It was a Saturday afternoon The sun was out Surrounded by friends Food and drink everywhere... And I was fasting! We've just finished our strength challenge and I wanted to test my clients mentally as well as physically. One of these challenges was a 48 hour fast. I did mine across a weekend where we just happened to also have a BBQ at a friend’s place. Usually the thing I find hardest about doing things that are considered extreme like that is not actually doing it but dealing with people's reactions. On this occasion my friends were quite supportive which was great. But almost always people look at me like I'm strange and I know that even if I explain myself, most people won't get it. These same people wouldn't think twice when eating 4 sausages in bread, 2 cupcakes, 1 slice of cake, some lollies and wash it down with 6 beers. I'm sure the other challengers that did the fast had similar experiences of people asking, "why the hell are you doing that?" A 48 hour fast does seem extreme to most people. Only a few of the guys completed it. So do cold showers, another mental test the challengers were given. But it only seems extreme because of what it's compared to. Hyperpalatable food available 24/7, temperature controlled environments, always being comfortable. When you hear something that sounds crazy, it's worth noticing who the proponents are and who are the people claiming it’s ridiculous.
Are the people bashing the habit fit, strong and healthy?
We live in a time and a country when the majority of people are overweight or obese. Where 50% of Australians have at least one chronic disease. One in Five Australians will experience mental illness in a year. One in Five will also suffer from chronic pain.
These are not great stats!
And I can guarantee none of the people that make up those statistics are consistently doing “crazy” things like drinking enough water, moving every day, doing resistance training, eating predominantly fresh meat and veg, getting enough sleep or sunlight.
Let alone trying things like fasting, cold showers, meditation, organic food, fermented foods, getting up earlier, grounding and oil pulling just to name a few.
The first list are essential habits for getting and keeping healthy. The second list is far from essential but can be the catalyst for a health breakthrough or help those already consistent on the first list up their game even more.
It’s very likely the same people bashing a healthy habit also fit into one or more of those statistics and haven’t got the basics right.
Of course, it’s human nature to resist change when we’re comfortable and you don’t know what you don’t know but you only have to look around to see sitting on the couch all day eating chocolate isn’t going to be comfortable forever.
Look to the people who are thriving, particularly those in their 50’s, 60’s and older. These people have developed healthy habits over a lifetime.
Would I recommend everyone try one or all of those habits from the second list?
Not necessarily.
The first list is where everyone should start. Get that dialed in and then look to add.
But next time you’re deciding on whether to try a new health habit, ask those who live a healthy lifestyle and not the people who are overweight, sick and in pain.
