The New Year Sparks New Beginnings

As fitness centers all across the country can affirm, when a new year rolls around, we all get a little more health conscious. The new year is like a fresh start where the slate is wiped clean, offering an opportunity for self-reflection, renewal and intentional growth. It's a time to assess priorites, clarify goals and implement meaningful changes in our lives. So as we move into 2026, here's a super easy way to better our health and shift our wellness into overdrive through intermittent fasting. (Oh, I can hear the grumblings from here 😁️). But seriously, it's not complicated!

Intermittent fasting is one of the most convenient and effective ways to rebalance our bodies with no cost, calorie counting or challenging rules to follow. We simply choose when to partake and when to abstain from eating. In fact, our bodies are naturally designed for periods of abstinence. It's why our first meal of the day is called breakfast - we're breaking our overnight fast.

Intermittent fasting has been touted by many to be one of the best ways to manage weight, heal disease and recalibrate our systems. Once we get accustomed to giving our digestive tract a periodic rest, it becomes routine and a natural part of our everyday lives. As someone who has done a multitude of body cleanses throughout my life, I find intermittent fasting to be far more effortless and straightforward. It's more about discipline than challenge, and the gains are immeasurable!

Here are just some of the benefits of fasting:

• Burns fat.
• Repairs tissue.
• Boosts energy.
• Improves sleep.
• Aids digestion.
• Balances mood.
• Reduces inflammation.
• Illuminates complexion.
• Enhances mental clarity.
• Lowers the risk of chronic disease.
• Prompts autophagy - cellular cleanup and repair.
• Improves metabolic markers - blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure, etc.

Did you know that a lot of the time when we think we're hungry, we're actually just dehydrated? Drinking a glass of water instead of grabbing a snack can instantly squelch those false hunger pangs. Water is our friend while fasting too, but keep in mind that water alone can deplete electrolytes that support cellular energy production. For this reason, I like adding a pinch of Redmonds salt to my drinking water, which is a simple way to get the essential minerals our body needs to thrive. Also, occasionally pouring a couple teaspoons of apple cider vinegar into our drinking water can aid digestion and help control appetite. Other drinks that won't break our fast are non-flavored, unsweetened sparkling water, herbal teas like peppermint, ginger, matcha or green tea (just don't add milk or honey) and unsweetened coffee, which has even been shown to boost the fat burning process.

Basically, intermittent fasting means limiting the hours within our day that we consume food, then breaking our fast with nutritious meals. But for those that prefer a little structure, here are a few approaches to fasting that have become popular over the years:

1. The 12:12 Plan - Great for anyone new to fasting. Eat within a 12 hour window and fast for the remaining 12 hours of the day. This isn't very difficult since we're usually asleep for eight of those hours.


2. The 16:8 Plan - This is one of the most popular fasting schedules because it supports our body's natural circadian rhythm. It entails eating within an 8 hour window each day, for example 10am to 6pm, then fasting for the remaining 16 hours.


3. The 18:6 Plan - This schedule means eating within a 6 hour window, say 12pm to 6pm, and fasting the rest of the day. Sticking to this plan will produce rapid results!


4. The Weekend Plan - This fast begins right after dinner on Friday and ends right before breakfast on Monday. During this fast make sure to stay well-hydrated by drinking lots of clean, mineral-rich water.

There are many more fasting strategies out there, but the goal is to make it our own by creating a healthy plan that best suits our personal needs and aims. Play around with it until the desired results are achieved. Note: Fasting is not recommended if pregnant or nursing.

Integrating fasting into our daily routine is a powerful way to support our health and well-being. Whether we're looking to detox, lose weight, increase energy or improve brain function, fasting is an easy, effective and flexible approach to acheiving our goals that can be perfectly taylored to fit any lifestyle.

As this year closes, 2026 is all about new beginnings, bold steps and transformation, making it an opportune time to reclaim our power and wellness. May we each find the motivation necessary to set meaningful goals for ourselves, and the tenacity and spirit to follow through until they become reality.

Wishing you all prosperity, peace and an amazing New Year! ✨️