Episode 436: Tara McKinney

In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Tara McKinney from Weyburn, Saskatchewan.

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. 

Tara is a grade 1 teacher. She began intermittent fasting in 2021, committing to 28 days even though she thought there was no way it was going to work for her. 3 ½ years later, she is an intermittent faster for life. Tara reflects on her weight fluctuation struggles over the years, influenced by health issues and the toxic diet culture presented in society and through magazines. She tried so many things over the years, including Weight Watchers, MyFitnessPal, Beachbody, and intermittent fasting finally became a sustainable solution for her. Tara has noticed significant positive health changes despite her initial doubts. Tara's perseverance shines through as she recounts stopping food tracking after 27 years and trusting her body to guide her.

Gin and Tara discuss the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle, not just for immediate benefits but for long-term well-being, to stay active for their children and future grandchildren. Tara shares how eating habits have changed over time, from cutting back on sugar to finding healthier options like homemade protein balls to close her eating window. The conversation touches on the challenges of cravings and making nutritious choices within your eating window, emphasizing the significance of selecting high-quality, satisfying foods.

The episode also spotlights the emotional and physical benefits Tara has experienced through intermittent fasting. Tara shares about her supportive online community, where she engages with friends daily to provide mutual encouragement and advice. Gin and Tara discuss the pressures and unrealistic expectations perpetuated by toxic diet culture, appreciating the empowerment that intermittent fasting offers by reconnecting individuals with their natural body signals.

Tara concludes by offering her final advice: Listen to the stories of others, but remember that we are all unique. Trust the journey of intermittent fasting, and find a supportive community that shares your goals and understands your challenges. She emphasizes that regaining trust in one's body is crucial for long-term success and health.

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, and hardback. 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, a 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 an August of 2024 publication date. The audiobook for the second edition is coming soon, so if you listen to the first edition audiobook, you’ll also want a copy of the ebook or a paper copy to see the updates.

Join Gin’s community! Go to: ginstephens.com/community

Do 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: gin@intermittentfastingstories.com

Visit Gin’s website at: ginstephens.com 

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