So, in this episode of The Drew Mariani Show, Drew brings on Beth Bubik, the author of Delay and Pray, to talk about the incredible benefits of fasting. Trust us, this isn’t just about shedding a few pounds, it’s about building spiritual strength too! 

Beth breaks down how she struggled with fasting at first (hello, hangry moods), but then discovered that our sugar, flour, and alcohol addictions are what make fasting feel impossible. She explains that it’s not really about calories, but about insulin. When you’re constantly feeding your body sugar and carbs, your insulin levels stay high, making it super hard to tap into fat-burning mode. It’s like your body is stuck on a sugar rollercoaster, and not the fun kind.

Her big discovery? It’s all about balance. She teaches something called the 8-Fast-Feast Cycle: fasting on certain days, feasting (responsibly!) on Sundays, and wrapping the whole thing around the liturgical calendar. So, not only does this help you spiritually by amplifying your prayer life, but it also gets you into those jeans you’ve been eyeing! 

Beth also explains how fasting helps your body reset. Fasting can lower blood pressure, cholesterol, and even detoxify your body.  Plus, she makes a super compelling point about how Satan can control us through our attachment... food included! If we can conquer our food addictions, we can definitely tackle other spiritual challenges.

And, FYI, Beth is all about moderation. You don’t have to be doing extreme 72-hour fasts to see benefits. She says a 16:8 fasting window (fast for 16 hours, eat in an 8-hour window) is enough to see real health and spiritual improvements. 

Fasting and prayer are about glorifying God with our bodies and overcoming the vices of sloth and gluttony. Instead of turning to comfort food, turn to prayer and the sacraments. That’s how you build both physical and spiritual resilience.