Have you ever participated in a food or other type of “cleanse”?
I’m halfway through my first food cleanse (note: this is not a fast. We are eating food!) and it’s more challenging than I expected.
Day 1 and 2 – raw fruits and vegetables; Days 3, 4, 5 – add in whole grains; Days 6, 7 – add in healthy fats like avocados and olive oil.
The first two days presented the biggest challenge. I didn’t know if I’d get through.
I made it.
What started out of personal curiosity (and the belief that if I interview someone on my site, I should experience what I’m interviewing them about!) has turned into a cleansing of not only the body but my mind, too.
In the last four days I:
- Felt more hungry than I have in a long time.
- Fully understand the role food plays in my life. Both as nourishment and as comfort.
- Sat with discomfort, released the anger and frustration and experienced the good that comes if you are patient.
- Noticed that when my vices (for me the vices are food and exercise. Some people smoke, drink, shop…) are no longer available, I feel stripped, naked and totally exposed. I have nothing to hide the discomfort – I just have to feel it.
- Never felt more clear about the direction I want to take my career, having the strength to say it out loud once and for all, and get rid of the “shoulds” that kept holding me back.
I don’t have food to “cloud” my thinking or hide my real feelings. Food is powerful – it can harm you or heal you, depending on how you use it.
This experience, I realize has been a metaphor for my life. The hunger, anger and frustration mean something more than just “not having food”.
Have you ever felt stuck or “off-track”? Have you given yourself space to cleanse, whether food (not necessary) or otherwise (maybe getting rid of material things)? “Letting go” can create a lot of space for what you really want. Too often we hold on to what we know (comfort) because what we don’t know is frightening.
This food cleanse has been about so much more than food. I feel more clear, focused and purposeful than I have in a long time. I have a new awareness and appreciation for my responses to different situations and how food plays a role in my life. With that awareness comes great power and insight. I have a clean slate to start a new chapter. And that is feel good living.
Note: Before beginning any food related cleanse, please consult your doctor. These are not suitable for all populations.
Have you ever participated in a food cleanse or other type of body cleanse? What was your experience?
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{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Stacey, I’m fascinated that you’re doing this right now. When I became ill a couple weeks ago (first time in more than a year), I had that same realization about how food “clouds” me. When I saw you used that word, I just sort of let my jaw drop open. MY GOD, we’re ALL ONE! (If I’m going through it, surely others are, too.)
Anyhow, being sick let me become clear about a lot of things, but food was big. I ate only “clear” foods when I was ill, and when I recovered, found that all I wanted at first were clear foods, too. It’s only in this past week that I’ve started adding back in things like dairy, whole grains, etc. But one thing I haven’t yet added back in is sugar to a large degree. That’s wild for me, because I was born with a sweet tooth the size of Texas (shout-out to Karl & Jannie!).
I’m just so impressed by you right now, Stacey, and loved reading about your realizations throughout this process. My favorite part, by far, “I don’t have food to ‘cloud’ my thinking or hide my real feelings. Food is powerful – it can harm you or heal you, depending on how you use it.”
Awesome!
Woo-hoo! Congrats Stacey!
This all sounds wonderful and I love that you gave such a cleanse a go. I have heard of lots of different cleanses…never really tried one myself. Although in many ways I think my dietary lifestyle is a cleanse in itself each day. But one thing I do want to do, is keep going more raw. I started sprouting some beans in the fall and it was pretty good, but fell back on more cooked veggie/grain dishes throughout the winter.
Anyhow, as for this cleanse, what I loved about it, is that it is perhaps the first cleanse that makes sense! I have heard of lemon-water cleanses and cleanses that involve chicken and neither one of those sounds like a great cleanse to me.
And I so agree with how our emotional outlook changes based on the foods we eat. It is amazing really when one has a chance like you to uncover themselves deeper than every before and get to know what some foods are actually masking for us.
Way to go and I am sure the rest will be a breeze
Bother .. just typed a long post and it zapped it!
I haven’t cleansed .. but I did find out early in life that I can’t eat breakfast or lunch .. I just slug up .. and the brain is hopeless .. obviously I eat – fruit for breakfast, and salad (very little if any protein) for lunch – even when I was playing squash 5 times a week .. then a supper – healthy food though and not too much red meat or meat.
I am letting go of lots of things at the moment ..
I know if I don’t follow the way of eating that suits me .. I’m finished for the day – so I try always and be sensible during the day .. it works and I always feel fine & am really never ill ..
Well done .. it’s interesting to hear other ways of doing things .. lots of water too .. have a good weekend .. Hilary
Over the last couple of years I have engaged in a major life change (divorce). Within the experience I was obliged to liquidate a lot of personal property as well as live on a smaller budget. I have found a peace that came with it. I no longer feel burdened by “stuff” (both real and mental). The feeling is akin to selling a power boat and all that goes with it (gas, insurance, registration, maintenance, etc.) and being left with a kayak. The kayak, albeit less glitzy.. brings both peace and quiet (real and imagined).
I had fear of the unknown… but now that fear has turned to strength. I am at peace and so happy that I was able to do this while the sun still shines.
Great article Stacy. Thanks. I may try it out soon!
TIM
Megan – I was ill in March…first time in 4 years! I knew it was a sign of something…I just didn’t know what…my body was cleansing, and this week was the final push. I still hope that if/when we meet in person, we can find the strength to “cloud” ourselves with a little ice cream!
Evita – the rest did get easier, and I wasn’t hungry anymore, never felt full. It was an incredible experience…and yes, one that made sense!
Hilary – I found that even with exercise, my body didn’t need as much food “as I thought”. Freeing…it is important to listen to your body, we all need different things for sure!
TIM – Thanks for leaving a comment! Yes, cleansing takes on many forms…so happy to hear you are at peace (kayaking is definitely more peaceful and relaxing!)
Stacey, I found you through our mutual wonderful friend Lance from the Jungle of Life and so glad I did….I took on (for me) the biggest challenge of all, a 5 day juice fast and kundalini yoga (which I blogged about in detail after surviving) and it was quite incredible to go through the process…the mental fear, the pangs of hunger, the quietness of the mind and the body after a day or two, the release from hunger, the body’s ways to cleanse and detox. I absolutely LOVED it. Good luck. You are on to something great!
I need to try out a cleansing method such as this on. There are some days that I don’t feel clear about my goals. I can see how food would play a big factor in thinking clearly. Food is basically a chemical reaction within us. The higher the quality of food that we eat the more it will improve our ability to think.
Hi Farnoosh – Thank you for stopping by! Yes, Lance is a great friend. Oh, I’ll have to check out your site and read about your experience. Yes, it was a great week, one I will remember for a long time!
Hey Karl – I HIGHLY recommend it. It was just the challenge I needed to push me out of my comfort zone and get the clarity I needed.
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