In recent years, fasting and intermittent fasting have made top billing on the health agenda with the stunning discoveries about what fasting can do for health, weight loss and longevity.
I set up my first fasting retreat almost 15 years ago - hard to believe now! It has been an incredible journey and I have personally seen some miracles out throughout the years - some of you may have even seen some of the incredible transformations on many of the TV series made about my retreats 'The Spa of Embarrassing Illnesses'.
A detox is not just about weight loss - many people come without any need to lose weight whatsoever. A detox is helping what your body does naturally, better. Performing a detox is a way of supporting the body's natural detoxification process, replenishing stores of nutrients and allowing the body to boost functioning by lightening the toxic load. So by giving your body a rest from the usual hard work of detoxifying processed foods, alcohol and other toxins, it gets a chance to relax and catch up.
Our digestion takes up most of the energy in our bodies, and if you allow your body and digestive system to have a rest, it will heal, rejuvenate and rebalance the body. A detox is not about starving the body, but rather feeds the system with high levels of vitamins and minerals. Although the calorie intake is low, your nutrient intake is super-high.
At my retreat at Champneys Tring, we have the option of a 3-day and a 5-day juice detox retreat. The days include plenty of time in nature and nurturing in the spa!
Before our 3 and 6-day detox, you will be sent a 7-day pre-detox menu before you arrive at the retreat. The 3-day guests will be going straight into the juice fast upon arrival, whereas the 6-day guests will have a final light supper (image shown below) before they go into the juice fast the following day.
Each of our detox clients will follow a daily detox programme, which runs from 8 am – 9 pm but with plenty of “downtime” built in.
Each day you will receive your ‘daily schedule’ and programme of events, many of which are optional – it is essential that you do what feels right for you and that you communicate with your retreat support team about how you feel as your retreat progresses.
Those who have needed to get their bodies in shape have been amazed by the ease at which the pounds have fallen off, and stayed off. Many clients have benefited from increased energy and mental alertness. Those who have wanted to reduce stress levels have been astonished by the speed at which they have felt so calm and relaxed.
Generally speaking, on a retreat, any healing reactions are short-lived due to the focus of the detox on supporting the organs of elimination and the presence of the nutritionist who can intervene to help your body.
Think of your body as a car, your car needs annual service and so does your body for optimal functioning and to avoid any failures. To have a further read about the retreats I offer and to book click here.
