A summer detox can be a great way to refresh your body ahead of a summer holiday or to help shift that last bit of weight if you have been following a fitness regime. On my Yummy Tummy Programme we finish with a 14 day diet detox to help cleanse the body and reset some of our not so good eating habits.
However going straight into a detox can be a shock to the system, causing withdrawal symptoms such as headaches. It can also fail if you don’t get the timing right. In this blog I share some advice as to how you can make your detox successful by just putting in some preparation to get the balance right
1) Cut down before starting – If you start cutting back on caffeine and alcohol at least a few days before starting a detox then it won’t be such a shock to the body when you actually start properly. Withdrawal effects such as headaches and irritability can be so severe if you just go “cold turkey” that many people will feel like stopping their detox before they have even really got started. A little preparation beforehand can really help lessen these effects and lead to success. Increasing your water intake before hand will also get you used to drinking the amount of water needed on the detox.
2) Ensure you are in the right place mentally – If you are in a stressful place i.e. with work or family commitments then this may not be the best time to start a detox. So try and clear your mind a bit before getting started by perhaps making time to meditate or have a massage and choose a period of time where you can make some time for yourself to relax and do things that you enjoy. This will make the detox process more manageable and enjoyable.
3) Are your hormones right? – If you are really effected by your hormones at certain times of the month then try and avoid these times to start a detox.
4) Clear your cupboards – get rid of the temptation of high fat or sugary snacks and make sure you have plenty of veg on hand and healthy snacks such as oatcakes and nuts. If the temptation isn’t there you can’t be tempted, so don’t make things harder for yourself.
5) Get the family involved – I’m not suggesting that your children or anyone else should go on a detox but by talking to them about healthy eating and why you are cutting down on certain foods it can certainly help educate those around you.
6) Get support – if you can find others who are doing the same detox this can be a great help in succeeding. With our Yummy Tummy programme we have a private Facebook group where we all support and encourage each other which can be really effective in seeing a detox through.
Do comment below if you have any questions about detoxing or have a look at our Yummy Tummy programme for more details.