Life After Detox
Now that you’ve reached the end of the detox, you can hold on to these habits for longer. The 10 day detox was designed to “lift veils” so that you might get a closer look at and a deeper understanding of how food, sugar and habits might be affecting your health. Sometimes this understanding is enough to break unhealthy habits, but a lot of the time you need anywhere from 2-4 months to break free from habits and create new, healthier ones.
FIND YOUR WHY
Now, this is where it gets individualized. Take the time to reflect and ask yourself, “What are my personal goals and what can I maintain?”. If you have discovered that you have a food sensitivity, it is best to avoid that food group as much as you can. Remember to look at every label, as there are many hidden sneaky, sneaky ingredients.
We all know what it is like to be addicted to sugar on some level but some of us are more attached than others. Ask yourself, “Am I an ‘all in/all out’ kind of person?” Is this addiction causing you harm and/or is it quite possibly endangering your life? If so, I would stick mostly to the detox protocol until you find a better balance. You are not alone and there is help. Please don’t hesitate to ask me about Mind/ Body Health Coaching or guiding you to other resources.
EAT REAL FOOD
Real food doesn’t have a label on it and it shouldn’t last forever. Remember, anything that is in a package and went through a factory is designed to sell. Meaning, the longer the products last on the shelves without food spoil the better. For product longevity, companies remove all of the living enzymes that have the most benefits for a healthy diet. Food can either build our health or deplete it. Ask yourself this question before buying: “Is this going to build my health or contribute to the downward slope?”
DON’T DRINK YOUR CALORIES
If you had been drinking a daily non-fat mocha caramel vanilla non-fat whip latte, a sports drink, Red Bull, Monster or anything of that sort and you lost the habit with the detox, you have just improved your health immensely! Our bodies do not have the ability to recognize liquid calories as sugar. To be more specific, your appetite does not recognize that you just consumed hundreds of calories, but all of that sugar spikes your insulin and sets your body up for fat storage. If you can ditch this habit you will see the pounds start to melt away and feel even more energized without the sugary drinks.
DRINK WATER
We’ve all heard that we are mostly made up of water, the blood being comprised of 95% water. Without proper hydration our blood becomes thick and a lot harder for the heart to pump. This is not only hard on the heart but also means that the nutrients and enzymes that the cells need for optimal function will not be delivered. This sets us up for an increase in pain, body weight, disease and a decrease in digestive and heart health. Plus, who likes the look of pale, wrinkly, saggy skin that dehydration brings with it?
MAKE YOUR OWN FOOD
I understand that everyone has a busy life but it also seems that we have more convenience and less time. Taking the time to pick out your recipe, ingredients and creating the dishes for you and your family goes deeper then just nurturing with food, it is also a form of self-care and love. Start with the goal of making 2 new recipes a week and grow from there. Meal planning and prepping can be a game changer.
BLOOD SUGAR REGULATION FOR HEALTH
Remember, when your blood sugar spikes, your body is in a state of alarm. Insulin is called to clean up the sugar mess in your blood, dropping your blood sugar way down, leaving you with a crash and a sugar craving. Going day to day on this blood sugar rollercoaster leaves our bodies chronically stressed, setting the stage for poor health and disease.
PLAY
Sometimes as adults we can get so serious. We forget to lighten up and have fun. When we’re so busy and caught up in our to dos and forget to have a good time, it’s easy to turn to food for all of our pleasure. Food should give us pleasure but it shouldn’t have to bear the burden of all of our pleasure. This can be as simple as taking a bath, going for a walk, riding a bike, going out for tea….etc. Have fun and enjoy life!
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
It’s sad to say that once you decide to adopt a healthier lifestyle and quit sugar you might encounter criticism from friends and family. Just remember that it’s not you. It’s usually some fear in them that they are not ready to face. Just be the healthier, happier, version of yourself and lead by example. It is not easy walking against the grain but if you are going with the flow with the American diet, you’re going to find yourself in trouble. “ Whenever you find yourself on the side of the majority, it’s time to pause and reflect.” – Mark Twain
SEEK SUPPORT
You’re not alone! Talk to your family about both health and habits you can work on together. Find a friend that you can trade recipes and experiences with. To dial down and create a long-lasting plan, you could work with a professional health coach/culinary nutritionist. Listen to health and wellness podcast, read books, and enroll in classes. There are a lot of people interested in creating a healthier lifestyle, connect with them and make your own strong, healthy community.
NEVER GIVE UP!
Health and Vitality are a journey, not a destination. Always continue to learn and grow. You’ve got this!!!!!
“The way you think, the way you behave, can influence your life by 30 to 50 years.” – Deepak Chopra
Photo credit https://traineracademy.org/
Tags: Detox, Diet, Sugar, wellness, Paleo, Jenn Visser, whole foods, health, Healthy Hub Massage and Wellness, weight loss, life, life after detox, blood sugar, water
