Many people set New Years resolutions to lose weight and/or to start working out. I'm sure all the diet sites are getting ample hits right about now. Well, this post isn't about a diet or how to lose weight. It's about getting all the old poo (yes, I said poo) out of your system to start 2012 off on the right foot.
What is a detox?
Basically, it's a form of fasting and is part of preventative health. Our bodies naturally detox everyday by eliminating or neutralizing toxins via our colon (poo) and liver.
How long do I detox for?
If you've never done anything like this, I say stick to 3 days. 3 days to a week is about the average detox range.
Why detox if my body already has it covered?
I'm going to use the analogy of a toilet. Toilets flush things. They're pretty efficient when doing that. However, if you put too much tissue in it for one flush, you're going to get backed up. The same goes for your body. We put a lot on our bodies with the foods we eat, the environment we're exposed to, and stress. We get backed up. It manifests differently in each of us. Many times, we attribute such symptoms to stress with work, family, or school. It's good to take the time to do maintenance on our bodies.
How much weight will I lose, and how fast?
Detoxing is not a weight solution. Again, it's preventative care, not curative. In all honesty, you may lose a few pounds, but you'll more than likely gain that back once you stop the detox.
So...what's the benefit?
You'll feel better.
How to detox
1. Consult with your primary care doctor before starting because you're not about to sue me because you went overboard and passed out in the middle of Forever 21.
2. Water. Drink plenty of it.
Not only is water good for you, but it flushes you out. I recommend you drink 1.5 - 2 of those 1 liter bottles of Smart Water per day. I personally don't like to drink that much water, but it was easier for me to psych myself into drinking bottled water versus glasses of water. It's even better if you have one of those BPA-free water bottles and just sip on that all day.
3. Drink Juice.
Try to go as natural as possible, and shoot for juices high in Vitamin C. The sugar content of the juice cleanses faster, plus juice is a great alternative to sodas.
4. Eat plenty of green veggies.
Green veggies give you energy and are full of the good stuff we need to have in our bodies.
Cleanse Boosters
Vitamins. It's important to take a good multi-vitamin everyday. Check out your local GMC or Vitamin Shoppe if you want consultation of a brand that's right for you. Otherwise, you can get a multi-vitamin at Target for relatively cheap.
Get a massage or go the sauna. I use to work at a day spa and trust me. We would warn the clients that they may need to "handle their business" after receiving a massage or a wrap. Needless to say, I saw plenty of clients scurrying down the hall to get to the bath.
Short on cash? Take an aromatherapy bath.
There are so many aromatherapy products on the market. Try a few to see which scent is appealing to your senses.
Deep Breathing exercises/yoga.
Yoga gets everything going. Bikram Yoga will DEFINITELY detox you.
Wait, what do I eat during this detox???
You can still "eat" during detox...it just can't be Chipotle. Try miso soup with nori sprinkled in it. You can do brown rice (high in fiber) with veggies. If you're worried about protein intake during this time, eat salmon or tuna with a serving of brown rices and veggies. Have a baby spinach salad with shrimp and natural vinaigrette dressing. For snacks, eat fruits that are know for their anti-oxidant power, such as grapes.
Beware of ketosis.
You're thinking the detox is great because you are seeing the lbs shed. Don't get too happy, it's just ketosis. Basically, you're not taking in any carbs, so your body is eating fat for fuel. As soon as you start back your regular eating habits (like eating at Chipotle) your body will have those things to feed off of again.
If you are truly trying to lose weight, you should know that it only occurs when your burn more than you eat. If you improve your eating habits and burn calories by working out, then you will see results.
The detox, ideally, is suppose to cleanse you out and give you a good start for the new year. If you can survive eating like a sad pigeon for a few days, it won't be as hard for you to transition into eating better overall.
Good luck and Happy New Year!
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