Fi Jamieson-Folland highlights the 3 best steps for beginning your cleanse / detox / fast

You know it’s that time…when your body’s telling you it needs a rest from the inside out. And you can tell that having a lie in at the weekend, a cat nap during the day, cutting down on one the day’s coffees or drinking a few healthy smoothies isn’t going to cut it this time.

Or perhaps a couple of ‘health days’ a month (rather than the alternative, behind-the- 8-ball ‘sick days’ that seem pretty common!) is something you’ve wisely built into your routine.

Or it may be that you chose to observe a practice like a period of fasting, that’s consistent with your beliefs and your local community. Whatever the reason – it’s that time.

So here are the 3 steps I’ve consistently found to be effective when it comes to starting out on the best foot for your detox, cleanse or fast –

1. Water – you’ll hear me mention this one as a key factor time and again. And this is with good reason. Feelings of hunger can come up during a different nutrition-routine, and what I’ve found over the years for myself and many of my clients, is that feelings of hunger are often thirst in disguise. Especially when our body is under stress or adapting to a new situation. It’s ideal to be drinking a minimum of 1.5 liters of filtered water each day (and note – tea / coffee / juice doesn’t count!)

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2. Rest – get plenty when you feel tired. I often see many of us feeling the need to keep on going; even through a time that’s more demanding physically or mentally. Learning to respond to our needs in the most appropriate and relevant ways can be one of the biggest wins coming out of a period like a fast.

3. Quality nutrition – whilst the rest that we give our digestive system during a fast / detox / cleanse is a powerful ‘holiday’ for our body; when we do eat, it can make all the difference to keep our food choices ‘clean’ and optimal for our cells’ needs. Choosing low GI foods (slow energy release), micro-nutrient- rich and fresh (rather than processed), with plenty of veggies and a little fruit, are the best options for looking after our cells – especially during the fast / detox / cleanse time.

Take away – If you’d like 5 ways to kick sugar-cravings to the curb during your cleanse / detox, and if you’re fasting for part of the time, and needing wise food options during your meal-times, then check out this link

Fi head & shdrs blueFi Jamieson-Folland D.O, is a Lifestyle Consultant, with over 20 years experience in Europe, Asia and New Zealand as a qualified osteopath, educator, writer, certified raw vegan gluten-free chef, speaker and health mentor. She lives in NZ and Indonesia with her husband Chris, relishing an outdoor lifestyle and time with family and friends.