Episode 144: Chronic Constipation, Maintaining in a Healthy Range, Fasting Before Bloodwork, and More
Digest
This podcast episode of "Fast Feast Repeat" features listener success stories, including Jenny's significant weight loss and health improvements through intermittent fasting (IF). The hosts address listener questions on chronic constipation, exploring potential causes like nutrient deficiencies and new research on Vitamin B1. They also discuss weight loss plateaus, explaining that maintaining a healthy weight might be the body's goal, and suggest focusing on body recomposition. The episode touches on finding one's "why" for IF, like Joy's pursuit of vitality, and answers questions about sauna brands, fasting before blood work, and optimizing Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF) "up" days. Additionally, advice is given for hormonal recovery post-miscarriage, emphasizing IF, nutrition, sleep, and stress management. The hosts introduce Jen's "Eat Like a Grown Up" program, promoting a healthy relationship with food by listening to body signals, and conclude with a "Tweak of the Week" on using hot foods for satiety and an inspirational quote.
Outlines

Introduction to Fast Feast Repeat & Listener Success
Introduction to the podcast "Fast Feast Repeat" and a listener success story from Jenny, who achieved significant weight loss and improved health markers through intermittent fasting (IF).

Addressing Chronic Constipation and Gut Health
A listener's question about chronic constipation is addressed, exploring potential causes like nutrient deficiencies (Vitamin D, B12, magnesium, B1) and thyroid issues, alongside lifestyle adjustments.

Navigating Weight Loss Plateaus and Finding Your "Why"
Discussion on why weight loss might stall even with IF, especially within a healthy weight range, and the importance of identifying personal motivations ("why") for pursuing IF beyond just weight loss.

Practical Questions: Saunas, Blood Work, and ADF
Answering listener questions about preferred sauna brands, the importance of maintaining fasting routines before blood work, and strategies for optimizing "up" days in Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF).

Hormonal Recovery and Building a Healthy Relationship with Food
Guidance on hormonal recovery after a miscarriage, emphasizing IF and lifestyle factors, followed by an introduction to the "Eat Like a Grown Up" program focused on developing a confident, guilt-free relationship with food.

Tuning Into Your Body and Satiety Tips
Emphasizing the importance of listening to one's own body signals ("study of one") and sharing a "Tweak of the Week" about using hot foods to enhance satiety.

Inspirational Closing and Community Engagement
An inspirational quote and a call to action encouraging listeners to engage with the Fast Feast Repeat community, subscribe, leave reviews, and share their stories.
Keywords
Intermittent Fasting (IF)
A dietary pattern that cycles between periods of voluntary fasting and non-fasting. It's not about *what* you eat, but *when* you eat. Popular methods include 16/8, 5:2, and Eat Stop Eat.
Clean Fasting
A stricter form of intermittent fasting where only water is consumed during the fasting window. No calories, sweeteners, or artificial ingredients are allowed to maintain the fasted state.
Body Recomposition
The process of simultaneously losing fat and gaining muscle mass. This can occur even if the scale doesn't change significantly, indicating a positive shift in body composition.
Hormonal Balance
Achieving a state where the body's hormones are at optimal levels, crucial for overall health, mood, metabolism, and reproductive function. IF can positively influence hormonal balance.
ADF (Alternate-Day Fasting)
An intermittent fasting method involving fasting every other day. "Up" days involve eating normally or slightly more, while "down" days involve significant calorie restriction or complete fasting.
Gut Motility
The movement of the contents of the gastrointestinal tract through the intestines. Proper gut motility is essential for regular bowel movements and preventing constipation.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine)
An essential nutrient crucial for energy metabolism and nerve function. Emerging research suggests a potential link between B1 deficiency and chronic constipation.
Infrared Sauna
A type of sauna that uses infrared light to heat the body directly. Benefits may include detoxification, muscle relaxation, pain relief, and improved circulation.
Diet Confusion
The state of being overwhelmed by conflicting nutritional advice, leading to uncertainty about what foods to eat. This can hinder progress and create an unhealthy relationship with food.
Eat Like a Grown Up Program
A 52-week program designed to help individuals develop a peaceful and confident relationship with food, focusing on listening to the body's cues rather than following restrictive diets.
Q&A
What are the potential causes of chronic constipation, and what new research is emerging?
Chronic constipation can be linked to low levels of Vitamin D, B12, magnesium, and thyroid issues, all affecting muscle function and gut motility. New research suggests a deficiency in Vitamin B1 (thiamine) may also contribute, and increasing intake could offer relief.
If I'm in the healthy weight range, why might I not be losing weight with intermittent fasting?
If your weight is already within the healthy range for your age and height, your body may be content maintaining that weight. Your current lifestyle likely supports this healthy balance, and focusing on overall health rather than just the scale is recommended.
How can I optimize my "up" days when doing Alternate-Day Fasting (ADF)?
On "up" days, aim to eat slightly more than usual, around 125% of your daily caloric needs, to ensure your "down" days are manageable. Including complex carbohydrates early in the day can also help with satiety and prevent excessive hunger later.
What is the best approach for hormonal recovery after a miscarriage?
Continuing intermittent fasting, focusing on nutrient-dense foods, prioritizing quality sleep, engaging in daily exercise, and managing stress are key. Hormonal recovery can take 4-8 weeks, so patience and self-compassion are important.
Should I change my fasting routine before getting blood work done?
No, it's generally recommended to maintain your normal fasting routine. This provides the most accurate representation of your body's health markers, as altering your routine can skew results, particularly for metrics like LDL cholesterol.
How can I learn to listen to my body's food cues?
Practice stillness after eating, conduct self-check-ins regarding your mood, energy, and hunger levels, and consider keeping a food log. This practice helps you understand how different foods make you feel physically and mentally.
Why is starting my eating window with hot foods beneficial?
Starting with hot, hearty foods can increase satiety and reduce the urge to snack throughout the eating window. This can lead to more balanced meals, reduced cravings, and better weight management compared to starting with cold snacks.
Show Notes
To make a submission for the podcast, go to fastfeastrepeat.com/submit. We are a community-driven podcast, and we look forward to sharing your questions, success stories, non-scale victories, IF tweaks, motivational quotes (and more!) on each episode of the podcast.
Resources used in today’s episode:
Join Gin in the new Fast Feast Repeat app for The Grown-Up Year: 52 Weeks to Listen, Play, and Nourish, as well as a growing collection of intermittent fasting resources. Go to app.fastfeastrepeat.com to join us or go to the App Store and download the Fast Feast Repeat app, available for both iPhone and Android.https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260123/Genetic-study-links-vitamin-B1-metabolism-to-gut-motility-and-IBS-risk.aspx https://www.news-medical.net/news/20260120/New-genetic-insights-reveal-vitamin-B1s-role-in-gut-health-and-motility.aspx https://gut.bmj.com/content/early/2026/01/05/gutjnl-2025-337059 https://www.fastfeastrepeat.com/shop-with-us.html https://www.lifelessonscommunity.com/episodes-and-shownotes/episode-66-the-use-benefits-of-infrared-saunas
To get the books, go to https://www.ginstephens.com/get-the-books.html. The second edition of Delay, Don’t Deny is now available in ebook, paperback, hardback, and audIo book. This is the book that you’ll want to start with or share with others, as it is a simple introduction to IF. It’s been updated to include the clean fast, a thorough description of ADF and all of your ADF options, and an all new success stories section. When shopping, make sure to get the second edition, which has a 2024 publication date. The audiobook for the second edition is also available now!
Gin has a new YouTube Channel! Visit https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_frGNiTEoJ88rZOwvuG2CA and subscribe today so you never miss an intermittent fasting tip, a support session, or an interview with a past IF Stories guest or expert.
Want to learn more about BiOptimizer’s Magnesium Breakthrough? Visit www.bioptimizers.com/fastfeastrepeat and use code FFR15 to save 15% off any order.
Go to fastfeastrepeat.com to see Gin’s and Sheri’s favorite things, and to shop with us. Every purchase you make through links on our website help to support this podcast so we can keep bringing you episodes each week.
Are you ready to take your intermittent fasting lifestyle to the next level? There’s nothing better than community to help with that. In the Delay, Don’t Deny community we all embrace the clean fast, and there’s just the right support for you as you live your intermittent fasting lifestyle.
Connect with both Gin and Sheri in the community, as well as thousands of other intermittent fasters who are there to support you along your journey. If you’re new to intermittent fasting or recommitting to the IF lifestyle, join the 28-Day FAST Start group. After your fast start, join us for support in The 1st Year group. Need tips for long term maintenance? We have a place for that! There are many more useful spaces beyond these, and you can interact in as many as you like.
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