This is Chapter 1 from my upcoming book, “The Black Girl’s Guide to Intermittent Fasting and Nutrition“

“My gran told me that people are supposed to struggle. If you don’t, how would you know that you won”

K. Zauditu Selassie

I’m no stranger to fasting. Growing up in the COGIC church, I learned all about the power of prayer and fasting. I instantly think of the scripture where Jesus tells the disciples, “And he said unto them, this kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting.” My childhood is filled with memories of tent revivals and shut- in services where the prayer warriors would call on God for healing and deliverance. And if they really meant business, there wouldn’t be any fried chicken, pound cake and punch served afterward; there would only be the rumbling of empty stomachs. As a teenager I participated in the fasts held by the church, understanding that there were some prayers that wouldn’t be heard and some blessings that could not be activated unless I turned down my plate. I understood that fasting was the ultimate sacrifice and discipline. I can recall asking my dad to wake me up for 6am prayer during the weekly fasts. I somehow innately knew that fasting with prayer was the key to unlock the door of life’s hidden treasures. Looking back, I can see how my commitment and sacrifice as a teenager prepared me for what I can only describe as a heartbreakingly beautiful life. I can lament the tragedies and traumas as easily as I am filled with gratitude for the triumphs and truths. Without always being conscious of it, fasting has been my firm and solid foundation.

In 2016, I dedicated the first week of every month to daily 20-hour fasts. The intent was to reset, recalibrate, and prepare for what as to come later that month. In 2018, I connected with a member of my soul tribe, and fellow Geechee brother Edward Williams. We created the Fast Life 28 Day Fasting Challenge. Before we began the challenge, Edward called for a 24-hour FUBU (For Us, By Us) Community Fast. In all my experiences with fasting, I had never done a 24-hour fast and I was scared. Go an entire day with no food? I would surely pass out or get the shakes so bad I would crumble. But Edward said something that resonated so deeply with my spirit that I had to try. He said, “Anything you can’t fast from, you are a slave to,” and I knew that if I did nothing else that year, I had to complete this 24-hour fast. And I did. The deep sense of renewal and accomplishment I experienced after that fast set me on the most rewarding and radical journey of my life. On July 24, 2018, I began my Intermittent Fasting journey. I made my first journal entry of logging my fasting hours and I haven’t stopped. As of the writing of this book, I have completed 1,190 days of Intermittent Fasting. I have fasted for a total of 22,388.5 hours. 78% of my life over the last 3 years has been spent in a fasted state.

Fasting has completely changed my life. I shudder to think what physical, mental, spiritual, or energetic state I would be in if I hadn’t begun my Intermittent Fasting journey. I would still have hypertension and be on medication. I may still be grappling with the pain of my childhood abuse. I may still be searching for my personal freedom and struggling to find my voice. I would continue to define myself my societal standards that leave me internally conflicted. I would still use food cope with my emotions, and I would still avoid my reflection in the mirror Fasting is THE game changer. Fasting has allowed me to love myself in ways I never thought possible. It has been the catalyst for my restoration, redemption, and radical self-love. I have experienced complete healing and freedom through fasting. I want you to experience the same and that is why I have written the Black Girl’s Guide to Intermittent Fasting and Nutrition. It has been said that to become an expert, it takes 10,000 hours of practice. I have been fasting for over 22,000 hours. I have mastered the art of healing through fasting. This book is everything you need to know about Intermittent Fasting and nutrition so you can begin your journey to complete healing and freedom. This is your chance to finally know what it means to win after the struggle.

Thank you for reading Chapter 1! This book will be released in early March, subscribe below for updates.