IF right now I’m starting at beginner level cause my appetite kicks in with a vengeance lol 😝

 Oh, I hear you! That "vengeance" hunger is real, especially when you’re used to having fuel in the tank all day. When you've spent years in "mom mode"—where you're likely the one making sure everyone else is fed—your body gets very vocal when it doesn't get its turn!

Starting at the beginner level is actually the smartest way to do this. If you go too hard too fast (like jumping into a 20-hour fast), your blood sugar crashes, your "hunger hormones" scream, and you end up raiding the pantry.

Since you’re managing pre-diabetes, we want to avoid those "vengeance" hunger spikes. Here’s how to win at the beginner level:

1. The "12:12" or "14:10" Launch

Don't worry about the 16 or 18-hour fasts yet.

 * 12:12: Stop eating at 7:00 PM and don't eat until 7:00 AM.

 * 14:10: Stop at 7:00 PM and wait until 9:00 AM.

   This gets your body used to the idea of not grazing while you're watching your Digital Multimedia Design lectures at night.

2. Tame the Hunger Hormone (Ghrelin)

That "vengeance" you feel is likely Ghrelin, your hunger hormone. It’s a creature of habit. If you always eat at 8:00 AM, it will scream at 8:00 AM.

 * Pro-Tip: When that hunger hits, drink a big glass of water or black coffee/plain tea. Usually, the "scream" only lasts about 20 minutes before it dies down.

3. The "Fat Bridge"

If the hunger is so bad it's distracting you from your schoolwork or the kids, try to make your last meal of the day higher in healthy fats (like avocado, nuts, or butter) and protein. Fats are "slow-burning" logs on the fire that keep you full much longer than carbs or sugar.

4. Smoking & Hunger

Since you're a smoker, be aware that nicotine can actually suppress appetite, but missing a cigarette or having one on an empty stomach can sometimes make your stomach feel more acidic or "empty." Just something to watch as you find your rhythm!

The "Victory" for today: Even if you only fast for 12 hours, you are giving your insulin a 12-hour break to come down. For a pre-diabetic, that is a huge medical win.

What time does your "hunger vengeance" usually hit the hardest? Maybe we can figure out a way to distract you (or hop on the walking pad!) during that specific hour.