Day 1 “I discover the place …”
Arrival at the Buchinger clinic, the founding place of therapeutic fasting, in Germany, on the shores of Lake Constance *. We understand immediately: this place is “serious”. Sobriety of setting aside the patients, white coats in the corridors, nothing to do with a spa. Hurry up to the restaurant for a light lunch. On the menu, tomato salad, rice and small vegetables. Coffee lover (forbidden here like all stimulants) I taste the malt and I put up with it.
Day 2 “First medical examination”
This morning, as I will do every morning around 7 am, I go to the nurse for my check-up: blood pressure, weight. Today will be a “digestive rest day”. I choose a mono-diet of varied fruits (all rice or all potato options possible) to which I adapt without difficulty. First medical visit in the afternoon. The doctor measures my waistline, talks about the metabolic syndrome, we talk about my personal life (in case there are shrinks in the clinic) and professional life (because of stress), my illnesses, my recurring back pain. Blood test, urinalysis. I leave with magnesium to avoid cramps and facilitate sleep in the days to come, probiotics to reseed my intestine.
Day 3 “The start of my complete fast …”
The nurse tells me about the program: the fast begins with a purge with sodium sulphate (Glauber salts). Not emptying his intestine would expose me to all kinds of worries: feeling of hunger, bloating, stomach aches. I will be purged with an enema every two days (yes, yes, I’m a little apprehensive …). Food side: just a bowl of vegetable broth (or fruit juice) at noon and in the evening. A small cup of honey for energy. And basta! 400 calories in all, enough not to lose your store of vitamins and minerals. I discovered the nappy nap with a hot water bottle on the liver because the heat, they explain to me ” activates the blood supply to this organ and accelerates its functioning “. I drink a lot (at least 2 liters), herbal teas, water, always to eliminate. I play sports to breathe, promote exchanges, feed my organs with good oxygen, lose fat but not muscle. During the fast, we do ourselves good. You can choose from different activities. I choose a physiotherapy session that relaxes my joints and frees my ligaments from sclerosis. You can also treat yourself to Ayurvedic massages to nourish the skin somewhat dried out by fasting.
Day 5: “Three days of fasting already”
As I was told, strangely, I do not suffer from hunger. But rather “the idea of not going to the table”. There are ups and downs, moments of excitement, then this feeling of being in cotton. My roommate complains that she has “more migraines than before”. The nurse explains to her that it is the peak of the 3rd day, the famous acidosis crisis and treats her. I attend conferences on food, travel, I read a lot – because when you don’t eat, you don’t spend energy digesting, so you sleep less. But my intellectual efforts end with a dotted zero. I forget everything ! I check my schedule fifteen times, I am unable to name an author’s name or a film. Would I compensate for Alzheimer’s disease? I am madly worried. “It’s the fasting effect! Reassures me a regular. I also meet two women operated on for breast cancer who have chosen a post-chemo detox, are taking advantage of the lymphatic drainage program and are getting back to physical activity. Businessmen lower their cholesterol and blood pressure. There are also rheumatics. “My joint pains disappear completely, for several months after the stay” confides an Italian who lives in planes and hotels. A Mexican sees it as a youthful cure. Two Venezuelans treat their allergic ground here, a young French woman comes to lose 3 kilos before the jersey. Experiences are exchanged. We laugh, we admit our weaknesses, share our experiences and we give each other advice. The atmosphere is charming, very cheerful. As the days go by, both the mind and the body lighten up. The last day, a compote and some almonds to prepare me for tomorrow.
Day 8: “My breaking the fast and my rehabilitation”
This is the most difficult phase. Some people are happy to chew again, to rediscover real flavors. I am sad. As if feeding me was going to weigh me down. I suddenly understand the anorexic women, the saints who fast endlessly the better to get excited! You have to readjust gently. At breakfast, 2 prunes and spelled oatmeal that I have a hard time swallowing. At lunch, an endive salad, with a little white cheese, a little mashed potatoes, some fresh spinach. At two o’clock, a low-fat yogurt, four hazelnuts, 1 apple, for dinner a pumpkin soup. 800 calories in all. Our table is decorated with two candles and we receive a small diploma: we have successfully completed a 6-day therapeutic fasting course. Pride. In the next two days, we will regain 1000 and then 1200 calories. Three kilos less on the scale, a fresh complexion, full of energy, a file full of vegetarian recipes. To me Paris!
Two months later: “A hell of a change”
I continued to lose weight (2 kg) at home, without thinking about diet. But my tastes have changed. I have drastically reduced the meat (to the point of wondering if one day I will not become vegetarian), sugar, I drink little alcohol. I filled the kitchen shelves with spices, cereals and new products (quinoa, chickpea flour, linseed oil, white balsamic vinegar), I bought myself a new amazing mixer … this rhythm, effortlessly, despite the outings and invitations. How long will this last? I do not know. But the experience marked me more deeply. This is especially what I remember. Whereas before, when I was tired, I tried to bring “more” to my body, I know that it is often on the side of “less” that the solution is found!
What to know before embarking on a fast
– We can do a little test It is strongly discouraged to undertake a fast alone, without experience. However, everyone can safely understand the benefits by adopting a monodiet one day a week. We eat only fruit for a whole day, drinking lots of herbal teas and water. The beginning of spring is a good time to “get rid of” your toxins.
– There are contraindicationsIf Germany, Spain and Russia have real “fasting clinics”, this is not the case in France. With us, the centers dedicated to this practice do not offer medical supervision. It is therefore up to everyone to assess their risks! It is advisable to take the advice of your doctor in case of particular weaknesses
– It takes the time to learnAnd it is wise to ask yourself the following questions before deciding: How far away is the first doctor? What type of supervision is planned? (presence of naturopath etc …), who supervises the activities? (yoga, hikes etc.)?
Three questions to Dr. Stefan Drinda, rheumatologist at the Buchinger clinic Fasting to lose weight, is it a good idea? Not here. We are interested in health issues. That said, in the context of a young person called “therapeutic”, losing a few pounds is like pressing the “reset” button on a device. The body gets back into motion and develops its own defenses. Are the benefits of this therapy proven? The clinic regularly participates in studies. The results are proven for Metabolic Syndrome (cholesterol, hypertension), type 2 diabetes, rheumatic and autoimmune diseases (psoriasis, multiple sclerosis), allergies and asthma, physical and mental exhaustion. . And what are the limits? Do not hope to become eternal by fasting! No study proves that it lengthens life. Besides, how would one go about practicing such a study? In the area of cancer too, there is still a lot to prove. All serious analyzes prove that fasting is not a treatment for this disease. It can be used, with the agreement of the cancer services, only before or after treatment. |
To know more:
– Buchinger Wilhelmi Clinic (Germany) – “Compact” formula: 2450 euros (10 nights, price varies according to the type of room). www.buchinger-wilhelmi.com/en
– FFJR Federation (French Youth and Hiking Federation which offers a quality label www.ffjr.com. As well as two member centers:
– Center wild thoughtwww.lapenséesauvage.com (1 week at the Origine center (Vercors) 1300 euros)
– House of Fastingwww.lamaisondujeune.com (1000 euros the week of fasting and hiking in Provence).
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