If I Was Starting Today
Do you ever wish you had a do-over? As if we could go back in time to start again with the information we now have and not make the same mistakes? Boy, I have a lot of things that I would change from the past.
If I were going to start fasting again, like it did almost 4 years ago, here’s what I would do differently:
Before trying any fasts, read Obesity Code or Fast Like a Girl or Menopause Reset (or all three!).
These books explain why we have gotten it so wrong with the old adage of “eat less and exercise more” to be healthier, especially for women, especially around menopause. Without needing to be a science geek, we can clearly see how grazing for food and the food pyramid are not guidelines we should follow.
Begin eating meals without snacks between (the eating “window” doesn’t stay open).
Snacking is reserved for toddlers -> teens, pregnancy and breastfeeding, not for grown adults. Getting hungry between meals can mean a lot of things besides the need to snack.
Enjoy the process of practicing without an expectation of perfection.
We intuitively know this, but we still expect a straight line outcome when we start to change habits. Thankfully, our physiology is smart and it will change with consistent interventions, not drastic measures.
Listen more to my body and understand what she’s telling me.
Our bodies and us are a team, not enemies. When we stop trying to manipulate our physique with quick fixes, they will respond and tell us what they need. We just have to learn thier language.
Improve my eating habits at the same time as my fasting habits (fasting won’t fix an overfull fork completely).
This is a biggee, especially when we’re new to fasting. It feels so different that dieting that we can easily think we have cart blanche to “reward” ourselves with any amount or kind of food we want. Granted, our meals will look different than before, but overeating is never part of the plan.
Drink more electrolytes.
Our bodies shut down without enough conductivity between sodium and potassium, along with other minerals. Not replacing electrolytes is the fastest way to derail your fasting efforts. Don’t go there.
Now that I know these things by heart, I’m not often surprised or confused by what outcomes my mind and body produce. However, there are things that I’m still learning. And while it’s not exactly an easier experience, I’m definitely healthier than I was before fasting (and I’m not stopping!).
Our (fitness) lives tell a story about the accumulation of experiments. When we recall all we’ve learned (which also means how many times we’ve gotten it wrong), we can continually create healthier bodies. Never give up on learning how to live the most comfortable, functional and vibrant life. It’s so worth it.
