Recently my middle daughter had surgery.  This is her 11th surgery since birth.  Of course, having a child go through hard times is hard on a parent.  Prior to fasting, it was almost a guarantee that I would gain weight during Elsie’s surgeries and subsequent recoveries.  

The recoveries were stressful; so much to juggle and so many emotions.  One easy thing I used to cope with was to eat more, eat easy foods and put health focus on the back burner.  

Lately, over her last 3 surgeries I haven’t gained weight with recoveries.  So what changed?  Did they become less emotional?  No!  Did I have a food service to make healthy meals for me? No!

I became an intermittent faster; that’s been the change.  (I bet you know that answer, didn’t you!?  You’re a smart cookie) 

I’ve actually found one of the benefits of fasting is being so flexible in NOT eating for long periods; it’s something I’ve done so much it isn’t hard!

This past surgery we had to check into the hospital at 10, for a 12 procedure.  Elsie had to fast prior to anesthesia.  Prior to me fasting, it was hard to wait until her procedure started for me to eat (Of course we wouldn’t eat in front of her!  That would be cruel)  And then once I did eat, I basically self-soothed with cafeteria food.  It started in the hospital and didn’t end for a long time. 

Here’s a confession

 Food still does make me feel better when stressed.  The difference is, I am not in control and fine to wait.  Do I look forward to my eating window? YES!  But can I fast easily until then, also yes!  

The time windows are easy guides keeping me from gaining weight.  Convenient & easy (ie snacky hospital food)  will still be what’s available at times; but I am not consuming it all day.

I also don’t feel helpless when I know my eating hasn’t been spot on… sending me into a failure spiral.

In fact, this past surgery, I decided to make it a down day.  When she was in surgery I quickly ran to the cafeteria, got low calorie foods, ate quickly and fasted the rest of the day.  

No stress, no trying to figure out how I could fit in the next meal… simple and an ability to focus on Elsie.  It’s a different type of stress relief.  

I feel freedom so often as an Intermittent Faster… especially in dealing with stressful situations.  Have you experienced the same freedom?

Even in other scenarios…

• I may turn to walking instead of food
• I may open a sparkling water
• I may work on a project I enjoy

I’ve been able to find other ways to deal with stress in my fasting times since I spend most of my time in a fasted state.