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Blog: What, Why, and How of Fasting

The What, Why and How of Fasting and Cleansing

This post will prepare you for our week long cleansing and inner nourishment retreat. I will speak to some of the benefits of fasting and cleansing, possible detox symptoms you may experience and tips for how to prepare for this fast.

I would first like to differentiate my definitions of fasting and cleansing. Fasting is abstaining from solid foods. There are juice fasts, broth fasts and water fasts. Cleansing is a gentler detox, but still effective. It’s a move towards a healthier eating pattern by cutting out certain foods that create aggravation in the body. To fast safely you should always ease in and out of the fast with a gentle cleanse. Our guided fast is mindfully prepared in this way.

Although I talk in this post mostly about fasting, cleansing also has similar benefits; it just takes longer for the changes to occur. Don’t let your life situation stop you, if you can’t fast, cleanse!

Benefits of Fasting and Cleansing

Fasting and cleansing detoxify and revitalize one’s mind, body, emotions and soul. When the body is freed from digestion, it’s able to focus its energies on regenerating other systems. It has time to clean up the buildup of toxins and regulate the functioning of other organs. A study from the University of Southern California discovered that fasting for as little as 3 days can regenerate the entire immune system! Fasting is a holistic approach to complete rejuvenation for your physiological and psychological being.

Here is a list of some of the benefits of fasting:

  1. Strengthens your immune system
  2. Clears the skin
  3. Improves digestion
  4. Increases brain function
  5. Promotes longevity
  6. Clearer vision
  7. Speeds up metabolism
  8. Improves insulin sensitivity
  9. Supports weight loss
  10. Gives you more energy
  11. Reduces the amount of sleep you need
  12. Makes you feel dam good!

I first became fascinated with fasting when a friend’s mother of mine went on a 40 day fast to cure cancer. When she returned the cancer was gone and remained gone! Since then I have meet many people who cured serious illnesses (cancer, auto-immune, chronic asthma and arthritis) with fasting.

Fasting has become a regular part of my life. You can integrate fasting through daily intermittent fasts or longer seasonal fasts.  It has become my most effective tool to gain clarity, heal my body,  and step into my power.

Detox symptoms

There are many benefits to fasting; however there are also symptoms that your body/mind may experience as you rid yourself of the physical, mental and emotional toxins. It does not mean that everyone will experience these symptoms, but you may. So it is helpful to be aware of them.  If you start integrating fasting into your life more regularly they do not occur as often. Most physical detox symptoms are over after the first 3 days of fasting. It is important to remember that these symptoms are only temporary and will pass.

 

Here are some of the symptoms you may experience:

  • Dizziness
  • fatigue
  • nausea
  • joint pain
  • vomiting
  • diarrhea
  • headaches
  • irritability
  • lack of focus
  • increased body odor or skin rash caused by elimination of toxins

Special information for Caffeine Addicts

I often find a very high incident of caffeine withdrawal in my clients. This normally occurs after 12- 24 hrs. of no caffeine intake. Most people experience a mild to severe headache. Caffeine narrows the blood vessels that surround your brain. The pain comes from the expansion of those blood vessels to their normal state.

To reduce the withdrawal symptoms you can gently reduce the amount of caffeine your drink over a few days. It’s good to drink plenty of water and get lots of rest to avoid dehydration.

If your work day starts on Monday you may choose to stop caffeine on the weekend so you can withdrawal without having to work. 

How to prepare mentally and physically for the cleanse

No matter which variation you do you will see a great benefit! It is best to make a cleanse that is practical for your life and also creates a nourishing routine. One where you know you will succeed.  Be realistic and listen to your body. Habits can have a very strong hold on our body and mind. You will need to use some will power to stay committed. There is a delicate balance between staying committed and forcing ourselves.  It is a subtle yet profound distinction. If we slip into the “forcing” category, the cleansing can actually stop and your body goes into a stress response mode. There is not one method for everyone. If you need help finding the right variation for you message us.

 

  1. Decide which variation is right for this point in your life.
  2. Take into consideration the detox symptoms and have a plan for what you will do if one of those symptoms occurs.
  3. Make sure you have the proper equipment.
    1. An open mind with ability to laugh at yourself!
    2. Lots of fruits and veggies
    3. If you are choosing to blend make sure you have a blender or if you don’t have one good teeth to chew your food really good
    4. If you are choosing to juice- make sure you have a juicer or decide to buy juice
  4. Make sure you have food
    1. Going to the grocery store once your fast starts can be a very tempting situation. Set yourself up for success by getting everything the day before it starts.
    2. Having a water bottle or a thermos for sipping hot water throughout the day will help with detox symptoms and also hydration.
  5. Set a time aside for Inner Nourishment
    1. 5-20 min a day (can be longer if you like!)
    2. check into the Inner Nourishment Private group for mediations or insights of the day
    3. Practice a somatic tool for regulating your nervous system; this could be a tool provided by us or maybe another tool you already use in your life to help center and ground your system.
    4. Have a journal or something to write down daily observations. We will be offering some exercises to help explore the inner territory that may arise during the fast.

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