When Juice Fasting Becomes Anorexia

Juice fasting and detoxifying has been huge part of my life for many years now. I love the feeling of pressing reset on my heath and taking a period in my life where I can rest and focus on the food choices I am making and spiritually recharge. I have completed over 10 juice fast of varying time lengths where I drink water, juices from fruits and vegetables and smoothies. This practice always has invigorated me and given me a fresh start. However, there have been times where I have wanted to juice fast for the wrong reasons. They were the wrong reasons because they had nothing to do with jumpstarting my heath or spiritual vitality but they were purely vain and based on a negative body image I was battling.

         I remember one time specifically I woke up feeling bloated and overweight, I reluctantly stepped on the scale and to my dismay I didn’t like what I saw. I remember over the coarse of that day planning to go on the juice fast because I wanted to feel thin again. I started the following day and failed miserably, because I was doing it for the wrong reasons.

         Once you incorporate juicing and detoxing into your lifestyle you need to be in a healthy mental state to monitor your motivations and thoughts behind your reasons for juicing. If you don’t, you can slide down the dangerous slope of developing an eating disorder or setting unrealistic body image standards. When I am thinking about juicing or detoxing for a period I always examine my motivations carefully, I commit that time period to God and allow my strength in him to guide me through the process. I also examine the words I am saying to myself, if I am obsessing about my weight, beating myself up with comparing my body to others; then I know I need to run from juice fasting. Juicing is not going to fix the negative thoughts you have about your body, it is like putting a band aid on a bullet wound- you have to give those fears and insecurities to God.

         I really encourage anyone who is using juice fasting solely for vain reasons to turn to God and sit down and talk to a counselor. Therapy is a great way to work through negative body image issues that you are experiencing. Even more anorexia is life threatening and seeking medical attention is crucial.

I pray that this post encourages someone who is battling this area of your life right now. I pray this provides some insight on the right mental direction you need to take when it comes to juicing.