#20: Intermittent Fasting vs. Cycle Syncing in Perimenopause (Why I Stopped Fasting)

I’m sharing my full experience with intermittent fasting for women in perimenopause — why I started it after struggling with postpartum weight gain, how I followed Fast Like a Girl closely, and why it felt empowering… until it didn’t.If you’ve been exploring time-restricted eating, fasting for weight loss, or fasting in perimenopause, this conversation is for you.We’re diving into:The potential benefits of fasting (autophagy, insulin sensitivity, metabolic flexibility)Why intermittent fasting can increase cortisol and stress loadHow fasting may affect women’s hormones differently than men’sThe connection between stress, caffeine, blood sugar, and chronic UTIsWhy perimenopause changes the way your body responds to restrictionAnd how cycle syncing became a more sustainable, hormone-supportive approach for meThis is not an anti-fasting episode. There is research behind intermittent fasting, and it may work well for some women. But fasting during perimenopause — especially when sleep is disrupted and stress is already high — can come with trade-offs that aren’t always discussed.If you’re new to cycle syncing and want a foundation, go back and listen to:Episode 2: Explain Cycle Syncing to MeEpisode 4: How to Eat With Your Cycle to Balance Hormones in PerimenopauseAnd be sure to download my Cycle Syncing Guide to start aligning your nutrition, exercise, and energy with your menstrual cycle instead of fighting your body.Next week, I’m joined by Dr. JJ Thomas to talk about exercise in perimenopause — why pushing harder isn’t the solution, and how focusing on muscle building, recovery, and nervous system regulation can support metabolism and long-term hormone health.If you’re navigating perimenopause weight gain, hormonal shifts, or wondering whether fasting is helping or hurting — this episode will give you a new lens.