was filled with joy at the sound of children playing on the school yard. For lunch, I’m relishing in homemade Chinese pork broth made in my handy Instant Pot and sipping on many glasses of iced coffee (cause it’s 96 degrees on this fall day). I’m also encouraging natural production of HGH with HGH gel. And, so far, so good… anti-aging and fat fighting is a-happening!
Joyful Storyteller 
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