Intermittent Fasting - The Last 90 Days

The last 90-days has been absolutely life-changing. I'm so thankful, so very blessed to have found intermittent fasting. The simplicity, the flexibility, the blessing of being hand in hand with God while I improve my physical, spiritual, mental and emotional health - it's truly a gift. I no longer am at war with my body - a reality I've lived with since I was 10 years old.

In January, 2016 when I first felt impressed to fast for 30-days (only eating after 4:00pm ), I was concerned it might be too difficult. Could I even do such a thing? I'd never heard about intermittent fasting, but as I skipped breakfast and lunch every day, I felt a peace I'd never had before. I came outside of my own pitiful self thoughts, victim mentality and body shaming. No longer was I consumed with my own negative, self-destructive energy. This is because I developed compassion for the poor and hungry, gratitude for my food and love for my body.  

I’m learning losing weight is more about my relationship with myself and God then food. I’m not interested in counting calories and restricting food. Do you know how many times I’ve started a diet and focused on what I can’t have? I have felt left out and isolated. Diets of the past have been an all-consuming negative experience. Intermittent fasting provides true freedom, the opportunity to develop trust in self, break bad habits, eat when truly hungry, eat what I want and appreciate my body for the gift that it is.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I am studying the law of the fast in the Bible and a book of scripture my faith holds dear, the Book of Mormon. In the Book of Mormon, another testimony of Jesus Christ, a prophet named Alma said “I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by His Holy Spirit.” Alma also says they had given themselves to much “fasting and prayer” for the spirit of revelation and that they might be blessed to fulfill their purpose.

Before intermittent fasting, I had not considered that fasting could be an experience to participate in many days in a row. Through intermittent fasting, I don’t have to wait once a month for the blessings of the fast. Fasting has helped me to know the truth about myself and my relationship with God and Jesus Christ. This healing means everything to me. In our church, fasting and prayer has been called “rejoicing and prayer.” I now understand why.

When I participate in my church’s once-a-month Sunday fast (which is supposed to be a full 24 hours, but that is still very difficult for me), I give money as a fast offering donation to my bishop to help those in need in my church congregation and through the world. As I fast for 30-days, I donate to Rising Star Outreach to support sponsoring 100 daughters. I truly believe when we are generous with God, He is generous with us. The word “temporal” means in our worldly needs like in our home, family and other financial needs. God promises to bless us temporally when we give to the poor and hungry by opening up the heavens and pouring out blessings (Malachi 3: 8-12)

Fasting has helped me change and grow in ways I could have never done. Honoring God’s commandments can be an opportunity to become more like Him and His son Jesus Christ.