Disclaimer: This is not medical advice. I’m simply sharing my personal experience with fasting and what I’ve learned along the way. Always consult a healthcare professional before making changes to your diet or lifestyle.
GETTING STARTED
About eight months ago, I stumbled upon the idea of fasting while reading Inner Engineering: A Yogi’s Guide to Joy by Sadhguru. Around the same time, I started hearing more about intermittent fasting and its potential benefits for gut health, particularly in managing symptoms of IBS.
Now, I don’t know if I had IBS, but I was certainly struggling—bloating, constipation, diarrhea, fatigue, cramps, midday energy crashes. And despite everything I tried, I wasn’t losing weight. So, rather than follow a rigid fasting schedule, I decided to listen to my body. As Sadhguru suggests, I began to only eat when my intestines felt truly empty.
RESULTS
Within two weeks of starting (keep in mind I wasn't being 100% strict with myself) I had already noticed a major shift in my health—about 80% of my symptoms had faded. So I continued with more consistent efforts and after 3 months in, most were gone completely. My digestion felt smoother, my energy was steadier, and I was no longer feeling enslaved to cravings or even meal schedules. And here’s the kicker—no more migraines! I used to suffer from debilitating migraines every couple of weeks, lasting for days. Since I started fasting, they’ve disappeared. (When I'm super stressed, they do return so thats a WIP).
That said, I didn’t have it down to a science. Some days, I pushed too hard and ended up feeling hypoglycemic (low blood sugar), which was my body’s way of telling me I needed more energy. I learned how to snack properly. Over time, I noticed my metabolism also adapted. I began switching into ketosis much faster, and sometimes, it feels like a switch was flicked—suddenly, I get this rush of energy and mental clarity. It's wild.
NOTE: Ketosis is a natural state where your body breaks down stored fats in the absence of glucose.
GO WITH THE FLOW
I’ve learned that my body’s needs vary day by day. Some mornings, I wake up and know that my body doesnt need to eat so I wait. Other days, lunch isn't necessary, or I realize I’m fine to go without dinner. Sometimes I recognise the need for something small, so I reach for something nourishing like cheese, meat, nuts, or carrot sticks. Other days, my body wants to consume all three full meals. It seems to depend on the kind of food I ate at my last meal and my activity level in between.
The key for me has been flexibility. No rigid rules—just responding to what my body wants.
LISTEN TO YOUR BODY
This journey has also reshaped my relationship with food. I no longer eat just because it’s “time to eat.” Instead, I eat with intention and enjoyment. I still break my own rules sometimes—like that one time I gave in to a greasy fast-food craving at dinner... I regretted it at 2 AM when severe cramping woke me up. My gut had spoken loud and clear.
What I’ve realized is that your body will talk to you if you’re willing to listen.
It's really important to know that a solution that worked for me, may not work for everyone else. Fasting is NOT for everyone. My husband, for example, has an ectomorphic body type. He burns fat quickly and has a high metabolism. When he goes without food for too long, he feels terrible and stays that way until he eats. Fasting doesn’t work for him, so whats important is he listens to his body. Listen to yours and notice:
When do I get energy slumps?
Do I feel good after eating that?
What times do I usually get cravings?
Am I full or am I still eating just to finidh whats on my plate?
FIND WHAT WORKS FOR YOU
I’ve become convinced that modern health is about understanding that every body is different. What works for one person might not work for another, and that’s why personalized, nuanced solutions matter.
My advice? Approach your health like a scientist. Experiment. Try something new for a while and observe how your body responds. If fasting (or any other habit) makes you feel better, keep going. If it doesn’t, let it go. Never do it out of guilt or shame—do it out of self-love.
At the end of the day, the goal is not to follow trends but to create a lifestyle that genuinely makes you feel your best.
For more insights on fasting, you might find Fast Like a Girl: A Woman's Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting by Dr. Mindy Pelz helpful. This book offers a comprehensive look at using fasting for healing and fat burning, tailored specifically for women.
Thanks for reading!
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