🧠 Why Fasting May Work (And What Your Dog Can Teach You About It)

How skipping meals and sipping electrolytes can help your body heal and simplify your life.

Sick? Maybe you should Fast!

When animals get sick, they stop eating. If you’ve ever had a dog that normally devours everything—including your couch—you know how alarming it is when they lose their appetite. But this behavior is actually smart. Science has shown that fasting (going without food for 18+ hours) can stimulate the formation of new white blood cells, enhancing immune function.

Once you start to feel better, the most important step is to reintroduce electrolytes. Your body stores fat, which gives you energy even when you’re not eating—but to access that energy efficiently, your body needs nutrients. Trace minerals, macrominerals, and the oxygen you breathe all help convert stored fat into ATP, your body’s energy currency.

So first: hydrate and re-mineralize.

Here’s a simple electrolyte recipe:

💧 Homemade Electrolyte Drink

• 16 oz water

• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey

• 1 tbsp lemon or lime juice

• ¼ tsp salt

Boom. You’re on the mend.

So… What Are the other Benefits of Fasting?

Science may make fasting seem miraculous—but the real benefits are more grounded. And no, instant weight loss isn’t one of them.

If anything, fasting for one day (especially for women) can sometimes lead to bloating and water retention. You might not lose a pound—sometimes you’ll weigh the same or even more due to stress hormones or fluid shifts.

But over time, fasting can support weight loss for one key reason:

It teaches you that you don’t need to eat every 3–4 hours.

Think about it: You finish lunch, you’re out and about, and four hours later you’re “starving.” You’re not home yet, so you pull into a drive-thru. That quick fix adds calories with little nutrition—and usually doesn’t leave you feeling your best.

Now imagine you had trained yourself to wait just 90 more minutes. You get home, make a nourishing meal, and stay consistent with your goals. That’s the real power of fasting.

The “Second Stomach” Theory (Totally Unscientific, Totally True)

Years ago, I ate as much as I could to bulk up for football. I stopped listening to my body. I didn’t even know what “full” felt like—I always ate until I was uncomfortable.

Intermittent fasting gave me a reset.

It let me close what I jokingly call my “second stomach.” When you fast, your stomach shrinks back down. When you finally eat a normal portion, you actually feel full again. But if you’re eating nonstop, your stomach never gets that break—so it never signals you to stop.

Let’s keep that second stomach closed.

Bonus Benefit: More Time, Less Stress

Fasting can free up time—literally.

No meals to prep, no dishes, no errands to grab food. That’s 3–4 extra hours in your day.

Personally, I often fast one day a week and use that time to grocery shop and meal prep. It’s productive, it lowers my stress, and it sets me up for the week.

TL;DR — Why Fasting Might Work for You:

• 🛡️ Boosts your immune system and helps you recover faster

• 🧘‍♂️ Teaches you patience with food—and better food choices

• 🥣 Helps regulate hunger and “close the second stomach”

• 🕒 Gives you more time in your day to get stuff done

Getting Started

Start small. Try skipping breakfast and see how your body responds.

If you feel dizzy or foggy, have some fruit or sip the electrolyte drink above.

Listen to your body. For me, a 30-hour fast feels great. Beyond that? No extra benefits.

You may be different. And that’s the point—this is all about understanding your body.