Week 7 — The Power of Staying the Course
With three weeks left in this 10-week experiment, something interesting has happened.
There’s no big reveal this week.
No dramatic shift.
No breakthrough moment.
Just consistency.
And that may be the most important result so far.
The Subtle Win: Consistency
Seven weeks in, I can say this with confidence:
I’ve stayed the course.
- Fasting windows are consistent
- Eating windows feel natural
- Food choices are more intentional
- Energy levels are steady
That may not sound exciting.
But for me, it’s significant.
Because historically, this is where I would lose interest. Sticking to it without big changes, doesn’t always feel like I’m moving forward.
Intermittent Fasting: From Experiment to Lifestyle
What started as something new…
has now become something normal.
I no longer think about:
- “When can I eat?”
- “How long have I been fasting?”
My body seems to understand the rhythm.
And more importantly:
I trust that I don’t need to eat constantly to feel good.
That’s a shift.
A New Kind of Confidence
One unexpected benefit:
I now feel comfortable with the idea of extended fasting.
Not because I need to do it…
But because I know I could.
There’s no anxiety around:
- Missing a meal
- Going longer without food
- Feeling like something will “go wrong”
That’s a different relationship with food. It doesn’t rule my thoughts.
Energy and Endurance
This week’s theme from the program focused on:
- Energy
- Endurance
- Performance
From my perspective:
- Energy → yes
- Endurance → improving
- Peak performance → let’s be realistic – I never took the word Shred seriously. I’ll leave that to the younger generation but more muscle is definitely a big goal.
But overall:
I feel better.
And that’s the metric that matters most right now.
The NAD+ Conversation
This week introduced NAD+ support.
I’ve had experience with NAD+ IV therapy in the past, and the effects are real:
- Increased energy
- Better sleep
- A general sense of well-being
But it also raises practical questions:
- How do you measure long-term benefits?
- Is a supplement enough compared to IV or injections?
- What’s worth the cost?
At around $500 per IV, it’s not something to do casually.
So, like everything else in this space:
It requires evaluation—not impulse.
The Reality of “Everything That Could Help”
This week also reinforced something I’ve been noticing:
There are a lot of tools available:
- Supplements
- Peptides
- Therapies
- Devices
And while many may be helpful…
You can’t do everything. It can be exhausting and expensive.
So, the real skill becomes:
- Knowing what matters most
- Choosing what fits your health goals
- Staying within a realistic budget
Peptides: Still in Observation Mode
I’m continuing with the peptide energy/fat burn protocol recommended by my health coach.
Early signs are encouraging—but it’s still too soon to isolate cause and effect.
Because now there are multiple variables:
- Fasting
- Food awareness
- Exercise
- Peptides
And the question becomes:
What’s actually driving the results?
That’s something I’ll continue to watch and question.
The Food Side: Balanced, Not Perfect
This week wasn’t perfect—and that’s fine.
- A few desserts
- No overindulgence
- No regret
More importantly:
No loss of control.
That’s a win and I’ll take it!
Tracking and Awareness
I’ve continued:
- Logging food intake
- Tracking fasting/eating windows
- Using the Hume Body Pod regularly
Not obsessively.
Just consistently.
The Biggest Realization This Week
Nothing dramatic happened.
And that’s exactly the point.
Progress doesn’t always feel like progress.
Sometimes it looks like:
- Repeating the same habits
- Making small decisions
- Staying engaged
And over time…
That’s what creates change.
Freedom To Thrive Reflection
This week wasn’t exciting.
It was steady.
And steady is what builds results that last.
Looking Ahead
Three weeks to go.
At this point, I’m not chasing anything dramatic.
I’m continuing:
- The habits
- The awareness
- The consistency
Because whatever happens next…
This already feels like a sustainable way to live.
— Jamie Harrington
Freedom to Thrive
Curious explorer of living well in the second half of life.
