Dear Reader,

I just completed my first 24-hour water fast.

And I feel pretty darn proud.

Before I continue, this isn't advice or a recommendation.
It's simply something I chose to try for myself.
​
I'm conscious of diet culture, which I don't subscribe to, and fasting or not is a personal choice.

I'm at my heaviest in years after my trip to India and the aftermath of losing my dad. That season has been rough, especially after hitting my lowest right before the trip.
​
Post-menopause metabolism has been tough, and it's forced me to rethink how I care for my body now.

When I was younger, my mom would have me fast, and I thought it was the worst thing ever. It seemed like an old person thing, a religious thing, just not for me.

The last time I tried it, I made it to 20.5 hours before caving while cooking Smitten Kitchen's sausage-and-lentil soup (so yummy).

This time, I didn't quit on myself.

Why this mattered to me in midlife.

This wasn’t just about the weight.
As I age, I’m more conscious of how much staying healthy matters. The real goal is to show up fully for my family and my work.

This fast is one of the new things I am incorporating after intentionally working on my health over the past two years.

What it gave me:​
→ Mental clarity
→ A gut reset
→ Quiet confidence from keeping a promise to myself

What worked for me:​
→ Starting at 5:30 pm so I could sleep through a chunk of it.
→ Staying busy and away from temptation (yep, stayed strong at Costco)
→ Reminding myself why longevity matters to me

Here's what I've learned:
​There will always be critics.
​
People have mocked my quinoa-every-day routine for lacking flavor (though I have to say, I am great at building flavor, so the food isn't bland).
​
​And I'm far from perfect and love my wine, besides other not-so-good-for-me food.

But this was about pushing through to the finish line, much like we do with work or other big goals.
​
​What’s been especially rewarding is hearing from some of you that my journey encouraged you to reflect on your own health choices.

How I built up to it:

I started with 12-hour intermittent fasting, then 16, and now 24.
It took several years, and I had to start somewhere.
I got support from health coaches and functional medicine doctors, by listening to umpteen podcasts (including Dr. Mindy Pelz for fasting guidance), and by being around inspiring folks.
​
It’s not too late to invest in yourself, in whatever way feels aligned for you.

If water fasting has ever been part of your life, I’d love to hear your experience. And if it hasn’t, that’s okay too.

Alpana

P.S. The real win isn't the fast itself. It's proving to ourselves that we can still do hard things at any age. On another note, today I'm hosting my first cooking-and-supper club with some midlife ladies. In-person connection matters more than ever.