Life in the Fast Lane - Finding Balance Through Fasting

Intermittent fasting seems to be everywhere these days - it’s one of those things you hear about from friends, see on social media, and read about in wellness articles. And while it might seem like just another health trend, I’ve found it’s not so much of a 'quick fix', but more of a lifestyle shift.

Now, I’m definitely not an expert on the science of fasting (there are plenty of doctors and nutritionists who can explain the technical side much better than I can, (e.g. check out any book by Dr Mindy Pelz!). But I wanted to share my own personal experience - what it’s been like for me, how I’ve worked it into my daily routine, and the benefits I’ve noticed along the way.

From intermittent fasting to occasional extended fasts of 36, 48, or even +72 hours, this practice has not only given me a different perspective on my relationship with food - it’s given me a deeper connection to my body and a surprising sense of freedom. Because here's the thing: Fasting isn’t just about not eating. It’s about when you eat, what you eat, and giving your body the space it needs to do what it’s designed to do - heal, balance, and reset.

Fasting started as a curious experiment - but it's quickly became an empowering tool, educating me on how to get the maximum healing benefits from food, especially combatting inflammation.

For many years I've been aware of the stiff joints of my hands - some days it's felt like everything was tight, swollen, and harder to move. To help reduce inflammation I cut out all simple carbs and sugar and have taken high doses of turmeric and although it helped, there was still been some stubborn swollenness almost every day.

But after just a couple weeks of consistent fasting, that started to change and the puffiness in my fingers went down and my hands felt more flexible and nimble. And it didn’t stop there. My whole body felt more at ease. It wasn’t magic - it was my body finally having the time and space to work on healing rather than constantly digesting.

One of the most eye-opening things I’ve learned is that different lengths of fasting trigger different healing responses in the body. Here’s a simple breakdown:

• 12 hours: Blood sugar starts to stabilize, insulin levels drop, and the body begins to dip into stored energy.

• 16 - 18 hours: You enter a deeper fat-burning state, and human growth hormone increases (which supports muscle repair and metabolism).

• 24+ hours: The body starts autophagy - a cellular 'cleanup' process that removes damaged cells and promotes regeneration.

• 36+ hours: Inflammation markers drop significantly, stem cell production may increase, and the body can prioritize deeper healing and repair.

That means the longer the fast (done safely and intentionally), the deeper the benefits — especially when it comes to inflammation, hormone balance, and long-term wellness.

I've never been a regular eater, and by nature I'm an intermittent faster. Most days, I follow a gentle intermittent fasting rhythm - something like 17:5 (17 hours of fasting with a 5-hour eating window). But it’s not rigid. Some days it's 14:10. Some days I don’t fast at all. That’s the beauty - it’s flexible, and it fits my life.

And because I’m not grazing all day, I’ve become more intentional about what I eat. After a fast, I’m not reaching for empty snacks - I’m choosing foods that truly nourish me. That means:

• Quality protein and healthy fats to stabilize hormones and build muscle

• Anti-inflammatory foods like leafy greens, berries, and herbs

• Plenty of hydration and minerals to support cellular health

Every now and then, when I feel my body needs a deeper reset, I’ll do a 36 - 72 hour fast. These are done mindfully - with rest, hydration, and no pressure. and even though it might sound daunting to be without food it gets easier and easier.

After these longer fasts, I always notice:

• Inflammation drops dramatically

• My joints feel looser and more comfortable, especially my hands

• I sleep better, think more clearly, am very focused and feel lighter overall

• My cravings reset, and I reconnect with true hunger

• My hormones are regulated - energy feels more stable, my mood is more even, and my sleep is deeper. By spacing out meals and letting insulin levels drop between them, I’m giving my hormones time to recalibrate.

The biggest lesson fasting has taught me is this: healing doesn’t always require doing more - it often starts with doing less, more intentionally. Fasting isn’t a diet. It’s not a trend. It’s a natural rhythm our bodies already understand, it's how our stone age ancestors survived - if we’re willing to listen.

Life in the 'fast lane' used to mean doing more, pushing harder, and staying constantly busy. Now, for me, it means slowing down with intention. It means creating space - not just in my schedule, but in my body.

Fasting has helped me feel less inflamed, more energized, more present. My hands - once stiff and tight, move freely. My joints no longer ache as they used to. My mind feels clearer. My body feels more aligned.

If you're curious about fasting,  first of all check with your GP that it's OK and suitable for you - then start small. You don’t have to start with a 3-day fast. You can begin by simply waiting a little longer to eat breakfast or not snacking after dinner, compressing the hours of the day when you eat. From there, you can explore what feels good, and what works for your body.

Let it be a practice in listening and letting go.