For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, the Autumnal Equinox is this Saturday, September 23. The word "equinox" comes from Latin aequus, meaning "equal," and nox, meaning "night." On the equinox, day and night are roughly equal in length. After the autumnal equinox, days become shorter than nights.
At this time of year, temperatures drop, plant life slows down, and so do we. You might find yourself feeling a bit more tired and sluggish.
This is a great time to aid your body’s natural process in removing impurities through detoxification. This process is about resting, cleansing, and nourishing the body from the inside out.
You may have heard about intermittent fasting (IF), the eating pattern that generally involves varying periods of fasting interspersed with windows of eating. By adjusting the pattern and frequency by which you consume your meals, you prolong the period of fasting, generally reserved for night time, and restrict your eating hours.
Our bodies react positively to periods without sustenance, provided there is no mental stress or tension involved during these times. The "new" phenomenon of IF is based on centuries of the evolution of humankind. The restriction of calories during the fasting hours helps the body to properly digest and assimilate what was consumed during non-fasting hours.
The important part of this cycle is to ensure that what you consume in between fasting periods contains enough nutrients and minerals to see your body through the next period of fasting.
Studies have shown that Intermittent Fasting can affect the functioning of your cells, genes, and hormones, as the altered pattern of eating will ultimately release the hormones necessary for cell growth and repair.
While the overall benefits of IF can be largely positive, there are some downsides to be aware of, too. An important thing to remember when Intermittent Fasting is that during the non-fasting hours, the meals you eat should be well-balanced. You need to be smart about the foods and portions you consume during the non-fasting hours to ensure you're getting enough nutrients.
Intermittent Fasting can also elevate the likelihood of developing or worsening eating disorders. Because IF revolves around controlling and maintaining certain levels of food intake, there’s a fine line between obsession over eating and not-eating.
If you’re unsure about whether or not IF is something that could work for you, seek your doctor’s advice beforehand, especially if any of the following apply to you:
If you are pregnant (or trying to become pregnant) or breastfeeding
If you have or have a history with an eating disorder
If you have diabetes or issues with blood sugar levels
If you are prone to experiencing anxiety
If you are prone to fainting
If you'd like to give intermittent fasting a try, Firefly's Fall Cleanse Group starting on October 8 is a perfect opportunity to learn more about the process. Kickstart a healthier lifestyle with options for either a 7-day reset, 9-day deep cleanse, or the 30-day system. You're just a click away from feeling better!
For the Fall Cleanse, we'll use Isagenix products to nourish your body’s natural detoxification systems, aid in improved digestion, and support increased energy, improved sleep, reduced cravings, and improved mental clarity.
Some benefits others have reported following a cleanse, include:
Clearer skin
Weight loss
Balanced moods
Sharpened mental clarity
Improved digestion
Increased immunity
Lessened cravings
Food intolerance relief
Improved sense of well being
More energy
Visit the Fall Cleanse Group page to get started!