14 Day Detox Challenge (with or without help)
This month, I want to put this idea out. Detox. Just like we spring clean our homes, clear out our basement and getting rid of a year of dust behind furniture the same goes for our bodies. When we notice an extra roll of tummy fat over our skinny jeans, we get out of breath running up the stairs and prefer to stay inside rather than go for walk, its time to do something about it.
With the change in seasons, now is the perfect time to consider trying to bust all those bad habits that we developed during this COVID-19 pandemic. Some of us have prospered working from home, with the flexibility of picking up the kids and time to exercise. The new home workplace has its benefits, but there are also a few drawbacks. Snacking, longer work hours, sitting all day, and too many zoom sessions. No matter how good our intentions are in the beginning, working from home really isn’t that easy when it comes down to will power.
To help you get out of the winter hibernating mindset why not consider a challenge. Yes, a detox! Detox is actually what your body does on a daily basis and quite well. The only problem is that when we are exposed to environmental toxins, more than our bodies are capable of neutralising, this causes an increased toxic load. Our bodies are out of whack, and some of the classic signs and symptoms of an overburdened body may include:
So with any good detox program, it is important to reduce all known dietary and environmental toxins such as gluten, dairy, coffee, alcohol and cigarette smoke.
Focus on eating a range of fresh, seasonal foods that are rich in antioxidants. These will protect us from harmful free radicals, that will help our bodies efficiently eliminate waste products - supporting our liver, kidneys and our digestive system
Sounds quite complex but in two weeks (14 days) if you follow this program you will feel in control of your eating habits. Stop discretionary eating, feel satisfied eating 3 meals per day, break away from bad eating habits. Remember no amount of exercise will help you lose weight. It’s all about what you eat.
So here are some basic guidelines:
Include:
Eat above-ground veggies with at least 2 meals per day and 2 serves of fruit per day:
Choose mostly above ground fresh and seasonal vegetables and fruit. Include veggies with at least 2 meals a day.
Lean protein:
Trim all meats of the fat and skin, aim for 1 serve of beef, 1 serve of lamb, 2 serves of chicken, 2 serves of fish, eggs, organic tofu, beans and legumes
Eat gluten free whole grains:
Choose brown basmati rice, black rice, red rice, coloured quinoa
Nuts and seeds:
Enjoy a small handful of nuts per day and 2 tablespoons of mixed seeds daily
Oils:
Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil sparingly
Drinks:
Water, filtered water, green tea, turmeric tea, herbal teas, lemon and water, apple cider vinegar and water. Aim for 8 glasses per day
Choose organic when able:
To decrease your toxic burden choose organic if you are able or follow the shopping guide from EWG Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen
Avoid:
Gluten:
Gluten is found in Wheat, barley, rye, spelt, Kamut, triticale and oats. Condiments are also likely to contain gluten
Dairy:
Yoghurt, cheese, milk
Fructose and added sugars:
Avoid any foods with artificial sweeteners or fructose.
Alcohol and caffeine:
All alcohol, caffeine drinks, coffee, black tea
And Don’t Forget:
Mindfulness:
Always have your meals sitting at the table and chairs with no distraction.
Eat slowly, appreciate the taste and joy of the meal
Movement:
Include incidental movement - take the stairs, park further away than needed, walk to the shops, get off a bus stop earlier
Regular exercise:
Incorporate a regular exercise regime that has variety and focus on muscle mass. At least 3 sessions per week
Meditation, deep breathing, time out, green space:
Schedule one of these activities to do every day. Important for stress relief
Sleep:
Getting at least 7-8 hrs of restorative sleep
Community:
Stay connected with friends and family. Make the effort to reach out to someone every day
With the change in seasons, now is the perfect time to consider trying to bust all those bad habits that we developed during this COVID-19 pandemic. Some of us have prospered working from home, with the flexibility of picking up the kids and time to exercise. The new home workplace has its benefits, but there are also a few drawbacks. Snacking, longer work hours, sitting all day, and too many zoom sessions. No matter how good our intentions are in the beginning, working from home really isn’t that easy when it comes down to will power.
To help you get out of the winter hibernating mindset why not consider a challenge. Yes, a detox! Detox is actually what your body does on a daily basis and quite well. The only problem is that when we are exposed to environmental toxins, more than our bodies are capable of neutralising, this causes an increased toxic load. Our bodies are out of whack, and some of the classic signs and symptoms of an overburdened body may include:
- tiredness
- moodiness
- aches and pains
- allergies
- acne
- rashes
- cravings
- digestive issues - constipation and/or diarrhoea
- struggling to lose weight
So with any good detox program, it is important to reduce all known dietary and environmental toxins such as gluten, dairy, coffee, alcohol and cigarette smoke.
Focus on eating a range of fresh, seasonal foods that are rich in antioxidants. These will protect us from harmful free radicals, that will help our bodies efficiently eliminate waste products - supporting our liver, kidneys and our digestive system
Sounds quite complex but in two weeks (14 days) if you follow this program you will feel in control of your eating habits. Stop discretionary eating, feel satisfied eating 3 meals per day, break away from bad eating habits. Remember no amount of exercise will help you lose weight. It’s all about what you eat.
So here are some basic guidelines:
Include:
Eat above-ground veggies with at least 2 meals per day and 2 serves of fruit per day:
Choose mostly above ground fresh and seasonal vegetables and fruit. Include veggies with at least 2 meals a day.
Lean protein:
Trim all meats of the fat and skin, aim for 1 serve of beef, 1 serve of lamb, 2 serves of chicken, 2 serves of fish, eggs, organic tofu, beans and legumes
Eat gluten free whole grains:
Choose brown basmati rice, black rice, red rice, coloured quinoa
Nuts and seeds:
Enjoy a small handful of nuts per day and 2 tablespoons of mixed seeds daily
Oils:
Use Extra Virgin Olive Oil sparingly
Drinks:
Water, filtered water, green tea, turmeric tea, herbal teas, lemon and water, apple cider vinegar and water. Aim for 8 glasses per day
Choose organic when able:
To decrease your toxic burden choose organic if you are able or follow the shopping guide from EWG Clean 15 and Dirty Dozen
Avoid:
Gluten:
Gluten is found in Wheat, barley, rye, spelt, Kamut, triticale and oats. Condiments are also likely to contain gluten
Dairy:
Yoghurt, cheese, milk
Fructose and added sugars:
Avoid any foods with artificial sweeteners or fructose.
Alcohol and caffeine:
All alcohol, caffeine drinks, coffee, black tea
And Don’t Forget:
Mindfulness:
Always have your meals sitting at the table and chairs with no distraction.
Eat slowly, appreciate the taste and joy of the meal
Movement:
Include incidental movement - take the stairs, park further away than needed, walk to the shops, get off a bus stop earlier
Regular exercise:
Incorporate a regular exercise regime that has variety and focus on muscle mass. At least 3 sessions per week
Meditation, deep breathing, time out, green space:
Schedule one of these activities to do every day. Important for stress relief
Sleep:
Getting at least 7-8 hrs of restorative sleep
Community:
Stay connected with friends and family. Make the effort to reach out to someone every day
For those who need structure and accountability
Belinda from Chocolate Fitness and myself are offering a structured detox program with:
Food lists,
Menu plans
Exercise programs
Private Whatsapp group with daily recipes and exercise tips
Conference calls for all Q and A
Supplements can be purchased as an extra option
TOTAL cost of package is $50.00
Food lists,
Menu plans
Exercise programs
Private Whatsapp group with daily recipes and exercise tips
Conference calls for all Q and A
Supplements can be purchased as an extra option
TOTAL cost of package is $50.00
Which ever direction you choose to take, structured or unstructured, believe that if you stick with this program you will see the benefits. Both physically and mentally.
As Belinda would say:
Look great naked!
As Belinda would say:
Look great naked!
