Book Review: Fast. Feast. Repeat.

Fast. Feast. Repeat.: The Clean Fast Protocol for Health, Longevity, and Weight Loss--Including the 21-Day Quick Start Guide by Gin Stephens
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book provides a comprehensive overview of intermittent fasting, health benefits, testimonials, a quick-start 28-day guide, FAQs, and additional resource recommendations. It is an extension of the author’s first book, Delay Don’t Deny, with the addition of more scientific explanations and citations, anecdotes, and useful advice.

Basics of the plan: FAST Start: F = Fast Clean; A = Adapt; S = Settle in; T = Tweak (p. 116)

The author is a former teacher and does an excellent job of explaining complex concepts. There is a whole chapter dedicated to words of wisdom and inspiration from those that have fasted and what they wish they knew, chapter 25. The Frequently Asked Questions chapter is practical, thorough, and well organized by categories.

While the book cites many studies to back up the claims presented, a lot of the studies are done on mice, not humans. Also, the author is not a doctor—she is upfront about her qualifications—but the reader should keep this in mind. She is a retired elementary teacher; her tone and writing style may sometimes be patronizing.

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Book Review: Unfollow Your Passion

Unfollow Your Passion: How to Create a Life that Matters to You by Terri Trespicio
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The book has three parts: unsubscribe, uncover, and unleash. In part one, the reader is encouraged to unsubscribe from limiting beliefs, biases, and expectations, both real and imagined. Uncover your skills, perspective, and talents in part two. Then, in part three, unleash—figure out how to have fun and fulfillment without control and learn to let go. The author provides insights into human nature, lessons she has learned, and exercises at the end of each chapter to prompt you to explore, connect, and move forward toward your own self-actualization and contentment. I would recommend this book to someone in their 20s or 30s or if you are soul searching about your own career choices.

Favorite bits:
Tips for Staying in Your Comfort Zone pp.29-30
• Define it
• Be unapologetic about it
• Process in the comfort zone
• Lean into what you’re good at
• Prevent hunger, nausea, and exhaustion
• Make your zone invite-only

How to Think like an Indispensable Person pp. 170-174
• Question what’s been done
• Have an opinion
• Explore your off-label uses
• Don’t apologize for not being a standard poodle
• Don’t be grabby
• Keep your options open
• Change how someone sees themselves or their work

The author shares her personal stories and opinions frankly and unapologetically. There are many practical takeaways—for someone of any age or time in their life—to ponder and act upon. At the end of each chapter are exercises and prompts to get the reader thinking. The way she flips conventions upside down, e.g., the bucket list mindset, is refreshing and thought-provoking.

Some parts of the book seemed too long, and I skimmed over some stories that were unrelatable to me. But overall, I liked the book.


View all my reviews on Goodreads; or read this review on LinkedIn.