THIS Is Why Intermittent Fasting Never Worked For You | The Mel Robbins Podcast

Order your copy of The Let Them Theory 👉 https://melrob.co/let-them-theory 👈 The #1 Best Selling Book of 2025 🔥 Discover how much power you truly have. It all begins with two simple words. Let Them. — In this episode, researcher, respected expert on intermittent fasting, and bestselling author of Fast Like A Girl, Dr. Mindy Pelz (@DrMindyPelz is here to explain fasting—and, in particular, how it impacts women’s hormone health. Men and women’s hormones are different, and because of that, women MUST fast differently than men. Dr. Mindy is the first person who explained this to me, and this is why I wanted to have her on. I had no idea that fasting would screw up my estrogen and progesterone. Why? Because I first learned about fasting from a male. When I tried intermittent fasting, I wasn’t seeing the health benefits that everyone talks about. Now I know why: I was using the fasting protocol that works for men (and according to research, can wreak havoc on your hormones and metabolism). You’ve seen fasting advice trending on TikTok in health articles; even your friends are talking about it (just like mine), and after this episode you will know exactly what fasting is, why you might want to do it, and what every woman needs to know to get started. I want you to get the right information from a respected female expert in this field. Everyone needs to hear this. This conversation is loaded with research and resources, and as always, extensive show notes are available on melrobbins.com. You can find them for this episode here. (https://www.melrobbins.com/podcasts/episode-103) Today, Dr. Mindy Pelz reveals: - The scientific protocols you need so you can fast the right way - How to fast with your 28- to 30-day cycle for hormonal, physical, and mental health (and what to do if you’ve lost your cycle, like me) - The hormone science of the female body operates (no one talks about this). - What the 30-day reset is, and its powerful ability to transform your health - Why is it a myth that you will lose muscle mass when fasting? - How to incorporate fasting into your life (and never miss a good meal with your family and friends) - 3 hacks to get started with a fast that will make your fasts more successful - The 6 fasting windows and their unique and extraordinary health benefits - The easiest way to put your body in a healing state (it only takes 16 hours) We are going to focus on the step-by-step guide for women, what to do, and why this matters, but we do cover fasting protocols and how-to advice that both genders need to know. I learned so much from Dr. Mindy, and as with all episodes, this is a free resource where you get to learn straight from somebody who has literally written the book on this topic. It's up to you to determine whether or not this is information that you want to implement. Thank you for listening, and I would definitely send this to absolutely anyone that needs to hear it. Xo, Mel IMPORTANT: This podcast discusses fasting, and its advice may not be suitable for anyone with an eating disorder. If you have an existing health condition, are pregnant or nursing, or are taking medication, always consult your healthcare practitioner before going for prolonged periods without eating. In this episode: 00:00 Intro 03:32 What exactly IS fasting and what is the purpose? (Hint: It’s NOT a diet trend.) 09:20 3 simple hacks to help you get started with fasting. 15:47 Here’s how you may feel when you first try fasting. 17:16 How your hormones are impacted by intermittent fasting. 20:48 Women need to fast differently than men. 23:41 Why most women were not successful when fasting was first introduced. 28:13 How do you figure out your menstrual cycle if you use an IUD? 33:18 Menopausal women can use the moon for what? 36:08 4 steps to determine which of the 6 types of fasting works best for you. 39:42 How can I make intermittent fasting more flexible? 41:43 Here’s what happens to muscle when you fast and when it’s okay. 43:01 Limit these 3 foods when you’re fasting. — Follow Mel: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melrobbins/ TikTok: http://tiktok.com/@melrobbins Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/melrobbins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/melrobbins Website: http://melrobbins.com​ — Sign up for Mel’s newsletter: https://melrob.co/sign-up-newsletter A note from Mel to you, twice a week, sharing simple, practical ways to build the life you want. — Subscribe to Mel’s channel here: https://www.youtube.com/melrobbins​?sub_confirmation=1 — Listen to The Mel Robbins Podcast 🎧 New episodes drop every Monday & Thursday! https://melrob.co/spotify https://melrob.co/applepodcasts https://melrob.co/amazonmusic — Looking for Mel’s books on Amazon? Find them here: The Let Them Theory: https://amzn.to/3IQ21Oe The Let Them Theory Audiobook: https://amzn.to/413SObp The High 5 Habit: https://amzn.to/3fMvfPQ The 5 Second Rule: https://amzn.to/4l54fah