Good morning!
Part II’ve seen too many non-physician and physician friends doing intermittent fasting over the past couple of years, so I got curious a few weeks ago.So far, I find it gives me even more energy and simplifies my life.Kristin, my wife, wanted to see what it was like, so she joined in.
Part IIMy nickname for our new puppy, Henry, is Fan Club because he won’t leave my wife’s feet. It’s a small miracle that the poor thing hasn’t been stepped on.A couple of months ago, we switched to his current favorite food, and now feeding time is a really big deal.Every 6 am and 4 pm, on the button, the little furball starts doing jumps, flips, cartwheels, you name it until we move his dish from the counter to the floor.He devours every last bite and soon after, he’s asleep for hours.
Part IThere is more and more recent data on intermittent fasting, including a NEJM Review article for my fastidious friends in the roomThere’s a popular Ted Talk on it (12 mins).The two most common among my patients are the 16/8 and 5/2.Here’s a really good intro article explaining that and other stuff. 
Part IILast Tuesday at 6a, Henry didn’t do the backflips. He just looked at us with those puppy dog eyes.Turns out, he is choosing to intermittent fast as well. Poodles never cease to amaze me.Phoebe though, our 6-year-old, is eating in the other room, she could care less.We tried everything to get Henry not to do it.First I sat him down and shared, this is a mommy and daddy thing. You’re too young.Growing puppies need their kibble.Usually, he has great eye contact, he looked away the whole time.
Then we started faking breakfast.We’d each take our place at the breakfast nook, I’d open the morning paper, often upside-down, and you know…We’d take the empty spoons to our mouths“YUMMM, YUMMM, aren’t these overnight oats delicious. Oh BOY, I love oatmeal.” I’ll rub my belly. Pooh Bear stuff.Henry just sits there, head-cocked way to the right, staring out the window.“He’s not buying it,” Krissy will say.
Part II (still)The other day I got home and saw Henry balancing back and forth on his hind legs staring in the mirror.If I didn’t know better…is he checking out his abs??“Henry!!! This is too much!”He softly landed on all fours and walked into the family room, ignoring me.
Part IIIWednesday, we’d just finished a relaxing 2-mile walk and cutting right into our driveway.“Did Henry tell you what’s going on at our place?” our neighbor Angie yelled over our drive.“Silly, Angie. Dogs don’t talk!”“Well, when your little Henry’s outside he’s been locked in, staring into our window.WE GOT A NEW PUPPY!”She brought out the cutest little poodle/terrier mix.“We call her Josephine, Jo, for short. Isn’t she adorable?!”As soon as Jo made her way onto the porch, Henry began drooling and barking aggressively pulling me towards Jo.
Part IVAhhh, it all makes sense.
Part VSeven wordsOver the years, many of my patients trying to work towards a BMI range of 20-25 have asked me if there is a specific diet I recommend.My favorite advice is from Michael Pollan, who has spent considerable time studying food.“Eat food, not too much, mostly plants.”
Part VILast one.This month our superstar, Rachael Habash (rachael@walkwithadoc.org) celebrates 7 years of taking WWAD to new levels! Thank you Rachael for harnessing your superpowers for good. We’re so glad you did.