How Intermittent Fasting Changed My Life: A Personal Journey

A Lifestyle Change I Never Expected

I didn’t find intermittent fasting in a moment of clarity. It wasn’t a planned health goal or part of some elaborate transformation programme. If I’m honest, it began with a bit of desperation—a feeling of being stuck, sluggish, and strangely disconnected from my own body.

At 38, I was battling low energy, erratic eating habits, and a love–hate relationship with food. Diets? I’d tried them all. Nothing ever lasted. Then, a friend casually mentioned intermittent fasting—eating within set time windows instead of obsessing over what to eat.

I was sceptical but curious. It sounded too simple. But a few days in, I noticed something shift. Over time, it didn’t just change my meals—it changed my mindset, my sleep, my body, and even my self-confidence.

In this blog, I’ll share what I experienced—the wins, the challenges, and what I wish I’d known sooner. Whether you’re considering intermittent fasting or deep in the trenches of your own health journey, I hope this story makes you feel seen and inspired.

The Starting Point: Frustrated and Fatigued

For context, I wasn’t new to healthy eating. I knew my greens from my grains and how to count calories. But the problem was consistency.

My Relationship with Food and Routine

Like many working professionals, I lived by the clock, but my meals didn’t. I’d rush breakfast, skip lunch, then snack constantly through the afternoon and overeat by dinner. My energy crashed around 3 PM every day, and no amount of caffeine could rescue it.

Add to that:

• Constant bloating and brain fog
• Evening cravings, I couldn’t control
• A lingering sense that my body wasn’t “mine” anymore

I was tired of the loop, but I didn’t know where to start.

Discovering Intermittent Fasting: A Lightbulb Moment

It was a weekend brunch when my friend mentioned she was following 16:8 intermittent fasting—eating between 12 PM and 8 PM, fasting the rest of the time.

My First Reaction

“Skipping breakfast? I’d be starving.”

But she seemed energised, clear-headed, and happy with her progress.

Later that evening, I went down the research rabbit hole. To my surprise, intermittent fasting wasn’t a fad. Decades of research had supported it, improving everything from insulin sensitivity and weight regulation to cellular repair and cognitive function.

What intrigued me most wasn’t the science, though—it was the simplicity. I didn’t have to change what I ate, just when I ate.

So, the next Monday, I began.

Week One: The Adjustment Period

I won’t sugar-coat it: the first few days were tough.

Hunger and Habit

By 10 AM, my stomach growled like clockwork. I kept glancing at the time, willing it to be noon. But instead of giving in, I sipped water, black coffee, and herbal tea. Surprisingly, that helped.

By midweek, something clicked.

• My hunger became more manageable.
• I felt more focused in the mornings.
• I began to look forward to my eating window.

There was freedom in not obsessing over breakfast or mindless grazing. And emotionally? I started to feel in control again.

The First Month: Subtle but Powerful Changes

By the end of four weeks, I hadn’t lost a dramatic amount of weight, but I felt lighter, both physically and mentally.

Here’s What Changed:

• My energy stabilised: No more afternoon crashes.
• Food tasted better: I appreciated meals more when I wasn’t constantly eating.
• My sleep improved: Falling asleep was easier, and I woke up more refreshed.
• My skin cleared up: A happy surprise I wasn’t expecting.
• My mindset shifted: I was no longer afraid of feeling a little hungry.

These were small wins, but they added up to something that felt profound: I trusted my body again.

The Three-Month Mark: Real Results

By month three, I noticed visible and measurable progress.

• I’d lost 5 kg without counting calories.
• My waist was smaller, and my clothes fit better.
• I’d saved money—fewer snacks, fewer impulse buys.
• My mental clarity was consistent, especially in the mornings.

But it wasn’t just about the numbers. It was the fact that, for the first time in years, I felt well. Not perfect. Not obsessed. Just well.

And yes, I still had social dinners, celebrations, and takeaway nights. But intermittent fasting gave me an anchor—a way to stay consistent without being restrictive.

Challenges and Lessons Along the Way

Of course, it wasn’t all smooth sailing.

There were days when:

• Social plans conflicted with my eating window.
• I underestimated the importance of hydration.
• I broke my fast with the wrong foods and felt sluggish.

But each moment was a lesson.

I learned to:

• Be flexible—adjust my window when life calls for it.
• Focus on nutrient-dense meals during eating windows.
• Keep fasting sustainable, not rigid.

If you’re just starting out, understanding how to manage hunger and hydration will make a huge difference.

The Emotional Transformation

What surprised me most wasn’t the physical shift—it was the emotional one.

From Shame to Confidence

For years, I’d felt disconnected from my health. I judged my cravings, fought my appetite, and felt guilty every time I “failed” a diet.

But fasting helped reframe the way I approached food and hunger.

• Hunger became a signal, not a crisis.
• Meals became moments, not mindless habits.
• My body became a teammate, not an enemy.

This wasn’t about punishment. It was about alignment with my natural rhythms, my lifestyle, and my goals.

What I Eat Now: Nourishing the Fast

While intermittent fasting focuses on when you eat, what you eat still matters.

Here’s what a typical day looks like for me:

• 12:00 PM (Breakfast): Veggie omelette, avocado, sourdough toast
• 3:00 PM (Snack): Greek yoghurt, berries, a handful of walnuts
• 7:00 PM (Dinner): Grilled salmon, quinoa, and roasted vegetables

The meals are satisfying, balanced, and enjoyable. And they fuel me through the next fasting window with ease.

Curious how to build similar meals? These nutrient-dense food ideas make a great place to start.

The Long-Term Shift: A Lifestyle, Not a Hack

It’s been over a year since I started intermittent fasting. I no longer “track” my windows with an app—I listen to my body and follow a natural rhythm that works for my schedule.

Some days, I do 16:8, while others look more like 14:10. And that flexibility? That’s the magic.

Intermittent fasting taught me that health isn’t about perfection—it’s about patterns. When patterns align with goals, change becomes sustainable.

Conclusion: Why I’ll Never Go Back

Looking back, I barely recognise the woman who started this journey. She was tired, overwhelmed, and a little hopeless. But all she needed was a shift—a small act of self-experimentation that turned into a life-changing habit.

Intermittent fasting didn’t just change how I eat. It changed how I live. It reminded me that I am capable of change, without extremes, without shame, and without losing the joy of food.

If you’re thinking about trying fasting, take this as a sign. Start gently, stay curious, and let your body show you what it can do.

You’re not too late, too old, or too busy. Your new chapter can start today. Mine did—with just one skipped breakfast.