I know it sounds crazy but I love to take a run in the midday heat. Yes, I can hear you—all my friends in the health and wellness industry—while you just cringe. Still, while I don’t recommend any novice doing so, I still do it. Call it a bizarre and maybe guilty pleasure.

I think this harkens back to my regular running days in Houston. While I’m now much older, there is still something I like about running in the heat. I just feel the toxins pouring out of my body. I love the idea of cleansing the internal organs from pollutants, bacteria and unhealthy substances and poor food choices. I realize this isn’t the best approach to running but I always wear sunblock and a hat and drink plenty of fluids.

A while back I was sharing this strange exercise habit with someone and they replied, “You’re going on a vision quest.”

Evidently, the 80’s movie with the same name refers to a more healthy way of removing toxins via a sweat lodge—a dome shaped building typically used in a Native American purification ceremony. I realize that that would probably be the better way to go, but I still find myself drawn to my own personal “vision quest.”

As I get older, I am looking for more healthy ways to purify and extract toxins from my body. One of those includes diet. Lemon water, detox teas and fasting are certainly the most popular. Of course yoga, running, weight lifting and other forms of strenuous activities are incredibly effective. While I do incorporate all of these detoxification recommendations, I will find myself looking to more of them as healthier ways to purify.

I also look to find recommendations for my readers and I certainly welcome yours.

Kim Monaghan, PCC, RYT, CPBS is the owner of KBM Coaching & Consulting LLC, a boutique Human Resources Consulting and Career Coaching Firm serving a national clientele.