The What IF? Diet Plan takes readers through your dieting journey and how intermittent fasting changed your life. Why was this an important book for you to write?

I love this question because my book was born from the anger I felt towards the health/diet industry AND the freedom I experienced when I discovered intermittent fasting (IF) and began questioning my beliefs about health. For most of my life I struggled to lose weight by following guidance from popular coaches and health professionals, but could never stick to the regimes they touted. When I finally did manage to lose 100 pounds at one point, I was miserable because I was obsessed with food, exercise, and keeping the weight off. Once I had three kids and a full-time career in my mid-thirties, I gained the weight back and felt I just had to accept it – which wasn’t the case.

I felt that it was important to write this book because I know what it’s like to feel frustrated and confused about what, when, and how much to eat. I know what it’s like to feel uncomfortable in my own skin. And to be successful in every aspect of my life except my eating habits and weight issues.

I felt it was important because I know how lonely and maddening this can all be, and I wanted to do my small part to let others know that they are not alone and they are not crazy!

What do you feel is a common misconception people have about dieting?

A common misconception people have about dieting is that it is not supposed to be restrictive, expensive, or difficult. Plus, there is no “right” or “wrong” way to diet. In fact, the earliest meaning of the word diet was “way of living,” which means a diet should be something that comes to us naturally and fits in with our personal lifestyle.

What is the first step someone can take to start their weight loss journey?

I believe that limiting the timeframe in which you eat to a 12-hour daily window is a good first step for beginners. This small shift can help you be more cognizant of when you’re eating and to pay attention to your hunger cues. It also allows you to reap some of the benefits of fasting, since your body should be getting a break from digesting food for the 12-hours you are not eating.

I also recommend that people stop focusing on the scale when losing weight. Although this may seem counterintuitive, the number on the scale is actually a horrible predictor of our health and can sabotage our efforts. Instead, focus on implementing small, doable healthy changes that fit in with your personal lifestyle every few weeks, and weight loss will follow.

I appreciated all the tips in this book because they felt achievable. What is one thing you hope readers take away from your book?

I am so glad that you felt my tips were achievable because that’s exactly what I hope that readers take away from my book. I want them to realize that living a healthy lifestyle shouldn’t be an endeavor. It is possible to charge of our health and lose weight without sacrificing ourselves in the process.

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