What is detoxing and why should we do it?

Everything you need to know about detoxing in Hong Kong. We chat with Jessica Williams, who leads her annual 6 day detox on February after years of experience leading programs both in Hong Kong and abroad.

Did you know that our bodies are always detoxing? Every biochemical process that takes place within our cells creates a byproduct that must be neutralized or eliminated. Detoxing is all about supporting the organs – especially the liver – that are continually working to clear damaging substances from our bodies.

Former competitive gymnast turned nutrition professional Jessica Williams leads an annual six-day detox program in Hong Kong at Flex Studio in One Island South, Wong Chuk Hang. According to her, detoxing is about giving our immune and digestive systems a break and allowing our body to divert energy to healing. 

“My six day detox program is about supporting people as they break old unhealthy habits,” Jessica says. “I guide participants into replacing those bad eating habits with new ones that serve their long term health.”

Personal detox journey

Since a young age, Jessica had a strong interest in healthy eating. Part of it came from being a high-level competitive gymnast as well as harboring a love of cooking. “As I got older I continued to restrict my diet more and more,” says Jessica. “While I always ate very clean and did my own cooking, in the long term a restrictive diet did not serve my health.”

Jessica consulted with every type of western and alternative medicine practitioner but wasn’t able to solve her health issues. Eventually, she decided to study nutrition. “I studied holistic nutrition and obtained a masters of science in nutrition,” says Jessica. Today, she is proudly board certified in holistic nutrition and is a certified nutrition professional through the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (USA).

Since 2006, Jessica has been using cleansing and detox as a regular part of her own ‘self-care healthcare’ protocols. In 2011, she worked as the Wellness Director at Absolute Sanctuary in Koh Samui, Thailand. “During that year, I led hundreds and hundreds of people through safe and effective cleansing programs,” says Jessica. “When I left that position, I felt strongly about the benefits of cleansing and wanted to make it accessible for everyone.”

Jessica believes that people should be able to implement cleansing into their daily lives and that it shouldn’t require traveling far and wide. “I set my intention to create a program that people could do on their own at home,” she says. “I created a program over the years that helped educate and guide another thousand or so individuals through home detox programs.” 

What to expect from a detox program

In her 6-day Detox Program, Jessica offers individualized support and helps every participant create a program appropriate for them. “It shouldn’t be a one-size-fits-all approach,” she says. “Regardless of which program you use, it’s about giving your digestive system a rest and allowing your body to focus on healing or metabolising damaged cells.”

What are the benefits? People can expect to feel empowered to take control of their own health. They can expect to look and feel completely different. “I am always amazed how people transform themselves during cleaning programs,” Jessica says. “Their skin glows, their energy increases, long term digestive issues begin to dissipate.”

Unwanted weight gain that people may have struggled to lose very naturally sheds after detoxing. “People feel that their minds become clear and focused,” Jessica says. “It is really incredible how stepping away from the things we do mindlessly and coming back to them with a new awareness can shift our perspectives.” 

Watch this space for more news on detoxing in Hong Kong. Flex Studio in partnership with Sweaty Betty are holding the Summer Detox & Cleanse Programme from 17-27 June 2021 at Flex One Island South in Wong Chuk Hang. Reset your digestive system and reboot your body with daily detox yoga classes, a meditation workshop, individual nutrition consultations and more, plus get a Sweaty Betty goodie bag worth HK$650 when you sign up! flexhk.com/programs/detox