Fasting for clarity…beginning a 7 day fast #springcleaning
When I find myself in times of trouble… mother “fasting” calls to me… speaking words of wisdom… “stop eating…”
(read time: 4 mins)
Introduction:
I’ve found over the years there is an intimate relationship between what I eat and how how I feel. Food is simply the most powerful tool to affect one’s mind and body, (for ill or for good) that exists in the modern first-world. Having access to nutrient dense and sugar/carbohydrate dense food all the time is something our ancestors for hundreds of thousands of years couldn’t have dreamed of. Thus resulting in the massive obesity and inflammatory disease epidemic we find ourselves in today. Coming from a family with a history of obesity and as a yoga teacher and health coach, the question of “what should we eat?” is a concept that lives rent free in my head and often drives me nuts!
Additionally there is a dirth of scientific articles about what to eat to optimize one’s longevity, performance, and health and they often contradict… vegan, paleo, pegan(paleo-vegan), carnivore, mediterranean, high protein, low-carb, keto, the list goes on… I myself had recently settled on a sustainable diet I enjoyed only to recently come across a number of reputable doctors explaining how poly-unsaturated fatty acids, (PUFA, aka fats from seed-oils) cause a massive amount of inflammation. (NIH Study)
I then spent two days making sure I didn’t eat any PUFA and lo and behold I felt amazing in my joints and even felt my flexibility improve effortlessly!
Why Fast:
But the stress of trying to refigure out my diet with this new information becomes anxiety producing every time I go to make myself a meal. Thus the idea to do another fast comes as a massive relief. The easiest part about fasting for a few days on herbal tea is that you don’t have to think about food! On top of that, it’s great when transitioning to a new diet to fast for a couple days anyways to allow your body to heal itself.
When I fast my mind feels clear. I can focus on my goals without interuption. Within 18hrs, (because of regular fasting practice) my body transitions effortlessly into ketosis and I get a pleasant sense of improved sharpness and energy in my mind.
At the time of writing this I’m 12 hours into a fast, and I already feel the focus that fasting always brings me. What inspired my fast this time was not weight loss, (though I could certainly use it), but the need within myself to regain that sense of clarity, and the desire to be more mindful of my habits, triggers, and emotions. I often feel that I use the pleasure derived from food and screens to mask my feelings and protect myself from unconscious shame or responsibility.
So I’m fasting not just from food but from the internet as well… (I’m only allowing myself work related internet use, no social media, YouTube, or Spotify.) So far I feel empowered and competent. (I’ve already finished one blog before 8am.)
Strategies:
One of my strategies to make the fast easier is to time my in-take of fluids. Herbal teas provide important nourishment to my gut bacteria, and I save my caffeine for late morning to propel me past lunch and into the end of the day. Calming teas and magnesium at night help me to prep for a deep sleep. Plus I drink at least 7 cups of water with electrolytes throughout the day.
Example Day:
5am-7am: Water w/shot of Apple Cider Vinegar. Morning Yoga and 1 mile walk.
7am-11am: Non-Caffeinated Herbal Tea (Turmeric, Ashwaganda, and Ginger) and Water. See clients.
11am-3pm: I will nurse a thermos of MUDWTR or black coffee with cinnamon while keeping busy with clients and computer work.
1pm and 3pm: Water with Electrolytes. (Himalayan Sea Salt is fine)
4:30pm: Liver Detox Herbal Tea
6pm: Chamomile, Marshmallow Root, blend. Water w/electrolytes, plus magnesium.
My plan is to fast for between 5-7 days and track my experience in this blog. (I’ve done 21 days in the past without issue) If you’d like to be coached through a fast or to learn more about my mind/body coaching programs you can book a free 30 min discovery call with me here.