Letting Go of Perfection: How Alicia Learned to Work With Her Body

Letting Go of Perfection: How Alicia Learned to Work With Her Body

Author: The Fasting Method December 16, 2025 Duration: 42:06

A heartfelt conversation on self-trust, mindset shifts, and healing without pressure.

Episode #236

๐ŸŽ™๏ธ What if the real breakthrough isn't in doing more, but in finally slowing down enough to listen to your body?

In this warm and encouraging conversation, Coach Amy sits down with TFM Community member Alicia Peters, whose journey through perimenopause, weight gain, and frustration eventually led her to profound mindset change. Alicia opens up about releasing comparison, embracing TRE as her foundation, and learning to work with โ€” not against โ€” her body's signals.

๐Ÿ‘‰ What you'll learn:

  • Why slowing down can sometimes create more healing than pushing harder
  • How Alicia broke free from comparison and perfectionism
  • The mindset shifts that helped her stay consistent and kind to herself
  • Why TRE became her anchor โ€” even before longer fasts
  • How to partner with your body during perimenopause and metabolic change
  • The practical strategies and self-talk that helped Alicia keep going

ย 

๐Ÿ“ The transcript for this episode is available on our website:
๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.thefastingmethod.com/podcasts/

ย 

๐Ÿ“ฃ Connect With Us

๐Ÿ“ธ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/fastingmethod/

๐Ÿ‘ Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/TheFastingMethod

๐ŸŒ FREE Facebook Group: https://bit.ly/TFMNetwork

๐Ÿš€ Ready to start your own transformation? Join The Fasting Method Community today.
๐Ÿ‘‰ https://www.thefastingmethod.com/community/

ย 

โฑ๏ธ Timestamps

00:00 Introduction

00:24 Amy shares Alicia's background and why her story matters

01:46 Welcoming Alicia

03:00 What brought Alicia to The Fasting Method

06:42 Creativity, coping, and finding new outlets

08:48 The mindset shifts that changed everything

11:41 Learning to partner with her body

14:05 The power of community and group support

17:39 Comparison, TRE, and redefining progress

20:21 Alicia's fasting evolution

26:40 How her way of eating has changed

28:15 Alicia's biggest non-scale victories

31:03 Health improvements: blood pressure, A1C, confidence

34:24 Overcoming derailing moments with "the next best thing"

38:08 What's next for Alicia

39:05 Alicia's advice for anyone just starting

40:05 What she would tell her earlier self

41:04 Closing reflections from Coach Amy

ย 

โš ๏ธ Disclaimer

This podcast is for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional care by a doctor or other qualified medical professional. You should always speak with your physician or other healthcare professional before doing any fasting, changing your diet, taking or adjusting any medication or supplements, or adopting any treatment for a health problem.

The use of any other products or services purchased by you as a result of this podcast does not create a healthcare provider-patient relationship between you and any of the experts affiliated with this podcast.

Information and statements regarding dietary supplements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration and are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.


For anyone navigating the world of intermittent fasting, sorting through the noise can be the hardest part. The Fasting Method Podcast cuts through that confusion with clarity and authority. Co-hosted by recognized experts Megan Ramos and Terri Lance, Ph.D., this podcast is built on a foundation of real science and practical application. The conversations here move beyond simplistic tips to explore the nuanced physiology of fasting, the psychological hurdles, and the sustainable strategies that lead to lasting health changes. Youโ€™ll hear detailed explorations of metabolic adaptation, hormone regulation, and the social complexities of changing one's eating patterns, all grounded in the hosts' extensive clinical and research experience. This is a space where listener questions drive the dialogue, making each episode a direct address to the real-world challenges people face. Tune in for a candid, evidence-based resource that treats fasting not as a trend, but as a deeply personal tool for wellness. The discussions on this podcast are designed to empower you with knowledge, demystify the process, and provide a supportive audio companion for your journey.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

The Fasting Method Podcast
Podcast Episodes
Why Short Fasts Stop Working โ€” And When You Need More [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 32:32
Why shorter fasts often stop working once insulin resistance is established โ€” and what therapeutic fasting is actually designed to do. Episode #245 ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ If you're fasting daily and still feel stuck, you may be stopping rigโ€ฆ
Why Calorie Counting Fails โ€” and What Hunger Really Controls [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 41:29
Why calorie counting fails โ€” and why hunger, not willpower, drives eating behavior. Episode #244 ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ If calories alone controlled weight, calorie counting would work. But it doesn't โ€” because hunger is the real driver. Inโ€ฆ
From Goals to Daily Actions: What Actually Moves You Forward [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:04
A practical conversation about why goals don't create change โ€” daily actions do. Episode #243 ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ "Having the big, beautiful goal doesn't get us to the big, beautiful goal. Translating it into daily actions is what actualโ€ฆ
The Quiet Changes That Make Lasting Results Possible [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:22
Real change doesn't usually look dramatic at first. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธIn this bonus episode, Dr. Terri Lance explores the subtle internal shifts that often signal real progress โ€” softer self-talk, quicker recovery after setbacks, and aโ€ฆ
Beginner Fasting Pitfalls: Why Rushing Slows Your Progress [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:26
A practical coaching conversation for new fasters on why slowing down is the fastest way to make real progress. Episode #242 ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ If fasting feels harder than it should, you may not be doing it "wrong" โ€” you may just be ruโ€ฆ
Beyond Willpower: Why Self-Criticism Keeps You Stuck [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 5:22
Many people believe they need more willpower to stay consistent with fasting or eating habits. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธIn this bonus episode, Dr. Terri Lance gently challenges that idea and explains why so-called "self-sabotaging" behaviors aโ€ฆ
The Gap Between Knowing and Doing [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 4:05
Many people already know what to do for their health โ€” and still struggle to follow through consistently. ๐ŸŽ™๏ธIn this bonus episode, Dr. Terri Lance explores the gap between knowing and doing, and why that gap has nothingโ€ฆ
The Hunger Code: Understanding Hunger Beyond Willpower [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 50:00
A deeper look at hunger โ€” and why overeating is not a willpower problem. Episode #240 ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ What if the real issue isn't overeating โ€” but over-hunger? In this episode, Megan Ramos and Dr. Terri Lance are joined by Dr. Jasonโ€ฆ
No More Compensating: How to Start the New Year Without Regret [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 34:18
A practical, mindset-focused conversation about starting the new year without punishment, panic, or regret. Episode #239 ๐ŸŽ™๏ธ What if the biggest mistake we make in January is starting from regret โ€” and trying to "make upโ€ฆ