Autumn brings with it many changes…a cool crispness to the air, apple picking, football, beautiful foliage, mums, sweaters and pumpkins. Backyard BBQs, summer vacation and pool parties fade to distant memories. A new routine kicks into gear as the lazy days of summer wane. It’s a time of renewal, getting back on track. The perfect time for a detox!
Yes, you heard me right – a detox! No, I don’t mean the kind of detox where you have to fast…or the kind where you pack your bags and head to the Betty Ford clinic. I mean the kind that will totally reboot your body from the inside out without leaving you starving and feeling deprived. Too much of a good thing can take quite a toll on our bodies. When summer winds down, we’re typically so ready for a good clean-out, which is why abstaining from alcohol, caffeine, sugar and processed foods can give you back that glow and some energy to boot! Detoxing is really the body’s natural process of kicking toxins to the curb. Toxins are defined as unnatural invaders that can potentially harm you. We are constantly bombarded with them on a daily basis. They can come from the food we eat or from the environment. Our liver (the detox organ) works hard to avoid toxic overload and it needs a break now and then to perform optimally. During a detox, we stop ingesting harmful chemicals and instead substitute and include a combination of whole foods with purifying, cleansing properties
What can you expect to happen during a detox? As the body begins to release the destructive pollutants within, at first you may feel a bit sluggish and under the weather. You also may experience slight withdrawal symptoms from the elimination of caffeine and sugar! That’s right – recent studies have shown the addictive center of the brain responds in exactly the same way to sugar as it does to cocaine or heroin! But not to worry – this stage only lasts a day or two.
Then something magical happens. As the influx of invaders stops, your body starts firing on all cylinders like a finely tuned machine. You’ll begin to feel refreshed, your brain is sharp, your skin is glowing and you are getting in some of the best Z’s than you’ve mustered up in a long time. Not to mention the fact that you just may drop a few pounds too!
If the idea of detoxing appeals to you, start by committing to a week of “clean” eating that includes:
- lots of water – about half your body weight in ounces
- organic vegetables -non-starchy ones, with a focus on leafy greens
- organic fruits – limit to 1 or 2 servings per day to keep a lid on the sugar content
- one serving per day of non-gluten whole grains – such as brown rice or quinoa
- lean proteins – grass fed beef, free range poultry, fish, tofu
- healthy fats – oils (coconut, olive, sunflower), raw nuts, nut butters and seeds
- supplements – at least include a muli vitamin and mineral, fish oil and vitamin D
while eliminating:
- all processed foods (basically anything that comes in a package or a box
- added sugars
- caffeine
- alcohol
- typical allergens such as wheat and dairy
Be mindful and tune in to your body during the process to really take note of the changes that occur and how you feel. Your body will thank you!
For more information, details and support on detoxing, contact me at: https://therighttrackwellness.com/contact for a free transformation conversation!