Intermittent Fasting and How I Implement It In My Life

I get this question a lot, “What is intermittent fasting?”

Intermittent fasting is a period of fasting and non-fasting over a specific period of time. Fasting, by the way, means decreasing your eating window. (We will get more into this in a bit)

As you know, I am a God-fearin' woman so naturally, I had to dive into my bible to see how God views fasting and how I can merge my two worlds of Jesus and fitness together, check it out!

What does the Bible say about fasting?

Christians have been fasting for centuries. In the Bible, believers fasted for a number of reasons:

• When seeking help and guidance from God. Ezra 8:​21-​23
• When focusing on God’s purpose. Luke 4:​1, 2
• When demonstrating repentance over past sins. Joel 2:​12-​15
• When observing the Day of Atonement.Leviticus 16:29-​31

When the new hype of intermittent fasting came up, I was already very familiar with how to fast for my faith, but not for my health. When I fasted for spiritual reasons, I was seeking an answer or direction for something within my life. I chose not to eat either a meal or anything for 24 hours to put all of my energy and focus on God.

When fasting for your faith, you’ll know how long you need to fast for and if you’re unsure, pray about it.

Fasting for your health

When you fast, a few different things happen within your body:

• The body to turns fat into energy, which releases ketones into the bloodstream to encourage weight loss.(working towards being a fat-burner rather than a sugar-burner)
• Your insulin levels drop because you aren’t consuming carbohydrates.

Fasting for your health is a lifestyle and much less of a diet. If you are new to fasting, experts say you should begin fasting 12 hours in the evening, 7 pm -7 am. Once you feel comfortable, you then could try 16 hours meaning you skip breakfast the next day  (Or push your earring window to less time overall- EX- eat your day’s nutrition between 10 am and 7 pm, etc)

According to Medical News Today, fasting can help your health in multiple ways including:

• Give the body a break from constant digestion
• Allow the body and organs to heal naturally
• Tap into our natural energy
• Lower your risk of diabetes
• Improve heart health
• Improve brain health
• Lessen your risk of cancer
• Work on becoming a fat burner than just a sugar burner
• Weight loss

In the beginning, you may be lightheaded or experience headaches and this is caused by a few different reasons:

• You aren’t eating the correct things for lunch and dinner
• You aren’t drinking enough water
• Your body is having sugar withdraws
• Your body is having caffeine withdraws

How I Fast

I personally fast every day until I’m hungry I LOVE the energy and focus it give.

During my fasting, I utilize the time that I would have spent eating, praying and reading my bible, workout (yes I LOVE to workout fasted) run errands, do laundry, do mentorship calls for both our Coaches and Hope In Struggle, etc? I want to be healthy, both physically and spiritually, and this way to eating has totally become and a great fit for me.  

Anyone can do this, even if you just do it slightly or add much and I do, but those I know who have tried intermittent fasting has ended up adapting relatively easy, begin to love it and can’t believe how much focus and energy it begins to bring them.  

Do you feel like you are ready to begin intermittent fasting? I want to help you along your journey! Please send me an email or DM me on IG (Mindy Lawhorne) and I’ll share more info on how you can begin.  

Follow me on Instagram or Facebook to see at home workouts, meal ideas, and motivation to help you get closer to your healthier new way of life!

Talk to you soon!