Rediscovering My Body: A Journey Through Fasting and Perimenopause

Over the past two years, my body has been whispering — and sometimes shouting — that change was happening.

I felt hot all the time. My cycles became shorter, and my bleeds longer. Mood swings appeared out of nowhere. Brain fog made even the simplest tasks feel like wading through mud. And then there was the dreaded, baffling weight gain.

As someone who has always lived an active lifestyle — daily yoga, dog walks, gym sessions, and regular swims — this weight gain felt like a complete mystery.

I’ve always eaten whole, nourishing foods. Yes, I enjoy a crisp Prosecco and a juicy burger on occasion. However, none of my usual, reliable strategies for dropping a few pounds worked. Not one.

After nearly two years of trying everything that used to work for me, and seeing no results, I decided to explore deeper. I tried the Zoe tests and spent months focusing on eating to support my gut microbiome — a journey I genuinely enjoyed. I felt healthier, more connected, and more empowered around food. Yet, the scales didn’t budge for over six months.

Then, I picked up a book that changed everything.

The Book That Found Me at the Perfect Time

My dear friend Racheal recommended Fast Like a Girl by Dr Mindy Pelz — and all I can say is WOW.

I’ve always been curious about fasting (it’s woven into Ayurvedic philosophy, after all). However, as a woman in perimenopause, I had my doubts. I instinctively knew that women’s bodies, hormones, and cycles are different. So, why would fasting be a “one size fits all” approach?

This book provided the education I didn’t even realise I’d been waiting for.

My First Month: The Shift I’d Been Hoping For

I started gently: 13–14 hour fasts for the first few weeks. Then, last weekend — right at the beginning of my cycle — I tried a 22-hour fast.

It wasn’t difficult at all.

In fact… I felt incredible. Clear. Light. Energised. Like my body suddenly remembered how to work with me again.

This whole week I’ve felt better than I have in years. Yes, the scales have finally begun moving in the right direction. But even more importantly, I feel like something deep in my system has woken up.

Understanding “Weight Loss Resistance”

One of the biggest revelations from the book is the concept of weight loss resistance — a state many women unknowingly find themselves in during perimenopause.

According to Dr Mindy, the causes can include:

• Insulin resistance

• Estrogen dominance

• Unmanaged stress

• Hypothyroidism

• And other systemic imbalances

  
  

It explained so much. Suddenly, my symptoms, my inability to shift weight, and my fatigue weren’t random.

They were physiological.

Fasting with Your Cycle: The Part That Blew My Mind

What really sets this book apart is how clearly it outlines fasting specifically for women — working with our hormones instead of against them.

Here’s a simplified overview of the four phases:

PHASE 1 — Day 1 to Day 10

Your bleed and the early follicular phase

Fasting: 14–72 hours (depending on comfort)

Food focus: Keto-style (low sugar, vegetables as your carbs)

Your body is more insulin-sensitive here, making fasting more supportive.

PHASE 2 — Day 11 to Day 15

Ovulation

Fasting: No more than 12–15 hours

Food focus: Higher carbohydrates, lower fats, moderate protein

Your body needs glucose to support healthy ovulation and hormone production.

PHASE 3 — Day 16 to Day 19

Late follicular / early luteal

Fasting: 12–72 hours

Food focus: Back to Keto-style eating

Your hormones begin shifting again, making the body more receptive to fat burning.

PHASE 4 — Day 20 to Bleed

Late luteal

Fasting: No fasting

Food focus: Carbohydrates encouraged

Your body needs nourishment, safety, and steadiness. Stressing the system with fasting here can work against you.

Important Note

These are guidelines, not rules. Dr Mindy emphasises that you should always listen to your body, read the book fully, and consult your doctor before making significant fasting changes — especially if you have medical conditions.

My Biggest Takeaway? I Feel Like Myself Again.

After only a month:

• My energy is up

• My mind feels so much clearer

• My mood feels more stable

• My cycle felt different — smoother, less erratic

• My body feels like it’s finally responding

  
  

This book has transformed my perspective on food, fasting, and my hormonal rhythm. It’s given me a sense of empowerment in a phase of life that often feels confusing, emotional, and unpredictable.

I’m genuinely excited to continue this journey — not just for weight loss, but for long-term health, clarity, and vitality.

If you’re curious about fasting, in perimenopause, or simply want a deeper understanding of your body and hormones, I can’t recommend Fast Like a Girl enough.

It might just help you reconnect with your body’s natural wisdom… just as it has for me.

BUY THE BOOK HERE