lifestyle
Healthy Living: The Benefits of Fasting and Detoxing
me • health & fitness • lifestyle • health-wellness
For centuries people have fasted. Fasting doesn't have to be about deprivation or making a statement. It doesn't have to be about food either. Some people might want to fast from Facebook, technology, testing, or television for 24 hours. Letting go of habits allows you to let in other things. Sometimes it's simply about aligning your compass.
When I'm coaching people through life transformation, one of the primary issues is usually a bitterness or toxic emotion they need to let go of in their life. Cleansing our lives simply means taking a deep breath and taking time to stop, think, pray, evaluate, and even let go of triggers in your life.
What is it you need to let go of? Maybe it's a person, a place, or a thing. It can be a habit or a toxic friend or attitude. Maybe it's something as simple as a habit that is taking time away from the one thing you love the most. The bottom line is that it's up to you! No one knows your body better than you do.
This year I'm on day 15 of a 21 day liquid fast and all is going well. I drink a lot — a lot of water and sometimes other healthy liquids like tomato juice. When I'm fasting, I develop a love for milk again, perhaps because when we were babies we drank it for a year! I love milk during the fast, though I don't drink it normally.
At the end of the fast my body, mind, and spirit feel amazing. For me, fasting works. It's a time to detox and let go and it's also a time of deep contemplation and lightness. It requires discipline but the interruption of the traditional ways we indulge is a great recalibration for me. Is there anything I miss? Yes, I miss cheeseburgers, sonic chili cheese dogs, and little Debbies.
Why did I ever think I needed to gorge myself on three meals a day Or six small ones, as some "experts" tell you? No, it doesn't halt your metabolism. No, it doesn't make you lose weight and regain it. No, it doesn't deprive your body of nutrients. I know because I do it. Dr. Schulz, an M.D. and foremost medical expert on the subject, have a lot to say on the power of fasting to clean out your digestive system. He writes about the dangers of "sludge" and toxic waste that builds up in our bodies creating disease.
Yet, still, my aunt Ethel will comment on the danger of fasting the minute I upload this post. So as soon as I end my fast, Aunt Ethel, I'll have a little Debbie chocolate snack just for you. And believe me, I will enjoy every moment of it!
Have you ever done a cleanse? What things do you want or need to detox from in your life?
Picture courtesy of flickr.
Tammy Kling is a life coach, crisis management expert, and advocate for the homeless. She is an international author of 37 books including The Compass. Tammy is also the founder of The Homeless Writers Project, an organization that helps those living on the street write out their hopes & dreams via writers workshops, free journals and other resources. In addition to writing and coaching, Tammy is a mom of two boys, an avid trail and mountain runner, blogger, and adventure travel writer.
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