'I Love My 18:6 Intermittent Fasting Eating Schedule—And I've Lost 70 Lbs. In 8 Months' (2024)

My name is Charmaine Canida (@_coachceecee), and I am 28 years old. I’m from Houston, Texas, and I’m a case manager and wellness coach. After seeing a loved one deal with health issues as a result of poor nutrition, I changed my lifestyle by eating a low-carb, intermittent fasting 18:6 diet and doing Camp Gladiator boot camp workouts.

I was always overweight, and obesity runs in my family. Growing up, I was bullied for being overweight, but it only made me want to eat more. I used food in order to cope with stress, depression, sadness, and anger. Sodas and sweets were like my cigarettes or drug of choice. Anytime I had a bad day, that is what I wanted.

Fast-forward to July 19, 2016: I sat on my bed crying uncontrollably over the loss of my grandmother seven months prior. I had been sad and depressed for months. My grandmother had a lot of health complications, many that were due to her lack of proper nutrition. I would go to doctor appointments with her, and the physician would plead with her to change her diet. She was elderly and stuck in her ways, so she didn’t. However, it was an awakening for me. If I didn’t change, I would be heading down the same road.

I joined a metabolic program and lost about 80 pounds. But after moving to a bigger city, I gained it all back.

It wasn’t until March 2020 that I became consistent in making a lifestyle change.

This included the way I viewed food. I chose a low-carb and intermittent fasting eating plan because, after trying several methods to lose weight, this combo was the only one that I felt I could sustain over my lifetime.

I fast for 18 hours and eat within a six-hour window (an 18:6 schedule), and I typically only eat two meals per day during my eating window. This is the eating method that works for *me*—but you should always check in with a dietitian or doctor before making big changes to your diet.

Here’s what I eat in a day:

• Breakfast: Two eggs and either two pieces of bacon or sausage.
• Lunch: Chicken thighs and green beans.
• Snacks: Pork rinds.
• Dinner: Country-style ribs and cabbage.
• Dessert: Sugar-free cheesecake pudding.

I started working out by going to the gym and doing cardio five to seven days per week.

I am now part of a boot camp group called Camp Gladiator that operates on a four-week cycle that includes: endurance, strength and agility, and interval training. I love the Camp Gladiator community because of the support and accountability I’ve received from other participants. I also now do dance cardio for more of a low-impact workout.

These three changes have also made a huge impact on my overall weight loss.

• I changed the way I viewed food. I had to stop allowing my emotions to control what I put into my body. I really followed the motto that I am “eating to live and not living to eat.”

• I focused on figuring out my nutrition first. I focused on my nutrition before I thought about incorporating my exercise routine. If you don’t consume the proper nutrition, you will not see results no matter how much you exercise.

• I did it for me. If you have a goal to lose weight, be sure you’re doing it for yourself and your own health. Do not try to lose weight because someone else said you should. This journey is for me. I set small goals and, once I reach them, I reward myself with something other than food.

I have lost 70 pounds in about seven to eight months.

Being able to see my body transform has been the most rewarding thing ever. I have multiple degrees that I have worked hard to attain, but this weight loss has shown me another level of determination that never knew I had. I feel so much better now.