In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, host Gin Stephens speaks to Dana Bowman from Lindsborg, Kansas. She is the author of, “How to be a Perfect Mom Like Me,” and “Bottled: A Mom’s Guide to Early Recovery.” She also has a blog: Momsieblog.com. Dana is the mother to two boys, 9 and 11 years-old. She begins by saying, “Motherhood is hard. Laughter is easy.” Her books explore her recovery journey with both truth and laugher. Dana shares that she has been sober since 2014. She found IF through her “recovery channels.” Once she stopped drinking, she turned to sugar, which led to a sugar addiction. She was eating candy in secret, hiding wrappers, and would then feel shameful. Dana realized that she was treating sugar the way she treated alcohol: as an addiction.
When Dana turned 49, she hit menopause. This was when her health began to suffer. She had hot flashes, intense anger, aches and pains, experienced thyroid issues, and gained weight. She felt awful! Dana decided to focus on the this new addiction to sugar and lose weight. Dana first began IF six months ago, and almost by accident. She had listened to the Intermittent Fasting Stories Podcast, and knew a little about IF. One day she was gardening, and simply forgot to eat. She felt fine, and began with a daily 1-6pm window. In time, her aches, pains, brain fog and “puffiness” disappeared, along with her constant focus on food and addiction to sugar. She is leaner now, too.
Dana has some advice for women who may think they have a drinking problem…to ask themselves if they have a problem, and if they do, deal with that first, then focus on the weight loss. Talk to a trusted friend or loved one about it. Take it one day at a time. Dana shared that she is starting a website for women in their 50s. She also has a Facebook page called, “Fifty-ish,” and will have a website at the beginning of next year. Her Instagram is: @fiftyishco
Dana’s advice for new IFers is to go easy on yourself at first. Don’t make your windows intense, pay attention to how your feel, and listen to your body. She loves all of the health benefits she’s experienced with IF, and sees it as freeing. Dana has never had more FREEDOM.
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