Let’s talk about fasting… not the kind where you’re just counting down the hours till your next meal, but the spiritual powerhouse that can transform your body, soul, and even your prayer life. Beth Bubik, a.k.a. The Catholic Fasting Coach, shared valuable wisdom that could help you!

Note that we aren’t here to give you medical advice, but these are some suggestions that you could take to your doctor for professional consultation.

Fat Tuesday Fails & Ash Wednesday Woes 🍩

Beth wants you to know that going all-in on Fat Tuesday can make fasting on Ash Wednesday a NIGHTMARE. Ever downed a dozen paczki, only to wake up the next day wondering why you feel like death? Yeah, that sugar crash is not a great way to start Lent. Beth explains how, historically, Fat Tuesday was about getting rid of perishable foods (meat, dairy, eggs) before a long fast. Nowadays, it’s just an excuse to binge before the “suffering” starts.

🔹 Key takeaway? Fasting is way easier when you don’t overdo it the day before. If you’re drowning in carbs and sugar, your blood sugar will spike and crash, making your first day of fasting miserable.

Fasting: Not Just Dieting, But Dying to Self 🔥

Beth emphasizes that fasting isn’t just “Catholic Weight Watchers.” It’s about uniting our bodies and souls to Christ. When we fast, we’re training ourselves to let go of attachments: whether it’s food, alcohol, or even things like social media (yep, that counts as fasting too!).

🔹 The big mindset shift? Beth explains that instead of seeing fasting as “lack and scarcity”, think of it as “love and abundance.” You’re not just depriving yourself… you’re opening up space for God’s grace to fill you.

💡 Bonus: When you fast, your prayers are amplified. If you’ve been begging God to bring someone back to the Church, fasting is like putting your prayer life on max.

What About Ketosis, Fat-Burning, and All That Science-y Stuff?

Drew and Beth also go over the health benefits of fasting, because guess what? God designed our bodies to function best when we’re not constantly snacking.

Here’s the deal:

When you stop eating, your body burns through stored sugar (glycogen) first.

Once that’s gone, your body starts breaking down fat and turns it into ketones, a cleaner energy source.

The longer you fast, the more your body enters autophagy: a fancy word for cellular cleanup mode, where your body repairs itself and even fights off diseases (including cancer!).

👀 Fun fact: Sugar literally feeds cancer cells. Cutting out sugar and processed carbs is about protecting your long-term health.

So… How Do You Actually Start Fasting? 😅

Beth’s top baby steps for spiritual fasting:

✅ Step 1: Cut out sugar, flour, and alcohol, but just on weekdays. You can still enjoy them in moderation on Sundays (because reasonably feasting is holy too!).

✅ Step 2: Stop eating for at least 12 hours overnight. Then work your way up to 16+ hours (a.k.a. intermittent fasting).

✅ Step 3: Make fasting about Jesus, not just weight loss. Offer up your hunger for a specific intention, like a friend’s conversion or your own deeper faith.

💡 Want to go next-level? Beth encourages people to try a 72-hour fast during Holy Week. It’s hard, but it’s a powerful way to walk with Jesus through His Passion.

Fasting is Freedom 🕊️

At the end of the day, fasting isn’t about suffering for the sake of suffering. It’s about freedom: freedom from food addictions, freedom from bad habits, and most importantly, freedom to love God more deeply.

So, this Lent, instead of just giving up chocolate and calling it a day, consider embracing spiritual fasting. It’ll change your prayer life, your body, and your soul. Come Easter, you’ll feast with a heart that’s actually ready for the Resurrection.

What’s the hardest thing for YOU to fast from? 👀

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