The 5 Biggest Mistakes I Made With Fasting (And How You Can Avoid Them)

This week in my posts I have been talking about the real benefits of fasting, from decreased hunger, better relationships with food all the way to increasing the amount of fat that can be done in a sustainable way.

Why Fasting Works for Weight Loss

Fasting allows your body to lower blood sugar levels, access stored fat for energy, and break free from constant hunger and cravings. But beyond that, it’s:

✅ Cost-effective – Fewer meals = less money spent on food.

✅ Time-saving – No more constant meal prepping or thinking about food all day.

✅ Flexible – Works with ANY diet and lifestyle, without rigid meal plans.

✅ Easier than you think – You’re already fasting every night while you sleep—just extend that window slightly, and you’ll see results.

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of dieting, cutting calories, and exercising without seeing results, you’re not alone. Most people struggle with weight loss because they’re constantly spiking their blood sugar and insulin levels, making it harder for their bodies to burn fat.

Fasting can be one tool in your armory that allows you to break free and have a better relationship with food, stop the cravings and crashes, and gain back control.

However, when I first tried fasting, I struggled and I got it all wrong. Yet, others were doing it so well and I thought that I was just a failure at it. I felt terrible that I was not able to go 16 hours or so and not eat, surely it was just willpower that was required?

But what I didn’t realise at the time was that fasting isn’t just about willpower—it’s about strategy. It can be very easy to just follow another strategy and hope for the same results, but that is not the case.

In addition, I felt terrible very soon after starting it because I was unprepared and I was certainly not on the right strategy.

I wanted to fast because I knew of the great benefits that can be achieved by fasting so undeterred I set out to make a success of fasting, and learn from not only from my mistakes, but from other people's mistakes.

At first, the pain of fasting felt uncomfortable—waves of hunger, and just wanting to eat because it was "that time to eat" I’d watch the clock, counting down the minutes until I could eat again, feeling like I was punishing myself rather than doing something beneficial.

The headaches, the waves of hunger, the frustration of seeing others do it so effortlessly—it all made me question whether fasting was even worth it.

But I refused to quit. Because deep down, I knew that if I could get this right, the rewards would be worth it. More energy, better focus, a clearer mind, and most importantly, the ability to finally break free from the cycle of constant eating and sugar crashes. I wanted that freedom, and I wasn’t willing to give up until I figured it out.

Through my own experiences, and from coaching others, I learned how to do fasting the right way—in a way that’s effective, sustainable, and doesn’t make you feel miserable.

If you’ve been stuck in a cycle of dieting, cutting calories, and exercising without seeing results, you’re not alone. Most people struggle with weight loss because they’re constantly spiking their blood sugar and insulin levels, making it harder for their bodies to burn fat.

My Biggest Fasting Mistakes (And How You Can Avoid Them)

Mistake #1: Not Hydrating Properly

When I started, I didn’t realise how much water and electrolytes I was losing. That led to headaches, fatigue, and feeling rubbish.

Fix it: Drink more water than usual and add electrolytes—a good hydrotablet in your water can work wonders.

Mistake #2: Thinking I Had to Fast While Awake

At first, I thought fasting meant going without food all day—which made it way harder than it needed to be.

To Fix it: You’re already fasting while you sleep (6-9 hours), so just adjust your meal timing to make fasting feel effortless.

Example:

• Last meal at 5-7 PM
• Sleep from 10 PM - 6.30 AM
• First meal at 9.30-11.30 AM and 14-16 hours of fasting done with minimal effort.

Mistake #3: Letting Boredom Break My Fast

One of the biggest challenges was not thinking about food. When I was bored, I’could find my mind thinking about what to eat.

Fix it: This week in my posts I have been talking about the real benefits of fasting, from decreased hunger, better relationships with food all the way to increasing the amount of fat that can be done in a sustainable way.

Mistake #4: Breaking My Fast the Wrong Way

At first, I’d end my fast with heavy, high-carb meals, which led to crashes, bloating, and cravings again. This went against about what I was trying to achieve in the first place.

Fix it: Start with something light and easy to digest—like bone broth, eggs, or a protein shake— before moving into a full meal.

Mistake #5: Trying to Fast for a Full 16 Hours

One of the most important things I learned is fasting isn’t something you need to master overnight. At first, I struggled to go for long periods without eating.

Fix it: Start at 10 hours and gradually increase the time. I would recommend that you start at around 10 hours in total to begin with and gradually

Now, fasting is just part of my routine. It’s not extreme, it’s not miserable—it’s just an efficient, flexible way to manage my health and weight.

The Key Takeaway: Make Fasting Work for YOU

Fasting isn’t about starving yourself—it’s about giving your body a break from constant eating so it can burn fat more efficiently. When done right, it’s simple, flexible, and one of the easiest ways to lose weight without feeling restricted.

If you’ve tried fasting before and struggled, chances are you were making some of the same mistakes I did. But once you get it right, it’s a game-changer.

Want help setting up a fasting plan that fits your lifestyle? Drop me a message, and I’ll help you make it effortless.Fix it: Keep yourself busy and engaged. Work, go for a walk, exercise—anything to distract your brain from thinking about food.

Mistake #4: Breaking My Fast the Wrong Way

At first, I’d end my fast with heavy, high-carb meals, which led to crashes, bloating, and cravings again. This went against about what I was trying to achieve in the first place.

Fix it: Start with something light and easy to digest—like bone broth, eggs, or a protein shake— before moving into a full meal.

Mistake #5: Trying to Fast for a Full 16 Hours

One of the most important things I learned is fasting isn’t something you need to master overnight. At first, I struggled to go for long periods without eating.

Fix it: Start at 10 hours and gradually increase the time. I would recommend that you start at around 10 hours in total to begin with and gradually

Now, fasting is just part of my routine. It’s not extreme, it’s not miserable—it’s just an efficient, flexible way to manage my health and weight.

The Key Takeaway: Make Fasting Work for YOU

Fasting isn’t about starving yourself—it’s about giving your body a break from constant eating so it can burn fat more efficiently. When done right, it’s simple, flexible, and one of the easiest ways to lose weight without feeling restricted.

If you’ve tried fasting before and struggled, chances are you were making some of the same mistakes I did. But once you get it right, it’s a game-changer.

Want help setting up a fasting plan that fits your lifestyle? Drop me a message, and I’ll help you make it effortless.