Getting Juiced!
Cleanse Your Body, Renew Your Life
By Betsy Gutting, JD
It had been a long winter. I’d spent six months grieving the loss of my marriage, adjusting to a new home, and weathering my two teen-aged daughters’ difficult transitions. A burst of spring growth fueled my hope for a fresh new beginning. “It’s time to envision your new life,” my spirit kept prodding me. And yet I felt stuck.
What did this “new life” look like? I was ready to move forward, but none of the possible “next steps” felt quite right.
As an Intuitive Life Coach, I help empower others to expand their lives beyond familiar territory. I have learned that when we feel stuck or restless in some area of our life, it usually means we need to clear out space for something new to enter. Clearing away patterns, people or things that no longer serve our new expansion literally lightens our load.
As it turned out, it was my kids’ Spring Break and my former partner was taking my daughters back East for a week’s vacation. Admittedly feeling a bit sorry for myself for being “left behind,” I got quiet and consulted my inner guidance on how I could nurture myself during the vacation week. “Do a body detox,” my inner messenger counseled, “it’s exactly what your soul needs.”
“Hmmm….a body detox,” I mused. Visions of churning hunger and deprivation flooded in. I’d “dieted” before, and the process had never made me feel good … or brought me anywhere near happiness. And yet, I was well aware that during those six months of grieving I’d gained at least ten pounds, having nurtured myself with comfort food on more than one lonely evening. I was ready to let go of that pattern. I very much wanted to adopt new, healthier ways of loving my body.
Plus, I recalled watching my friend, Kymberlee, undertake a transformational “juice cleanse” a year earlier. I had witnessed her confidence soar and demeanor soften as she became more serene and happy during her detox. As a lover of transformational-growth experiences, I’d filed this one away as something definitely worth doing.
A juice fast, I soon learned, is thankfully not a “diet.” It is, rather, an intentional therapeutic program that allows your body to take a rest from digesting food and kick into it’s own natural, cleansing mode. Juice cleansing increases the cleansing capacity of the eliminative organs – the lungs, liver, kidneys and the skin – so that masses of accumulated metabolic wastes and toxins can be quickly expelled. In today’s modern world, where much of our air and water is polluted and our food is altered by the use of pesticides and chemicals, our bodies can greatly benefit from a periodic detoxification.
But the benefits of a juice cleanse, in my experience, can go far beyond resting and rejuvenating your body. Committing to a detox is a powerful symbolic act of self-love. While detoxing naturally moves your focus to your physical body, it also moves you into cultivating a renewed sense of overall well-being. It is a powerful opportunity to nurture your whole self in new ways.
For example, I knew from reading and talking with others who had done 5-7 day cleanses, that I would probably experience periods of hunger, especially during the first 2 or 3 days. I was also told that I might experience low feelings and possibly headaches as predictable detox side effects. Knowing this, I planned a light work-load, and scheduled two massages during my 5-day cleanse. I also took warm sea salt baths with essential oils.
Affirmations were also healing. I affirmed daily that I was cleansing my body, clearing out old patterns, and bringing in new energy and vitality to create my new life. Over and over I sent my body and spirit the message that I was worthy of this special pampering time.
I played soothing music and made extra time for meditation. I journaled about my experience when I felt low. Each day I massaged my tummy and noticed its new suppleness. I dry-brushed my skin with a natural bristle brush to slough off dead cells and increase its capacity to “breathe” and release toxins.
I walked around a nearby lake twice a day. I gave thanks for the simple gift of a warm, fresh breeze on my skin. In short, I was tuning in to my senses and what made my body feel good, peaceful, and relaxed.
The more I cared for my body, the more I felt loving feelings for it. I began to feel a new appreciation for my physical self and everything it did for me. I vowed not to abuse my body again by overindulging in too-large portions, excessive caffeine, or that “extra” glass of wine.
When you commit to a cleanse with the intention of taking supreme care of your body, you can expect wonderful side effects. You will come away with a new appreciation for healthy food. With healthier eating and body-care habits, your energy and vitality will increase. Most people lose a few pounds, which can’t help but boost confidence. And your spirit rewards you with a new bounce in your step. You literally feel lighter, freer, stronger and more empowered to move forward in your life.
To get optimal results from your juice cleanse, here are some practical suggestions:
1. Get support. Buy a book, do internet research, and/or get information from friends who have successfully done a juice cleanse. I recommend having a book that details the why’s, how to’s, and benefits of juice cleansing by your side as you go through the process. It’s also a great boost to partner with someone and give each other phone/email support. You may want to get extra support by doing a supervised cleanse at a recognized retreat center.
2. Gift yourself with the freshest, organic fruits and vegetables available in making your juices. Beg, borrow or steal the best juicer available. Allow plenty of time to enjoy making your juices and savor the taste of freshly juiced, organically grown produce. “Chew” your juice rather than just drinking it down. As you shop for and juice your ingredients, affirm that you are giving your body, mind and spirit a wonderful gift of rest and rejuvenation. Your body will reward you many times over!
3. Dry brush your skin 1-2 times per day (before showering) during the cleansing process. As you brush, affirm that you are releasing toxins and freeing your body to breathe in new life. Start at your feet and work your way up, always brushing in the direction of your heart. Be extra gentle on your neck and face. As you stimulate your lymphatic system and slough off dead cells, your skin will radiate a healthy glow.
4. Remember that you are letting go of the old and making space for the new. Experiencing low feelings or emotional periods is a normal part of the detoxification process. Your body is releasing toxins and old patterns. Within 3-4 days, you will begin to feel lighter, happier and experience a new sense of well-being. People often report a heightened sense of connection with their spiritual source.
5. Record your feelings and experiences. Use a journal if you like. Draw or dance your feelings if you feel restless, stuck or a desire to give up. Affirm that you are releasing the old and bringing in new energy.
6. Consult your doctor before you begin a cleanse. If you have any health issues this is an absolute necessity. Above all, listen to your body throughout the cleansing process.
7. Colon cleansing. Consider colonic hydrotherapy to cleanse your bowels. I did this on day 4 of my cleanse and felt a wonderful burst of new energy. I highly recommend this treatment!
8. Break your “fast” gradually by slowly returning to “real” food, starting with fresh fruits and veggies. Your body needs a slow transition to adjust and get the maximum benefits from your cleanse. Juice cleansing experts recommend taking 4 days to gently return to your normal diet. Consult a juice cleanse book for a menu plan on breaking your fast.
Betsy Gutting is a career and personal coach based in Seattle, WA. She is passionate about helping lawyers and other professionals find true success and fulfillment in their careers, businesses, relationships and lives. For a complimentary coaching consultation to discuss how Betsy can help you achieve your goals, contact her at betsy@betsygutting.com. By phone, 206.605.2900.