In this special episode, Erika Barnhart sits down with two experienced voices in the fasting community — Laurie Lewis and Jalene Weigand — for a powerful and honest conversation about what it really takes to maintain intermittent fasting for life.

This isn’t about quick results. It’s about becoming the kind of person who can live this lifestyle long-term.

Together, they explore:

• How motivation evolves over time (and why it matters less than you think)
• The surprising power of “being boring” with your habits
• What “effortless effort” actually looks like in real life
• How to feel confident living differently than the people around you
• Other ways we can “pause” in life beyond food

You’ll also hear personal stories, mindset shifts, and practical tools that can help both beginners and experienced fasters stay consistent — without burnout.

If you’ve ever wondered “How do I make this stick forever?” — this episode is for you.

We referenced - The Hunger Habit - Judson Brewer, MD

In this episode of The Pause and Fast Podcast, Erika Barnhart talks with Alison Pizanie, a board-certified bariatric educator and author, about her journey through bariatric surgery, weight loss, and finding long-term success with intermittent fasting.

Alison shares why bariatric surgery is a powerful tool—but not a complete solution—and how intermittent fasting helped her manage weight regain, improve her relationship with food, and build a sustainable lifestyle.

They also discuss the importance of mindset, emotional health, proper nutrition, and community support for lasting results.

In this episode:
• Bariatric surgery and long-term weight management
• Intermittent fasting after surgery
• Mindset and emotional health
• Nutrition and protein intake
• Building sustainable habits

✨ “Fasting is a lifestyle, not a diet.”

https://youtu.be/SsPvl98ppsU

What if the simplest health shift is the one that actually sticks?

In this powerful, no-nonsense conversation, Laurie Lewis shares her 9-year journey with intermittent fasting—and how it transformed her energy, mindset, and overall health when nothing else worked.

This episode cuts through the noise. You’ll learn what a clean fast really is, how to find your ideal eating window, and why fasting is about so much more than weight loss.

If you’re looking for a sustainable, realistic approach to better health, this is it.

In this episode:
• What actually makes intermittent fasting work
• How to start (and stick with it)
• The mindset shift that changes everything
• Why “pausing” might be the missing piece

Simple. Practical. Transformational.

Resources:
Fast Forward Wellness: https://fastforwardwellness.com
The Obesity Code by Dr. Jason Fung
Atomic Habits by James Clear
Zero Fasting App

Watch on YouTube - https://youtu.be/uBJpbodKpLs