Preparing your body for an intermittent fast can dramatically improve your results—physically, mentally, and emotionally. In this guide, I explore how to make fasting a truly supportive practice rather than an added stressor to your already busy biology. Whether you lean toward a protein-and-fat strategy or a plant-based, cleansing lead-in.

You’ll also discover how gender plays a role in metabolic responses, why hydration and adaptogenic herbs are non-negotiables, and how choosing the right prep method protects your nervous system and enhances detoxification. This is fasting for real women—with real lives, real bodies, and real goals.

If your body is highly symptomatic and you are trying to regain some control, be mindful of the trap of perfectionism. Perfection and being 100% symptom-free 100% of the time is impossible, and that goal can add stress which becomes inflammatory and actually burdens our body and our liver. Tread softly with self-compassion as the goal is to improve our habits in a way that supports detoxification, without driving ourselves to obsession.