Intermittent Fasting Transformation: The 45-Day Program for Women to Lose Stubborn Weight, Improve Hormonal Health, and Slow Aging Paperback – March 15, 2022

Thank you, Cynthia Thurlow! As a woman in my 50's I know now what I could not know "then," and this book has been a true blessing. It's appropriate and helpful for a woman of any age, because as women, we are often not told how to navigate our bodies. Because our cycles vary, our metabolism can change and develop imbalances. Our cravings shift and vary and may be hinting we are missing something in our diet. We can certainly choose to compare notes with family members and friends, but this one life we GET to live is truly an individual journey. Why play guessing games? We DESERVE a guide to help make the best decisions for OUR bodies. For myself, my IF journey began with the purpose of regulating my blood sugar, which had wavered all my life. A team of Endocrinologists were "stumped" during my late teens, where trouble began, but advised me it was "something about my cycle" and to "snack every two hours" to "try" and help "regulate things." Basically I was an experiment! I walked away from that appt. feeling defeated. I resorted to adding traditional prepared protein shakes and munched on nuts , crackers and cheese and beef sticks so I would not feel dizzy and have brain fog. That was not at all ideal and looking back, it was several times a day. As an adult, I never felt truly heard by traditional doctors. I was prescribed BCPs and there was a pill for every ill. I was even told it was all in my head. Finally, NOW I have REAL answers! Intermittent Fasting Transformation taught me not only that snacking did not work for me anymore, but showed me the WHY. Nobody suggested that initially. I really needed to add more protein to my meals to shift that mindset away from snacks to better balance my hormones. My energy increased, my mind felt more sharp and I am able to conquer my daily routine. I also needed to add more healthy fats to support adrenal health. Hello avocados and coconut oil! Step by step, those are noted in the book, along with the many benefits of practicing IF. I learned how to better understand, appreciate and navigate the body I was given. Wow! Cynthia included and abundance of science backed information, a breakdown of the IF lifestyle, and numerous recommendations, tips and practices. This book is easy to navigate no matter what your educational background is. The focus is also on healing your gut microbiome, which has been part of a several year journey for me. My "transformation" began with first adding higher protein amounts to my MEALS, and when I felt satiated there was no longer a need to snack. I learned what was working in MY body, and focused more on including on grass fed beef, eggs and fish like salmon. I admit I was not a believer in IF until I learned more. It is not what many people think. It is CERTAINLY not a practice of starving yourself, and it IS instead learning and listening to what your body needs. I let go of past habits and set my mind on tuning into how I felt. I eliminated snacks before bed first, and then I allowed myself to only eat when I felt hungry in the am. This gradually shifted to a longer fasting window. I'm thankfully not in a situation where weight is an issue, however sleep REALLY was, and energy was. Eating breakfast at 9:30am for me works and closing my eating window at 7:30pm allows my body to truly rest and digest. I also tested reactive to both gluten and dairy in previous years, so that had been an adjustment. My family does their thing, and I gratefully do mine. The recipes, included in this book, which I have not yet tried, but plan to make, seem quite nutrient packed and easy to prepare. My husband seems to be on board with them too, (a bonus! ) as they are adaptable for other family member's needs as well. I hope you will enjoy this book as much as I did and likely even want to gift one to a friend.

I came across Cynthia Thurlow when I heard that she was replacing one of the hosts in a favorite podcast of mine, The IF Podcast with Melanie Avalon and Gin Stephens. As a result, I looked her up and found this book and was immediately interested because 1) Cynthia Thurlow has a medical background and is and is a practicing NP 2) The book is focused on IF specifically for women. I have been practicing IF for about three years and was looking for fresh medical content that actually explained what really happens when we fast. This book delivered that information and SO much more. I had NO IDEA that women's hormones play such a significant role in not only our success with fasting but basically EVERY other aspect of our health, including mental. Since purchasing this book, I have also listened to it twice on Audible and also purchased an additional copy for my sister. I have gone down the Cynthia Thurlow rabbit hole big time. Her podcast, Everyday Wellness, has opened up a whole new world to me (and the women in my family by proxy) in regards to reputable health practitioners sharing what they know and basically turning conventional medicine on its head while still respecting its immense value and importance. This book has so much valuable information for women that goes far beyond learning how to correctly practice intermittent fasting. I can't recommend it enough if you are a woman, especially one in perimenopause or menopause, who wants to truly enhance your health and your life with IF and understand the hows and whys behind the science of fasting and the roles our hormones play in our lives.

What a refreshing and exciting find. As women, our hormones change and fluctuate through different life phases. As I have entered my 40s, I have noticed bloating, fatigue and brain fog. I have heard from many people that it’s just part of aging. Honestly, I was terrified at the thought this is just my reality now and that it will get worse. In addition, I am at high risk of developing cardiac disease and dementia because of family history. THIS is something that I can actively do to help all of that. How wonderful! I am thrilled to have found Cynthia and am absorbing all of the information she is putting out there. As a nurse myself, I am especially happy that she is a Nurse Practitioner! Definitely worth a read!