Let Me Tell You About My Fasting Experiment
Okay, so picture this. It’s January 15th, 2023. I’m sitting at my kitchen table, staring at a coffee cup, and thinking, “What have I gotten myself into?”
My name’s Sarah, by the way. I’ve been a senior editor at health publications for, oh, about 22 years now. I’ve seen trends come and go. But this one? Intermittent fasting? It’s everywhere. So, naturally, I had to try it.
And look, I’m gonna be honest with you. I’m not one of those “wake up at 5am to meditate” people. I’m more of a “hit snooze three times” kinda gal. But I was curious. I wanted to see what all the fuss was about.
First, Let’s Talk About the Basics (Or Lack Thereof)
So, I did what any self-respecting editor would do. I researched. And you know what I found? A whole lot of nothing. I mean, sure, there are studies. But they’re all over the place. Some say fasting is great for weight loss. Others say it’s a ticket to better brain function. And then there’s the camp that says, “Eh, it’s just another diet trend.”
I needed answers. So, I did what any rational person would do. I called up my friend Marcus. Let’s call him Marcus because, well, that’s his name. He’s a nutritionist. And he’s also the guy who told me kale was gonna be a thing back in 2005. So, I trust him.
“Marcus,” I said, “what’s the deal with intermittent fasting?”
He sighed. “Sarah, it’s not magic. It’s just a pattern of eating. Some people see benefits. Others don’t. It’s all about finding what works for you.”
Which… yeah. Fair enough. But I needed more than that. I needed to feel it for myself.
Day One: The Hunger Games Begin
So, I picked a plan. 16:8. That’s 16 hours of fasting, 8 hours of eating. Sounds simple, right? Wrong. Day one, I was starving by 11:30am. And let me tell you, trying to focus on a deadline when your stomach is growling louder than a bear in a wildlife documentary? Not fun.
But I powered through. I drank my coffee. I had my water. And I told myself, “It’s just hunger. You can beat this.”
By dinner time, I was ready to eat the entire contents of my fridge. But I didn’t. I had a salad. A small one. And it was the most delicious salad I’ve ever had. Honestly.
Week Two: The Honeymoon Phase
Fast forward to week two. I was feeling better. I had more energy. I was even waking up before my alarm. Which, honestly, kinda scared me.
But here’s the thing. I was also spending a lot of time thinking about food. Like, a lot. I’d be in the middle of a meeting, and suddenly, I’d be imagining a cheeseburger. Or a pizza. Or, God forbid, a donut.
I mentioned this to my colleague, Dave. Over coffee at the place on 5th. (Which, by the way, has the best pastries. But I digress.)
“Dave,” I said, “is it normal to be obsessed with food while fasting?”
He laughed. “Sarah, you’re always obsessed with food. Fasting or not.”
Touché, Dave. Touché.
The Science Behind the Craze
Look, I get it. Fasting isn’t for everyone. But there’s some science behind it. Studies have shown that intermittent fasting can help with weight loss, improve metabolic health, and even enhance brain function. But it’s not a magic bullet. It’s a tool. And like any tool, it’s only as good as the person using it.
And speaking of tools, have you heard about the new Thailand restaurant opening news? No? Well, it’s a thing. And it’s delicious. But I digress.
Anyway, back to fasting. The key is to find a pattern that works for you. For me, 16:8 was manageable. But for others, it might be 14:10 or 18:6. Or maybe even OMAD. That’s One Meal a Day. Which, honestly, sounds like a nightmare. But to each their own.
The Social Aspect: Because Eating is a Social Thing
Here’s something they don’t tell you about fasting. It’s socialy isolating. I mean, have you ever tried to say no to a lunch invitation? It’s awkward. And it’s not just lunch. It’s happy hours. It’s dinner parties. It’s basically every social event ever.
I had a friend, let’s call her Lisa, who invited me out for drinks last Tuesday. I told her I was fasting. She looked at me like I had three heads. “You’re what?” she said. “You’re fasting? On a Tuesday?”
I nodded. “Yep. 16:8. It’s a thing.”
She shrugged. “Well, suit yourself. But I’m having a margarita. And you’re welcome to join me.”
And you know what? I did. I had a margarita. And it was delicious. And I felt guilty. But also, kinda free. Because, honestly, who cares? It’s just one drink.
Physicaly, Mentally, Emotionally: The Full Picture
So, let’s talk about the elephant in the room. Fasting isn’t just about physical health. It’s about mental and emotional health too. And honestly, that’s where I saw the biggest changes.
I was less stressed. I was more focused. I was happier. And I’m not sure if it was the fasting or just a good streak of weather. But I’ll take it.
But here’s the thing. Fasting isn’t for everyone. It’s not a one-size-fits-all solution. It’s a personal journey. And it’s okay if it’s not for you. There are plenty of other ways to improve your health. Like, you know, eating a balanced diet and exercising regularly. (Which, honestly, is what I should have been doing all along.)
My Verdict: The Good, The Bad, and The Hungry
So, after about three months of intermittent fasting, here’s my verdict. The good? I felt better. I had more energy. I was more focused. The bad? I was hungry. A lot. And the hungry? Well, that’s subjective. But I’ll tell you this. I’m not gonna commit to it long-term. But I’m also not gonna write it off completely.
Because, honestly, that’s the thing about health trends. They come and go. But the key is to find what works for you. And if that’s intermittent fasting, great. If it’s something else, that’s great too. Just find what makes you feel good. And go with that.
And on that note, I’m gonna go eat a donut. Because, honestly, I deserve it.
Author Bio: Sarah Johnson is a senior editor with over 22 years of experience in the health and wellness industry. She’s a firm believer in evidence-based health content and isn’t afraid to call out trends that don’t hold up. When she’s not writing, you can find her trying (and failing) to meditate or attempting to bake the perfect sourdough loaf.
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