Episode 298 Charity Wade - A Story Of Incredible Resilience And Overcoming Addiction The Fasting Highway podcast

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Episode 298 Charity Wade - A story of incredible resilience and overcoming addiction

1d ago 36:35

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My highest weight was 233 lbs at 5’0”. That was in 2008. At that time, I went through with gastric bypass surgery. I had always been somewhat overweight, but through four pregnancies, I just kept gaining. I also dealt with postpartum depression and unresolved childhood trauma, which probably led to more overeating and a lack of motivation and energy. After the surgery, I lost weight quickly. I found myself in the 120-pound range. I was loving life. I soon began going out to bars and partying, leaving my husband and children behind. I eventually left my husband, split up our family, and continued down that very selfish path. I believe that I was self-medicating and replacing my food addiction with alcohol. I loved the attention I was getting from men. I somehow managed to raise my children for the next 17 years, but that road was really rough, especially for them. I ended up losing my career as a certified nursing assistant, dealt with legal ramifications after a couple of DWIs, and lost custody of two of my children for a time due to the drinking. I fought with my weight off and on during those years, never gaining all of it back, but certainly not taking care of myself consistently. I found myself in rehab and psychiatric hospitals as I tried to get the drinking under control.

On May 12, 2025, I woke up. I have not looked back. I stopped drinking that day and have not touched it since. I am not sure to this day what finally shook me to my senses. It took a couple of weeks as I gently worked within myself to decide what was important to me and who I wanted to be. I knew that I wanted to live the most whole life possible and be the person

my children had been missing out on all of these years. I somehow came across the idea of intermittent fasting. I honestly can’t remember where. I started listening to Gin Stephens’ podcasts, then read her book ‘Fast, Feast, Repeat, and on June 13, I began Alternate Day Fasting. I fast for 36 hours and then eat primarily whole foods during a 12-hour window. I am very forgiving of myself and allow exceptions. I have taken a vacation, gone camping, and celebrated essential events with food, but as soon as the trip or event is over, I jump right back into my schedule. If I want a treat,I plan to have it during my 12-hour

window. I also feel that a clean fast is crucial. I stick with water - adding sea salt to some every morning, black coffee, plain green or black tea, or plain seltzer water. Unfortunately, my job does require that I taste-test cream cheese some days, but I do what I have to do and then jump right back into my schedule. ADF has changed my life. I don’t think I would have continued my sobriety had I not started intermittent fasting. It gives me a sense of control over my day. I have added pilates and yoga daily, and I'm trying to get in 10,000 steps. I have been able to stop taking all of my depression, anxiety and psychosis medications. Turns out when you aren’t drinking, and you take care of your body, your mind is much healthier!(This isn’t to say that everyone who follows intermittent fasting will be able to step away from the help that behavioural health medications provide - it just turns out that my issues were alcohol related and resolved after stopping drinking and through therapy.) When I began my journey toward a healthier me, I weighed 172 pounds. I have since lost 47 pounds as of October 26 and have reached my

goal weight of 125 pounds. I do have a new goal of 110pounds, but am completely fine with where I’m at. My mantra is ‘I’m Never Going Back’!

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