Fasting Forward
A Fresh Start for a New Season
As I look ahead to the next 90 days, I feel ready for a shift. Not a dramatic overhaul, but a purposeful recalibration. Ninety days felt like the sweet spot. Long enough to create real change, but short enough to stay focused and committed. And with the New Year approaching, it felt like the right moment to begin. After the swirl of holiday indulgences, celebrations, and disrupted routines, my body was asking for a reset. A rhythm. A clean line between what was and what comes next.
And if I’m honest, I needed that reset on a deeper level, too. 2025 was an incredibly painful year, marked by a cancer diagnosis and treatment and two additional scares that shook me to my core. Moving into a new season feels like an act of reclaiming my life, my strength, and my sense of direction.
I don’t usually make New Year’s resolutions, but 2026 feels different. After the year I just survived, I’m craving a clean line between what was and what will be. Part of this commitment is my way of closing the door on a difficult 2025, letting the heaviness of it fade into the background. The other part is about stepping into the future with a stronger body, a clearer mind, and a renewed sense of discipline. I want to begin the year feeling aligned with myself — not reacting to the past, but intentionally shaping what comes next.
I’m stepping into this chapter with a clear goal: to lose the final 25 pounds through intermittent fasting and rebuild the strength I’ve slowly been reclaiming. And while weight loss is part of the intention, I know the real transformation will show up in my energy, my blood work, and the internal markers that tell me I’m moving in the right direction.
Maybe you’re feeling that same pull in the New Year — that gentle nudge toward clarity, discipline, or simply taking better care of yourself. If so, consider this your invitation to explore what fasting might look like for you, too.
My Experience With Fasting
This isn’t my first experience with fasting. After my daughter was born, I used alternate‑day fasting (36 hours) to lose the baby weight. At the time, I wasn’t following a ketogenic diet, which made the process significantly more difficult. My blood sugar fluctuated, hunger could be intense, and the fasting days required an incredible level of willpower. It worked, but it wasn’t sustainable, and it certainly wasn’t gentle.
Maybe you’ve tried something similar — a method that technically “worked” but didn’t feel aligned with your life or your energy. If so, you’re not alone. Many of us have pushed ourselves harder than necessary in the name of health.
This time, I’m choosing a different path. One that honors my body instead of battling it. One that challenges me without overwhelming me.
Bone Broth, Butter, Salt, Coffee & Tea
On fasting days, I’m keeping things simple and supportive with a small set of tools that help me stay steady. In the early weeks, I’ll sip warm Kettle & Fire bone broth to maintain electrolytes and ease into longer fasting windows. It’s grounding, mineral‑rich, and gentle on my system. A way to stay nourished without stepping out of the fasting rhythm.
When hunger rises sharply, I’ll use some bites of butter to settle my stomach. Fat doesn’t significantly affect insulin or blood sugar, and it gives just enough comfort to keep me moving through the day. A pinch of salt under the tongue is another simple remedy that helps with both cravings and electrolyte balance.
Coffee and tea will stay part of my routine as well. I’ll have my morning coffee with a small splash of cream, and tea or water throughout the day. These familiar rituals help the fasting window feel natural, and coffee itself can gently suppress appetite. If you’re someone who loves your morning ritual, you don’t have to give it up. Fasting should fit into your life, not the other way around.
My 90‑Day Fasting Plan
For the next 90 days, I’ll be practicing 24‑hour fasts two to three times per week. This rhythm feels sustainable and gives my body time to rest without pushing me into extremes.
A typical fasting day will look like this:
Dinner at 5 p.m. with my children
Hydration and electrolytes around the clock
Coffee in the morning
Tea and water all day
Butter or salt to overcome occasional hunger pangs
Gentle movement
Breaking the fast at 5 p.m. dinner with my children
If you’re curious about fasting but unsure where to begin, you don’t have to start with 24 hours. You can begin with a 14‑hour fast or even simply delay breakfast by an hour.
Movement During Fasts
During the first couple of weeks, I’ll focus on stretching and gentle movement. After slipping out of my usual three times a week gym rhythm, I know I need a softer re‑entry. A way to wake my body back up before I ask it to lift, push, or hold anything heavier. A few days of yoga at home, long stretches on the living room floor, and slow, intentional movement will help me reconnect with my body and ease me back into my strength routine without forcing it.
There’s something comforting about starting small. It reminds me that progress doesn’t always look like intensity; sometimes it looks like warming up, loosening tight places, and rebuilding trust with yourself. And if you’ve ever felt intimidated by the idea of exercising while fasting, start with something simple: a walk, a stretch, a few minutes of breathing.
Hunger and Breaking the Fast
One of the most surprising things about fasting is how hunger behaves. It doesn’t rise steadily; it comes in waves. This is because of ghrelin (the hormone that signals hunger) peaks at the times you normally eat, then fades. This is why hunger often disappears after 10–15 minutes.
Knowing this makes fasting feel less intimidating. Hunger isn’t an emergency. It’s a moment. And moments pass.
When I am ready to break my fast gently, I’ll start with a handful of nuts or a Babybel cheese an hour before a meal. This gives my stomach a moment to adjust to digestion again and helps me transition smoothly back into eating.
Long‑Term Goal: Water‑Only Fasting
Hydration is essential during fasting. I’ll be drinking plenty of water throughout the day and supplementing with electrolytes to support energy, mood, and mental clarity. Electrolytes help prevent headaches, fatigue, and the “slump” that can happen when your body is adjusting to fasting.
As my body adapts, I plan to transition to water‑only fasting with electrolytes for a full 24 hours, and eventually I’d like to extend some fasts to 36 hours. Longer fasts are associated with the body’s natural cellular clean‑up processes where older or damaged cells are broken down and recycled. That idea carries a lot of meaning for me as a cancer survivor. Supporting my body’s ability to renew itself feels like an important part of this chapter.
Non-Fasting Days & Navigating Social Situations
On non‑fasting days, I’ll continue eating in a way that supports steady energy. Whole unprocessed foods, protein, healthy fats, and low‑sugar choices. I’m not counting calories or micromanaging macros. I’m simply choosing foods that help me feel clear, grounded, and nourished.
Life doesn’t pause for fasting. There will be dinners, events, and moments where fasting doesn’t fit. When that happens, I’ll adjust. I’ll shift the fast, shorten it, or skip it entirely.
What I Hope to Experience
Fasting is more than a physical practice. It influences energy, focus, and emotional awareness. Here’s what I’m hoping to cultivate:
Steadier Energy
Many people feel more energized during fasting windows. I find that I have a great deal of energy, especially during a 36 hour fast.
Clearer Thinking
Fasting often brings a surprising sense of mental sharpness. Any brain fog lifts.
Metabolic Flexibility
Your body may become more efficient at switching between fuel sources (fat and sugar).
Emotional Awareness
Fasting reveals habits and patterns that often go unnoticed. I notice I eat when I’m bored.
Strength and Discipline
Following through on a commitment builds confidence in every area of life.
If any of these resonate with you, consider experimenting with a small fasting window this week. You might be surprised by what you learn.
A 90‑Day Commitment
For the next 90 days, I’m committing to:
Fasting 24 hours, 2–3 times per week
Staying hydrated and supported
Moving my body with intention
Breaking my fasts gently
Listening to my body’s cues
Documenting what I learn
Showing up with consistency and care
If you feel inspired, choose your own version of this commitment. It doesn’t have to look like mine. It just has to feel like a step toward the person you want to become.
This is a season of clarity, discipline, and renewal — a season of strengthening routines and discovering what fasting can unlock in both body and mind.
I’m ready for this next chapter.
And if you’re ready for yours, I’m cheering you on.