In this episode of Intermittent Fasting Stories, Gin talks to Carter Willmann from Huntington Beach, CA.
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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.
Carter is a musician and a music teacher. He was a kid of the 90s and early 2000s, and grew up with lots of processed foods always around. He remembers always being self-conscious about his weight and his stomach. When he went off to college, his weight began to go up even more, until he eventually found himself at 280 pounds. In 2015 while he was working on his Masters degree, Carter decided it was time to take control of his weight. He was able to get below 200 pounds through a great deal of hard work. His routine included extensive meal planning, heavy workouts, and yoga, but eventually, this intense lifestyle became unsustainable. Meeting his husband in 2017 added significant changes to his life, including a reduction in his commitment to workouts, leading to weight gain.
During the pandemic, Carter experienced the same shifts many did—losing access to yoga classes and transitioning to virtual teaching. Despite these challenges, he adapted and maintained work continuity. Eventually, he found himself back up to around 260 pounds. He had a wake-up call that led to him quitting drinking permanently, and that also began his quest to better health. He felt he needed to “cleanse” his body, and that led him down a YouTube rabbit hole that took him to the concept of autophagy and fasting.
He started intermittent fasting seriously after reading Dr. Jason Fung’s The Obesity Code and Gin’s book, Delay, Don’t Deny, both of which profoundly influenced him. His 2023 New Year’s Resolution was to incorporate a daily eating window, which has led to slow and steady weight loss ever since. He is down to 185 pounds and wears size 32/30 pants these days. Carter's personal gains from intermittent fasting have included improved posture, fewer ear infections, increased energy levels, and a revived passion for gardening. His mother has joined him in intermittent fasting, shedding approximately 40 pounds, and his husband also adopted an intermittent fasting lifestyle, losing about 20 pounds.
Carter discussed the importance of setting a good example rather than persuading others to try intermittent fasting. His journey emphasized finding sustainable routines by integrating fasting with other pillars of health like exercise, sleep, and mental well-being.
Closing the episode, Carter shares advice for beginners, suggesting they start with a manageable eating window. He emphasizes the importance of patience and gradual improvements over time. He encourages listeners to view fasting as an essential but previously overlooked component of health that, when balanced with diet, exercise, and sleep, can create a positive feedback loop leading to overall well-being. Carter’s story underlines that making gradual, sustainable changes can pave the way for long-lasting health improvements.
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!
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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.
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