When Diane told me about her idea of ​​combining fasting with a hike through the “Harz National Park” on the “Harzer Hexenstieg”, I was intrigued but also a bit skeptical.

Knowing now that this is no new concept, and in fact immensely popular in Germany, back then it was totally new to me, so I started asking her lots of questions.

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Diane, with her experience and passion for it, convinced me. The combination of fasting and hiking struck me as remarkably interesting and I was happy to say yes to joining her. 

 

Still… especially getting closer to the date, doubts arose.

 

Such physical strain without energy-giving food? For 7 days without any delicacies and gastronomic delights? And what should an enema device be? And how does natriumsulfat taste? Question after question ... and should that be relaxing? 

 

A week before we started, I slowly prepared myself. Mainly avoiding meat, beginning to eat more raw vegetables, and I stopped consuming alcohol. The evening before the start of the fasting hike, I consumed the natriumsulfat and it had the promised effect of emptying my bowls. As Diane explained, necessary to avoid any feeling of hunger from here onwards.

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The next day was the start of the hike: My initial discomfort disappeared with the first gentle movements and I was already looking forward to the shared experience.

At that moment I wasn't hungry or felt hunger, I was just full of adrenaline and anticipation. I looked at the bright side and noticed how much time one spends a day buying, preparing, and eating food. We filled this time with physical exercise, stimulating other senses in a different way, and harmony instead.

The first two days I felt physically and mentally good. My body was full of strength and I was pleasantly surprised by the sensory impressions that my beautiful surrounding offered me.

 

It only got better though, on the third day I clearly noticed how my metabolism switched and fat burning through ketosis started. Our previous pace slowed down in a welcoming way while hiking, after all we were not escaping from anything and in no hurry. 

I began to feel myself in a way that was unknown to me, liberated and as if the body acted in its most original function, it moved without adding food, it felt as if I am walking on clouds.

The mind was sharp and focused on the essentials. I moved in symbiosis with nature .. Thinking about food? - no, there was really no room for that! 

Every sip of spring water was a revelation to me. The happiness about the nourishing broth in the evening, this explosion of taste, as a reward for the physical strain, joyfully kept me going.

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Those were the most beautiful days for me in 2020.

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My most important realisation was that NOT doing something I love, not only has physical advantages, but also sharpens the view of things that are otherwise easily overlooked. 

I recommend this important experience to anyone and I am excited to learn where our next fasting hike takes us.

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" Health and healing will follow fasting"