12 Weeks to the Best Version of Me
Sharon Kawano
How my journey began.
Hello, my name is Sharon. I am 49 years old, and a mom of two adult kids, and one teen. I have battled with depression most of my life and from childhood up until adulthood, I would often turn to food for comfort. By my mid-40’s, I hit my heaviest weight and my depression was at an all-time low.
At the time I was working in the wedding industry. I loved my job, but the hours were very long and it didn’t leave me a lot of time to focus on my health. Not to mention I was often too busy to cook so I usually ended up ordering takeout or fast food.
It was after a routine checkup my doctor sat me down and told me I had very high blood pressure, extremely high blood sugar, and my cholesterol was at a dangerously high level. I was absolutely devastated. I needed to drastically change my lifestyle. So that day, I made a commitment to start my wellness journey. After reading about all the health benefits associated with fasting, I decided to give the 16:8 Intermittent Fast a try.
Stats
- Starting weight: 175lbs/79kgs
- Goal weight: 110lbs/50kgs
- Current weight: 112lbs/51kgs
- Highest weight: 175lbs/79kgs
- Height: 5’1/155cm
16:8 Intermittent Fast.
This fast sounded simple enough. You have an 8 hour window to eat whatever you want, and then you fast for the remaining 16 hours (water or tea only). I’m an early riser so my eating hours were from 6am to 2pm.
Although the 16:8 IF doesn’t put any restrictions on what you eat during your 8 hours, I completely cut out red meat, greasy foods, sugary foods, and mainly ate fresh fruits and leafy greens. I also cut out all pop, juice and alcohol from my diet and religiously drank 10-12 glasses of water a day.
At the beginning, not eating for long periods left me very tired and unmotivated. So I made sure to take a plethora of vitamins to keep me energized. Vitamin B6 and B12’s to combat fatigue and weakness. Iron pills to prevent anemia. Vitamin C to boost my antioxidant levels, and a daily multivitamin of Vitamin A, C, D, E and K, calcium, magnesium and potassium.
My 12 week fasting journey – Day 1.
I won’t lie, the first week was tough. Not eating anything after 2pm was a very difficult adjustment. I struggled to sleep at night because all I could think of was food. Exercise really helped get me motivated and keep my mind off food. I began with simply walking for one hour a day. I also practiced yoga for 30 minutes every morning and meditated for 30 minutes every night. It was important to me to improve my physical health as well as my mental health. Yoga and meditation really helped give me the focus I needed to stick with my fast.
Week 2.
I could already see how quickly I was losing weight! I started feeling very cold and restless at night. I learned this was a normal process of fasting called the “ketosis stage”. You will feel cold, fatigued, and have low energy. So meditating, exercising, taking my daily vitamins and drinking large amounts of water every day helped to curb my hunger and keep me active. Before I fasted I was barely able to walk to the top of my steps without pausing for a rest. But after starting my fast, my strength and mobility already began to improve.
Week 4.
The fat around my waist started noticeably shrinking and my face looked a lot slimmer too. My body was slowly adjusting to not eating after 2pm, and I stopped feeling cold or restless at night. I didn’t feel as tired or hungry as I did before. My cardio greatly improved so I started jogging on the treadmill and began hiking outdoors. I even started doing daily workout videos. There are so many great workouts on YouTube you can do for free and from the comfort and privacy of your home.
Week 6.
My family and friends began to notice my weight loss. I’d been avoiding social gatherings because I didn’t want to be tempted to eat after 2pm. But now that I’d gotten used to not eating after 2pm, I felt more confident at family gatherings and dinners out with friends. I was able to run for longer periods of time and my yoga flexibility dramatically improved. I really developed a love for hiking, and I now hike every weekend with my husband, and even the kids will join us as well.
Week 8.
My clothes started fitting more loosely on me. I can now run 4 to 6 miles a day, and I increased the amount of weights and reps I do each day. I got to an intermediate level of yoga. I started focusing on toning up my muscles with daily crunches, push-ups, squats, lunges, jumping jacks, planks and butt kicks.
Week 10.
None of my clothes fit me anymore and I needed to buy a whole new wardrobe. I started to see some definition in my arms, legs and abs. I also noticed some loose skin from my weight loss, but nothing to be ashamed of, it tightened back up in time. My diet, workouts and my sleeping schedule became regimented. I found myself wanting to wake earlier and earlier just to do my first cardio set. I felt confident when I went out in public, and I even inspired some friends and family members to get healthy and lose weight as well.
Week 12.
Officially three months since I started my fasting journey, and I couldn’t believe how amazing I looked and felt! I hadn’t felt this great mentally, physically or emotionally in years. I felt more energetic, healthier, and mentally focused in my late 40’s than I ever did in my early 20’s. Just over three months ago my health was so bad my doctor was ready to prescribe me Lipitor for my cholesterol and Metformin for my high blood sugar. Now, over 60 pounds (27 kgs) lighter, he barely recognized me when I walked into his office for a follow-up appointment. The best news is, my blood pressure, cholesterol and blood sugars are all back to normal and at healthy levels.
After My Transformation.
Since losing my weight, I decided to openly talk about my physical and mental health issues on social media. This was something I had never spoken about before. I was so surprised to receive such wonderful feedback from people struggling with similar physical and mental issues. I am now a Mental Health Advocate, and just recently, I acquired my Wellness Coaching Certificate. My certificate allows me to help people suffering with physical and mental issues set health goals to lose weight, improve energy, and better manage their mental health.
In 2020, I won the Fitness/Wellness category at the Canadian Digital Influencer Awards. That same year I was nominated for the 2021 Courage To Comeback Awards by Coast Mental Health. I was featured in Inside Fitness Magazine July 2021 issue, and I was featured in Strong Fitness Magazine Sept/Oct 2021 issue as one of the “Women To Watch”. I have also appeared on various media outlets to help bring community awareness about reducing the stigma associated with mental illness.
My fasting journey definitely wasn’t an easy road, and it came with many ups and downs. But, it’s been an incredibly rewarding journey nonetheless. Becoming healthy physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually, has now given me the confidence and positive mindset needed to sustain a healthy lifestyle. And with a bit of persistence, patience and dedication, anyone can do it too! I am living proof that despite mental illness, age, and health issues, it’s NEVER too late to become the best version of yourself.
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