Post-Holiday Detox

Are you feeling a bit sluggish after the holidays?  All the rich foods have you bloated?  Did you gain a few extra unwanted pounds?

Have you ever thought about doing a detox or considered a cleanse?  I know I have!  But then, I always wonder what is the best way to detox and cleanse my body.  How should I go about getting my body back to "normal?"  And how long should that take?

You can google "detox" or "cleanse" and get a plethora of ideas and techniques.  Everyone has an opinion.  Which strategy is best, though?  And WHY?

Well, I thought we could weed through the information together.  Then, I'm going to share what I plan on doing personally for my post-holiday detox and cleanse.

For starters, here is an article that gives a great overview of what a detox is and how to go about doing one.

Did you have any of the signs/symptoms that would indicate your body is in need of a detox or cleanse?

• Unexplained fatigue
• Sluggish elimination
• Irritated skin
• Allergies
• Low-grade infections
• Puffy eye or bags under the eyes
• Bloating
• Menstrual problems
• Mental confusion

I'm guessing that almost everyone can say YES to at least one of those, especially just after the holidays!  Great, so we know we have a problem, but HOW do we go about fixing it?

I love how the article broke it down for us:

Basically, detoxification means cleaning the blood. This is done by removing impurities from the blood in the liver, where toxins are processed for elimination. The body also eliminates toxins through the kidneys, intestines, lungs, lymph and skin. However, when this system is compromised, impurities aren't properly filtered and every cell in the body is adversely affected. 

Okay, so we need to get rid of impurities and toxins.  Now, how do we do THAT?! Remember the 5 steps the article suggested:

1. Resting the organs through fasting;
2. Stimulating the liver to drive toxins from the body;
3. Promoting elimination through the intestines, kidneys and skin;
4. Improving circulation of the blood; and
5. Refueling the body with healthy nutrients. 

The article went on to explain 10 specific ways you can go about detoxing and cleansing your body.  I personally like nice, even numbers like 10, but just in case you want some more ideas, here are three other articles with detox tips and ideas!

*8 Tips to Detox without Fasting, Juicing, or Restricting
*11 Detox Tips for a Super Spring Cleanse (great ideas even though we're just starting the winter season)

*How to Detox: 13 (Easy) Healthy Tips and Tricks You Can Try Today

Hopefully, you have some good ideas now!

Here's what I'm going to be doing, personally.  Remember, I am a nursing mom, so doing a full-blown detox or cleanse with fasting or only drinking juices wouldn't be wise for me (even for a day or two).  Instead, I'm going to be eating clean, meaning that my "diet" will consist mainly of meats, veggies, and fruits.  AND I am already gluten-free, so I don't have to eliminate a lot of starches that might be common in other people's regular food routines.

My plan:

*Breakfast: oatmeal or gluten-free hot cereal with pecans and blueberries (or another kind of berry); 2 eggs; glass of water with 2 scoops of It Works greens.

I also like to start my day by reading God's Word.
It's kind of my way of meditating (like some of the articles suggested).

*Lunch: smoothie and juice

These are ingredients I use for a typical smoothie.  You can mix up the fruit and flavor of kefir.
I always put in 1-2 scoops of greens and 1 scoop of the protein powder (no added sugars in It Works ProFIT).

Here's another smoothie "recipe".  The spinach is a great addition!!!

Snack: homemade trail mix (almonds, pecans, raisins, cranberries, banana chips, sunflower seeds); fresh fruit or veggies (possibly with hummus)

Supper: this will vary from night to night, but again it will be clean and gluten-free.  So lots of protein and veggies.  Lean and green is the way to go!

I'll be drinking water throughout the day, lots of water.  About a gallon, or more!  You should really be drinking at least half your weight in water every day.  For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, you should drink at least 75 ounces, or around 9 glasses (8 oz each), of water each day.

One reason I love the It Works greens is because they are so quick and easy to use.  You don't have to own a juicer, buy organic produce, or take the time to do the juicing.  You just dump 2 scoops into 8 ounces of water or 100% juice or a smoothie, and there you go -- 8+ servings of organic, non-GMO fruits and veggies and probiotics to boot.  You're helping balance your pH levels and alkalize your body.  Your immune system will be stronger, and you will be less likely to get sick.  AND you're helping eliminate those nasty toxins from your body.  That's what a detox and cleanse is all about, remember?!!  Oh, and did I mention, the greens are about $1 a day -- way cheaper than it would cost me to buy everything to make a homemade juice (though I do like to make an apple, celery, carrot juice once or twice a week).

If you want more information on the It Works greens, check out my website: sarahyoung.myitworks.com

We also have other all-natural supplements and products that can help you as you detox and cleanse.  I will be using some of those as well -- like the wraps.

I've already used 2 wraps since having my little girl in November.  I gained 40 pounds this pregnancy (twice as much as I did with my previous 2 pregnancies) even though I ate healthy and exercised all 9/10 months.  I am excited to get my pre-baby body back.  I know it will take some hard work, but I know it's totally worth it.  Not only will I like how I look, but I will FEEL so much better too!

I am looking forward to starting the new year out with a healthy bang!  My detox and cleanse isn't just a 7-day diet, but rather a lifestyle.  You see, I want my body to feel as good as possible, all the time.  I want my body to function at full capacity, all the time.  I want to live life to the fullest and enjoy every day I am given.  My goal is to get the most out of life, and I know that having a healthy body plays a huge role in that!

If you are interested in joining me in my quest for healthy living, I would love to chat with you.  We have some amazing deals right now, so if you like saving money, these are for you!  These Holiday Gift Sets have everything you need for a natural detox and cleanse...

So, there you have it.  My personal plan for detoxing and cleansing my body after the holidays.  I would LOVE for you to join me.  

Let's do this together!!!  

Let's start 2014 right -- HEALTHY!!!