Detoxing can help you lose weight, absorb nutrients more easily, improve digestion and elimination. Some positive side effects reported by those who have detoxed are an increase in energy levels, clearer and brighter skin, better health and a better quality of sleep.
Detoxing can also alleviate symptoms such as gas, bloating and chronic constipation.
For many of us, the sight of a few extra kilos or a soft middle developing after these seasonal indulgences sends us running and screaming for the closest quick-fix detox gimmick such as those promising a 48 hour fix. These are NOT recommended as they are highly abrasive and can put further physical strain on your body.
Detoxing should never be used as a quick fix for bad lifestyle choices.
Seasonal detoxes, combined with good lifestyle choices that can be incorporated more easily into everyday routines are more beneficial and a much healthier way to recover from the silly season.
Below are Kickstart’s top ten tips on starting your new detoxed lifestyle.
1. A colourful varied life! Eat a healthy, well balanced diet full of vital foods including a variety of colourful fresh fruit and vegetables, lean proteins (such as chicken breast with the fat trimmed off or fish fillets) and healthy fats (found in olive oil, flaxseed oil and avocados.
Stay away from processed foods (prepackaged or frozen ready meals) and avoid additives (E numbers for example) which introduce toxins into your body.
Combining the above foods in balance with whole grains like brown rice will release the right nutrition energy from the food slowly over a long period of time into your blood stream keeping you feeling good and fuller for longer.
2. Get some sleep!
Many people do not realise how vital it is to get 8 hours of good quality sleep. A good practice is to sleep by 10PM. Sleeping before midnight ensures a good balance of our circadian rhythm, with experts claiming that the two hours before midnight count as four!! Sleeping well aids in the body's natural recovery including melatonin production, physical and psychological repair.
3. Get moving!
Exercise 3 - 5 times a week between 30 - 45 minutes each time, including aerobic (cardio), strength and endurance (weight training) and flexibility to achieve a beautiful balanced energetic physique.
Doctors recommend exercise to help avoid many diseases too!
4. Get hydrated!
Drink 8 glasses of good quality pure water. This will help flush out the toxins and also minimise hunger cravings which may result in overeating. Eliminate coffee where possible and avoid sugar as it peaks the body’s insulin response in turn causing the body to retain fuel to keep you alive which can make you fat.
5. Get organised!
Get organised and learn how to manage stresses in your life. Stress causes a release in cortisone which unfortunately results in a chain of chemical reactions storing more fat in your body.
6. Get to cleaning!
Every morning have a daily probiotic such as an 'inner health plus'. This helps balance the good bacteria in your tummy which will help you digest food easier.
7. Get disciplined!
Exercising discipline and balance when it comes to fast food, alcohol and any indulgences such as chocolate or deserts will make a big difference too.
8. Get MOVING!
Add lots of natural fibre found in leafy greens, fruit and vegetables in your diet to ensure you have 1 or 2 bowel movements a day. Avoid long-term use of laxatives as they cause sluggish intestinal function.
9. Get positive! Educate, enlighten and inspire yourself or go to see a specialist in the areas you may be concerned about. Make a commitment to making positive changes for you and your loved ones. Once you begin detoxing you'll notice you feel better about yourself - life feels more joyful and you have a clearer outlook, allowing you to make healthier choices and positive decisions in all areas of your life.
10. Get to it!
There is no better time to get on your way to healthier and better living than the present. Motivate yourself to get started today. Remember, it's not up to anyone else but you!
