Intermittent fasting your way (not everyone else’s)

Intermittent fasting can be a rollercoaster. You read success stories about results where weight loss seems to happen overnight. You gear up for high expectations – this is what you want! Eager to replicate their success, you follow their plan rigorously, only to have the same results not materialize for you.

But here’s the hard truth: there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to intermittent fasting. What melts pounds for someone else might leave you feeling sluggish and frustrated. Why? Because, my friend, you are beautifully unique.

It’s tempting to feel defeated when your meticulously planned fasting schedule isn’t delivering the results you want. Instead of fixating on the number on the scale, it’s time to embrace the reality of intermittent fasting for your body:

• You are the ultimate expert on your body. Forget the cookie-cutter plans and one-size-fits-all advice. Pay attention to how you feel after different fasting windows, food choices, and exercise routines. Notice what fuels your energy and what leaves you drained. Your body will tell you, it’s time to trust it and listen.
• Change might be necessary, even the kind you don’t like. That cherished eight-hour window might need tweaking, or maybe sugar needs to be seriously reined in. Be willing to flex and adapt – it’s not about rigid rules, but finding the rhythm that resonates with you.
• Sweets, alcohol, macros – it’s all on the table. Don’t demonize entire food groups. Experiment, track your reactions, and see what fits your body’s needs and preferences. You might discover that occasional treats don’t derail your progress, or that certain macros work wonders for your energy levels. Personalization is key.
• Timing matters, but maybe not how you think. Maybe that evening window isn’t working for you like you thought it would. Explore experimenting with your eating window, or even consider alternative fasting methods like ADF (alternate-day fasting). Find what fits your lifestyle, preferences AND your body.
• Sometimes, even when the scale doesn’t budge, progress can still be happening. Not seeing the scale budge doesn’t mean you’re failing. Your body might be quietly working its magic on the inside, building muscle, regulating hormones, and boosting your overall health. Trust the process, even when it feels invisible.
• Embrace the freedom to design your own path. Someone else’s plan might leave you feeling discouraged and restricted. Let go of the pressure to follow rigid rules and embrace the flexibility to experiment. Your body thrives on choice, not conformity. Find your own rhythm that fits your lifestyle and fuels your energy.

Nine months after I started intermittent fasting, I hit a plateau. I knew I still had more weight to lose, but it wasn’t budging. My window was already averaging around 19 hours of fasting a day – what more could my body want? It wasn’t until I finally got real with myself, found my new motivation and made some hard choices and changes, that I started losing again.

Intermittent fasting isn’t a one-way ticket to overnight transformation. It’s a journey of self-discovery, a learning experience with your body, and a commitment to personalized experimentation. Embrace the messy, the unexpected, and the unique path that is yours alone. Remember, progress isn’t linear, and the greatest reward is the deep understanding you gain about yourself along the way.

If you need help with making this mindset shift, check out my free video “How to make your weight-loss efforts stick (and get to your goal).”

Silence the inner critic, and embark on your own intermittent fasting adventure. Listen to your body, be willing to adjust, and celebrate the wins, big and small. This is your journey, and your body holds the ultimate wisdom.