This episode is NOT just for women! Guys, let's start learning how to support the females in our lives through this life-changing experience: menopause.

Join us on the Make Room Show today as we dive into the topic of menopause and overall health with our guest, Laurie Lewis. For this health coach, menopause dealt a crushing blow -- brain fog, pain, memory loss, and the sudden gain of 50 pounds of stubborn hormonal fat. She tried everything she knew to feel better, and the methods that worked in the past made no difference.  

After struggling for years she suddenly stumbled upon Intermittent Fasting which turned the course of her life. She started having an “eating window” that very same day, and in less than a week the menopausal fog lifted and she felt more like herself. Laurie restored her health and comfortable weight, and at 60 years old has changed thousands of lives around the world through her group programs, 1:1 personal coaching sessions, and is recognized as the go-to Intermittent Fasting expert.

Talking points:

1. Laurie's personal journey and how she discovered the importance of fueling her body well, eventually becoming a health coach.

2. "Not-foods"

3. Laurie's experience of entering perimenopause and how it affected her physical and mental well-being.

4. Her discovery of the power of intermittent fasting in balancing hormones, reducing inflammation, and promoting mental clarity.

In this conversation, Laurie emphasizes that intermittent fasting is not a one-size-fits-all approach. She encourages a gentle and consistent approach tailored to individual needs, lifestyles, and goals. She also addresses the misconception that menopause is an inevitable decline and highlights the possibility of feeling healthier and more vibrant during this phase of life.

Join us as we delve into the physical and emotional benefits of intermittent fasting during perimenopause and explore how this practice can empower women to take control of their health. Whether you're already familiar with intermittent fasting or curious about its potential, this episode offers valuable insights and practical tips to make room for clarity and health in your life.

What They Don't Tell You About Menopause and the Power of Intermittent Fasting

Menopause is a phase of life that often feels overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. For many women, the changes that come with menopause bring brain fog, hormonal weight gain, and a lack of energy. But what if there’s a simple way to address these challenges? Laurie Lewis, a health coach who transformed her life—and thousands of others—through intermittent fasting, believes there’s hope.

Let’s talk about how menopause and intermittent fasting intersect, and why "fasting clean" may be one of the most overlooked tools for feeling healthier during this transition.

Why Menopause Can Feel Like a Crash Course in Change

Menopause can come with unwelcome surprises—hormonal shifts, memory issues, pain, and stubborn weight that doesn’t respond to typical diet and exercise. These changes can leave women feeling like their bodies are suddenly working against them.

Laurie Lewis knows this journey firsthand. She experienced the sudden onset of perimenopause symptoms, including a 50-pound weight gain and brain fog that made simple tasks a challenge. Her attempts to get back on track using traditional methods, like eating less and exercising more, didn’t work. She felt stuck until she discovered intermittent fasting.

What Is Intermittent Fasting and How Does It Help?

Intermittent fasting is simple: it’s about timing when you eat. Instead of focusing on calorie counting or food restrictions, you eat within a designated “eating window” each day. This gives your body time to rest, repair, and recalibrate.

Laurie emphasizes fasting as “clean,” which means sticking to water, black coffee, or plain tea during fasting hours. By keeping the body in a fasted state without triggering digestive processes, you allow internal systems to work more efficiently. The result? Reduced inflammation, better hormone regulation, and improved mental clarity.

For Laurie, these changes appeared almost immediately. Within days of trying intermittent fasting, her brain fog lifted, and she felt like herself again.

It’s Not a Diet—It’s a Quiet

Traditional diets can feel loud. There’s constant brain chatter—What should I eat? Am I allowed this? Did I just mess it up? Intermittent fasting gives you a break from those questions. Laurie describes it perfectly: “It’s not a diet, it’s a quiet.”

This approach reshapes the way you view eating altogether. You’re no longer stressing over every bite; instead, you focus on nourishing yourself during your eating window and enjoying life during the remaining hours.

Benefits: Beyond Hormonal Balance

The benefits of intermittent fasting go beyond managing menopause symptoms. Here’s what Laurie and others have noticed:

• Lower inflammation: Chronic inflammation is tied to a range of health problems, from joint pain to heart disease. Fasting helps reduce this.
• Boosted immunity: Your immune system gets a chance to reset and work more effectively.
• Weight management: Hormonal weight gain feels impossible to budge during menopause, but fasting can help your body burn fat for fuel.
• Mental clarity: Menopause often brings brain fog, but fasting clears the noise, boosting focus and productivity.
• Better energy: Counterintuitively, fasting restores energy and stamina, helping you feel active and vibrant.

Common Misconceptions About Fasting

Many think fasting means starving yourself or eating nothing all day, but that’s not the case. Laurie points out that fasting works best when it’s easy and sustainable. It’s not about deprivation—it’s about timing. The eating window can be tailored to your lifestyle, whether you prefer a six, eight, or ten-hour window. The key is finding what feels right for you.

Another misconception? That intermittent fasting is only for weight loss. While weight loss can be a result, fasting’s real power lies in balancing hormones and giving your body the rest it needs to function well.

Empowering Women Through Menopause

A lot of women accept menopause as an inevitable decline, but Laurie reminds us that it doesn’t have to be that way. Intermittent fasting isn’t about fighting your body—it’s about working with it. By creating space for your body to heal and adapt, you can regain confidence and energy.

Laurie encourages women to approach this practice gently. This isn’t about perfection; it’s about consistency. She believes everyone’s fasting journey is unique, so the goal is to find a rhythm that supports your goals and lifestyle.

Ready To Get Started?

If you’re intrigued by the idea of intermittent fasting, the first step is simple: try it. Start with 12 hours of fasting (including overnight sleep), and gradually extend the fasting window. Pay attention to what works for your body, and don’t hesitate to adjust as needed.

Also, remember the golden rule Laurie teaches: keep it clean. Stick to non-caloric beverages during your fasting hours to experience the full benefits.

Menopause doesn’t have to feel like a struggle. With tools like intermittent fasting, it’s possible to thrive—physically, mentally, and emotionally. Laurie Lewis’s story is proof that you can regain energy, clarity, and balance. Whether you’re navigating menopause now or simply preparing for the future, intermittent fasting might just be the quiet solution you’ve been looking for.

Where to find Laurie Lewis: ⁠
Website⁠ 
⁠Instagram⁠ 

About your host, Jennifer Ford Berry: Jennifer is the host of the Making Room podcast (formerly The 29 Minute Mom podcast) and the founder of the Created Order Neighborhood, an online community of women who want to live a life of order and purpose. She is the author of five books, including the Organize Now! series and her latest, Make Room. Jennifer was previously the regular organizing expert on the TV show Winging It, Buffalo Style. , and has appeared as a guest expert on several television and radio shows, as well as in national magazines and newspapers. Jennifer lives in western New York with her husband and two children. She works both hands-on and virtually with her clients to help them eliminate clutter and live their dreams.

Where to find Jennifer:

 ⁠Website⁠ 

 ⁠Instagram⁠ 

 ⁠Facebook⁠ 

 ⁠Youtube⁠

 ⁠Pinterest⁠