Ever tried the experience of fasting? I wanted to do it, without spending the money to check into a resort, similar to the one I work for. Low cost and at home was the way. But on my own? Oh no. I needed a community of like-minded people doing it with me. And so the idea came to me. Let’s do something that can positively touch people’s lives, even if only for 5 days.
The community fasting detox programme came easy. A proven methodology can’t be beaten, 2 coconut waters, one green juice to be had together, also a good excuse to spend some quality time with my fellow detoxers, and a warm veg broth in the evening. To keep it simple, very low cost and accessible to all, I decided to add a fairly long list of supplements and a daily enema as optionals only.
A first day with just breakfast and lunch, we broke the fast with a papaya fruit platter at 12.30pm and a leafy salad in the evening, maybe 600 calories on the final day, for a total of 4 full days with nothing to eat.
Simplicity and minimalism are the essences of fasting. Leaving the complexities of today’s food behind for a few days, cleansing the intestinal tract, relieving constipation and digestive discomforts and giving the gut time and space to heal and repair.
The many benefits of spending a few days with no food go way beyond the digestive system.
Regular fasting is linked to longevity and one of the hot subjects in the research of anti-ageing experts. Although we don’t know how, fasting seems to be effective in reducing the damaging force of free radicals, such as reactive oxygen species. Great for blood sugar regulation, it helps decrease insulin and improve insulin sensitivity. Controlling your blood sugar levels is one of the first things nutritionists advise to do when you need to calm swinging moods and control the stress response. It also regenerates the pancreas.
Fasting triggers production of new white blood cells, providing a boost to your immune system. This crucial part of the organism keeps us safe from the attack of viruses, bacteria and parasites as well as identifying cancer cells as abnormal and killing them.
As an active member of the “conscious community” of Koh Phangan, how could I forget to mention the emotional and spiritual benefits of this ancient practice? After the first couple of days, you might experience a very special clarity of mind, a different sort of consciousness, an inner calm and a natural predisposition towards contemplation will emerge. Self-discovery and perspective over your day to day life will come easy. You might make an important decision, plan a new project, a change of direction.
As part of my job as detox manager, I witnessed people sobbing uncontrollably, then calling an old friend or family member they haven’t connected to for a long time. I very well remember an American gentleman coming up with the strong intent to change job, start afresh on a different path in life. A lady deciding to have a baby. And very recently, a guest embracing the decision to soon move back to the country where she originated, after more than 20 years in New Zealand.
Ancient thinkers and philosophers Plato, Socrates, Aristotle were early advocates of fasting. Even Hippocrates, one of the fathers of medicine, was quoted saying “…Our food should be our medicine. Our medicine should be our food. But to eat when you are sick is to feed your sickness”.
The spiritual benefits of fasting are highly respected in all major religious traditions. Christianity, Islam, Buddhism, Judaism and Hinduism incorporate this ancient and modern practice as part of rituals and festivals or during set periods of the year. In the Yoga tradition fasting is known to reduce the tamasic element (synonym of heaviness, pessimism, laziness…) and in some traditions, it is recommended for full moon days.
People often go through days of high energy, followed by days when sleep and rest are needed. Times for meditation and self-inquiry alternate moments of great connection with everyone around. It’s a rollercoaster of joy and sadness, closeness to others and inner inquiry, moments of great insight and times to let go. And, obviously, when you start eating again, everything tastes marvellous, life is sweet, you find optimism and can do attitude.
The community fasting detox was confined to Koh Phangan, yet somehow old Facebook connections, people I haven’t interacted with for 10 years, spotted the public event on their newsfeed and decided to join in from Europe. 24 enthusiasts signed up, all part of a very interactive Facebook messenger group with participants in Koh Phangan and Samui, Switzerland, Austria and the UK.
Fat loss is pretty much guaranteed. How could I not mention it? I am not a strong advocate of rapid weight loss per se, as it is proven to be ephemeral, in the vast majority of cases. Fasting can be very useful as part of a reset, if you need the strength and mental clarity to implement permanent nutritional and lifestyle changes. It is a great head-start towards reaching and maintaining a healthy weight as the boost of confidence and optimism can give you momentum. More energy and vitality come useful when you intend to learn how to source and prepare balanced meals, if you intend to take part in a one-month whole food programme for instance. Handling long-term addictions can be a bit easier too, after a fast.
If it’s the first time and you want to give it a go, make sure you do it in a safe and proper manner, consult with your physician particularly if you have a condition and consider doing it in a detox centre or joining a supervised fasting group.
I am fully aware that in this (Western) world of abundance and overfeeding, fasting can be perceived as an extreme practice. It isn’t at all, it’s as natural and human as sleeping, walking, eating. We all share a history of food shortages and rationing (world wars), thousands of years of long cold winters and periods of lean and ugly cows. Our bodies are built for endurance, we can live off our often abundant storage of fat through lipolysis and the resulting state of ketosis for a rather long time.
Everyone completing the community fasting detox was glowingly satisfied with the experience and myself among them. I loved running it and can’t wait to organise the next one this January. Would you like to take part? Reach out on Facebook and speak soon!
