Fasting Like a Girl: Embracing Womanhood and Harnessing Our Unique Power

When I was younger, I remember the boys at school taunting, “You throw like a girl.” It was meant as an insult, as if being a girl was something inferior. At the time, I internalised this messaging. I believed that being male was somehow superior—that boys were stronger, more logical, and less burdened by emotions. I thought these traits made them better equipped to succeed.

But as I’ve grown older, I’ve come to see things differently. Now, I’m immensely proud of my womanhood. Our differences are not weaknesses but gifts. Women have strengths that are unique to us, and when we understand and embrace them, we can become truly powerful.

Rewriting the Narrative: Strength in Being Female

For years, I carried the notion that my emotions and intuition were liabilities. Society teaches us to value stoicism and logic over empathy and insight. Yet, the more I’ve learned about myself and about women’s health, the more I’ve come to celebrate these traits as strengths.

This realisation became especially clear when I started experimenting with intermittent fasting. Initially, I followed the advice and protocols available online. But these were based on research conducted on men. My body rebelled. I felt unwell, my mental health suffered, and I concluded that fasting simply wasn’t for me.

I went back to my usual eating habits but couldn’t shake the feeling that I was missing out on the many health benefits fasting promised. I hoped more research would emerge that considered women’s unique hormonal and physiological needs. And then I discovered Dr Mindy Pelz.

Discovering "Fast Like a Girl"

Dr Mindy Pelz’s book Fast Like a Girl completely changed my perspective on fasting. Dr Pelz, a world-renowned health expert, has dedicated her work to empowering women to understand their bodies and harness their inherent strengths. Her book offered exactly the tailored guidance I’d been searching for—guidance designed specifically for women.

As women, we experience cyclical hormonal changes that profoundly influence our energy, mood, and metabolism. Fast Like a Girl teaches us how to work with these natural rhythms rather than against them. The book explains how to sync fasting practices with the phases of the menstrual cycle, optimising both physical and mental health. Dr Pelz’s approach is rooted in a deep respect for women’s bodies, offering insights that empower us to make informed, compassionate choices.

Personal Insights: Adapting to Change

Reading Fast Like a Girl felt like unlocking a door to a better understanding of my own health. It also reminded me how much my approach to wellness has evolved over the years.

As a young woman, I was incredibly active, playing sports at a high level. Yet, I never truly looked after myself. Recovery wasn’t part of my routine. My body tolerated the hard training sessions and lack of rest because I was young. But now, in my mid-thirties, things are different.

The changes started subtly: small injuries, fatigue, and difficulty maintaining my weight. I ignored these warning signs, continuing to push my body as I had in my twenties. Then, I suffered a serious back injury that landed me in hospital. I was terrified. I worried I’d done irreversible damage. That experience forced me to re-evaluate how I treat my body.

Dr Pelz’s book reinforced the importance of adapting our health strategies as we age. What worked for me in my twenties no longer serves me in my thirties. By understanding my body’s needs and cycles, I’ve started to make choices that support my long-term health and wellbeing.

Fasting and the Female Body

One of the key takeaways from Fast Like a Girl is that women’s fasting practices must align with their hormones. For example, during the first half of the menstrual cycle (the follicular phase), women’s bodies are more resilient to fasting and intense exercise. However, during the luteal phase, when progesterone levels rise, the body requires more nourishment and rest. Ignoring these cues can lead to hormonal imbalances, fatigue, and other health issues.

Dr Pelz also highlights the benefits of shorter fasting windows and fasting variations for women. This flexible approach allows us to enjoy the benefits of fasting—improved insulin sensitivity, better brain function, and reduced inflammation—without compromising our hormonal health.

Final Thoughts

As women, we are not simply smaller versions of men. Our bodies are different, and that’s something to celebrate. By embracing tailored health practices, like those outlined in Fast Like a Girl, we can unlock our full potential. Educating ourselves about our unique physiology is not just empowering—it’s transformative.

If you’re curious about fasting or have struggled with it in the past, I highly recommend Dr Mindy Pelz’s book. It’s a game-changer for any woman looking to improve her health in a way that honours her body.

Resources

Pelz, M. (2022). Fast Like a Girl: A Woman’s Guide to Using the Healing Power of Fasting to Burn Fat, Boost Energy, and Balance Hormones. Hay House.

Torres, S. J., & Nowson, C. A. (2007). Relationship between stress, eating behaviour, and obesity. Nutrition, 23(11-12), 887-894.

Schüler, N., et al. (2018). Sex differences in fasting adaptations: a new perspective on the evolution of human fasting physiology. Biology of Sex Differences, 9(1), 20.