I lost 40 pounds in my first year of intermittent fasting and am in my third year of keeping it off. I’m a menopausal woman in my late 50s and have hypothyroidism, a desk job, and spinal nerve damage that precludes high-intensity workouts. I no longer count calories or nutrients, and no food or beverage is off limits. I typically eat one meal a day consisting of as much as I want of whatever I want (and I rarely want junk food anymore). I experience hunger only as my regular mealtime approaches. IF has healed my relationship with food—I no longer demonize fats or carbs or meat or dairy—and I’ve never felt better.

Among the benefits for me: symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis disappeared, hypoglycemia/“hangry” episodes cleared up, and my insomnia (often caused by nighttime indigestion) went away.

I know IF doesn’t work for everyone but I’m thrilled to have found this incredibly simple and freeing approach to excellent health that works very well for me. I’m glad I gave it a real chance (it took about 6 weeks to get used to) and got my ghrelin under control.