In January 2015, I made a decision that would change my life.

After four long years of studying Traditional Chinese Medicine, I realised that I needed to practise what I preached.

I signed up for a 28-day detox program, and it was the best decision I ever made. During those 28 days, I said goodbye to all things white, pasta, dairy, gluten, sugar, and alcohol. It was tough, especially living with a husband who added extra salt and dairy/butter to every dish. But I stuck to the meal plan and recipes and reinvented my eating habits. 

The first three days of the detox were tough. It felt like I had been on a big bender and the hangover was there to remind me. But I knew that it was my liver crying out for a change. And that change came in the form of exercise. I purchased a simple pilates machine and started a new fitness regime. The exercise and change in diet noticeably showed with my waist measurements reducing overnight. My legs became firmer and thinner. 

But then I noticed a bulge in my left thigh. It looked like a muscle that had been over-exercised. I consulted with a physiotherapist who recommended that I get it looked at. Thank god I did because it turned out to be a fourteen-centimetre malignant tumour. I was shocked and in disbelief. But I realised that my decision to detox and get healthy had saved my life.

I adopted new habits to heal my body and mind. Following Dr. Joe Dispenza's neuroscientist's advice, I visualised myself walking as my future and meditated daily. Acupuncture, physiotherapy, and food as medicine were daily practices. After my surgery, I set a goal to walk around the football boundary within six months, and I put one foot in front of the other to achieve it. The possibility of a new lease on life kept me moving forward.

Years later, I still maintain the habit of rising before dawn and meditating on the future and all its possibilities. I believe in the power of visualisation and the saying, "Believe, Behave, Become!" It has helped me maintain a positive outlook and achieve my goals.

If you're thinking of making a change, I urge you to do it. You never know what good it can do for you. A simple decision to detox and change my lifestyle saved my life. And it can do the same for you. Remember, your body is your temple. Treat it with love and care, and it will repay you with good health and longevity. 

Melinda is the owner of Beattie Street Health, Dr Chinese Medicine, Buteyko Breath Work Instructor, Birth Doula and Mentor. She practices on Monday, Tuesday and Thursday working with infants to elderly.