At Grand Rapids Magazine, we’re always on the lookout for inspiring stories from our community, especially those that showcase personal transformation and dedication. Recently, we heard about Russel Coble, a local individual who successfully lost 50 pounds through intermittent fasting and managed to keep the weight off. Intrigued by his approach, we sat down with him to learn more about how intermittent fasting became a game changer in his weight loss journey.
GR Mag: So, Russel you lost a lot of weight a few years ago, and have kept it off, how did you do that?
Russell Coble: For me, intermittent fasting was the answer.
GR Mag: Give us a little background, why did you choose fasting instead of some other method?
RC: What made the difference for me was that, with other methods, you pack the weight back on. This didn’t involve a huge change; it just required having self-control to only eat at certain times.
GR Mag: Tell me, how did that work?
RC: Being lazy, it was a choice that didn’t require much work except eating in certain windows. It just seemed realistic, doable, and fit my lifestyle.
GR Mag: Did you seek medical advice?
RC: My doctor always said, “Yeah, you’re overweight but your weight hasn’t changed much over several years, so don’t worry about it.” But as time went on, and I started packing on more weight, I knew something had to change.
GR Mag: How has that changed your life?
RC: In general, I feel like I have more energy, sleep better, I used to snore. That’s a big one. My wife used to kick me out of bed half the time, but now I rarely, if ever, snore anymore.
GR Mag: When did you fast, and what did you do?
RC: You pick a window of time for fasting and a window of time for eating. I fasted for 18 hours and ate in a 6-hour window, each day, because I wanted to lose weight more quickly.
GR Mag: How much weight did you lose? Was it hard?
RC: It was easy for me, because most of the fasting time is when I was sleeping, and if you aren’t used to eating breakfast anyway, it’s not that hard. I ended up losing 50 lbs. That’s a lot.
GR Mag: Where did you get the idea to fast?
RC: I’m not completely sure. An article got me thinking about the true meaning of breakfast, which is literally ‘breaking your fast’ and then I did some research, and learned how people have been fasting for centuries, and intermittent fasting isn’t anything too extreme.
GR Mag: Anything else you’d like our readers to know?
RC: I’d say, if you’re going to do this, you better have money to buy some new clothes.
Editor’s Note: This article is intended for entertainment purposes and should not be considered medical advice. If you’re considering making changes to your diet or lifestyle, always consult with a healthcare professional before proceeding.
