Week 2 — Reality Check: Easier Than Expected… With a Few Surprises
The first week of this experiment is officially complete.
And my biggest takeaway?
This might be simpler than I expected.
The Fasting Window: Surprisingly Manageable
So far, I’ve completed:
- One 13-hour fast
- Four 17-hour fasts
- One 15-hour fast
That didn’t feel difficult—likely because I’ve never been an early breakfast eater. I naturally prefer my first meal around 10 or 11 AM, which makes extending the fasting window feel… normal.
That alone gave me some confidence early on.
The First Real Challenge: The After-Dinner Habit
I did uncover one clear weakness:
The after-dinner snack.
Not because I’m hungry—but because it’s a habit.
Ice cream. Popcorn. Something sweet.
Usually an hour or two after dinner.
And that habit sits directly inside the fasting window.
So now I have a decision:
- Keep the habit and adjust the eating window
- Or close the kitchen after dinner
I’ve chosen the second.
For me, this is the line:
The kitchen is closed after dinner.
Not because I have to—but because this is where the real benefit of fasting begins.
A Familiar Habit With a New Purpose
Interestingly, something I’ve done for years may be helping more than I realized.
Apple cider vinegar.
I started using it after COVID to help with digestion, and it worked immediately. What I didn’t expect is that it may also help reduce the urge to snack.
So now, instead of reaching for food in the evening, I’ll reach for that instead.
Same habit. New role.
The Coffee Adjustment (A Small Win)
I also made a simple change that turned out better than expected.
Instead of loading up my coffee with cream, I reduced it to about a tablespoon—combined with a little cinnamon.
And surprisingly…
It was still just as enjoyable.
Even Lanny approved.
Sometimes the solution isn’t elimination—it’s adjustment.
When Curiosity Doesn’t Require Action
At one point, I considered using a continuous glucose monitor again to track how all of this is affecting my body in real time.
I’ve used one before and learned a lot.
But for now, I have decided against it.
Not because it wouldn’t be helpful—but because it’s not necessary at this stage.
The changes I’m making are based on what fits my life. And I don’t need more data to validate decisions I’m already comfortable with.
That may change later—but not yet.
The Marketing Side (Impossible Not to Notice)
As expected, the program includes promotional offers along the way.
This week featured discounted peptide products aimed at recovery and performance.
From a business perspective and as a marketer myself, it makes sense.
But as a participant, I found myself wanting something simple:
A clearer explanation of what these are.
That’s something I’ll be paying attention to moving forward.
The Biggest Shift: Dieting vs. Fasting
This is where things really started to click.
I’ve done plenty of diets over the years:
- New grocery lists
- New recipes
- Weekly planning
- Constant effort
It often felt like a second job.
And while they worked temporarily, they were rarely sustainable.
This feels different.
With intermittent fasting:
- I’m eating normal foods
- I’m not following complicated plans
- I’m not restructuring my life
I’m simply paying attention to when I eat.
And so far,—that feels much easier to maintain.
The Unexpected Lesson: Timing Matters Everywhere
One thing I almost overlooked:
My supplements.
I was used to taking them in the morning—but many include ingredients (like sweeteners) that break a fast.
So I moved them into my eating window.
Not a big change—but a reminder of how many small habits we operate on without thinking.
Results After Week 1
- Down 1 pound
- No major dietary changes
- No feelings of restriction
- No complicated routines
I’ve eaten:
- Steak
- Chicken (even fried)
- Salads
- Burgers
No extreme changes. No eliminated foods.
Just:
- Better timing
- Slightly more awareness
And maybe most importantly—
Two meals per day feels like enough.
How I Feel
I feel… good.
- Less bloated
- More aware
- Not deprived
Nothing dramatic.
But something is shifting.
The Real Question Moving Forward
Not:
“Does this work for a week?”
But:
“Is this sustainable?”
That’s the real test.
FTT Reflection
This first week confirmed something important:
Health doesn’t have to be complicated to be effective.
Sometimes the biggest change is simple:
- Paying attention
- Making small adjustments
- Letting the body do what it’s designed to do
Looking Ahead
Week 2 begins now.
More consistency.
More observation.
More small decisions.
Let’s see what happens.
— Jamie Harrington
Freedom to Thrive
Curious explorer of living well in the second half of life.
