it's ok to be hungry — more than that, it's Good

Today, I finally began my 5:2 protocol, layering it on top of my 16:8 routine. This isn’t about weight loss for me—it’s about the health benefits that come with fasting. Hunger has always been something to avoid—  (certainly what a lot of the commersials place their basis upon), but what if it’s not only OK to be hungry, but actually good for you?

I’ve decided to fast on Mondays and Tuesdays—a reset after weekends, where indulgence tends to creep in. Let’s just say the odds of too much of the good stuff are… significant. I’ll be honest, though: fasting is entirely new for me. I’ve never done it before—not voluntarily, not under any circumstance. This is uncharted territory!

And yet, I’m excited about what this can bring. As Dr. David Sinclair explains, mild stressors on the body—like fasting—activate a process called autophagy. It’s the body’s way of repairing itself, clearing out damaged cells, and rejuvenating. This concept, known as hormesis, demonstrates that hunger, in controlled doses, can actually make you stronger—not weaker.

“What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger”—a principle that applies not only to the body but also to life itself, including the heartbreaks and challenges we endure.

I’m approaching this with the mindset that my future self will thank me for this in just a little less than two days. That’s the power of reframing—choosing to see hunger not as deprivation, but as a step toward health and resilience. It’s a choice I can gratefully reflect on as I meet my future self.

References:

1. D. Sinclair, lifeSpan: Why we Age — and Why We Don't have To. ISBN 9781501191978. Find it on Amazon

2. lifeSpan podcast with Dr. David Sinclair:

   • Listen on Spotify

   • Listen on Apple Podcasts

   • Watch on YouTube