Episode 474: Andrea Moon

In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Andrea Moon from Bloomfield Township, MI.Gin has a new YouTube Channel! Visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_frGNiTEoJ88rZOwvuG2CA and subscribe today so you never miss an intermittent fasting tip, a support session, or an interview with a past IF Stories guest or expert.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. Andrea is not only a retired elementary music teacher but also a piano composer, karate instructor, and women’s self-defense teacher. They dive right into how Andrea discovered intermittent fasting in 2023 after hearing about it from a friend, initially reacting with skepticism before getting curious and quickly diving into podcasts and resources. A structured person by nature, Andrea took to tracking her fasting hours with an app, finding the visual goal-tracking motivating, and soon made fasting a daily habit, even amidst travel and a busy, active lifestyle.Andrea shares several anecdotes highlighting how intermittent fasting has become more mainstream, citing moments in pop culture and interactions with global karate colleagues who also fast. She describes her initial fasting experience, gradually finding what worked best for her, including experimenting with alternate day fasting (ADF) and 500-calorie down days. Andrea found joy in making down days a fun challenge by cooking satisfying meals within calorie limits, and she emphasizes the flexibility and long-term sustainability she now feels with intermittent fasting.A significant part of the conversation centers on mindful eating, overcoming toxic diet culture, and the freedom that comes from ditching rigid calorie restriction. Andrea candidly recounts her own weight plateaus and how shifting away from eating while distracted—especially stopping the habit of eating in front of the TV—made a real difference in her progress. She encourages listeners to track their weight over weeks, not days, and to adjust their process (including mindful, plated meals) rather than simply trusting the process when stuck. Both Gin and Andrea also reflect on the pitfalls of diet brain, the importance of eating real foods over ultra-processed choices, and the culture of comparing oneself to unrealistic standards.Andrea finishes the episode by sharing her advice for anyone starting out: celebrate finding intermittent fasting, consistently plate your meals, avoid distracted eating, and prioritize some form of exercise or stretching routine. She advocates for patience, embracing the journey, and seeking out community to find inspiration and support along the way. Andrea’s story is a testament to adapting intermittent fasting to fit your life, making mindful choices, and prioritizing long-term health and enjoyment over short-term restriction.Get Gin’s books at: https://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html. Good news! The second edition of Delay, Don’t Deny is now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audiobook. This is the book that you’ll want to start with or share with others, as it is a simple introduction to IF. It’s been updated to include the clean fast, an easier to understand and more thorough description of ADF and all of your ADF options, and an all new success stories section. When shopping, make sure to get the second edition, which has a 2024 publication date. The audiobook for the second edition is available now! Join Gin’s community! Go to: ginstephens.com/communityDo 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.  Share your intermittent fasting stories with Gin: [email protected] Gin’s website at: ginstephens.com Check out Gin’s Favorite Things at http://www.ginstephens.com/gins-favorite-things.htmlSubscribe to Gin’s YouTube Channel! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_frGNiTEoJ88rZOwvuG2CASee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.