Detox Week Kickoff!

Spring break is upon us and for many, this is a week to indulge. But after completely running myself into the ground these past few weeks, I've decided to use this week to replenish my system with a light detoxifying diet and other health-promoting activities.

Don't worry, this isn't some fad cayenne pepper thing. I've simply taken some tips from Week 1 of the Body and Soul Challenge (featured in the magazine back in January) and created my own personalized week of cleansing and renewal. Although I clearly haven't committed to the entire regimine (otherwise I probably wouldn't be online right now), I have decided to cut out alcohol, excess sugar, processed snacks, breads, pasta, white rice, meat, and dairy for my four day cleanse. I've determined to do yoga every day of the cleanse, and I'm also going to have some fun trying out some products that claim to aid in the detox process.

In case you decide this detox thing is for you, here are a few of my personal observations since I did it in January:
-The first day is the toughest. Your body needs to adjust to the sudden lack of carbs, so you might feel sluggish at first. Give yourself plenty of time to rest.
-Nobody is forcing you to follow a strict set of rules here. This is your chance to nurture your body back to optimal health. If that means you need to eat a piece of chocolate after dinner just to get by, nobody's going to care. Try to practice self-forgiveness.
-By the end of the detox last time, my usually wretched allergies were much easier to tame. I could actually breathe through both nostrils! This is the perk I'm looking forward to the most.
-I love that the Body and Soul challenge also includes time for reflection and journaling. It helped me really start to notice what triggered my cravings (stress, boredom, laziness, etc.) and forced me to find new ways to deal with those triggers. Perhaps the most interesting thing I learned last time was that I have a tendency to "reward" my hard work with sweets.

I also just have to add the disclaimer that in no way am I qualified to prescribe a diet for anyone and I can't promise that you will have the same experiences as I did. Please check with your doctor first if you have any major health concerns.

Let the detox begin!