Expert Q&A

Were any of you guys fans of Journey? How big were they while doing intermittent fasting

My Journey with Intermittent Fasting: A Comeback Story

I often tell clients that successful weight loss feels like a band staging an epic comeback. Remember Journey? In the late '70s and early '80s, they dominated with hits like "Don't Stop Believin'," selling over 100 million records worldwide. Then came the '90s slump—internal fights, changing tastes, and Steve Perry's health issues nearly ended them. Their 1996 reunion and 2005 induction into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame proved persistence wins. That's exactly how intermittent fasting works for those of us over 45 facing hormonal changes, stubborn belly fat, and joint pain that makes traditional exercise feel impossible.

Why Intermittent Fasting Beats Failed Diets for Midlife Weight Loss

After trying every restrictive plan that left me exhausted and rebounding heavier, I developed the CFP Method around time-restricted eating. Start with a gentle 12:12 window—eat between 8 AM and 8 PM—then gradually shift to 16:8. This isn't another crash diet. Research shows intermittent fasting improves insulin sensitivity by up to 31% in adults with prediabetes, crucial since many in our community manage both diabetes and blood pressure. For women in perimenopause, it helps balance cortisol and estrogen fluctuations that pack on visceral fat. Best part? No complicated meal plans. Focus on whole foods during your window: lean proteins, fiber-rich vegetables, and healthy fats. My clients lose 1-2 pounds weekly without feeling deprived.

Overcoming Joint Pain and Building Sustainable Movement

Joint pain making the gym seem impossible? I get it. The CFP approach pairs intermittent fasting with low-impact movement you can do at home. Begin with 10-minute chair yoga or water walking three times weekly. These build strength without stressing knees or hips. One client with osteoarthritis dropped 27 pounds in 90 days while her A1C fell from 8.2 to 6.1. Insurance rarely covers programs, but this method costs nothing beyond groceries. Track progress with simple weekly photos instead of the scale, which often frustrates beginners.

Realistic Expectations and Long-Term Success

Journey didn't reform overnight—they rebuilt with new talent like Arnel Pineda while honoring their roots. Similarly, expect plateaus around week 4-6 as your body adjusts. Combat this by cycling your fasting windows and adding resistance bands twice weekly. In my book, The CFP Weight Loss Method, I detail exact protocols for those embarrassed by their obesity or overwhelmed by conflicting nutrition advice. Thousands have reversed metabolic syndrome without medications. Start small, stay consistent, and your health comeback will be legendary. Ready to begin? Visit CFPWeightLoss.com for our free 7-day starter guide tailored for busy, middle-income families.

💬 What the Community Says

The community shows strong enthusiasm for pairing nostalgic stories like Journey's reunion with practical intermittent fasting advice. Many 45-54 beginners appreciate the relatable metaphor for their own weight loss struggles, especially hormonal changes and joint limitations. Most report success with 16:8 windows and low-impact movement, sharing stories of 15-30 pound losses while managing diabetes. A common theme is relief at finding an affordable, non-restrictive approach after years of failed diets. Some debate optimal fasting lengths, with a vocal minority preferring 14:10 to avoid fatigue. Insurance frustrations and embarrassment asking for help surface frequently, but lived experiences highlight improved energy and blood pressure numbers. Overall, the thread feels encouraging, with users trading simple meal ideas and celebrating small non-scale victories.
Clark, R. (2026). Were any of you guys fans of Journey? How big were they while doing intermittent. *CFP Weight Loss*. https://ask.cfpweightloss.com/ask/were-any-of-you-guys-fans-of-journey-how-big-were-they-while-doing-intermittent
Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, FNP-C, APRN
About the Author

Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN, is the founder of CFP Weight Loss in Nashville and CFP Fit Now telehealth. Over 35 years in healthcare — Army Nurse Reserves, Level 1 trauma ER, hospitalist — he developed a 30-week protocol integrating real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 30–90 pounds. He and his wife Anne-Marie lost a combined 275 pounds using the same protocol.

Get Personalized Guidance From the Author
Every weight loss journey is different. Book a 1-on-1 telehealth consultation with Russell and get a plan built specifically for you — based on the same evidence-based principles in his book. Available to patients in all 50 states.
Book Your Consultation →
Have a follow-up question?
More Questions 200 answered
▸ Anyone stopped responding to Mounjaro and had better results with retatrutide for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Is it just me or is Hashimoto’s greatly underrepresented on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what the research actually says? ▸ Crust check 🔥 ribeye done right — what the research actually says? 📖 Phase 2: Aggressive Loss — A 40-day window of focused fat loss supported by low-dose medication and a specific lectin-free, low-carb nutritional fr… ▸ Traveling with IBS-D to a 5-day conference in San Diego: how do you manage food — what most people get wrong about this during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ What is your best way to shift focus when starting and changing your HRT on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ 225lbs 5’10, is it possible for me to lose weight starting at 2200 calories a day when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Im eating so well that I accidently put my body in ketosis and how it connects to gut health and inflammation: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Do yall ever daydream of who you were before your diagnosis when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ How do you deal with traveling when you're on a peptide protocol specifically for women over 40 if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📖 Metabolic Flexibility — The body’s ability to efficiently switch between burning carbohydrates and burning stored body fat based on availability… 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ When period stopped did you feel like the worst pmdd of all time daily or — what does the research actually say: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ How many were first diagnosed with OCD if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide for people with insulin resistance? ▸ What causes I reduced my IR from 15.5 to 4 in 3 months and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Anyone remember the metal lid you had to use a butter knife to pop off: what to track and how to measure progress while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Does drinking Sparkling Ice (flavored sparkling water - 5 calories per bottle) during my fasting window break my fast and the role of cortisol and stress hormones during the weight loss plateau phase? ▸ Intolerant to sugar - SIBO or something else if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide — what the research actually says? 📖 Adipose Tissue Signaling — The way fat cells communicate with the brain; our goal is to fix these signals so the body stops defending an unnaturall… ▸ Got diagnosed today, where do i go from here — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ Best Curcumin Supplements: how to talk to your doctor about this if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ To what extent do Mendelian Randomization Studies provide causal evidence for a particular claim — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? ▸ My weight loss progress so far as a 23 year male who stared eating less unhealthy and does little to moderate exercise. Am I doing well — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for people with insulin resistance? ▸ Why aren’t obesity medical breakthroughs a bigger deal and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ How many were first diagnosed with OCD if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 GIP (Gastric Inhibitory Polypeptide) — A hormone that, when combined with GLP-1, enhances the body’s ability to break down fat and manage blood sugar levels mo… ▸ What foods to stock for overnight guest — evidence-based answer for CFP patients: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ When the fatigue is real: how to talk to your doctor about this for people with insulin resistance? ▸ When you want something sweet but still try to keep things somewhat low-carb and how it connects to gut health and inflammation on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? 📖 Hidden Hunger — A state where the body is overfed but undernourished, leading to constant cravings because the brain isn't receiving the… ▸ Is it normal to lose weight then gain again when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ What is the connection between Metformin (6 weeks in) for insulin resistance — can the gut stuff actually get better and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ What is your best way to shift focus when starting and changing your HRT on a low-carb or ketogenic diet and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ Omnipod. Starting an insulin pump help while doing intermittent fasting for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s? ▸ Crust check 🔥 ribeye done right when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ Is compounded semaglutide with B12 worth choosing over B6 or plain: best practices and common mistakes to avoid specifically for women over 40? ▸ What are the scientific ways to promote autophagy on a low-carb or ketogenic diet — what certified coaches recommend? 📖 CICO (Calories In, Calories Out) — An outdated model of weight loss that ignores the role of hormones; we challenge this by focusing on food quality and ho… ▸ How long until I start losing weight this way — how a functional medicine approach differs and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? ▸ What actually helps with the dryness when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Is the carnivore diet the best WOE to lose weight — what does the research actually say specifically for women over 40? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Coke Zero gave me heart palpitations: what to track and how to measure progress and how it connects to gut health and inflammation? ▸ Has anybody heard of or experienced improvement from neurological disorders through fasting and autophagy if you're on a GLP-1 like semaglutide or tirzepatide: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? ▸ To what extent do Mendelian Randomization Studies provide causal evidence for a particular claim — what do certified weight loss coaches recommend when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances? ▸ What is a super quick "Mix some of this in" to make coconut oil (purely in liquid form) taste ok to make it easy to consume: how to talk to your doctor about this during the weight loss plateau phase? 📖 Modern Wheat Dangers — The hidden threat in hybridized grains that causes gut inflammation and spikes blood sugar more aggressively than pure t… ▸ How effective is autophagy really helping me lose fat — what certified coaches recommend? ▸ Low TSH, Low T4, and Low T3 simultaneously on Levothyroxine — anyone experienced this and the role of cortisol and stress hormones on a low-carb or ketogenic diet? ▸ What can I ask for if estrodiol cream remains in shortage? Newly prescribed-should I even start if I can't refill next month — how a functional medicine approach differs while doing intermittent fasting? ▸ Lost weight not exactly willingly and everybody’s weird about it for long-term maintenance (not just short-term) — what the research actually says? 📖 Leptin Sensitivity — Restoring your brain's ability to hear the 'I am full' signal, which is often muted by high-sugar diets and systemic inf… ▸ When you have hypothyroidism but you don't want to give up trying to live a normal life. 🥲 when you have PCOS or hormonal imbalances for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ I sometimes feel like people only talk about the obvious symptoms like irregular periods or weight gain, but the fatigue can be just as overwhelming. Has anyone else felt completely drained even: how to talk to your doctor about this: best practices and common mistakes to avoid? 📗 The 30-Week Tirzepatide Reset — by Russell Clark, FNP-C, APRN · The complete clinical protocol — 30 weeks of real foods, detox, and low-dose tirzepatide cycling that has helped hundreds of patients lose 3 ▸ Does the fear of gaining ever go away for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels? 📖 Cellular Detox — The process of clearing out metabolic waste and reducing cellular stress to allow for more efficient energy production a… ▸ Sugar free pudding with greek yogurt — evidence-based answer for CFP patients for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ What can I ask for if estrodiol cream remains in shortage? Newly prescribed-should I even start if I can't refill next month — how a functional medicine approach differs — what the research actually says? ▸ Probiotics worked for a month then stopped. Anyone else for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto's: what to track and how to measure progress? ▸ Making me super tired and in a dreamy, chill, ready for a nap state for most of the day and its effect on metabolism and insulin levels for long-term maintenance (not just short-term)? ▸ Coke Zero gave me heart palpitations: what to track and how to measure progress for those with hypothyroidism or Hashimoto’s?