Fasting Fad or Tradition?

As I'm writing this blog, I'm fasting so disregard any hangry undertones. Just kidding...kinda. The Google definition of fasting is to "abstain from all or some kinds of food or drink." Before we elaborate on this trending concept, let's take a step back. I want to share with you my personal experiences and while I do, I hope you all understand I am not a doctor, naturopathic doctor, or any other medical official that can give you medical advice. If and when you read something that I publish, always be sure to confirm with your practicing physician if that change in lifestyle is a good fit for you. Not everything we read on the internet can benefit us contrary to what people may think. So again, this is my personal journey/experience with fasting and at no point am I recommending this adaptation of lifestyle....just my story.

Okay....we good now haha. Let's begin. So for the last few months I have been playing around with this concept of intermittent fasting. It's been quite the journey. When I first attempted to toy with the notion of not eating, I have to be honest, I didn't do it correctly. Yes, there is a correct and incorrect way, in my experience, with fasting. But, Natalie....isn't it just eating and not eating for a period of time? Why, I'm so glad you asked that question, in theory and on paper yes, but this intermittent fasting concept is so multi-faceted. There are many components and features to this popular term that warrant investigation. For example, if you have cancer, diabetes, glucose regulation issues or sensitivities, an eating disorder, if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, if you have chronic health issues, if you are elderly or on certain medications, etc. So the point is that it's not for everyone. With that said, fasting can help a lot of ailments.

For me, I have noticed an extreme increase in energy, it helps me reset my digestive issues, have less hunger, a better quality of sleep, and some weight loss, although that was never the goal. As I stated earlier, I didn't do it the correct way at first. I tried it when I was super stressed at work, with life, and working out like a crazy person, trying new supplements, and changing my diet all at the same time. Herero, my adrenals were taxed and my body was not happy with this added curve ball. I took a step back and said, "hey....maybe this is TOO much at once and I need to pump on the breaks a bit." So I did just that, I put it on pause. I read the book "The Complete Guide to Fasting" by Jason Fung and Jimmy Moore. Why? Because the Gram and Facebook can't give you the scientific responses that you are looking for. So I did the homework. I read the book and then tried to integrate this concept slowly into my daily routine. I pulled back on working out as much, tried to de-stress, and very cautiously, like snail speed, added in fasting.

What I would do was stop eating around 5:30-6:00 p.m. and then not eat until 8:00 a.m. so breakfast right? Normal for most, for others who are pre-programmed, no fault to anyone, to wake up and eat right away or eat at work. I'm a teacher so I always told myself I had to eat because who knows when I'll be able to eat again, um how about at lunch? Then I would push my first meal back until about 9:00 and then 10:00 and so forth. You get the gist. I'm at a place now about two and a half months later, where I can go until dinner. This was not something I ever thought I would be able to do. I would always get so hangry....like unrecognizable. I was such a miserable human to be around if I wasn't eating in a timely fashion. That's no way to live right?

Something had to be done. And then came intermittent fasting. Where have you been all my life? It's worked and I will continue to experiment with this way of eating to see what happens. Will it be a forever thing? Who knows? I started off very basic, twelve hours of fasting and then twelve hours of eating, then sixteen, then twenty and so forth. I've also done a sixty hour reboot which was insane. I only made it to fifty hours to be honest. I'm looking forward to more experimenting with this fasting fad thing. As always and most importantly I am listening to my body and trusting the process. If I'm ridiculously famished I eat....if I'm out with friends and family for brunch and it's early....I eat. It's not over-structured nor am I OCD about it. It's been a great thing for me so far and hopefully it continues to develop into a consistently positive tradition.

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