Down 20 pounds with intermittent fasting and THIS protein powder

I loved this plan over 30 years ago but was talked out of it

More about that, but first, the recipe:

When people find out that I am doing intermittent fasting (16:8) & have a smoothie EVERY day, they ask what I use. This product is by far my all-time favorite. It’s gluten-free and vegan. AND CHOCOLATE!

My regular ingredients include:

• 2 scoops of Orgain Organic Protein Powder, it’s vegan and gluten-free too! (I use chocolate)
• 1 -2 Bananas
• 2 cups cold water (room temp if my bananas are frozen)
• 1-2 Tbs Flax meal or chia seeds
• 1 scoop – Greens superfood/probiotic

Then I switch it up sometimes by adding:

• Pineapple, apple, or grapes
• I may add essential oil  (nutmeg, cinnamon, ginger) depending on what I want to accomplish. Each one has a benefit I may need from an anti-inflammatory or something to help with achy joints.

I make this every day around 1 pm after my 16 hours of fasting. It was a very smooth transition to start a 16:8 (16 hours fasting and eating for 8) since I don’t start feeling hungry till around 1 pm anyway. (of course that never stopped me from eating breakfast)

Once I have my smoothie, I have 2 small meals up till 9 pm

So now I’m down 20 pounds! YAY!

Now for the reason I am sharing all of this.

30 years ago they scared me into stopping this plan!

This is the funny thing about intermittent fasting. WAY back in the 80’s I starting eating one meal per day with an occasional fruit, veggie or salad for a 2nd meal if I got hungry. I was SO happy with this food plan. One: because I got so much accomplished not thinking about food all day and Two: I lost 50 pounds!

The problem was, this wasn’t a popular program back then. I’m not even sure if there was a book about it. I just chose it for myself and what my body called for and it was a perfect fit. But the rest of my ‘people’ pounded into me that this was unhealthy. Hmmm, Even though I felt fantastic! It’s amazing how we could believe others’ beliefs over our own decision-making (but that’s a whole other story and how I began helping women build self-esteem and confidence).

I tried so many programs before and after that one meal a day experience. While some had a really good outcome, I often wondered what would have happened if I just stayed on that plan. Once I even tried a raw food diet (which I also loved) and read how so many raw foodists eat once per day as well. Apparently, for them, they optimized their food intake to that short period of time for the same reason I did. More time, feel better and more time for your body to heal between meals.

I always resonated with that philosophy for some reason. So now, I am doing what seems effortless and natural for me. Right now I am eating about 6-8 hours per day but feel that I may move to a once per day or 2-4 hour per day window. I absolutely LOVE not thinking about food all day. I am so much more productive. Why do I keep saying that? Because someone like me with a weight issue will think about food all day. From what I  want to eat to the guilt of what I did eat and everything in between.

As I mentioned, I’m no pro. I also don’t promote this plan for everyone. I just wanted to share my experience and recommend that you listen your your own body and mind and make your own plan, even if it’s not out there in the books yet. Be gentle with yourself, do your research to make sure you are choosing something that honors your individual needs and pat yourself on the back for being in charge of your future!

I feel that the benefits of intermittent fasting are amazing. I am not here to write about that but if you want to learn more, you can read about it here.

Just an FYI – I order many of my products from Amazon and have them delivered on a subscription every few weeks so I don’t have to think about it. You can too. I earn a small commission for recommending products but the prices never affect you.

Thank you for being here

Have a FRANTASTIC DAY!

Fran Asaro