After the indulgences of summer and before the indulgences of the holidays, the early fall is a terrific time to engage in a cleanse.  Doing so will prepare your body and mind for the winter and all its challenges (like layers of clothing, holiday foods, fickle weather, and shorter days).  Cleanses can be as simple as forgoing the pleasure of a favorite treat for a week, or as involved as enjoying a juice fast for a day or longer.

Begin by taking a quick survey of your current health and fitness status, perhaps by using a Habit Tracker like this one from Atomic Habits.  Then target one of your weakest habits, and strategize how best to ‘cleanse’ yourself of it.  Set your plan in writing, enroll an accountability buddy, arrange your environment to cue you to doing what you said you would do, and then swing into your cleanse with confidence.

If you intend to ‘cleanse’ by letting go some naughty nutritional habits, clear out your cupboards and refrigerator of said non-nutritive foods.  Stock up on the kinds of foods you would rather be eating, and plan a few meals out in advance.  If you really want to shift your diet for the better, actually preparing a few meals and snacks in advance with make sure you don’t go astray when hungry.  Keep healthy foods front and center in your pantry and refrigerator as a cue to trigger your new healthier habits.

If you want to engage in a deeper nutritional cleanse by fasting from solid foods, make sure you consult your physician first.  If given the ‘go ahead’ then stock up on plenty of veggies and fruits to make your own juices; or if fortunate enough to have fresh juices available in your area, support your local juice company and the farmers that supply them while you cleanse your body!  Be sure to include bowel supportive supplements like triphalia and probiotics while juicing.  Use the time freed up from ordinary meal preparation while juice fasting to learn more about sound nutritional practices and to engage in more psycho-spiritual activities like yoga and Qi Gong.  Adjust your juice fast to suit your activity levels to gain maximum benefit from this special time of year.

If you tend to overindulge in online game play or social media surfing, you can ‘cleanse’ your mind and invigorate your body by establishing certain hours of the day for putting the internet aside and perhaps engaging in a walk on a crunchy autumn path, or hike to the top of a mountain to survey the quilt of colors below, or take a new dynamic fitness class.  Make healthy activities a bigger part of every day for optimal well being.

Naturally, if you have any questions about cleansing and fasting, just give me a call (808) 634-2152.  A cleanse during the autumn can become a wholesome ritual that brings greater clarity of mind, health of body, and closeness as a family.  The sooner you do, the better you will feel!