Episode 211 Gretchen Bates A former athlete transforms her life living an intermittent fasting lifestyle
Growing up in rural Tennessee, Gretchen Bates was always very active. She spent long summer days in her childhood exploring the woods, swimming in creeks, and playing with friends. As a teenager and young adult, Gretchen was competitive in sports and was an avid cyclist, kayaker, open-water swimmer and triathlete. By her early 30s, she had completed her first full-length Ironman competition, logged over 15,000 miles on her bike, and finished three separate, fully independent bicycle tours. At 5’6” tall (167 CM) and 160 pounds (73 kg), she was a healthy, athletically built woman. By her late 30s, Gretchen left her physically active career to return to school for her Masters Degree. She started a new career after graduation, leading to long hours behind a desk. The new stationary career and her naturally slowing metabolism started to take its toll. By her 40th birthday, Gretchen weighed 185 pounds (84 kg). To control her weight, she spent several years experimenting with low-calorie and fad diets. Nothing seemed to work. At 44 years old, Gretchen’s weight ballooned again when her mom was diagnosed with Alzheimer’s Disease. Gretchen became her primary caregiver, took on the management of her mother’s small business, and was responsible for her mother’s personal and health affairs, all while juggling her career. The weight of being a full-time caregiver left Gretchen physically and emotionally exhausted. Like many caregivers, she was chronically stressed and started suffering from depression. Simultaneously, the Covid pandemic swept through North America, her mother’s condition worsened, and by 46 years old, Gretchen had reached her all-time highest weight of 220 pounds (100 kg). A sudden health scare forced Gretchen to take a hard look at her lifestyle and to make drastic changes to reclaim her health. After 15 months of Intermittent Fasting, Gretchen reached her goal weight range of 140-150 pounds (63-68 kg). She continues to try new fasting protocols and works to strengthen her fasting muscles by practising TRE, mindful eating, and avoiding sugar and processed foods. She fully embraces her new fasting lifestyle and strives for optimal health.