“Summers coming.. I’m going on a detox”.
If you have missed this phrase or similar in the last 10 years either you have been living under a rock or far far away from any civilization, social media or television.
Detoxing has become a weight loss marketing tool
and its true and very basic meaning has become blurred.
We’ve seen book covers, DVD’s magazine articles, advertisements for pills and potions promising weight loss and glowing skin. So how do we steer away from the fads and onto more lasting effects?
Our bodies are truly amazing, no doubt about it. There is no man made machine that even comes close. It houses an incredibly complex self cleaning, self detoxifying, self healing energy converting and expending system that literally never stops working. It does one seriously amazing job of sorting through toxins and unwanted material that enter the body through our mouths, our lungs and our skin, however as our environment has changed so much in recent history and the use of pesticides on our crops and other chemicals in our atmosphere and in our everyday lives have increased such a lot to cause an overload on our system they are no in need of helping hand to function at their optimum. The good news? It is very achievable.
There is some truth to the detox and weight loss link however, as excess toxins in the body actually impede weight loss and maintenance. This happens because the toxic overload activates backup strategies for dealing with toxic overload, which include expanding the number of fat cells and stuffing them with toxins as well as fat. This is likely done to get the toxic trash out of your circulation and away from key organs. It causes easy weight gain and complicates weight loss because your body does not easily give up the toxic fat it has stored.
The fact is that, yes a lifestyle that promotes detoxification will lead to a healthy weight but this is merely a side effect and bonus of maintaining (key word) a clean diet, getting enough fresh air and exercise and most importantly good relationships, low as possible stress levels and time out weather that be meditation, yoga, walking, whatever floats your boat.
To feel your best, have ample energy, clear skin and eyes here are my very doable top tips to achieve this and give your body the helping hand it needs. Keeping in mind these are lifestyle choices. Things don;t happen over night. Try adding one step a month and see how they become habitual:
- Add 1/2 Lemon (juiced) to a glass of warm water upon waking
- 8 cups of water minimum a day (more when its hot or you have done a lot of exercise, consumed alcohol or coffee
- Crowd out – eat fresh fruits and vegetable (preferably organic) where ever you can especially greens. As the Chlorophyll in greens provides you with oxygen rich blood cells. A great way to amp up your greens intake is do juice your greens, add some lemon juice and voila. Yum!
- Get outside in the fresh air when you can
- Soak up the sun (20 mins on face and arms each day, or when sunny)
- Spend time with loved ones. Laugh, relax.
- Take a break. Taking time out is seriously one of the BEST things you can do. Take a yoga class. Sit in silence. Meditate. Go for a big walk. More about that here
- And last but not least. Boost your vitamins and minerals and aid your detoxification with supplements. My favorite is Green super foods powder by Green nutritionals. You can add this to your smoothies or as this one has a fairly neutral taste even just to coconut water or a green juice. If you want to know more about Green super food supplements chlorella, spirulina and wheatgrass. I wrote a post on these here.
- If you want to add something in that is both meditative and amazing for detoxification. Try dry body brushing.
So there you have it. No books, pills, potions or DVD’s required. No restricting food, just adding in good ones. Detoxing and maintaining health is about a lifestyle choice. What are you going to add first?
Happy detoxing!
X Natural Harry